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The photo "Connection" by Vietnamese photographer Tran Viet Van (Photo: laodong.vn)
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The award attracted over 3,500 entries by photographers from 50 countries across the world, said the Vietnam News Agency.
According to the newspaper, the photo contest organiser on December 16 announced two silver awards for the Vietnamese photographer, namely the “Connection” taken in Vietnam’s Central Highland province of Dak Lak in the category of Black and White, Travel and “The tattooed woman" taken in Myanmar for the category of Fine Art, Open Theme for professional photographers.
Previously, “Connection” won the third position at Spain’s EPEX Photography Trophy 2022 in Malaga and went to the final round of Switzerland’s Lugano Award and the US’s Nature Conservancy.
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The photo "The tattooed woman" by photographer Tran Viet Van (Photo: laodong.vn)
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Meanwhile, “The tattooed woman” won a bronze medal at India’s One Eyeland and went to the final round of Austria’s World Master.
The New York Photography Awards honor the world's outstanding photographers who share their vision with the world, redefining and expanding the boundaries of photography, where every aspect of a photograph is focused to meet international standards.
This year, its Grand Prize for Photographer of the Year went to British photographer Pete Muller for "Save" (that seizes the moment a goalkeeper made a great save) and Germany’s Peter Voss for "Young Eagle Champion".
Overseas remittances forecast to rise 4.4% this year
Despite the current growth rate of overseas remittances to Vietnam being lower than last year, the total amount of remittances to the country is projected to grow by 4.4% this year before increasing by between 3.6% and 4.5% in 2023, according to international organizations.
According to Radio the Voice of Vietnam, the latest World Bank (WB) Migration and Development Brief and a report by the Global Knowledge Partnership on Migration and Development (KNOMAD) revealed that despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic coupled with high inflation hitting several countries, the remittances flows to the nation remain stable compared to previous years.
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Overseas remittances forecast to rise 4.4% this year (Photo: baodautu.vn)
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According to the WB and KNOMAD, the nation ranked eighth in the world and third in the Asia-Pacific region in terms of remittances last year.
Statistics compiled by the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) branch in Ho Chi Minh City indicate that the amount of remittances flowing to the southern city is forecast to reach roughly US$6.8 billion this year.
Despite enduring a slight decline, the remittances flows to the country overall is expected to surge in the peak season at the end of the year.
Leaders of local banks duly pointed out that the amount of remittances during the Lunar New Year, known locally as Tet, usually inched up between 20% and 25% compared to other months of the year.
Experts also pointed out that there are positive signs ahead for remittance flows to Vietnam this year as the Tet festival, Christmas, and New Year holidays are coming early, with overseas Vietnamese focusing on sending money back to their loved ones on New Year's Eve to celebrate Tet.
Nguyen Duc Lenh, vice director of the SBV's Ho Chi Minh branch said remittances to the city during the initial nine months of the year reached US$4.78 billion, equivalent to 68% of the total amount from last year.
Most notably, the amount of remittances transferred in the third quarter of the year increased by 51% compared to the second quarter.
Over recent years, Ho Chi Minh City has always been the leading locality in the country in terms of receiving overseas remittance flows.
60% of Japanese businesses keen to expand operations in Vietnam
Up to 60% of Japanese enterprises expressed a keen interest in expanding operations in the Vietnamese market over the next two years, representing a increase of 4.7 points compared to the previous year, according to the latest survey released by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).
The JETRO survey revealed that in terms of country and region, Vietnam sits just behind India and Bangladesh, although it moves ahead of the ASEAN region, said Radio the Voice of Vietnam.
JETRO said there remains plenty of bright prospects ahead for businesses to earn profits in Vietnam amid the strong economic recovery in the post-COVID period, especially the fast-moving consumer goods industry.
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Photo for illustration (Source: VOV)
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With regard to business prospects in the country this year, 59.5% of enterprises are forecast to be profitable, with this figure being an increase of 5.2 points compared to the previous year. Elsewhere, the rate of enterprises suffering losses stands at 20.8%, a decline of 7.8 points compared to 2021.
Furthermore, the rate of profitable enterprises in the manufacturing industry stands at 61.1%, an increase of 3.6 points compared to the previous year, while the rate of profitable enterprises in the non-manufacturing industry is 57.6%, an increase of 6.1 points over the previous year.
Most notably, business profits in both the manufacturing and non-manufacturing industry are forecast to improve by over 50% next year thanks to post-epidemic recovery.
Meanwhile, only 1.1% of respondents said they would "narrow" or move to a third country, a decline of 1.1 points from the previous year, while 54.4% of manufacturing enterprises are keen to expand operation, an increase of 2.7 points compared to the previous year.
Notably, small and medium-sized enterprises in the non-manufacturing industry have a strong desire to conduct business in the Vietnamese market.
The survey was conducted from August 22 to September 21 and aims to grasp the actual situation of Japanese enterprises' operations in 20 countries throughout Asia and Oceania.
HCMC named among top places to go in Asia in 2023: US magazine
Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) has been listed among the leading places to visit in Asia for 2023, as compiled by magazine Fodor’s Travel of the United States.
According to details given by the magazine, as the centre of the Vietnamese economy and the country’s largest city, Ho Chi Minh City offers plenty to see and eat, ranging from the buzzing District 1 with its cultural attractions to delicious street food found in District 4, reported by Radio the Voice of Vietnam.
It noted that the southern city consists of a number of preserved historical sites, including the Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon, which was originally built by French colonialists in the late 1800s, and Cu Chi Tunnels, a series of tunnels built by local residents and soldiers using simple tools from 1946 to 1968 as shelters from US and Saigon troops during the war. This is along with the War Remnants Museum, which contains machines and other artifacts used during the conflict.
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A corner of Ho Chi Minh City (Photo: baotintuc.vn)
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“In recent years, Ho Chi Minh City’s burgeoning food and drink scene has begun drawing visitors to stylish rooftop bars and street-side cocktail carts alike,” says Fodor’s Travel.
The magazine also suggested that visitors should sample the delicious banh mi, a Vietnamese sandwich, a popular street food that can be found at every street, as well as experiencing the coffee culture found on Saigon’s sidewalks or from vendors’ tricycles.
“Browse the wares and snacks at Ben Thanh Market, walk along the Saigon River - or take a nighttime cruise for a chance to see the city in a different light,” it added.
Rounding off the list of top places to go in Asia is Ayutthaya of Thailand, Bangladesh, Madhya Pradesh of India, Palawan of the Philippines, and Si Phan Don of Laos./.