 |
| Photo for illustration (Source: vov.vn) |
The list sees the country ranked 10th place, up one spot compared to the previous year.
Among countries in ASEAN, Vietnam are fourth, behind Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand, although the nation finished above the likes of the Philippines, Myanmar, and Cambodia.
Agility ranked 50 economies based on three factors which make them attractive to logistics providers, freight forwarders, shipping lines, air cargo carriers, and distributors. The factors include domestic logistics opportunities, international logistics opportunities, digital readiness, and business fundamentals.
According to details provided by Agility, Vietnam performed well in terms of international opportunities, duly ranking fourth globally with 6,03 points. The country came in 16th for domestic logistics opportunities, 19th in business fundamentals, and 15th for digital readiness.
China remained as the world's leading emerging logistics market followed by India and the UAE.
Vietnam National University, Hanoi maintains position in world rankings
The Vietnam National University (VNU) in Hanoi continues to maintain its position in key subjects with six ranked in the QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) World University Rankings by Subject 2023 freshly released by the world's leading provider of services, analytics, and insight to the global higher education sector, according to the university, reported VNA.
 |
| The Vietnam National University (VNU) in Hanoi continues to maintain its position in key subjects with six ranked in the QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) World University Rankings by Subject 2023 (Photo: chinhphu.vn) |
Specifically, in the broad subject area of “Engineering and Technology”, the VNU Hanoi has three subjects rated, including Computer Science and Information Systems (501 – 550), Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing Engineering (501-520), Electrical and Electronic Engineering (501-520).
In the subject area of “Natural Sciences”, two subjects rated are Mathematics (351-400), and Physics & Astronomy (551-600).
Meanwhile, in “Social Sciences & Management”, VNU Hanoi’s Business & Management Studies subject was ranked in the list of 501-550.
The QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023 cover a total of 54 disciplines, grouped into five broad subject areas.
The rankings are compiled annually to help prospective students identify the leading universities in a particular subject. Academic reputation, employer reputation, research citations, International Research Network and H-index are used to rank universities.
Vietnam works hard to boost exports to Chinese market
Vietnam earned 8.2 billion USD from exports to China in the first two months of 2023, posting a year-on-year increase of 4.2%, VNA cited the report by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT).
 |
| Checking the quality of durians for export to China (Photo: qdnd.vn) |
China is the main importer of many Vietnamese products. Therefore, China's market re-opening from January 8 brings great expectations to Vietnamese businesses, especially those exporting vegetables, fruits, seafood, fiber, cement, rubber, steel, textiles, and rice.
According to Vietnam Fruit Vegetables Association (VinaFruit) General Secretary Dang Phuc Nguyen, China's restoration of customs clearance is good news for Vietnamese fruit and vegetable exporters, and helps import-export activities between the two countries gradually become bustling again.
However, he also reminded Vietnamese businesses to make careful preparation when resuming their exports to this important market because China has applied new and strict regulations for imported goods.
To Ngoc Son, deputy head of the MoIT’s Asia-Africa Market Department, said Vietnam should concentrate on measures to further promote exports to China through official channels.
He recommended that localities and management agencies focus on mapping out sector-targeted development strategies in parallel with building brands and concentrated and large-scale production and specialised farming areas based on market signals.
Businesses also need to regularly update, get a better understanding of and comply with China’s regulations related to quality standards, testing, quarantine, packaging, and traceability; and pay attention to building and protecting their brands, and studying the demand and development trends of the market, Son said.
To fully tap opportunities, the MoIT has directed units to comprehensively evaluate China’s reopening policy, thus taking solutions to support enterprises.
Localities have been demanded to effectively regulate the customs clearance of import-export goods at the border gates between Vietnam and China, especially for agro-aquaculture products, and promote exports through official channels.
The ministry and relevant state management agencies have enhanced information sharing and set up hotlines to help remove difficulties facing businesses, and support them in taking part in exhibitions in China, said Vu Ba Phu, Director of the MoIT’s Trade Promotion Agency.
Vietnam welcomes delegations of Chinese businesses which want to seek trade cooperation opportunities and partners in Vietnam, he affirmed.
Vietnam showing better-than-average growth: Indian expert
An Indian expert has highly valued Vietnam’s post-pandemic recovery in an article recently published on Moderndiplomacy.eu.
 |
| Vietnam is said to have been avoiding the usual recessionary trends across the Asian markets and is showing better-than-average growth. (Photo: VNA) |
VNA reported that in the writing, titled “Vietnam’s macroeconomic policy and post COVID recovery”, Prof. Pankaj Jha, Director of the Centre for Security studies at India’s Jindal School of International Affairs, cited the latest IMF reports as saying that Vietnam's real gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023 is estimated at 6.2%, and this clearly indicates Vietnam has been avoiding the usual recessionary trends across the Asian markets and is showing better-than-average growth.
He noted with an inflation rate of less than 4%, it clearly shows that Vietnam is likely to emerge as a promising economy in Asia.
If one looks into the core fundamentals of Vietnam following the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been clearly stated that Vietnam’s annual economic growth rate hovered between 6.3% and 6.5% for the decade preceding the current one.
One of the major aspects of this better-than-average economic growth was high foreign direct investment, increased domestic consumption, sizeable increase in the middle class, and Vietnam’s focus on promoting its manufacturing to be export-oriented.
In terms of other critical aspects, the country has been securing loans from many other international agencies over the past few years. With funding and grants from different international economic agencies, it has been able to upgrade its road, rail transport and border connectivity infrastructure along with promoting socio-economic growth across provinces, according to the article.
 |
| Part of Lach Huyen seaport in Hai Phong city (Photo: VNA) |
It added over a period of time, Vietnam has been making serious efforts in emerging as a knowledge network society. This includes improving policy applications, enhancing capacities of stakeholders, and providing information to the communities on a regular basis. Vietnam has also received more than 2 million USD grant for climate resilient inclusive infrastructure through high technology fund from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). In terms of meeting UN sustainable development goals, it has successfully provided electricity to its population.
Two different aspects have gained international attention are Vietnam’s ranking of 70th out of 190 countries in terms of ease of doing business, and its major strength being a young population with nearly 70% aged 15 - 64.
The tourism sector is going to increase further given the fact that the country has signed a comprehensive agreement in boosting sustainable tourism and post-COVID recovery at the national level. During 2022 - 2025, the cumulative average tourism growth rate is expected at 13.5% on average each year, the Indian expert went on.
The transformation is also happening in terms of fiscal and monetary prudence as well as undertaking reforms within the banking system and financial governance. The anti-corruption drive that the Vietnam has undertaken in the last few years has built the investor confidence, and it is expected that Vietnam will reap the dividends of a better business environment, market connectivity, and relatively comparative advantages among other competitors in Southeast Asia.
As expected, the fundamentals are getting stronger, and therefore Vietnam can witness stronger economic growth and better macroeconomic stability in 2023, he added./.