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US News has listed Vietnam as one of the 30 best solo travel destinations alongside its neighbours Singapore and Thailand. The War Remnants Museum, a tourist attraction in HCM City  It recommends a solo vacation in Vietnam, which it describes as “a safe destination with friendly locals and outstanding cuisine”. It says it is best to drop into local restaurants and try signature dishes that have made Vietnamese cuisine famous, like pho or rice noodles soup with beef or chicken, bun cha or grilled pork with rice vermicelli, and nem or fried spring rolls. The paper also lists HCM City and Hanoi among the country’s top attractions. Beaver Creek in the US topped the solo travel list, followed by Grand Cayman in the UK and Paris in France. Earlier this year TripAdvisor readers ranked Vietnam as one of the 10 best places to go in the world. Last June, the ancient town of Hoi An was among the 10 safest and most exciting places on earth for solo travellers listed by … [Read more...] about Vietnam among 30 best solo travel destinations

Turkey is a 'target of economic war', Erdogan saysThe Saigon Times Daily Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan talks to media in the Black Sea city of Ordu, Turkey August 11, 2018 – PHOTO: REUTERS ISTANBUL (REUTERS) - President Tayyip Erdogan denied on Saturday that Turkey is in a currency crisis, dismissing a plunge in the lira as ‘fluctuations’ which have nothing to do with economic fundamentals. Speaking after U.S. President Donald Trump doubled tariffs on Turkish steel and aluminum imports, Erdogan described Friday’s 18% fall in the lira to a record low as the ‘missiles’ of an economic war waged against Turkey. Erdogan said those who plotted against Turkey in a failed coup attempt in July 2016 were now trying to target the country through its economy, and pledged to fight back. He did not name any countries. “Those who can’t compete with us on the ground have brought online fictional currency plots that have nothing to do with … [Read more...] about Turkey is a ‘target of economic war’, Erdogan says

The agriculture sector’s export turnover in the first six months of 2018 reached some 20 billion USD, setting a decent pace by meeting half the year’s target of 41 billion USD.  Despite challenges still facing the sector towards the year’s end, the general picture for agricultural exports is expected to be a leverage for the country’s GDP. Vietnam has long been known around the world for its rice production, with rice paddy fields part of the iconic imagery of the country. However, the past four years saw rice production at a low point.  Despite these gloomy years, rice exports have made a breakthrough in 2018, with prices even surpassing those of export giants in Thailand and India.  Rice has greatly contributed to the country’s export turnover of agro-fishery-forestry products, which was altogether worth around 19.4 billion USD in the first half of 2018. Nguyen Quoc Toan, Acting Head of Dep’t of Processing and Trade for … [Read more...] about Bright picture forecast for VN agriculture sector

The military court of Military Zone 7 on July 30 began a first-instance trial of Dinh Ngoc He, alias Ut “troc”, and four other defendants in a case involving law violations at the Thai Son Corporation under the Defence Ministry.  Dinh Ngoc He, born 1971, was former Senior Lieutenant Colonel and Deputy Director General of the Thai Son Corporation under the Defence Ministry Before being charged, Dinh Ngoc He, born 1971, was Senior Lieutenant Colonel and Deputy Director General of the Thai Son Corporation. He is charged with two counts, one of which is abusing position and power while performing official duties under Clause 2, Article 356 of the 2015 Penal Code, and the other is using falsified documents under Point b, Clause 2, Article 341 of the 2015 Penal Code Three other defendants are also charged with abusing position and power while performing official duties, who are Tran Xuan Son, born 1986, former director of Binh Duong branch of Thai Son Development and … [Read more...] about Former senior lieutenant colonel tried for abusing position, power

The People’s Court of Bien Hoa city, the southern province of Dong Nai, on July 30 handed out sentences ranging from 12 months probation to 18 months in prison to 20 defendants under the charge of “causing public disorder” pursuant to Clause 1, Article 318 of the Penal Code.  Defendants at the court  35-year-old Tran Nguyen Duy Quang was given 18 months in prison and Pham Ngoc Hanh received a jail sentence of 16 months.  Meanwhile, Dinh Ma Phong, Nguyen Thi Thuy Dung, Ho Cong Di, Diep Ut Tien, Nguyen Thi Lan Anh, Pham Ngoc Huyen, Dinh Kha Ly, Doan Van Thuong, Nguyen Thanh Toan, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Phuong, Nguyen Thi Truc Anh, and Nguyen Thi Ngoc Lieu were all sentenced to 10 months in prison each.  Vo Nhu Huynh was given a jail term of eight months. Nguyen Dinh Truong, Pham Van Linh, Nguyen Thi Truc Ly, Nguyen Thi Tuan, and Nguyen Thi Thuy received sentences ranging from 12-14 months of probation.  The defendants were accused of taking … [Read more...] about Dong Nai: 20 sentenced for disturbing public order

A 20-year prison term has been proposed for Pham Cong Danh, ex-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Vietnam Construction Bank (VNCB), for his involvement in the case of “deliberately violating State regulations on economic management, causing severe consequences” at VNCB. At the court The People’s Procuracy of Ho Chi Minh City proposed penalties for Danh and 45 other defendants on July 30. This is the second phase of the case and involves Danh (who is also Chairman of the Board of Members and General Director of Thien Thanh Group), Tram Be (former Vice Chairman of Saigon Thuong Tin Commercial JSB, also known as Sacombank), as well as 44 accomplices.  In this phase, they are accused of causing economic losses of more than 6.1 trillion VND (263.73 million USD) to VNCB. The first phase involved losses of 9 trillion VND (389 million USD). The trial opened in January 2018, however on February 7, the court decided to return the dossier of the case and request … [Read more...] about 20-year prison term proposed for ex-Chairman of the VNCB

Vietnam’s IT group FPT has inaugurated its 7th representative office in Japan at Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture.  At the inauguration ceremony  Addressing the office’s inaugural on July 13, Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Nguyen Quoc Cuong said besides the FPT office, there are six other Vietnamese firms operating in the prefecture, which is one of the most dynamic localities in Japan.  He expressed his belief that investment by Vietnamese businesses in Kanagawa will expand in the context of the bilateral relationship at its best ever, and rising number of Vietnamese living in the prefecture.  Kanagawa Governor Kuroiwa Yuji affirmed that the prefecture will create favourable conditions for Vietnamese businesses.  He said the ties between Kanagawa and Vietnam are growing, highlighting the annual Vietnam Festival in the locality.  The Governor went on to say that investment of Vietnamese firms such as FPT will help further strengthen the … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s FPT group expands investment in Japan

The Prime Minister has issued Directive 19/CT-TTg on preventive measures against flash floods and landslides, which have happened frequently recently in the northern and north central regions.  Lai Chau province suffered the heaviest losses in humans due to flash floods and landslide last month. The directive noted that the recent natural disasters in Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Son La, Lai Chau, Hoa Binh and Nghe An have caused great losses in both human lives and property, due to limited capacity in forecast and warning work as well as poor resistance capacity of local infrastructure.   To be better prepared for flash floods and landslides, thus mitigating losses, the PM orders the Central Steering Committee on Natural Disaster Control, the National Committee for Search and Rescue, ministries, sectors and local administrations to strictly carry out the Government’s Resolution 76/NQ-CP dated June 18, 2018 on natural prevention and control.  Accordingly, the … [Read more...] about Prime Minister instructs high alert against flash floods, landslide

To sell their products to foreign distribution channels, Vietnamese businesses need to pay more attention to product design, quality assurance and after-sales services, speakers said at a training workshop held in HCM City on July 13. Delegates in HCM City exchange information yesterday on the sidelines of a training workshop to help enterprises take part in foreign distribution networks. … [Read more...] about Vietnamese firms must step up to join foreign distribution chains

France-Croatia final confirms Europe's World Cup dominanceThe Saigon Times Daily France's Kylian Mbappe scores against Argentina in Kazan, Russia - June 30, 2018 – PHOTO: REUTERS (REUTERS) - A European nation is set to win the World Cup for the fourth time in a row this Sunday and in doing so confirm an unprecedented dominance for the Old World over their once mighty rivals in South America. Whether France or Croatia lift the trophy in Moscow, it will guarantee a minimum 20-year drought for South American sides. Until this streak, European teams had never won more than two World Cups in a row and that was back in 1934 and 1938. Confirming the hegemony, only one of the last eight finalists (Argentina in 2014) have come from Latin America. There are many possible reasons behind the Europeans’ superiority and some even recommend caution. Although Argentina and Peru were disappointing, Brazil outplayed Belgium for much of their quarter-final defeat, both Uruguay and … [Read more...] about France-Croatia final confirms Europe’s World Cup dominance