Saigon Times Podcasts
740 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months ago -The Saigon Times Group is a leading Vietnamese media organization with prestigious business and consumer publications. After more than two decades of development, the group has built a good reputation through four groups of publications about the economy, business, and markets in Vietnamese and one group of English publications for foreign readers.
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Episodes
Vietnam seeks China’s cooperation in cross-border infrastructure projects
February 29, 2024 06:52 - 5 minutes - 7.48 MBVietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has said that Vietnam and China should step up cooperation in cross-border infrastructure projects.
New foreign-investment approvals soar in Jan-Feb
February 28, 2024 09:00 - 4 minutes - 6.01 MBFresh foreign-investment approvals in Vietnam in the year to February 20 had reached more than US$4.29 billion, up by 38.6% year-on-year, according to the Foreign Investment Agency (FIA) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment.
Siemens shows interest in Vietnam’s high-speed railway sector
February 27, 2024 14:32 - 4 minutes - 5.85 MBGermany’s Siemens has shown interest in contributing to Vietnam’s transportation infrastructure, particularly in the high-speed railway sector.
Shrimp exports forecast to rise by 15% in 2024
February 26, 2024 08:26 - 4 minutes - 6.46 MBVietnam’s shrimp exports are forecast to rebound and rise by 10-15% year-on-year, with revenue reaching US$4 billion, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
Work begins on Metro Line 2 in HCMC
February 25, 2024 05:33 - 5 minutes - 7.18 MBThe Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR) has started work on Metro Line No. 2, which will connect Ben Thanh Market in District 1 and Tham Luong Depot in District 12.
Samsung Vietnam factories contribute one-third of global profits
February 25, 2024 05:24 - 5 minutes - 7.53 MBFour factories in Vietnam of the South Korean conglomerate Samsung contributed around one-third to its global profits last year, the local media reported.
Outstanding loans at HCMC banks plummet in early 2024
February 23, 2024 04:06 - 4 minutes - 6.32 MBThe demand for loans in HCMC has remained woefully low, with total outstanding loans declining in the year to date.
Brazil halts importing tilapia from Vietnam
February 22, 2024 10:00 - 5 minutes - 7.54 MBBrazil has announced the suspension of tilapia imports from Vietnam, effective from February 14, due to concerns over the TiLV virus.
Bids invited for key packages of Long Thanh airport project
February 21, 2024 11:23 - 4 minutes - 6.2 MBThe Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) is inviting tenders for some key contract packages of the Long Thanh International Airport project.
Three national highways in Mekong Delta to be upgraded this year
February 21, 2024 00:16 - 4 minutes - 5.91 MBThe Ministry of Transport is seeking the Government’s approval to upgrade three national highways in the Mekong Delta region.
Vietnam likely to extend visa waiver to more countries
February 19, 2024 10:20 - 4 minutes - 6.51 MBVietnam is weighing extending a unilateral visa waiver to more countries, especially those having upgraded ties with the nation.
Vietnam’s exports soar to two-year high in January
February 18, 2024 03:30 - 5 minutes - 7.33 MBVietnam’s exports reached nearly US$33.6 billion in January this year, up 42% over the same period in 2023, the highest monthly level since April 2022.
Thousands of job vacancies available in Binh Duong post Tet
February 17, 2024 07:24 - 4 minutes - 6.51 MBFollowing the Tet holiday, businesses in Binh Duong Province have great demand for hiring, with around 60,000 jobs available across various sectors, according to the Binh Duong Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs.
Long Thanh-Ben Luc Expressway scheduled for completion in Q3 next year
February 16, 2024 11:11 - 4 minutes - 6.33 MBWork on the Long Thanh-Ben Luc Expressway, connecting Dong Nai and Long An provinces, is set to be completed by late 2025 after a restart in 2023 following a four-year suspension.
Vietnam to raise domestic air ticket price caps next month
February 15, 2024 21:41 - 5 minutes - 7.17 MBThe Ministry of Transport has announced the caps on domestic air ticket prices will increase by VND50,000 to VND250,000 per ticket compared to the current levels.
PM wants Tan Son Nhat Terminal T3 completed in end-April next year
February 14, 2024 10:11 - 4 minutes - 5.94 MBPrime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has called for intensified efforts to expedite the construction of Terminal T3 at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in HCMC so that it can be inaugurated in time for the 50th anniversary of the liberation of southern Vietnam in late April 2025.
VND120 trillion worth of real estate bonds to fall due in 2024
February 13, 2024 07:22 - 5 minutes - 7.2 MBFiinGroup has forecast that around VND120 trillion worth of real estate bonds will fall due this year, the highest level in five years, exerting significant pressure on property firms.
Over 800 tons of goods traded through Lao Cai border gate in single day
February 12, 2024 14:29 - 5 minutes - 6.93 MBVietnam-China trade through the Kim Thanh II international border gate in the northern province of Lao Cai has remained steady despite the Lunar New Year holiday, with 801 tons of goods crossing on February 10.
No lending restrictions on to-be-built homes – SBV
February 11, 2024 05:15 - 6 minutes - 8.43 MBThe State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has made clear that its recently issued Circular 22 imposes no restrictions on lending to those buying homes that will be constructed in the future.
New air service connects Danang and South Korea
February 08, 2024 08:19 - 5 minutes - 6.91 MBA new air route connecting Danang, a central coastal city in Vietnam, and Cheongju in South Korea has been launched, providing greater connectivity between the two regions and promoting tourism development for both countries.
Digital money transfers surge in January
February 07, 2024 10:53 - 4 minutes - 5.72 MBThe National Payment Corporation of Vietnam (NAPAS) recorded a surge of over 50% in digital money transfer transactions in January compared to the same period last year, signaling a significant shift in consumer behavior towards non-cash payment methods.
Work on Beltway 2 in Thu Duc to start late this year
February 05, 2024 11:07 - 4 minutes - 5.99 MBConstruction of two sections of Beltway No. 2 is scheduled to begin in December this year when Thu Duc City completes compensation, resettlement support, and the handover of over 70% of cleared land.
Vietnam attracts US$2.36 billion in new foreign investments in January
February 04, 2024 03:33 - 5 minutes - 7.87 MBForeign investors pledged more than US$2.36 billion in their projects in Vietnam in the first month of 2024, a 40.2% increase compared to the same period last year.
HCMC aims for 6.5% GRDP growth in Q1/2024
February 03, 2024 12:26 - 5 minutes - 8 MBThe government of HCMC has set an ambitious target to achieve a gross regional domestic product (GRDP) growth rate of at least 6.5% in the first quarter of 2024, the highest level since 2020.
Vietnam seen winning major rice export deal with Indonesia
February 02, 2024 09:44 - 5 minutes - 7.54 MBVietnam has the high possibility of securing a major rice export contract after an Indonesian auction.
Supermarkets extend opening hours for Tet
February 01, 2024 03:47 - 5 minutes - 7.01 MBAs the Lunar New Year, or Tet, approaches, major supermarket chains across the country have announced to extend their operating hours to meet the rising shopping demand in the lead up to the national holiday.
January CPI up 3.37% year-on-year
January 31, 2024 10:06 - 4 minutes - 6.05 MBThe consumer price index (CPI) in January has risen by 3.37% over the same period last year, with core inflation increasing by 2.72%, according to the General Statistics Office.
Upgrade of key roads in Mekong Delta to start within this year
January 30, 2024 14:22 - 4 minutes - 5.85 MBThe Ministry of Transport has announced that the renovation of three national highways in the Mekong Delta will commence within this year.
Vietnam, China to establish railway connection next year
January 29, 2024 13:32 - 4 minutes - 6.03 MBVietnam Railway Authority is working with its Chinese counterpart to create a standard gauge rail link between the two nations in Lao Cai Province. The project is scheduled for implementation in 2025.
Incoming remittances to HCMC put at US$9.5 billion in 2023
January 27, 2024 18:26 - 6 minutes - 8.41 MBHCMC received an impressive US$9.5 billion in remittances from abroad last year, beating the estimate by around US$500 million, according to Nguyen Duc Lenh, deputy director of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV)’s HCMC branch.
Completion date for HCMC Beltway 2 section rescheduled to 2026
January 27, 2024 11:05 - 5 minutes - 7.35 MBThe construction of a section of the HCMC Beltway No. 2, stretching from Pham Van Dong Avenue to Go Dua intersection, could not be completed as scheduled for last year, so it has been rescheduled to 2026.
Vietnam, U.S. explore cooperation in semiconductor and rare earths
January 26, 2024 09:50 - 3 minutes - 4.97 MBThe U.S. has expressed interest in cooperating with Vietnam in renewable energy and semiconductor chip production.
Vietnam introduces program for English-teaching foreigners
January 25, 2024 05:17 - 5 minutes - 7.04 MBThe Ministry of Education and Training has introduced a program for foreigners who are interested in teaching English at foreign language centers in Vietnam.
HCMC calls for investment in 28 green growth projects
January 24, 2024 07:16 - 4 minutes - 6.42 MBThe HCMC government has released a list of 28 projects which will be introduced at a conference on green growth slated for January 24.
Vietnam needs Samsung’s help to advance semiconductor industry
January 23, 2024 08:35 - 4 minutes - 6.51 MBThe Ministry of Planning and Investment has called on South Korean tech giant Samsung to support Vietnam to improve the capabilities of domestic businesses, especially those in the semiconductor industry.
Vietnam to facilitate access of Hungarian goods to ASEAN markets
January 21, 2024 02:32 - 5 minutes - 7.59 MBPrime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has reiterated Vietnam’s commitment to facilitating Hungarian goods’ access to the Vietnamese and ASEAN markets.
S.Korea’s Hyosung plans to invest US$2 billion more in Vietnam
January 19, 2024 10:20 - 4 minutes - 5.76 MBHyosung Group, a South Korean conglomerate known for its expertise in electrical transformer manufacturing, is planning to inject an additional investment of US$2 billion into Vietnam this year.
Banks slash deposit rates further
January 19, 2024 00:52 - 5 minutes - 7.37 MBThree State-run banks – BIDV, VietinBank and Agribank – further cut deposit rates by 20 to 40 basis points on January 17.
Total outstanding loans expected to expand 4.4% in Q1
January 17, 2024 13:46 - 3 minutes - 5.49 MBTotal outstanding loans in the economy are expected to rise by 4.4% in the first quarter of this year, signaling a departure from earlier forecasts, according to the State Bank of Vietnam’s Department of Forecasting and Statistics.
HCMC leads in FDI attraction
January 16, 2024 10:06 - 4 minutes - 5.98 MBHCMC was the frontrunner among all Vietnamese localities in foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction last year, with US$5.85 billion registered in the city.
Industrial inventory-to-sales ratio rises to 87.5%
January 15, 2024 14:55 - 4 minutes - 5.78 MBThe inventory-to-sales ratio in the processing and manufacturing industry surged to 87.5% in 2023, up from 78.1% in the previous year, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Vietnam expects 162,500 new businesses to emerge in 2024
January 14, 2024 17:56 - 4 minutes - 6.23 MBThe General Statistics Office (GSO) has projected that 162,500 new businesses will enter the market this year, up by 2% compared to the previous year.
Vietnam’s 2023 rice exports set new record but miss target
January 13, 2024 15:03 - 5 minutes - 7.08 MBVietnam set a new record in rice exports in 2023, with over 8.1 million tons valued at US$4.7 billion, yet the results still undershot the target set by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Vietnam’s 2023 foreign trade put at US$681 billion
January 12, 2024 11:37 - 4 minutes - 5.87 MBVietnam put its 2023 foreign trade at over US$681 billion, 6.9% lower than in the previous year, according to the General Statistics Office.
Vietnam considers imposing 5% VAT on fertilizers
January 10, 2024 22:34 - 4 minutes - 6.23 MBThe Ministry of Finance in Vietnam has proposed a 5% value-added tax (VAT) for fertilizers, a departure from the current tax-exempt status outlined in the Value-Added Tax Law.
Standard Chartered forecasts Vietnam’s 2024 GDP at 6.7%
January 10, 2024 12:49 - 3 minutes - 4.5 MBStandard Chartered Bank has projected Vietnam’s GDP growth at 6.7% this year following a 5.05% expansion in 2023.
Government calls on banks to further cut lending rates
January 09, 2024 13:38 - 4 minutes - 6.2 MBThe Government has urged commercial banks to make things easier for residents and businesses to take out loans.
Vietnam wants VND2 quadrillion injected into economy this year
January 09, 2024 03:43 - 4 minutes - 6.01 MBWith a 15% credit growth target set for 2024, an additional VND2 quadrillion will be injected into the economy this year, said a leader of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) at a press conference on January 5.
Higher speed limit proposed for nine expressways
January 07, 2024 13:37 - 5 minutes - 6.88 MBThe Department for Roads of Vietnam has written to the Ministry of Transport proposing revising up the speed limit on nine expressways to 90 kilometers per hour from the current 80, but for certain types of vehicle.
Railway sector offers 7,000 extra tickets for Tet holiday
January 06, 2024 11:53 - 5 minutes - 7.3 MBIn response to the high travel demand before and after the Tet holiday, the railway sector in Vietnam has made an additional 7,000 tickets available for routes connecting HCMC to central and northern provinces during the time for family reunion.