Vietnam news in brief - May 5

International media call Vietnam a rising star

Vietnam is emerging as a rising star due to its advantages of geographical location, young population, and ability to absorb new cultures, international media reported. In addition, Vietnam is credited with having an open policy towards foreign investors, which has brought foreign direct investment (FDI) capital into the country and created opportunities for global enterprises to penetrate the domestic market.

In addition, regional and global media agencies are highlighting Vietnam as a preferred destination for semiconductor development. The Southeast Asian nation is expected to attract about US$12 billion worth of investment in the industry this year.

Vietnamese products draw public attention at the AFIC10 forum in Algeria

Coffee is one of the Vietnamese commodities  on display at the AFIC10 Forum in Algeria. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

Many businesses and government agencies highly appreciated the quality of Vietnamese products presented at the 10th Africa Forum of Investment and Commerce (AFIC10) in Algiers, capital of Algeria, on May 4-5. According to the Vietnamese Embassy and Trade Office in Algeria, this is the fourth time Vietnam has participated in the forum.

The forum gathers about 800 delegates from government agencies, research institutes, trade offices, and companies from 39 countries. Vietnam's trade value with Algeria increased by 75% year-on-year to $75 million in Q1/2024, and by 68% over the same period in 2023 to $50 million.

Government sets up special team to develop metro in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

The Vietnamese government has created a task force to help Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City solve any problems and speed up the progress of local metro projects. The team will be led by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha and comprises the Ministers of Transport and Construction, and the chairmen of the two cities' municipal committee.

By 2030, Hanoi will have built and operated 10 metro lines with a total length of 417 km, while Ho Chi Minh City will have commissioned 11 lines with a total length of 220 km. The Cat Linh-Ha Dong metro in Hanoi is the only project completed so far.

Northern mountain provinces to become green region by 2030

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on May 4 approved the master plan for the development of the northern central and mountainous region to 2050, covering 14 provinces among which are Dien Bien, Cao Bang, Ha Giang, Son La, Lai Chau and Lao Cai.

Accordingly, the region is expected to achieve green and sustainable growth in 2030, with well-developed infrastructure to connect to the Red River Delta and Hanoi. The region will be home to manufacturing and energy industries, high-tech agriculture, and tourism. Growth will be based on the preservation of local customs and cultures and the conservation of forests.

Police gives people advice to avoid scam calls

People should call their aquantance first to confirm any information provided by an unverifiable call to avoid phone scams, Colonel Dao Trung Hieu of the Department of Communications under the Ministry of Public Security advised at a workshop in Hanoi on May 4. The official recommended that people improve their technical knowledge to identify scammers, as AI technologies are often used to impersonate their acquaintances.

According to the official, Vietnam is considered an ideal place for fraudsters in the age of digitalization. He cited a report showing that swindlers have defrauded Vietnamese of about $16 billion.