Vietnam news in brief - October 4

Virtual Art Exhibition Space launched in Hanoi

The Virtual Art Exhibition Space. Photo: The Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum

The Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum on October 3 launched the Virtual Art Exhibition Space (VAES) in Hanoi, on the occasion of the National Digital Transformation Day (October 10), to make art more accessible to the public and to introduce and promote Vietnamese culture and art through the application of digital transformation.

The first version of this online event presents ten galleries, including seven showcasing artworks from the collections of the Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum, the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts, the Hue Fine Arts Museum, and three individual galleries.

Vietnam among top cheapest Internet markets

At US$10.99 per month, Vietnam ranks 12th out of 219 countries in the world and fourth in Asia with the lowest average cost of broadband, according to Internet market research firm Cable.co.uk. However, Vietnam ranks 118th out of 220 countries with the fastest average download speed of 29.25Mbps. Sudan has the cheapest broadband cost of $2.30. The data was compiled from more than 3,700 Internet service providers in 219 countries.

Vietnamese users to pay for Netflix videos

The US video streaming platform Netflix will stop its free services in Vietnam in November 2023. Free video streaming in Vietnam was launched in November 2021, and Vietnam was one of two markets, along with Kenya, to enjoy the service. To continue watching Netflix videos, users will have to pay a minimum of VND70,000 (US$2.87) per month. In the second quarter, Netflix reported that it had added about 5.9 million new users, the highest number since 2021.

Vietnamese businesses seek ties in Colombia, Chile

A group of 20 businesses from Vietnam has completed a trip to Colombia and Chile to seek potential partners, marking the first time the Vietnamese business community has reached out to the Latin American nations.

From September 26 to October 3, the Vietnamese enterprises participated in the business-to-business forums held in Bogota and Santiago, the two capitals of Colombia and Chile, respectively. The forums brought together a total of 200 Colombian and Chilean businesses in retail and export sectors. 

New plan to rebuild Hanoi's oldest apartment blocks

An old-fashioned apartment block in Kim Lien Ward, Dong Da District. Photo: reatimes.vn

Hanoi will develop a plan to redesign the Kim Lien residential blocks and surrounding areas in Dong Da District. Under the plan, worth about VND1.5 billion (US$61,500), a scale model of the renovated residential area will be made and put on display for opinions from experts, government agencies and residents.

This residential area was built in 1959-1965 with 42 buildings of 2-6 storeys. It is one of the oldest residential areas in Hanoi. Most of the buildings are dilapidated and have suffered structural damage.

Vietnam to honor outstanding farmers, agricultural cooperatives

One hundred outstanding Vietnamese farmers and 63 exemplary agricultural cooperatives nationwide will be honored at the Pride of Vietnamese Farmers Program 2023 in Hanoi on October 12-13.

Among the excellent farmers, those from Tra Vinh Province achieved the highest revenue of VND140 billion (US$5.7 million), and the most profitable farmers were those from Ben Tre Province with an annual profit of VND50 billion (US$2.05 million). Other activities include the launch of the "Network of Outstanding Vietnamese Farmers" and the recognition of outstanding farmers over the past 11 years. 

Hanoi to announce best innovative projects

The 12 outstanding projects shortlisted from the Hanoi Innovation and Entrepreneurship Startup Competition 2023 will be announced at the closing ceremony of the Festival of Innovative Startups (Techfest Hanoi 2023) on October 14 in Hanoi.