Viet Nam News HÀ NỘI — The capital city plans to install 1,000 vending machines by 2020 to make shopping more convenient for local consumers as well as foreign tourists. The machines will be located mostly at hospitals, schools, bus stations, depots, passenger waiting rooms, historic and cultural sites, tourist attractions and parks, according to a decision on developing an automated vending machine network, issued recently by the municipal People’s Committee. Each machine will be placed on an area covering around two to three square metres. Depending on demand, up to four adjacent vending machines could be placed on one slot, according to the decision. Local authorities said they planned to choose machines that can adapt to the local climate, use solar power, and have surge protectors and security devices. Last September, Hà Nội installed some vending machines serving bottled beverages on walking streets around Hoàn Kiếm Lake. Both … [Read more...] about Capital city to install 1,000 vending machines by 2020
High stakes slot machine wins
Bamboo Airways to try new model in high stakes local aviation market
Bamboo Airways to try new model in high-stakes local aviation market In late April, Vietnamese real estate, investment, and business service conglomerate FLC Group and its unit Bamboo Airways officially made their debut with a brand identity pack. The step is one part of the airline’s preparations for its historical step to turn the dream into a reality. It is now completing necessary legal procedures to get a licence. Bamboo Airways plans to base its business model on medium-level prices and routes to newly emerging tourism destinations to compete with national carrier Vietnam Airlines and the budget airline Vietjet. The newcomer plans to run a ‘hybrid’ business model, between traditional and low-cost airlines. It will provide services of both these models. Its ticket prices are also an average of the two models. However, it may not be easy for Bamboo Airways to compete with Vietjet, which has its image imprinted in Vietnamese people’s minds with its cheap … [Read more...] about Bamboo Airways to try new model in high stakes local aviation market
All regions get more slots in 2026 World Cup
ZURICH: All football regions will see their World Cup slots increased when the tournament expands to 48 teams in 2026, with Africa the biggest winner, according to FIFA recommendations released on Thursday (Mar 30). The plan to expand the competition beyond its current 32-team format, which is subject to approval at FIFA's May Congress in Bahrain, guarantees Africa nine places, marking an increase of four. Asia, currently guaranteed between four and five World Cup entries, will get eight slots, while European confederation UEFA gets a boost from 13 to 16. The confederation for North, Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF) will have six places, above its current level of between three and four. South America (CONMEBOL), which now has between four and five slots, will get six, according to the recommendations from FIFA's ruling council. Oceana, which has not been guaranteed an entry in past World Cups, will be assured one spot. The Jan 10 decision to expand the World Cup marked a … [Read more...] about All regions get more slots in 2026 World Cup
High stakes legal ruling looms in ‘South China Sea’ dispute
An arbitration court in The Hague will rule on Tuesday in a dispute about the South China Sea (Vietnam's East Sea) in which the Philippines is challenging China's right to exploit resources across vast swathes of the strategic territory. China has boycotted the hearings at the Permanent Court of Arbitration, saying it does not have jurisdiction to decide on the matter. The ruling stands to further ramp up tensions in the region, where China's increased military assertiveness has spread concern among its smaller neighbours and is a point of confrontation with the United States. The United States and China regularly conduct military exercises in the area, which is of vital interest to both Beijing and Washington, and have accused each other of provocations as recently as last month. Influential state-run Chinese newspaper the Global Times said in an editorial on Tuesday that China's reaction to the ruling "depends on provocation". "So far, none of the concerned parties want military … [Read more...] about High stakes legal ruling looms in ‘South China Sea’ dispute
Clinton, Trump go head to head in high stakes presidential debate
Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump face off for the first time on Monday in a high stakes presidential debate that could shift the course of the neck-and-neck 2016 campaign for the White House. The highly anticipated clash between the Democratic former secretary of state and Republican real estate tycoon has generated wide interest nationally and internationally six weeks before the Nov. 8 election. Opinion polls show the two candidates in a very tight race, with the latest Reuters/Ipsos polling showing Clinton ahead by 4 percentage points, with 41 percent of likely voters. The 90-minute debate, set to start at 9 p.m. EDT (0100 GMT on Tuesday), could sway undecided and independent voters who have yet to make up their minds as well as voters from both parties who have tuned out the election until now. A second Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Monday showed half of America's likely voters would rely on the debates to help them make their choice. More than half, 61 … [Read more...] about Clinton, Trump go head to head in high stakes presidential debate