Social mobile platform

New Vietnamese social network launched The Saigon Times Daily A screenshot of the Lotus user interface. Social network Lotus, which was developed for Vietnamese users, was launched on August 20 – PHOTO: VNA HCMC - Vietnam Communications Corporation (VCCorp) yesterday launched social network platform Lotus to serve local users, with an initial investment of VND700 billion backed by VCCorp and local investors. The social networking site was established, funded and developed by VCCorp with financial contributions from local individual and institutional investors. The beta version of the social network will be officially launched on September 16, Nguyen The Tan, general director of VCCorp, told a press briefing on August 20. VCCorp also plans to call for additional investment of VND500 billion in the first phase to develop the project over the long term, Tan said. The project was developed by over 200 VCCorp technical engineers operating in the fields of mobile … [Read more...] about New Vietnamese social network launched

WB urges Vietnam for regulatory environment conducive to digital economy By Thuy Dung World Bank Country Director for Vietnam Ousmane Dione speaks at the workshop in Hanoi on March 7 – PHOTO: WORLD BANK IN VIETNAM HANOI – In the digital economy, Vietnam needs to put into place an appropriate environment to encourage innovation and competitiveness while protecting the consumer through better regulation and coordination among government agencies, said a World Bank (WB) official at a workshop in Hanoi today, March 7. Co-organized by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the WB in Vietnam, the workshop, called “Policy Aspects for Vietnam Digital Economy Development,” was aimed at seeking ways to accelerate the development of the digital economy and maximize its benefits. Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Cao Quoc Hung stated that the Fourth Industrial Revolution has significantly contributed to the global transition of the digital economy, which refers to a broad … [Read more...] about WB urges Vietnam for regulatory environment conducive to digital economy

First venture summit kicks off in Hanoi The Saigon Times Daily A view of the Vietnam Venture Summit 2019, which kicks off in Hanoi today, June 10 – PHOTO: VNA HCMC – Leaders of multiple domestic and foreign venture funds are participating in the Vietnam Venture Summit 2019, which opened in Hanoi today, June 10. The first such summit, lasting until June 12, is a dialogue platform between the Vietnamese Government, startups and domestic and international venture funds. Many investment funds have been established in Vietnam and are willing to pour capital into investment projects, said Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung. Vietnam is a potential market for these funds as its population is nearly 100 million people, with 63% of them having access to the Internet, 57% actively using social media and 73% owning mobile phones. In addition, there were over 3,000 startups in Vietnam last year, placing the country third in Asia, Dung added. According to … [Read more...] about First venture summit kicks off in Hanoi

From June 17-18, 1989, the Vietnam News Agency organised the 10th OANA Executive Board Meeting, the 10th Technical Group Meeting and the sixth Editorial Workshop. VNA/VNS File Photo HÀ NỘI — Members of the Organisation of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) agreed that it’s time to use every advantage to develop mechanisms in the fight against fake news, and all media outlets should not compromise truth, accuracy and accountability for speed. Given the context that fake news is spreading and harming nations, the Bahrain News Agency (BNA) affirmed that it does not compromise in its quest for honest reporting of the events in the country and around the world. First Deputy Director General of Russia’s TASS news agency Mikhail Gusman said that the first step would be forming close ties among news agencies, possibly in a traditional alliance like the OANA, he suggested, stressing on the need to give a clear definition of “fake news”, along with legal arguments and … [Read more...] about OANA members commit to fight fake news with modern technology

Although the global economy is heavily affected by Covid-19, a series of Vietnamese startups have lately obtained millions, even tens of millions of U.S. dollars, from domestic and foreign funds. In mid-September, three Vietnamese startups one after another reported they had succeeded with capital raising. Among them, Wee Digital, a financial technology or FinTech company, attracted the investment from the South Korean fund InterVest. A solution to biometrics and artificial intelligence for facial recognition to authenticate financial and banking transactions by Wee Digital - PHOTO: QUOC HUNG Wee Digital employs biometrics and artificial intelligence for facial recognition to authenticate financial and banking transactions. This technology allows users to make payments securely in just five seconds with no need to have cash, credit cards or cell phones with them when doing so. Meanwhile, InterVest, having made investments in Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, has … [Read more...] about Foreign funds fond of startups amidst pandemic

Bình Dương New City hosts the second Bình Dương Smart City Summit from November 25-27. —VNA/VNS Photo An Hiếu Viet Nam News BÌNH DƯƠNG — The southern province of Bình Dương plans to seek more partnerships with neighbouring cities and provinces, businesses and local and international experts to build a Bình Dương smart city, Mai Hùng Dũng, deputy chairman of the province’s People’s Committee, said at a press conference on November 23. Dũng said the first Bình Dương Smart City Summit held last year was a big success as “it improved Bình Dương’s brand at the international level, helping the province attract interest from foreign businesses.” But the biggest highlight of the previous summit was the launch of the Bình Dương Smart City Project in collaboration with the city of Eindhoven in the Netherlands. This year, the province is continuing its cooperation with the Netherlands Consulate General in HCM City to hold a second smart city summit from November 25-27 … [Read more...] about Bình Dương seeks partners to develop smart city

The tourism sector also needs to follow regulations to ensure accessibility for disabled persons.— Photo Vietnam Pictorial HÀ NỘI — When planning trips for business or pleasure, able-bodied people take certain things for granted — they assume that they’ll be able to easily and safely get around their destination, no matter where it is. For disabled people, tourism can require a bit more thinking ahead. Accessible tourism, which attempts to guarantee access to all tourist destinations and services for all people regardless of their disabilities or age, according to the World Tourism Organisation under the United Nations (UNWTO), remains a fairly new concept in Việt Nam but is gradually gaining momentum. Đỗ Cẩm Thơ, deputy head of tourism department under the culture ministry, says in most developed countries, public infrastructure includes features to ensure ease of use for people with disabilities, such as lifts in train platforms, grab rails in bathrooms and auditory … [Read more...] about Increasing participation of the disabled in tourism

The Swedish Sustainable City Delegation aims to discuss solutions for sustainable transport. — VNS Photo Bích Hường Viet Nam News HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam expressed its appreciation to Sweden for sharing expertise on good practices and technologies to support the development of public transport, Deputy Transport Minister Lê Đình Thọ said on Monday. Speaking at the roundtable discussions in Hà Nội on “Fostering efficient operations and management of public transport: Sharing the successful experience of Sweden in emerging countries” , Thọ said that Việt Nam had regularly improved its transport infrastructure system and transport services towards a more modern, safer and more convenient transport system, especially in public transport sector. Buses are now available in 60 out of 63 provinces and cities across Việt Nam. Last year, in Hà Nội and HCM City about 441 million and 307 million passengers, respectively, used buses. Urban railways and bus rapid transit (BRT) systems are … [Read more...] about Việt Nam seeking sustainable transport solutions

Business leaders share views at WEF ASEAN Successful WEF on ASEAN concludes Deputy PM calls on young Vietnamese people to be less obedient Suu Kyi pleased with Myanmar’s progress PM meets with multinational corporations A view of Hà Đông District in the southwest of Hà Nội. — VNA/VNS Photo Trọng Đạt Viet Nam News Trọng Kiên HÀ NỘI — Ranking among the world’s largest capitals and with a population of around 7.6 million, Hà Nội seems to be almost bursting at the seams with unceasing traffic and chaotic hubbub. The 1000-year-old capital of Việt Nam is a lot of things — its cultural quirks, historical richness and economic vitality might be fascinating; but most wouldn’t consider it an ‘organised’ city, in the sense of modern urban centres that have come to characterise much of the developed, post-industrial economies. At least, not yet. Authorities in Hà Nội are attempting to rectify this ungainly mess with an ambitious ‘smart city’ … [Read more...] about Hà Nội City makes the case for a smart transformation

Madame Ouidad Tebbaa, director of l’Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (Francophone Universities Association, AUF) in Asia Pacific region presents the award to the team from the Foreign Trade University –winner of the first prize. — VNS Photo Vương Bạch Liên Viet Nam News HÀ NỘI — A group of students from the Foreign Trade University of Hà Nội won first prize at the ‘Start-up Francophone 2018’ competition during the regional final round held on Friday in Hà Nội. They impressed the jury with their innovative idea named ‘Freem’, which is an original platform connecting freelancers and employers. “The community-based platform will offer more opportunities to freelancers in the marketing, media and design sectors to find more satisfying jobs in small and medium enterprises and start-ups,” said Trần Minh Châu, head of the ‘Freem’ team when she presented her team’s business plan to a jury of entrepreneurs. The contest opened in March this year to young people from Việt … [Read more...] about Francophone students honoured for innovative start up projects