Vietnam news in brief - May 24

Vietnamese listed companies optimistic about market upgrade in 2025

A trading office of MBS Securities JSC in Hanoi. Photo: The Hanoi Times

Nearly 78% of listed companies across the country believe that Vietnam's stock market will be upgraded to secondary emerging market status in 2025, according to a market forecast published by data firm Vietnam Report. Nearly 17% of them predict the upgrade will happen in 2026, while 5.6% expect it to happen this year.

Among the public companies surveyed, banking, real estate, retail, information and technology, and oil stocks are the most likely to lead the market this year.

Vietnamese short film contest underway to encourage  youth creativity

A Vietnamese short film contest was launched on May 22 to encourage young filmmakers to showcase their creativity and skills. The contest is open to people living in the country, and the cinematic products must be about the people, landscapes, and cultures of Vietnam. The use of artificial intelligence is allowed.

Submissions should be sent to Thanh Nien (Youth) newspaper by June 22, and the awards ceremony is scheduled for July 7. Total prizes are worth VND150 million (about US$5,900).

Son Doong Cave among seven best underground attractions: SCMP

Chinese media company South China Morning Post has listed the world’s seven best underground attractions, including Son Doong Cave in Vietnam's central coastal province of Quang Binh. The cave was created about 2.3 million years ago, and it is home to a wide range of species.

Son Doong Cave was recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest cave in the world in 2009. The cave is believed to be even larger.

Promote labor cooperation to send Vietnamese workers to Finland

At a meeting with Deputy Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Le Tan Dung on May 23, Finnish Ambassador to Vietnam Keijo Norvanto urged the ministry to study and sign a memorandum of understanding on cooperation for Vietnamese workers to work in Finland soon. Finland has identified Vietnam, Brazil, India, and Turkey as the four priority countries to fill its labor shortage.

Since the end of 2023, Finland has received 20 Vietnamese workers for jobs in areas such as nursing, welding, and forestry.

Vietnam's office AI use exceeds global average: Microsoft

As many as 88% of knowledge workers in Vietnam use AI-generated tools, higher than the global rate of 75%, according to Microsoft's new 2024 Work Trend Index report released on May 23. The most popular tools are ChatGPT, Copilot, and GitHub Copilot. The research is based on a survey of 31,000 people in 31 countries, including Vietnam.

Announcement of the Top 25 Best Workplaces in Vietnam 2024

Twenty-five companies were honored in the Best Workplaces™ in Vietnam 2024 Ranking, announced by Great Place to Work® - the global authority on workplace culture on May 23. The ranking is divided into three categories: five large enterprises (over 1,000 employees), ten medium enterprises (100 - 999 employees), and 10 small enterprises (10 - 99 employees).

This year's ranking is the result of analyzing data from confidential survey responses from 125,000 employees, representing the voices of 135,000 employees at companies in Vietnam. This year also saw a record number of employees participating and responding to the Great Place To Work® survey.

Digital Transformation and Innovation Startup Week held in Hau Giang

The Mekong Delta Digital Transformation and Innovation Startup Week 2024 runs until May 25 in the southern province of Hau Giang, with many activities in digital government, digital economy, and digital transformation in agriculture, natural resources, and environment. The event featured 60 booths, showcasing typical digital transformation models and innovative startups.

The event aims to support the attraction of technology company investments in the city's Digital Technology Zone, as well as connect the province's startup innovation ecosystem with the region and the country.