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| The Ministry of Information and Communications holds a ceremony to launch an e-book platform with domain names of sachdientu.vn and ebook.gov.vn. (Photo: The Courtesy of the ministry) |
The establishment of the platform which was launched in Hanoi on November 29 is part of the National Target Programme for Sustainable Poverty Reduction for the 2021–2025 programme.
It is expected that the platform will help people, particularly the poor, easily access government policies and enhance their awareness and skills in applying knowledge to daily life and production.
Speaking at the launch, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Bui Hoang Phuong said that the ministry tasked the Information and Communications Publishing House with collaborating with the departments of Publishing, Printing and Distribution, and Journalism to develop and operate the platform.
He expressed his hope that the platform will create an ecosystem, serving as a foundation for publishing and distributing e-books, providing shared content and journalistic information for various programmes and projects led by the ministry.
The ministry is committed to supporting other ministries, sectors, and localities in the national digital transformation process, particularly in collaboration with publishing units, he emphasised.
Director and Editor-in-Chief of the Information and Communications Publishing House Tran Chi Dat said the platform has offered 202 e-books including multimedia books, audiobooks, and common e-books and 3,485 e-articles in various forms such as infographic, mega, and visual stories.
Driving economic growth through port development
Quang Tri province has been focusing on attracting investments in its port infrastructure, aiming to establish itself as a significant logistics and trade hub in the central region and countries along the East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC) by 2030, reported Vietnam News Agency.
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| Driving economic growth through port development (Photo: VNA) |
Quang Tri’s strategic location positions it as a vital connection point in the central region and a gateway to the East Sea for EWEC nations. This geographical advantage underpins its role as a point for exchange and cooperation between the country's localities and nations in in the Greater Mekong Subregion and a bridge connecting north-central and and central regions.
At the heart of this vision is the My Thuy deep-water port. The My Thuy port project phase 1 has been under construction in Hai Lang district's Hai An commune in the Southeast Quang Tri economic zone since the end of March. Phase 1 is expected to be completed by the end of 2025 with two to four wharfs to be completed. The total length of the wharf edge is 1,300 m, width is 50 m plus the technical infrastructure system and auxiliary works for ships with a tonnage of up to 100,000 tonnes docking at the port. The My Thuy port area is receiving the attention of many businesses investing in logistics and goods transshipment.
According to the provincial Department of Planning and Investment, there is huge potential for import of coal from Laos via the La Lay international border gate. To increase its coal import capability, Quang Tri is carrying out projects infrastructure projects connecting the La Lay international border gate to the My Thuy deep-water port, such as a 78km National Highway 15D.
Additionally, a conveyor system capable of transporting up to 30 million tonnes of coal annually from Laos to the port is under development.
The My Thuy port will play a crucial role in supporting the Hai Lang LNG Power Centre, a 54 trillion VND project with a projected capacity of 4,500 MW. Phase 1, scheduled to begin operations in 2029, includes LNG storage facilities capable of accommodating vessels carrying 170,000-226,000 cubic meters of gas.
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| Construction of My Thuy port project (Photo: TTO) |
Plans also involve converting an existing coal power plant into a gas-fired facility, aligning with Quang Tri’s energy transition initiatives.
In addition, Quang Tri hosts 32 wood chip processing facilities that produce over 2 million tonnes annually, with significant export potential to China and other markets. Businesses anticipate that the completion of the My Thuy port will streamline export operations and lower logistics costs.
The My Thuy project will unfold in three phases through 2036, with a total investment exceeding 14 trillion VND. Upon completion, the 10-berth facility will handle ships of up to 100,000 tonnes.
Other regional ports, such as the Cua Viet port and CFG Nam Cua Viet facility, are also undergoing upgrades to enhance regional logistics capabilities. The Cua Viet port, currently capable of handling over 1.1 million tonnes of cargo annually, is receiving infrastructure investments to expand its capacity. The CFG Nam Cua Viet facility, designed to handle ships of 3,000-5,000 tonnes, will process 1-1.4 million tonnes of cargo annually after its anticipated completion in 2025.
Quang Tri’s strategic investments in port development aim to strengthen trade flows along the EWEC, attract domestic and foreign investments, and drive industrial growth. With enhanced infrastructure and a focus on sustainable energy, the province is poised to become a cornerstone of Vietnam’s economic landscape.
Vietnam evolving to manufacturing and R&D hub with new FDI
Vietnam is witnessing a significant shift in the quality of foreign direct investment (FDI) projects pour into the country as an increasing number of high-tech and pioneering industrial companies move into the country to expand operations, reported Vietnam News Agency.
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| LG Display will inject another 1 billion USD into its project, raising the total investment to 5.65 billion USD to produce high-tech OLED screens. (Photo: baodautu.vn) |
Samsung has recently announced an additional 1.8 billion USD investment in its Samsung Display factory in Bac Ninh province, expanding production beyond organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screens for smartphones to include OLED displays for IT equipment and automobiles. LG, another corporation from the Republic of Korea (RoK) will inject another 1 billion USD into its project, raising the total investment from 4.65 billion USD to 5.65 billion USD. This funding will enable the production of 14 million high-tech OLED screens per month, making it one of LG's largest projects in Vietnam.
The additional investment not only supports Vietnam’s goal of attracting 39-40 billion USD in FDI this year but also exemplifies the transformative shift in foreign investment into the country.
According to a recent Savills Vietnam report, the country’s industry sector is undergoing a transformative phase, attracting a wave of high-value investments.
John Campbell, Director and Head of Industrial Real Estate at Savills Vietnam, said this marks its evolution into a manufacturing, logistics, and digital hub in Southeast Asia.
Key areas like digital economy and data centres are expected to see a surge in investment in the near future.
Campbell held that the country’s shift toward high-value-added manufacturing, alongside its expanding logistics and data centre capabilities, is bolstering its global supply chain position. With its competitive costs, strategic location, and extensive trade agreements, Vietnam is well-positioned to capture this new wave of investments, he noted.
Meanwhile, Shunsin Technology Vietnam Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Taiwanese tech giant Foxconn, announced an 80 million USD investment in chip manufacturing project in Bac Giang province.
Universal Microwave Technology, a SpaceX supplier, also plans to expand in Vietnam. Some companies that provide Starlink equipment for SpaceX, such as Wistron NeWeb Corporation and Shenmao Technology, are planning to establish manufacturing bases in the country.
In September 2024, during a meeting with Party General Secretary To Lam in New York, SpaceX Senior Vice President Tim Hughes revealed the company’s intent to invest 1.5 billion USD in Vietnam.
A strategic manufacturing hub
Vietnam is becoming a key link in the global supply chain, especially in sectors like semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI). Savills Vietnam’s observations align with this trend, with the country transforming into a crucial manufacturing and R&D hub for foreign investors like Samsung.
Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung emphasised the government’s commitment to leveraging the country’s competitive policies, clear strategies, and skilled workforce to play a key role in the global semiconductor value chain.
A report by the US Semiconductor Industry Association and Boston Consulting Group in May this year predicts Vietnam could account for 8-9% of global chip assembly, testing, and packaging (ATP) capacity by 2032, up from 1% in 2022. By 2030, the global semiconductor market is expected to reach 1 trillion USD, presenting significant opportunities for Vietnam.
To attract large-scale projects in semiconductors and AI, Vietnam must address challenges such as improving workforce quality along with investment policies. The Ministry of Planning and Investment suggests establishing an Investment Support Fund and implementing special investment procedures for high-tech projects.
Hanoi Culinary Culture Festival 2024 kicks off
The Hanoi Culinary Culture Festival 2024 with the theme “Hanoi ket noi nam chau” (Hanoi connects the World) is underway at Thong Nhat Park in the capital city, reported Vietnam News Agency.
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| Pho (rice noodle soup) is prepared by smart robots (Photo: VNA) |
In her remarks at the opening ceremony on November 29, Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People's Committee Vu Thu Ha highlighted that the festival draws the participation of 16 embassies, alongside eight neighbouring provinces with over 80 booths.
The event offers an opportunity for organisations, individuals and artisans to meet, exchange, promote products, and experience the unique culinary culture of countries, territories, provinces and cities. People and tourists can immerse themselves in many folk games, enjoy traditional and modern cultural and art performances performed by Vietnamese and international artists. They can talk with famous artisans and chefs who have "breathed life" into ingredients and food to turn them into unique culinary works of art which is imbued with national identity.
Festival-goers have a chance to connect with artisans and renowned chefs, who have "breathed life" into ingredients and foods, transforming them into unique culinary artworks rich in national identity.
Alongside Me Tri’s young sticky rice flakes, Phu Thuong’s sticky rice , and Quang An’s lotus-scented tea traditional craft, Hanoi's pho (rice noodle soup) was honoured in 2024 by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism as a national intangible cultural heritage. This event is a source of great pride for the people of the capital and serves as an important legal foundation for implementing measures to protect and promote the cultural value of pho as intangible heritage.
“This year’s Hanoi Culinary Culture Festival features ‘Pho So Ha Thanh” or Ha Thang Digital Pho, a unique creation that blends traditional cuisine with cutting-edge technology, presenting a novel perspective on the application of technological advancements and digital transformation in Vietnam's culinary sector,” Ha said.
During the three-day festival, visitors have the opportunity to experience typical traditional pho dishes of Hanoi and 'digital pho' prepared by smart robots./.