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| An overview of a sport centre in Thu Duc city. (Photo: VNA) |
Among them, three projects have been approved for investment by the HCM City People's Council, involving the construction of international standard schools in the new Thu Thiem urban area, with a combined capital of about 418 billion VND, said Director of Thu Duc city’s Investment and Trade Promotion Centre Nguyen Thi Tuyet Nga.
The remaining works, which fall under the fields of education, culture and sports, represent a total capital of over 1.6 trillion VND. They have been submitted to the HCM City People's Committee for consideration.
Vice Chairman of the Thu Duc People’s Committee Mai Huu Quyet committed full support to firms throughout the implementation process, assuring that the city will actively address any challenges that may arise, ensuring the timely completion of these projects.
The conference was also meant to actualise the National Assembly’s Resolution on piloting distinct mechanisms and policies for the development of Ho Chi Minh City, including Thu Duc.
Vietnamese film wins highest award at Asian Film Festival in Italy
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| Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung (first, left) represents the film crew of “Ben trong vo ken vang” to receive the best feature film award at the 21st Asian Film Festival on April 17. (Photo: VNA) |
“Ben trong vo ken vang” (Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell) by Vietnamese director Pham Thien An has won the best feature film award at the 21st Asian Film Festival held in Rome, Italy, reported Vietnam News Agency.
This is the first time a Vietnamese film has obtained the highest award at an Asian Film Festival in Italy, Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung said while representing the film crew to receive the prize at the closing ceremony held at the Farnese Arthouse cinema on late April 17.
He described this award as a great honour for the director, actors, actresses, and the entire crew and thanked them for helping affirm the development of Vietnam’s cinematography in the international arena and enhance the cultural exchange, understanding, and friendship between Vietnamese and Italian people.
The film is about a journey of a young man tasked with delivering his sister-in-law's body to their countryside hometown after a tragic motorcycle accident. Amidst the mystical landscapes of rural Vietnam, he begins a search for his older brother, who vanished years ago.
“Ben trong vo ken vang” is definitely one of the most important works of the film season starting in May 2023, when it won the Caméra d'Or (Golden Camera) at the 76th Cannes Film Festival, Director of the Asian Film Festival in Italy Antonio Terminini told the Vietnam News Agency.
He held that Vietnam’s cinematography has made great progress as seen in not only young directors like Pham Thien An of this film but also the big potential for production cooperation with European and Asian countries.
The Asian Film Festival in Italy, organised by teh Robert Bresson film foundation, features new and the best works from East Asia. It is also an occasion for guests, including directors, actors/actresses, and producers, from different countries to meet Italian producers and distributors to seek cooperation chances.
Standard Chartered, US promote clean energy investments in Vietnam
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| Standard Chartered and USAID signed a memorandum of understanding. (Photo courtesy of the bank) |
Standard Chartered and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on green financing in Vietnam and to promote the deployment of advanced clean energy in Vietnam, reported Vietnam News Agency.
The MoU will establish a five-year partnership to advance the country's goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.
USAID Mission Director for Vietnam Aler Grubbs, said: “Through this new MoU, USAID will collaborate with Standard Chartered Bank (Vietnam) Limited to support the private sector to develop Vietnam's advanced clean energy.
"This partnership is a model to expand collaboration with financial institutions and help accelerate the country’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.”
Nguyen Thuy Hanh, deputy general director, head of Corporate and Investment Banking, Standard Chartered Bank Vietnam, added: “We believe that finance can enable and accelerate the just transition to net zero, towards a nature-positive economy. Our MoU with USAID is part of our commitment to supporting our clients and helping them access to sustainable financing and achieve net-zero goals.
"We will continue to work closely with our clients and our partners to provide access to finance to where it matters most and to contribute to the sustainable development of Vietnam.
USAID will collaborate with Standard Chartered to mobilise private sector investment in advanced energy systems such as rooftop solar, utility modernisation, and power trading. USAID support will be in the form of training, capacity development, transactional support, and matchmaking activities.
Standard Chartered will introduce to USAID projects and clients that may be suitable for the latter's programmes of providing technical and/or other support. The bank seeks out opportunities to provide sustainability-focused products and services in support of Vietnam’s clean energy transition including but not limited to financing arrangements, financial advisory services, bilateral loans, syndicated loans, and bond issuances for qualified projects.
Standard Chartered is a fervent supporter and aligned with the Vietnamese Government’s ambitions to be Net Zero by 2050.
With 120-year history in Vietnam, Standard Chartered’s core competence is to leverage and utilise its significant network to deliver FDI to Vietnam and to facilitate Vietnamese clients who want to expand into global markets to pursue growth ambition.
Under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the US is a committed partner to Vietnam in advancing the country’s transition to a clean, secure, and market-based energy sector.
Australia, Vietnam cooperate to develop competitive electricity markets
On 17 April, the Australian Embassy in Vietnam and the Electricity Regulatory Authority of Vietnam (ERAV) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on collaboration to facilitate the development of competitive electricity market.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Senator the Hon Jenny McAllister, Assistant Minister for Climate Change & Energy, and MOIT’s Vice Minister Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan.
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| Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Senator the Hon Jenny McAllister at a meeting with Vice Minister of Industry and Trade, Mr. Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan |
The MOU is further evidence of the deepening partnership between Australia and Vietnam in the climate and energy sector.
Australia and Vietnam in March elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) with a pillar on climate, energy and environment – the first of its kind for an Australian CSP.
This MoU commits the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and ERAV – the energy regulator under the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Viet Nam (MOIT), to share experiences and develop cooperation activities to facilitate the development of competitive electricity markets in the context of high renewable integration – a shared opportunity for the two countries.
The MOU builds on existing activities developed under the Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I) and other bilateral and regional programs, to support: the development of the competitive electricity retail market, review and provide practical suggestions on the regulatory framework and mechanisms for regulating transmission and distribution network segment under a competitive retail market; the integration of greater Variable Renewable Energy (VRE) sources into the power system and market; and implementation of Demand Response Programs, capacity building, training and other activities.
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| Australian Ambassador Andrew Goledzinowski and Mr .Tran Viet Hoa, Director of Electricity Regulatory Authority of Vietnam (ERAV) sign the MoU on collaboration to facilitate the development of competitive electricity market. |
‘Australia has the same challenges and aspirations to ensure sustainable, secure and fair electricity services and the foundation for prosperity and economic growth,’ Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski said, ‘This partnership provides an important opportunity to share knowledge and explore solutions for the Vietnamese power sector.’
‘Australia values our relationship with Vietnam. By strengthening climate, environment and energy cooperation we can realise the opportunities of a clean energy future.
I am pleased to see the growing relationship between Electricity Regulatory Authority of Vietnam (ERAV) and the Australian Embassy that will strengthen bilateral engagement on climate and energy,’ Assistant Minister McAllister said.
Vice Minister of Industry and Trade, Mr Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan emphasised the importance of developing competitive electricity markets to support Vietnam’s ambitious decarbonisation agenda through PDP8.
‘Creating competitive electricity markets alongside the appropriate regulatory frameworks can attract the private investment needed to achieve Vietnam’s renewable energy targets,’ he said./.