Vietnam News Today (Jun 11): Vietnam Becomes Fifth Largest Economy in Southeast Asia

Illustrative image. Photo: VNA

Covid-19: New cases total 961 on June 10

A total 961 new cases of Covid-19 were recorded from 4pm June 9 to 4pm June 10, according to the Ministry of Health.

Hanoi still reported the highest number of infections on the day with 181 cases, followed by Bac Ninh with 77 and Thu Tho with 66.

The national caseload reached 10,729,681, cited VNA.

A total 4,600 Covid-19 patients were given the all clear on June 10, bringing the number of recoveries so far to 9,540,598.

There are 62 patients needing breathing support, while one death was recorded in the past 24 hours. The total fatalities stood at 43,082.

By June 9, the country had injected 223,070,073 doses of Covid-19 vaccines, including 4,489,178 first doses and 630,284 second doses for children from five to under-12 years old.

Vietnam becomes fifth largest economy in Southeast Asia: IMF

Vietnam’s gross domestic product (GDP) reached approximately US$368 billion in 2021, making it the fifth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and 41st in the world, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) World Economic Outlook has revealed.

The United States took the lead with US$22,940 billion, followed by China with US$16,863 billion.

For GDP per capita, Vietnam secured US$3,743 per person ranking sixth in ASEAN and 124th in the world.

Globally, the top 10 countries with the largest GDP per capita are Luxembourg (US$131,302), Ireland (US$102,394), Switzerland (US$93,515), and Norway (US$8.244).

Vietnam's GDP per capita ranks sixth in ASEAN. Photo: IMF

They were followed by the US (US$69,375), Iceland (US$102,394), Denmark (US$67,920), Singapore (US$66,263), Australia (US$62,619), and Qatar (US$61,791).

In Southeast Asia, Singapore ranked first with US$66,263 per person, followed by Brunei (US$33,979), Malaysia (US$11,125), Thailand (US$7,809), and Indonesia (US$4,225).

This year Vietnam has set targets of recording 6 - 6.5% GDP growth and raising its GDP per capita to US$3,900. It plans to raise the GDP per capita to between US$4,700 and US$5,000 by 2025 and US$7,500 by 2030.

Seminar seeks to promote Vietnam-Slovakia trade

Complicated developments of strategic trade competition among countries, impacts of the prolonged and unpredictable of the conflict in Ukraine on the global economy, risks of inflation and slowdown of the world's economic growth have required Vietnam to diversify its trading partners, Vietnamese Ambassador to Slovakia Nguyen Tuan has said.

He made the statement at a seminar, which was held in Slovakia on June 7, aiming to connect organisations and businesses in Slovakia with Vietnamese partners, thereby promoting economic and trade cooperation between the two countries in the near future.

An overview of the seminar. Photo: VNA

Vietnam and Slovakia are traditional partners but their economic and trade collaboration has slowed down in recent years, Tuan said, adding that the seminar offered an opportunity for businesses of the two countries to meet, share experience, and discuss potential areas of cooperation, reported NDO.

Statistics showed that Slovakia has invested US$140.8 million in 12 projects, ranking 45th among 135 countries and territories investing in Vietnam.

Bilateral trade between the two countries reached nearly US$960 million in 2019, making Slovakia an important partner of Vietnam in Central and Eastern Europe.

The ambassador emphasised that Vietnam always attaches great importance to consolidating and developing relations with Slovakia.

He called on the Slovak National Assembly to speed up the early ratification of the European Union-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) as well as expanding trade relations and increasing the exchange of delegations at all levels.

At the event, participants discussed areas that can be promoted such as tourism, cooperation in labor supply and in herbal production. It’s high time for the two countries to take full advantage of opportunities to promote investment and trade, they said.

The participants also expressed their wish that the Slovakia side would facilitate visa applications for Vietnamese workers and tourists to enter the country.

Hanoi to establish 200 bike rental spots

Hanoi's Department of Transport is launching public bicycle services in seven inner districts throughout the capital ahead the third quarter of the year to provide both locals and tourists with better transport options.

As many as 2,000 bicycles will be placed across 200 bike rental spots in the districts of Ba Dinh, Tay Ho, Dong Da, Thanh Xuan, Hoan Kiem, Hai Ba Trung, and Cau Giay, cited VOV.

Photo: VNS

The rental price for a bicycle will be VND5,000 per hour for a normal bike and VND10,000 per hour for an electric bike.

In addition, it will cost VND60,000 and VND120,000 per day for renting a bicycle and an electric bike, respectively.

Bike rental spots will be erected in a continent way that are connected with other public transport services such as buses, metro lines, and public places including schools, hospitals, and shopping centres.

Dao Viet Long, deputy director of Hanoi's Department of Transport, says the project is expected to change local people's commuting habits and will contribute to reducing environmental pollution.

First Vietnam Data Summit to take place this month

Vietnam Data Summit 2022, the first of its kind in Vietnam, will be held by the Ho Chi Minh Computer Association (HCA) and Western Digital Vietnam in the southern city on June 24, heard a press conference on June 10.

HCA Vice President Phi Anh Tuan said the summit will be a platform for data analysts and scientists. It will provide accurate knowledge about storing, collecting and analyzing data which helps accelerate digital transformation in organzations and enterprises, he said.

Data analysis and management is among the five most critical factors driving digital transformation, said CEO of Western Digital Vietnam Truong Ba Toan. Western Digital Vietnam wants to play a role in Vietnam’s digital transformation and create a forum for Vietnamese companies to get greater insights into data and its importance, VNA reported.

The summit will focus its discussions on the role of data in digital transformation; the global trends of data development and how to translate data into values for enterprises; data for small- and medium-sized enterprises; and ways to develop a data-driven culture in companies.

The Vietnam Data Summit 2022, the first of its kind in Vietnam, will take place in HCM City on June 24, heard a press conference on June 10. Photo: VNA

At the event, analysts will also provide consultation on data and digital transformation solutions for participating firms.

Organizers plans to make it an annual event.

Western Digital is a global provider of solutions for the collection, storage, management, protection and use of digital content, which accounts for up to 40 percent of the world’s data systems.

Vietnam News Today (Jun 10): Vietnam Supports ILO Efforts to Address Future Work Challenges Vietnam News Today (Jun 10): Daily Covid-19 caseload stands at 802 on June 9; Vietnam supports ILO efforts to address future work challenges; Five Vietnamese ...

Vietnam News Today (Jun 9): Vietnam Defeat Malaysia 2-0, Advance to U23 Asian Cup Quarterfinals Vietnam News Today (Jun 9): Vietnam confirms 913 new Covid-19 cases on June 8; Vietnam defeat Malaysia 2-0, advance to U23 Asian Cup quarterfinals; Vietnam, ...

Vietnam News Today (Jun 8): Hanoi to Inoculate Vulnerable Adults with Fourth Dose of Covid-19 Vaccines Vietnam News Today (Jun 8): Vietnam reports 960 new Covid-19 cases, over 9,300 recoveries on June 7; Hanoi to inoculate vulnerable adults with fourth dose ...