Vietnam among top 3 largest digital economies in SEA: Deloitte

Vietnam is among the top three largest digital economies in Southeast Asia, along with Indonesia and Thailand, according to the latest consumer goods industry report by Deloitte Vietnam. These countries are expected to be among the fastest-growing economies from 2022 to 2030. Vietnam has the highest growth rate at 31%, while Indonesia and Thailand have growth rates of 21%. Vietnam's digital economy is projected to grow from $23 billion in 2022 to $49 billion in 2023 and reach $200 billion by 2030.

Switzerland’s import tax removal to benefit Vietnamese merchandises: trade office 

The tax removal by Swiss authorities on imported industrial merchandises, regardless of their origins, is expected to boost Vietnam’s exports to the European market, according to the Vietnam Trade Office in Switzerland. Along with the tax exemption, which took effect on January 1, Swiss regulators have also simplified the rules on origin traceability. The trade office cited data from the Swiss Federal Office for Customs and Border Security that industrial imports account for 90-93% of Switzerland’s total imports from Vietnam each year. 

Collection "Children of Dragon, Grandchildren of Fairy" welcomes new year 

Foreign tourists visit the space displaying works of artist Nguyen Tan Phat. Photo: Duy Minh

The collection to welcome the new year 2024, themed "Children of Dragon, Grandchildren of Fairy", created by artist Nguyen Tan Phat from Duong Lam ancient village, Son Tay town, Hanoi, contains 1,000 works depicting the image of dragons, showcasing feature of Vietnamese traditional culture. 

Vietnam welcomes 3.2 million visitors during New Year

Vietnam National Authority of Tourism reported on January 2 that the whole country is estimated to welcome 3.2 million visitors during the New Year holiday, with room occupancy rate reaching 50%, even up to 95% at many hot spots. Ho Chi Minh City welcomed 1.65 million visitors, accounting for 50% of total tourists nationwide, with an estimated total revenue of US$26 million. The average room occupancy rate is estimated at 87%.

Pilot project: building smart city in Nha Trang

Nha Trang City aims to develop a city focused on green growth and sustainable development. Photo: Trung Nhan/The Hanoi Times

The recently approved pilot project of building a smart city model in Khanh Hoa Province’s Nha Trang City aims to develop a city focused on green growth, sustainable development, and integrated data systems to manage smart cities in the future. The project will integrate and connect data from Nha Trang City's information systems and shared platforms of the province and train personnel in operating and managing smart and sustainable urban areas. The project will be implemented from 2023 to 2030.

EVN general director projects another difficult year in 2024 

The State-run power group EVN may continue to struggle with financial burdens and electricity output in 2024 unless changes are made in administrative and pricing policies, according to CEO Nguyen Anh Tuan.

The CEO forecast that unstable weather conditions, the imbalance between supplies and demands, and low selling will weigh on the power sector this year. In 2023, EVN recorded a combined pre-tax loss of VND17 trillion (nearly US$700 million), which declined from a loss of some VND26 trillion ($1.07 billion) in the previous year.