Norwegian professor of wireless modeling gives free lectures in VietnamVietNamNet Bridge - Matthias Paetzold, the world’s leading professor in wireless modeling, visits Vietnam every year to give lectures at the Hanoi University of Science & Technology. Prof Matthias Paetzold and students of the Hanoi University of Science & TechnologyMatthias began giving lectures at the Institute of Electronics and Telecommunications at the Hanoi University of Science & Technology in 2014, when the school began applying the Advanced Program. “Professor Matthias Paetzold is great. There are two foreign professors who have strong attachment to our school. The talented students cannot continue making a contribution to the country’s development if they do not return.

Solar power era begins in VietnamVietNamNet Bridge - The solar panel market has warmed up with foreign and domestic investors showing renewed interest in the market. First Solar’s comeback after seven years of interruption, according to analysts, was kicked off by the 40 percent growth rate of the solar panel market in recent years. If compared with thin-film panel, crystal-lie silicon panel, particularly mono crystal-lie, is believed to have higher photo energy conversion performance. Having experienced and qualified R&D staff, SolarBK is the only Vietnamese company to join the solar panel market. While thin-film panels with low costs are suitable to large-scale projects, silicon crystal-lie panels would fit smaller projects, especially household-run solar power systems.

Almost 375,000 tourists visit Hanoi during Tet holidaysThe number of international tourists to the capital city of Hanoi are estimated to rise by 30 percent to 125,000 people during the week-long Tet (Vietnamese New Year) festival, according to the municipal Department of Tourism. The annual Spring Calligraphy Festival, underway at Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam from February 9-25, is part of a series of events in Hanoi to celebrate Tet festival, the Vietnamese New Year. The figure brought the total number of visitors to the city during the Tet holidays from February 14-20 to nearly 375,000, an increase of 13 percent from the same period last year. Most notable is the annual Spring Calligraphy Festival which is underway at Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam from February 9-25. For example, the Sofitel Legend Metropole’s Tet Market, also known as “Tet Ha Thanh”, which recreated a bustling Hanoian market where visitors can enjoy a range of Tet holiday foods.

The overseas remittances mostly came from the US (60 percent) and Europe (20 percent). Overseas remittances to Vietnam go through four channels – commercial banks, economic institutions, customs or post. Overseas remittances to Vietnam have increased since 2010, reaching a peak of $13.2 billion in 2015. “The overseas remittances to Vietnam are not affected by the interest rate gap between the dollar deposit interest rates in Vietnam and the rest the world, or the SBV’s dollar interest rate policy,” Canh said. These will affect remittance flow, since the US is the biggest source of overseas remittances to Vietnam, accounting for 60 percent.

Overseas Vietnamese in France keep Tet traditions aliveMany Vietnamese expatriates in France have chosen pagodas in Paris suburbs to visit during the very first days of the lunar New Year (Tet), an age-old tradition of Vietnamese people. Overseas Vietnamese at the Truc Lam Truc Lam Zen Monastery in Villebon-sur-YvetteThe Khuong Viet Pagoda in Orsay and Truc Lam Zen Monastery in Villebon-sur-Yvette are among popular destinations for the community, as these places offer them a spring atmosphere like the homeland and prayers for a blessed New Year ahead. Meanwhile, in Venezuela, the Vietnamese Embassy organised a warm Tet get-together for overseas Vietnamese in the South American country. The event was filled with Vietnamese folk songs and traditional Tet food, such as banh chung (square glutinous rice cake) and fried spring rolls. Outcomes of bilateral agriculture projects have so far helped Venezuela ease food shortage and move toward ensuring food security in the future, he noted.-VNA

Vietnamese PhD in blockchain technology predicts big year for cryptocurrencyVietNamNet Bridge - Some projects related to blockchain will kick off and bring actual value, according to Luu The Loi, the first and only Vietnamese PhD in blockchain technology. Kyber Network develops safe and quick transactions on the basis of blockchain technology. What would you say about the fate of the other MLM coins after the collapse of Bitconnect Lending model? The collapse could be seen as a warning for MLM lending models on blockchain. How about the cryptocurrency world in general?

Counseling divisions will be set up at general schoolsUnicef researchers, after surveying Vietnamese youth aged 11-24 in four cities/provinces (Hanoi, HCMC, Dien Bien and Ha Giang), said that 8-29 percent of Vietnamese youth have problems with mental health, from mild to severe levels. Meanwhile, 2.3 percent of youth commit suicide, which is lower than the global average level of 9 percent. Of 409 individuals who thought of committing suicide, 102 tried to commit suicide. About 10 percent of Vietnamese people have mental and psychological problems, while 200,000 people in serious situation and have to undergo treatment. Trinh Quoc Trung, 19, one of the surveyed students, said: “Parents now are too busy with their work.

Numerous challenges facing Vietnam’s exports in 2018Despite several obstacles, Vietnam’s exports met and surpassed the targets set by the National Assembly and Government in 2017. This year, exports will continue to grapple with challenges such as the volatile world economy, rising global supply, and sterner competition. Last year saw Vietnam’s exports rise by 21% to 213.7 billion, crossing the US$200 billion mark for the first time. However, MoIT Minister Tran Tuan Anh indicated a weakness in Vietnam’s exports due to an over dependence on the foreign direct investment (FDI) sector. Businesses have not yet built their own stable and trusted brands for most export products.

Prof Nguyen MaiThe world is witnessing the development of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), which is opening up many opportunities for countries across the globe, including Vietnam. Currently, Vietnam is conducting the Second Industrial Revolution with the construction of social and technical infrastructure, while also implementing the Third Industrial Revolution with the development of IT, automation systems, and the Internet. The first early studies on the global 4IR have all stressed the selection of some specific sectors for investment, which can be expanded to other sectors. People also need to be given favourable conditions to enjoy high-quality goods and products sold online via premium services.In short, the Fourth Industrial Revolution is now growing nationwide, and has significant impacts across all sectors, enterprises, and people. Thus, it is necessary for the government, enterprises, organisations, and general population to modify themselves in order to develop Vietnam into a modern industrial nation.VIR

Fishermen celebrate first sailing of new lunar yearA sailing festival took place in the central province of Quang Ngai’s Sa Huynh port on February 18 to mark the first day at sea of local fishermen in the lunar year. A fishing vessel during a fist sailing festival Sa Huynh port is located in Pho Thanh commune, Duc Pho district. As a pray for a new year of favourable weather and bumper harvests, the festival featured traditional singings by local fishermen, namely Sac Bua and Ba Trao. About 65 percent of Pho Thanh’s population are fishermen, who operate more than 1,000 fishing ships. In 2017, Pho Thanh fishermen fished over 45,000 tonnes of kinds of fish.

Spring book street opens in HanoiThe spring book street opened in December 19 street, Hanoi, on February 18 (the third day of the Lunar New Year), introducing books of different genres to visitors. In the spring book streetApart from existing 16 stalls, other publishing houses also displayed publications. A space for New Year newspapers and calligraphy is also made available. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Ngo Van Quy said the event is expected to start a series of activities in the Hanoi book street this year, contributing to making it closer to book lovers in the capital. Following the ceremony, the book “The Emperor” by Polish journalist Ryszard Kapuscinski debuted.

VN seeing a boom in renewable energy projectsVietnam has seen a boom in renewable energy projects, in a bid to meet the nation’s future demands for power, after the Government scrapped plans to build a nuclear power plant in Ninh Thuan Province. Experts have noted that this is a golden opportunity for the country, which is confronted by environmental issues, to develop renewable energy, given the huge potential of wind and solar power.In 2015, the Prime Minister approved a renewable energy development strategy by 2030 with a vision to 2050, which targeted an increase in the ratio of power generated from renewable energy to 32 per cent by 2030 and 43 per cent by 2050.The national project for power development in 2011-20 also identified developing renewable energy as a breakthrough to ensure the security of the nation’s energy supplies, and reduce the negative impact of generating power on the environment.This could be regarded as a launching pad to promote investment in developing renewable energy in Vietnam, according to Vo Tan Thanh, deputy chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry.There were some 50 wind power, and more than 100 solar power projects, along with a number of biomass projects being developed in the country.Hundreds of solar projects have been registered, as of July 2017, allowing them to seek investors, with a total capacity of up to 17,000 MW, according to an estimate by the Energy Programme’s officer under the US Agency for International Development.Also, many investors recently announced very large investments in renewable energy projects in Vietnam.Thiên Tan Group announced it would invest US$2 billion in building five solar power projects in Ninh Thuan Province by 2020. The group also seeks to develop some 20 large-scale solar power plants in the northern provinces by 2020.In late January, BIM Group began construction of the BIM 1 solar power project in Ninh Thuan Province, with a planned annual electricity output of 50 million kWh, in cooperation with AC Energy, a subsidiary of Philippines’ Ayala Group.The group planned to develop the largest clean energy farm in Vietnam in Ninh Thuận Province, with a total capacity of 300 MW, by the first quarter of 2019, with a target of producing 1,000 MW of clean energy by 2025.Besides Ninh Thuan, investors were also keen on developing solar power projects in other provinces, with a potential for generating solar power in Phu Yen, Binh Phuoc and Khanh Hoa.Recently, Asia infornet INC, a member of Japan’s AIN Group, began working with Binh Phuoc Province on the feasibility of developing a solar power project in Becamex Industrial – Urban Zone.The Phu Yen People’s Committee said that it allowed 17 investors to carry out field surveys and study the possible development of solar power projects, with a total capacity of 1,310 MW, in the province.Besides solar power, wind energy projects are also being developed, such as a 98 MW wind power plant by Super Wind Energy Cong Ly Soc Trang in Soc Trang Province, the 373 million kWh Bac Lieu wind power plant phase three, and phase two of the Dam Nai wind power project in Ninh Thuan Province.VNS

HCM City maps out plans for water transport expansionHCM City agencies have unveiled plans to promote waterway transport on the 975km of riverways in the city, according to the city’s Department of Transport. For the last decade, the city has focused on land transport in an aim to tackle traffic congestion, especially at the entrances to the city and its ports.A number of projects to expand road networks were completed, but did not ease traffic congestion, especially at the northwest gateway and the entry to Cat Lai Port, transport experts said.Bui xuan Cuong, director of the Department of Transport, said the city last year built 106km of roads and 21 bridges.Vo Kim Cuong, former deputy architect of HCM City, said that rapid urbanisation was one of the main causes behind the overloaded streets.The inappropriate locations of ports have also caused pressure to existing road networks.Cuong said the city’s agencies should use the waterways to ease pressure on the city’s roads.Ha Ngoc Truong, chairman of the HCM City Association of Bridges–Roads–Ports, said the city’s port network has not been fully developed due to the lack of connections between ports and city infrastructure.Government agencies have focused on the development of land transport while waterway transport received meagre investments, said Truong.Nguyen Ngoc Tuong, deputy chief of HCM City Traffic Safety Board, said the only way to reduce traffic congestions at roads and entries around ports is to improve waterway transport.Pham Sanh, a transportation expert from HCM City, said the waterway network was still not connected to roads, railroads, and the port network.Moreover, the clearance height of most bridges in HCM City is too low while canals are not frequently dredged and have low depth, making them inaccessible for large vessels.“To develop water transport in HCM City, agencies must build a suitable plan for infrastructure development, especially for waterways connecting HCM City with the Mekong Delta region,” said Sanh.HCM City agencies said that between 2018 and 2020 the city would mobilise investments from the private sector into water transport infrastructure.For example, in 2018, upgrades of Binh Loi Bridge in Binh Thanh District will be completed, paving the way for waterway transport from Tay Ninh and Binh Duong provinces with ports in HCM City and Cai Mep ports in Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province.Dredging of canals will help link the Sai Gon River with the Dong Nai River.Canals and rivers on Vam Co Dong, Cho Dem, Ben Luc, Rach Doi and Kinh will be dredged, while Ong Nhieu, Rach Dia and Rach Gioi bridges will be upgraded to facilitate passenger and cargo transport from HCM City to Long An and Tay Ninh provinces.Ports and piers along the Sai Gon River will be moved to suburban areas, while wharves along Dong Nai, Nha Be and Thi Vai rivers will be completed and upgraded.Truong Tho ICD (Inland Container Depot) will be relocated and upgraded.A 6ha river port, to be built in a hi-tech park, will be able to take 1,000 tonne vessels.City authorities will have plans to add new routes to connect Vam Co River with ports in Cai Mep-Thi Vai area, and to link Dong Nai with Thi Vai rivers.More ICDs will be built to help reduce the pressure on land transport facilities.To meet the rising demand for passenger transport, the transport department has approved an 18ha passenger port with a 600m pier at Den Do Cape in District 7, according to Pham Cong Bang, head of the waterway transportation management division at the department.The developer is completing the pre-feasibility study for the passenger port and will submit it to city agencies for approval, said Bang.VNS

Vietnamese youth clamour for trainingMai Sen Bistro on Nguyen Van Lac Street, HCM City, is more than just a good restaurant that offers European and Asian dishes. Mr Nguyen Van Hoi (first right)The model, which follows Germany’s dual vocational training system, was brought to Vietnam by Francis Nguyen Van Hoi, a Vietnamese German chef and businessman. In 2013, Hoi returned to Vietnam to realise his idea about a non-profit hospitality training centre while his family stayed in Germany. Pham Thi Thu Hau, 21, attended the first course at Mai Sen School three years ago after graduating from high school. There are 125 young trainees at Mai Sen School and monthly accommodation costs for them is about VND45 million (US$2,000).

Businesses want to remain smallDeputy chair of the Can Tho Entrepreneurs Association, Nguyen My Thuan, said some business households in Can Tho City registered to become enterprises but later decided to operate as business households again. Over 97 percent of private businesses are considered micro or small. This is why numerous private businesses are dissolved after short periods of operation. Chair of the Nghe An Province’s Small & Medium Enterprises, Phan Thanh Mien, confirmed that small businesses don’t have huge capital and mortgaged assets, and most of them cannot borrow money from banks. According to Cao Sy Kiem, former chair of the Vietnam Small & Medium Enterprise Association, sources of capital include regulatory capital, capital raised in the capital market and preferential capital from the government.