The first monopoly game

RMIT Vietnam student reinvents Monopoly game The Saigon Times Daily Thanh Tam has created a new Vietnamese version of Monopoly game and called it Tet Ta Mua - PHOTO: COURTESY OF RMIT VIETNAM HCMC - Inspired by the idea of bringing families closer together, an RMIT Vietnam student has redesigned the popular Monopoly game to celebrate the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday (Tet). Bachelor of Design (Digital Media) graduate Nguyen Ngoc Thanh Tam said she initially intended to create a children’s book to honor Vietnamese culture but then realized a game could be something that could gather all family members. After 13 weeks of conceptualizing, structuring and designing, a new version of Monopoly that Tam called Tet Ta Mua was complete. After some research, Tam not only learned how to design a game that the whole family could enjoy but also studied the history of Tet culture to ensure the game is meaningful and authentic for all players. She then applied her learned … [Read more...] about RMIT Vietnam student reinvents Monopoly game

The State monopoly in the rail industry has diminished competition and pushed the sector to the edge of crisis, economic experts said yesterday.— Photo tuoitre.vn HÀ NỘI — The State monopoly in the rail industry has diminished competition and pushed the sector to the edge of crisis, economic experts said yesterday. The railway sector was brought up as a prime example of a monopoly crushing an industry during a conference on reforms to State monopolies organised by the Central Institute for Economic Management. Presenting a report at the conference, Dr Nguyễn Thị Luyến from the institute said that the Việt Nam Railway – the State-owned group who runs all railway networks in the country – lacked motivation to increase quality while reducing ticket prices due to its monopoly power. That led to a much smaller piece of the market pie for the rail industry under harsh competition from the booming aviation and road sectors. According to Luyến’s report, the number of train … [Read more...] about State monopoly is crippling railways

Tenants of many apartment buildings in Hà Nội could only use one telecom service provider selected by the building management board for internet or cable television. — Photo tienphong.vn Viet Nam News HÀ NỘI — Watching cable television and accessing the internet are now basic needs for the majority of households in Việt Nam, but in many apartment buildings in big cities like Hà Nội and HCM City, residents are unable to freely choose their telecom and internet service provider. The reason for this is that building developers are partnering with one cable TV and internet provider. This prevents apartment residents from choosing providers other than those selected by building owners, Tuổi Trẻ (Youth) newspaper reported. Wishing to remain anonymous, T.A, who lives in Đồng Mô Đại Kim Social Housing in Hà Nội’s Hoàng Mai District, said despite the crowded buildings, the Viet Nam Post and Telecommunication Group (VNPT) was the only telecom service provider in the area. “As … [Read more...] about Telecom monopoly hurts apartment residents

Downtown condo development ban may cause monopoly By Le Anh An aerial view of the downtown area of HCMC - PHOTO: THANH HOA HCMC - The HCMC government’s decision to stop licensing new multistorey apartment building projects in Districts 1 and 3 until 2020 could result in a monopoly among the few investors in projects currently under construction, paving the way for them to raise the prices of apartments, according to the HCMC Real Estate Association (HoREA). HCMC currently has more than 8,500 high-end apartments, accounting for 30% of the total, while low-cost ones make up only 24.7%, with nearly 7,000 units. This means that there is an imbalance in HCMC’s housing market. A balanced housing market should have the largest proportion of low-end apartments and the smallest proportion of apartments in the high-end segment. HoREA forecast a shortage of homes for low-income people but an abundant supply of high-end apartments. Investors in luxury apartments will have to … [Read more...] about Downtown condo development ban may cause monopoly

New game show on employment on air By Minh Tuan Whose Chance? game show is directed by Nguyen Thanh Chanh Truc (L) and hosted by MC Lai Van Sam - PHOTO: COURTESY OF ORGANIZER HCMC - Whose Chance? is a new game show on employment which will go on the air on Vietnam Television’s Channel 3 (VTV3) at 11 a.m. every Saturday, starting today, September 14. The show not only creates a playground for participants to improve their job interview and problem solving skills but also offers a chance for recruiters to find suitable candidates. Nguyen Thanh Chanh Truc, vice head of the HCMC Small Stage Theater and director of the game show, said: “As an experienced director, I’m really interested in the show’s format as it creates many unexpected situations.” Playwright/actress Nghinh Loc said she participates in the game show as a mentor because she wants to help candidates land the right jobs. With her acting experience, Loc will show contestants how to promote themselves … [Read more...] about New game show on employment on air

City inspectors visit Ruby Restaurant on Tôn Thất Tùng Street in HCM City’s District 1 on May 31. Police detained many customers and waitresses after the inspection. — VNA/VNS Photo Thành Chung Viet Nam News HCM CITY — The HCM City People’s Committee has asked a number of local administrative agencies to crack down on illegal prostitution and gaming activities at service businesses like bars and massage parlours. The city’s Department of Culture and Sports will be responsible for working directly with agencies and district authorities to report violations to the People’s Committee. The Police Department will inspect and supervise service businesses such as karaoke bars, restaurants, hotels, massage parlours, gaming clubs and sports clubs. The city’s Department of Justice plans to draft new regulations on service-related business management and submit it to the People’s Committee by August 30. The People’s Committee said that regulations in the current law … [Read more...] about HCM City cracks down on prostitution, gaming at service businesses

Phan Sào Nam and Nguyễn Văn Dương, ringleaders of a VNĐ10 trillion online gambling ring. — Photo courtesy of the Public Security Ministry Viet Nam News PHÚ THỌ — The case file on a massive police-backed online gambling ring worth VNĐ9.8 trillion (US$426.3 million), involving high-ranking police officials has been completed and submitted to the court, the criminal investigation unit of Phú Thọ Province said on Wednesday. The northern province’s police are asked to bring to court charges against 92 people, facing a total of seven criminal offences, from organising gambling activities and purchasing fake invoices to money laundering, bribing and abuse of power. Twelve others are still on the run and will be brought to trial later, the police said. The ringleaders of the online gambling case (held via the card game rikvip/tip.club) were identified as Phan Sào Nam, CEO of VTC Online, a major tech company, and Nguyễn Văn Dương, chairman of CNC, a private high-tech security … [Read more...] about High-ranking police officials charged with power abuse in massive online gambling ring

Relax Underwear brings joy to disadvantaged children By Minh Tuan Local children and volunteers of Relax Underwear and the Startup-Human Resources Club take part in a fun activity during the Wild Sunflower Sunshine program in Lam Dong Province in June 2019 - PHOTOS: COURTESY OF SON VIET GARMENT CORPORATION HCMC - Relax Underwear brand of HCMC-based Son Viet Garment Corporation has carried out various programs to support underprivileged children, who lack access to quality education and other basic needs, in many parts of the country. Such activities have brought joy to disadvantaged children, encouraging them to overcome difficulties to pursue their studies and become good citizens. “For the Children’s Smiles” program Every child is the pride of his/her family, a contributor for the society and the future of the country; and every child has the rights to study and entertain to develop comprehensively and contribute to the society’s development. However, there are … [Read more...] about Relax Underwear brings joy to disadvantaged children

Saigontourist’s hotels roll out numerous Christmas and New Year promotions By Bich Van A view of Rex Rooftop Garden at the Rex Hotel Saigon. The hotel and other Saigontourist properties have been running special promotions this festive season - PHOTO: COURTESY OF SAIGONTOURIST HCMC - Many hotels under Saigontourist Holding Company, especially those in HCMC and Central Vietnam, are running special promotions to celebrate Christmas and the New Year. Rex Hotel Saigon The Rex Hotel Saigon will host a Christmas dinner buffet from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on December 24. In addition to delicious dishes and free beverages, guests will enjoy exciting music performance with Christmas songs and DJ show and receive gifts from Santa Claus. The buffet is priced at VND2.4 million an adult and half the price for a child. The hotel is located at 141 Nguyen Hue Street, District 1, HCMC. Tel: 028.3829 2185. Hotel Continental Saigon The Hotel Continental Saigon’s garden area … [Read more...] about Saigontourist’s hotels roll out numerous Christmas and New Year promotions

Exhibition “Scenes of the imago” ongoing at The Factory The Saigon Times Daily Visitors navigate through the artworks - PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE ORGANIZER HCMC - Artist Nghia Dang is holding an exhibition titled “Scenes of the imago” at The Factory Contemporary Arts Centre in HCMC’s District 2, introducing a collection of sculptures borrowing the form of objects that bear the familiarity of a house. In the exhibition, Nghia Dang sets a stage where images and disconnected scenes of shadow in his subconsciousness are intertwined and revealed. The sculptures are scattered around the gallery like characters from a story. In the corner of the room, a diary and a series of drawings filled with scribbles and sketches that seem to have no link to each other. They might be rapid jottings of dreams that appear and then disappear or a fictional scene from the artist’s imagination. The entire stage serves as an entrance into the shadow of the artist’s mind. Curiosity makes the … [Read more...] about Exhibition “Scenes of the imago” ongoing at The Factory