Vietnam News Highlights for June 10

State power utility EVN faces probe

EVN engineers check a power station. Photo: evn.com.vn

Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade on June 10 launched an audit of power utility Vietnam Electricity (EVN) operations in the period from January 1, 2021 to June 1, 2023. The investigation aims to clarify EVN's performance in power supply, which has suffered in recent weeks and created adversity for businesses and citizens.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien said on June 9 that the audit would be completed within 30 days.

Vietnamese para-athletes remain third in Southeast Asia

The Vietnamese sports delegation retained its third-place ranking in the 12th ASEAN Para Games, which ended on June 9. Vietnamese athletes won a total of 201 medals, including 66 gold, 58 silver and 77 bronze medals, ranking behind the Indonesian and Thai delegations.

The regional sports festival for athletes with disabilities was held in Cambodia from June 3 to 9, with over 1,400 athletes competing in 14 medal events. Vietnam sent 120 athletes to the games.

New toilets for local schools in the north

The Hope Foundation and Sanofi Vietnam inaugurated the construction of toilets for two local schools in Dong Van District, the northern province of Ha Giang. The construction is part of the School Hygiene Project, which provides better conditions for students and teachers to achieve better results.

The School Hygiene Project was first launched in June 2022 to renovate unsafe, unclean toilets for children. By the end of last year, nearly 50 new toilets had been built, serving approximately 7,000 students and teachers.

Thomson Medical leads race to acquire stake in FV Hospital

Thomson Medical Group is in advanced talks to acquire a majority stake in FV Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City. The Singapore-based healthcare company has emerged as the frontrunner in the bidding process, but details of the negotiations have not been disclosed.

FV Hospital, which provides high-quality medical care, has been in operation for 20 years and has 220 beds. Private equity firm Quadria Capital acquired a stake in the hospital in 2017 and was reportedly considering a sale in 2022.

Nationwide industrial parks to be supported by Japanese smart solutions

Vietnamese and Japanese companies signed an agreement on Friday to develop solutions for smart manufacturing, industrial parks, and smart cities in the presence of Binh Duong Province authorities. The agreement will help companies expand their market share and enable technology transfer, serving the needs of Vietnamese industrial park developers such as Becamex IDC.

The solutions will focus on key operations such as wastewater management, surveillance system, smart transportation, and smart lighting.

Malaysia Madani Week kicks off in Vietnam

The Malaysian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City opened a Malaysian exhibition on June 9 as part of Malaysia Madani Week to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Malaysia.

The three-day event features an exhibition showcasing over 30 Malaysian brands and universities in various fields, traditional arts performances, an education festival, and cultural and culinary promotions with renowned Malaysian chefs, especially a business networking event to bridge Malaysian and Vietnamese businesses.

Ninh Thuan to host first fruit festival

The first fruit festival will be held on June 16 in Ninh Son District in the south-central province of Ninh Thuan. The two-day event will showcase a variety of local fruits. The district is known for growing grapefruit, mangosteen, avocado, rambutan, mango, and jackfruit.

Before the event, local authorities will hold a seminar on June 11 to discuss the district's potential for agricultural development and ecotourism.