Vietnam News Highlights for August 8, 2023

Vietnam’s electric vehicle sales up 114.8% 

Between 2023 and 2032, EV sales in Vietnam will increase to around 65,000 units per year. Photo: Vingroup

A recent report by BMI Research, a research unit of Fitch Solutions, forecasts that sales of passenger electric vehicles (EVs) in Vietnam will reach around 18,000 units this year, up 114.8% year-on-year. The number will increase to about 65,000 units annually in 2023-2032, representing a compound annual growth rate of 25.8%. This will result in a passenger EV penetration rate of 13.6% in 2030, up from 2.9% in 2022.

The Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA) also forecasts that Vietnam will have 1 million electrified cars by 2028 and 3.5 million by 2040.

Vietnam reports rising oil and fuel imports in July 

Vietnam's oil-based imports rose 61% year-on-year to 1.05 million tons worth US$790 million, while exports fell nearly 20% year-on-year to 120,000 tons, worth US$90 million. The increase in imports was attributed to rising domestic demand amid the shutdown of the Nghi Son oil refinery. In January-July, the country imported a total of 6.3 million tons of oil-based products worth nearly US$5 billion, up 15% year-on-year, while the seven-month export volume increased 3.3% year-on-year to 1.26 million tons worth US$1.02 billion.

Vietnam, US to promote technology application in organizing exams  

Vietnam's Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son met with representatives of the US Educational Testing Service (ETS) on August 7 to promote the large-scale application of technology in testing. Vietnam also wants the US to help form a team of experts in all aspects of exams.

National Innovative Technopreneur Contest 2023 calls for applications

The National Innovative Technopreneur Contest Techfest Vietnam 2023 is open for registration from August 3 to September 3, 2023. The contest aims to promote the development of an open innovation ecosystem and create breakthroughs in technology industry. Winning startups will receive prizes worth up to US$500,000 and connect with over 50 domestic and international funds and investors.

This year's Techfest will bring together over 30 Tech Villages, showcasing new technologies that address potential areas such as smart agriculture, clean pharmaceuticals, Metaverse, and Techconnect Global.

Ongoing national forum discusses children's issues

The opening ceremony of the 7th National Children’s Forum is held on August 7. Photo: doanthanhnien.vn

Nearly 190 children are participating in the 7th National Children's Forum in Hanoi on August 5-8, representing 25 million peers across the country. Themed "Children participate in building a safe, friendly and healthy living environment for children", the forum enables children to voice their ideas and concerns.

The event consists of five discussion topics related to the prevention of drowning and child abuse, promoting children's participation in environmental protection, preventing child employment, and protecting children in the social network.

Five Vietnamese universities remain on the world's top list

Five Vietnamese universities have maintained their positions in the QS World University Rankings 2024, recently released by the British education organization Quacquarelli Symonds. The five are Duy Tan University (514), Ton Duc Thang University (in the 721-730 range), Vietnam National University (VNU)-Hanoi and VNU-Ho Chi Minh City (in the 951-1000 range), and Hanoi University of Science and Technology (in the 1201-1400 range).