Day: November 5, 2021

The third Industry 4.0 Summit and Expo themed “Accelerating modernisation and industrialisation in digital era” will be held both online and offline from November 9 to December 6.

Chairing a press conference in Hanoi on November 5, Vice Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Economic Affairs Nguyen Duc Hien said the event will be hosted by the International Events & Consulting (IEC) Group.

Attracting over 2,000 delegates at home and abroad, the event has become one of the annual largest-scale forums on Industry 4.0 in Vietnam. This year, it is expected to serve strategy planning and contribute to post-pandemic economic development in the new normal in accordance with conclusions of the fourth plenum of the 13th Party Central Committee and the Prime Minister’s directions.

The summit will be chaired by leaders of the Party, National Assembly and Government on December 6 while a series of 10 thematic seminars will be held throughout November.

It will focus discussions on the industrialisation and modernisation strategy till 2030 with a vision to 2045, reports on industrialisation in th edigital era, the future of the global economy in the post-pandemic period, innovation – key to recovery and development, and national digital transformation towards the digital economy and society.

Thematic seminars will feature new approaches to industrialisation and modernisation, smart production and smart urban development, green and new energy, new business models, building e-government towards digital government, development of digital infrastructure and human resources, digital transformation in agriculture and rural development, and smart banking.

The event is expected to draw about 100-150 delegates to the International Convention Centre and over 2,000 others online via 63 locations in all cities and provinces and other venues at home and abroad.

Activities on technology investment connectivity are also planned to seek business cooperation opportunities.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Domestic businesses were provided with more information about the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) at a conference held virtually in Hanoi on November 5.

The event was co-hosted by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM), with the support of the Aus4Reform Programme – the Australian Embassy in Vietnam.

Speaking at the conference, Nguyen Thi Thu Trang, Director of the VCCI’s Centre for WTO and Economic Integration, cited a survey conducted by VCCI last year unveiling that only 23 percent of Vietnamese enterprises have fairly good understanding of FTAs. VCCI will roll out more information providing activities to help local firms get an insight into the deal and guide them how to optimise its opportunities in specific sectors, she said.

Nguyen Anh Duong , Director of the CIEM’s Department for General Economic Issues and Integration Studies, pointed out impacts of the agreement on Vietnam’s economy and the operation of local businesses.

On this occasion, the organizers introduced a business manual on the RCEP complied by VCCI with the support of the Aus4Reform Programme.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son received Honorary Consul of Vietnam in Switzerland Philipp Rosler in Paris, France, on November 5 (local time).

At the meeting, Rosler said it was an honour for him be appointed as Honorary Consul of Vietnam in Switzerland, affirming that he will do his best in his new role to contribute to promoting cooperation between the two countries in many fields, especially in areas he has experience and expertise such as business connectivity, digital transformation, and healthcare.

He said that Swiss businesses are very interested in Vietnam. They highly appreciated the open policy and development potential of Vietnam and have looked forward to visiting and surveying its business investment environment right after the COVID-19 pandemic is controlled, he said.

Rosler said that the international community strongly supported Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), adding that the Prime Minister’s statement has created a new attraction for foreign investors, who both want to develop their business in Vietnam and contribute to environmental protection.

Congratulating Rosler on his appointment as the Honorary Consul, Son emphasised that this is evidence of Vietnam’s appreciation for his contributions to Vietnam – Switzerland relations in recent years and reflects that Vietnam considers Switzerland as one of the important partners with great potential for cooperation.

The minister hoped that Rosler would continue to make more positive and effective contributions to the process of opening, recovering and developing the economy of Vietnam, contributing to strengthening the Vietnam-Switzerland relationship, especially in the fields of health, policy consultancy, and attracting foreign investment in high technology, innovation and maintaining global supply chains.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

The California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) has granted VinFast 20.5 million USD worth of tax credit, the Vietnamese automobile manufacturer said on November 5.

Vinfast has committed to investing more than 200 million USD in establishing its US subsidiary in the state and creating at least 1,065 full-time jobs.

The granted sum comes from the California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) – an income tax credit available to businesses that want to locate or stay and grow in California. Accordingly, businesses of any industry, size, or location compete for over 180 million USD available in tax credits by applying in one of the three application periods each year. Applicants will be analysed based on 12 different factors of evaluation, including number of full-time jobs being created, amount of investment, and strategic importance to the state or region.

Recently, Vinfast, established in 2017, has announced its plan for the global debut of VF e35 and VF e36 electric SUV models at the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show, which runs from November 19 to 28. This global premiere marks the official introduction of the VinFast electric vehicle brand to the North American market, with pre-order beginning in the first half of 2022.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Phan Chi Thanh on November 4 presented his credentials to Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua.

The Thai King welcomed the Vietnamese diplomat, pledging to support him so that the ambassador can well fulfill his missions.

For his part, Ambassador Thanh conveyed President Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s regards to the King and members of the Royal Family as well as the Government and people of Thailand.

He briefed his host on the socio-economic situation of Vietnam as well as the country’s external policies, and highlighted important achievements in the bilateral relations between Vietnam and Thailand.

The diplomat affirmed that he will work hard for substantive and intensive development of the Vietnam-Thailand strategic partnership for the benefits of people and businesses of both countries

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Ba Hung on November 4 presented books and teaching equipment – a gift from the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam – to the Nguyen Du Laos – Vietnam bilingual school in Vientiane.

Speaking at the event, Hung said the gift reflects the attention of the ministry, the Vietnamese Party, and State paid to the Vietnamese community in Laos and to the school.

He hoped it will be used effectively in aid of teaching and learning activities at the school.

The Vietnamese Embassy always stands side by side with and support the school in obtaining higher achievements in the time to come, the diplomat affirmed.

Rector of the school Sivanheuang Phengkhammay expressed her appreciation of the gift.

Built in 2007 in a land plot granted by the Lao Government for the Vietnamese Government, the school is managed by the Association of Vietnamese in Vientiane under the direction of the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos and the Lao Ministry of Education and Sport. It is teaching in Vietnamese and Lao languages for over 1,000 students from kindergarten to 12th grade.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Vietnam attaches importance to its cooperative relations with the Francophone community and actively contributes to its common activities, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has said.

The PM made the statement at a meeting on November 5 with Louise Mushikiwabo, Secretary-General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), during his official visit to France.

PM Chinh applauded the efforts and contributions of the Francophone community to keeping peace and stability, promoting development in, and strengthening cooperation and solidarity among its member countries.

While taking on the role of a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 term, Vietnam has always promoted dialogue and cooperation, and contributed to efforts in a bid to prevent and resolve instability and conflicts that occurred in some African countries which are members of the OIF, he said.

The PM said that Vietnam has joined 17 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) covering up to 60 economies, including some Francophone economies. This is a favourable condition and legal basis for the country to promote economic cooperation with Francophone countries, he said, expressing his willingness to promote cooperation with Francophone nations in agriculture and telecommunications.

Vietnam attaches importance to relations with Francophone community: PM hinh anh 2

At the event. (Photo: VNA)

The OIF General-Secretary highly appreciated Vietnam’s role and its responsible and effective contributions to the Francophone community, as well as enhancing the image of the Francophone community in the Asia-Pacific region, including its hosting of the 7th Francophone Summit in 1997.

She also praised Vietnam’s role as the coordinator to successfully build the Francophone Economic Cooperation Strategy for the 2020-2025 period and welcomed Vietnam’s participation in UN peacekeeping operations, especially in Francophone countries.

The two leaders witnessed the signing of a letter of intent on collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam and the Ministry of Agriculture of Gabon on coffee production and export cooperation; a letter of intent on cooperation between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam and the OIF on the establishment of a South-South Cooperation Centre and tripartite cooperation.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

The e-sports industry promises many opportunities for brand collaboration, experts have said.

A white book on e-sports recently released by Vero in cooperation with Decision Lab said brands could enter the e-sports market through activities such as in-game advertising, cross-platform advertising, tournament sponsorship, team/player sponsorship, and co-creation.

According to research, forms advertising remains an effective tactic for brands to connect with potential customers.

About 86 percent of e-sports viewers claim to interact with the brands’ ads.

Over half of watchers trust the products recommended by KOLs they follow, and 42 percent buy such products often and consider them personally relevant.

Besides, unlike traditional sports, e-sports players can also actively create their own content instead of just consuming content provided by gamers, and this offers a lot of new opportunities for brands to interact with the public and co-create high-value content.

Therefore, brands should consider the e-sports industry a “co-business” rather than a “show-business” and, by leveraging its ecosystem, could reach the public easily and optimise their campaigns.

In recent years e-sports has developed strongly in Việt Nam and this is expected to continue.

Like its precursor, gaming, e-sports has changed from being a subcultural interest to a mainstream cultural force, opening up a wide range of opportunities for brands.

Vietnam, with a large, dynamic and well-integrated youth population, is catching up with the e-sports industry. The country is an attractive growth market for the gaming industry, with one of the youngest populations in the region and the highest percentage of adult gamers in the world in 2020.

About a third of the population now plays e-sports games.

Do Viet Hung, secretary general of the Vietnam Recreational and Electronic Sports Association, said: “In 2021 e-sports will continue to appeal to a large number in Vietnam. In contrast to other sports, the digital nature of e-sports has allowed it to maintain many of its events and tournaments despite the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The inclusion of e-sports in the 31st SEA Games should also help enhance its popularity in Vietnam, he added.

The white book said that while young people still make up the majority of e-sports players, 47 percent are aged 30-40.

The study also found that women made up 38 percent.

Contrary to the stereotype that gaming is solitary and antisocial, 46.5 percent of respondents see interaction with others as a primary factor for playing.

Nguyen Tran Son, head of Esports Manager at VNG Corporation, said: “Given the enormous value that the community and ecosystem of e-sports can bring, I believe investors and big brands will not be able to ignore this fertile land full of potential. Soon competition between brands will become more and more intense. I believe entering e-sports at this time is perfectly appropriate to deliver the highest value at the lowest cost

Source: Vietnam News Agency