ASEAN NOW News

 

Many overseas Vietnamese along with Germans have shown support for the Covid fight in Vietnam.

 

Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu receives donations from the Hai Phong People's Association in Germany to help in the Covid fight. Photo: VNA

 

Many expats have responded to letters of appeal from the Vietnamese Embassy in the Federal Republic of Germany, for the call for assistance from the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front.

 

As a result, the Vietnamese community has raised funds and has sent representatives to the Vietnam Embassy's headquarters in Berlin to donate money to support the fight against Covid-19 in Vietnam.

 

Most recently, the representative of the Executive Committee of the Hai Phong Association of People in Germany gave Euros 4,470 to the Embassy to send home to support the prevention of Covid-19 in the homeland.

 

Previously, the Golden Lotus Charity Association also gave the representative of the Embassy Euros500 to support pandemic prevention.

 

Many associations such as the Vietnamese community in Magdeburg and surrounding areas, the Vietnamese community in Westsachsen Zwickau and many individuals and organizations have also joined hands to support people in the country to fight the pandemic, especially by contributing to the Covid-19 vaccine fund.

 

At the reception, Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu expressed his appreciation for the support of people in domestic difficulties during Covid.

 

The ambassador updated people with new developments regarding the pandemic in the country and said that Covid-19 prevention needed the cooperation of individuals and organizations at home and abroad.

 

The goal is for Vietnam to have sustainable access to vaccines so that it can effectively respond to the pandemic.

 

The Vietnamese Government's decision to establish the Covid-19 vaccine fund is to mobilize the contributions of the whole society, both domestic and overseas Vietnamese people, towards purchasing vaccines and cooperation in vaccine production.

 

By the end of June, the Vietnam Embassy in Berlin had received Euros20,970 in contributions for domestic pandemic prevention and control back home.

 

Embassies in Russia have also raised funds as well, and expect more funds to arrive to support the Vietnamese Covid-19 Vaccine Fund .

 

 

 

View of the site after a Philippines Air Force Lockheed C-130 plane carrying troops crashed on landing in Patikul, Sulu province,

Philippines July 4, 2021. Armed Forces of the Philippines - Joint Task Force Sulu

 

MANILA, July 4 (Reuters) - At least 29 people were killed on Sunday when a Philippines Air Force plane carrying troops crashed on landing and broke up in flames, the country's worst military air disaster in nearly 30 years.

 

Pictures from the scene showed flames and smoke pouring from wreckage strewn among trees as men in combat uniform milled around, while a column of thick black smoke rose from the coconut palms into the sky.

 

 

The Lockheed C-130 transport aircraft carrying troops bound for counter-insurgency operations crashed with 96 aboard at Patikul in the far southern province of Sulu.

 

The army in the sprawling Philippine archipelago has been fighting a long war against Islamist militants from Abu Sayyaf and other factions.

 

Twenty-nine bodies were retrieved and 50 people had been taken to hospital, leaving 17 unaccounted for, the military said in a statement, adding there was still hope for survivors.

 

 

"A number of soldiers were seen jumping out of the aircraft before it hit the ground, sparing them from the explosion caused by the crash," the unit, the Joint Task Force Sulu, said in the statement.

 

Military chief Cirilito Sobejana said the plane had "missed the runway trying to regain power".

 

A military spokesman, Colonel Edgard Arevalo, said there was no sign of any attack on the plane, but a crash investigation had yet to begin and efforts were focused on rescue and treatment.

 

The military command said the soldiers aboard had the rank of private, and were being deployed to their battalions. They were flying to the pvorincial airport of Jolo from Laguindingan, about 460 km (290 miles) to the northeast.

 

"They were supposed to join us in our fight against terrorism," said Commander William N. Gonzales of Joint Task Force Sulu.

Jolo island is about 950 km (600 miles) south of the capital, Manila.

 

Similar type Lockheed C-130H

 

The Lockheed C-130H Hercules aircraft, with registration 5125, had only recently arrived in the Philippines.

 

It was one of two aircraft provided by the U.S. government through the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, a government website said in January. It quoted an air force spokesman as saying the aircraft would boost capability for heavy airlift missions.

 

 

The website C-130.net said the plane that crashed had first flown in 1988. The model is a workhorse for armed forces around the world.

 

The Philippines armed forces have had a patchy air safety record. Last month a Black Hawk helicopter crashed during a training mission, killing six people.

 

A Philippines Air Force C-130 crash in 1993 killed 30 people. A 2008 crash of the civilian variant of the Lockheed plane flown by the Philippines Air Force killed 11 people, the Aviation Safety Network says.

 

The country's worst plane crash was that of an Air Philippines Boeing 737 in 2000, which killed 131 people.

 

Reporting by Karen Lema in Manila and Maria Ponnezhath in Bengaluru; Writing by Matthew Tostevin; Editing by William Mallard and Clarence Fernandez

 

 

Ng Yu Zhi the owner of the Singapore based Envy Group has been making headlines across Asia, as he is behind Singapore’s biggest investment fraud.

 

Ng Yu Zhi the owner of the Singapore based Envy Group

 

Apparently, Ng Yu Zhi, 34, was responsible for outflows of S$475 million ($352 million) from his Envy Group of companies, according to a report by court-appointed judicial managers for the firms.

 

 Allegedly it is said that he pocketed more than half of the net fund’s investors poured into his company, leading a jet set life of private jets, nightclubs, and massive cash gifts.

 

The judicial managers’ report was distributed to investors and shown to the media. It confirmed that the net inflows of S$841.5 million from investors, and that the tracing of additional possible fund flows is still ongoing.

 

Like a Walter Mitty style character in the movies, the report stated that Ng spent about S$2 million a month to fund his lifestyle, which included a butler and chauffeur, plus expenditure on alcohol, hotel rooms, eating out at fine dining restaurants.

 

 

He also made significant monetary gifts to close associates, as well.

 

Ng’s companies are now run by a team of interim judicial managers led by Bob Yap of KPMG LLP, who have suggested to the court that Envy be liquidated.

 

They declined to comment on the report. Ng’s lawyers at Davinder Singh Chambers LLC also declined a request for comment.

 

The alleged scam has rattled the moneyed classes in one of Asia’s wealthiest nations as the list of victims grows to include high-profile professionals from the city’s asset management and legal industries.

 

Ng is facing 32 charges and has been accused of cheating and of criminal breach of trust by misappropriating at least S$201 million.

 

The report is the second one from the interim judicial managers, after the first one was distributed in May.

Nick Faldo designed this great 18 hole course in Siem Reap.

 

 

"Is there a better time to play golf than late afternoon!? Sun is setting, weather is cooler and the birds are tweeting words of wisdom for your final holes (or laughing!)", said David Baron General Manger at Angkor Golf Resort at Siem Reap Cambodia. 

 

Check out their website  https://www.angkor-golf.com/

Prime Minister Hun Sen told media yesterday and assured the public the Kingdom is not facing insolvency, despite the economy contracting for the first time in three decades last year.

 

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen

 

According to a report by the Khmer Times, Cambodia has deployed around $3 billion in reserve funds for relief during lockdowns, cash assistance, medical equipment and other necessities, the prime minister said during a meeting of the National Committee  for Combating Covid-19.

 

More than 1,000 new Covid cases were confirmed yesterday, and the Ministry of Health warned that the country is at a “red line”.

 

Second Lockdown?

 

Any further escalation or increased transmission of the “Delta” variant could result in a second round of lockdowns. The quarantine period for those testing positives for Delta and Delta Plus variants has been extended to 21 days.

 

“No country seems to have avoided community transmission, even North Korea,” the prime minister said.

 

He stressed the government would continue caring for financially vulnerable families and business sectors affected by the crisis. He also said the government will continue paying state salaries to civil servants and armed forces bi-monthly as usual.

The 2021 national budget allocated $719 million for pandemic-related relief and recovery intervention, compared with $823 million in 2020.

 

The Kingdom spent 1.4 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on a social security net, Moody’s Analytics reported last month, adding it doled out more than any other country in ASEAN in its relief to the vulnerable during the pandemic in relationship to its GDP.

 

The government has spent more than $335 million in direct aid to more than 700,000 households during the pandemic.

At a bare minimum, individuals received at least $30 to $40 per month, according to the National Social Protection Council (NSPC).  Apparently, they said that last month that “the smallest demographic received that amount”.

 

Households with just one child are quite small in number, said NSPC Secretary-General Chan Narith.

 

The Cambodian economy shrank by 3.1 percent last year and is projected to grow by 4 percent this year, according to the World Bank.

 

This forecast is underpinned by continued vaccination efforts, an end to lockdowns and the manufacturing sector being able to meet US demand for goods, particularly garments.

 

Slow Growth

 

The bank’s downside scenario projects the economy will grow at a more modest 1 percent in 2021.

 

Earlier this week, for the ninth time, the government renewed its measures to help cushion the impact of the pandemic on the country’s labour force and the poor.

 

This time around the government said it has extended its financial support programmes for another three months to help the garment and textile industry, tourism sector and poor people from July to September 2021.

 

It said Covid-19 continues to evolve and spread alarmingly with the recent mutations of the virus, which has increased socio-economic pressures in many parts of the world, including Cambodia.

 

 

 

 

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has apparently claimed that boxing legend and Senator Manny Pacquiao backed out of his upcoming fight against Errol Spence Jr. this August.

 

 

Pacquiao is set to fight Spence Jr. in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 21 this year.

 

President Duterte made his claim during his speech at the inauguration of the LRT-2 East Extension Project in Antipolo City, Rizal Thursday.

 

Duterte told Pacquiao, corrupt people in gov’t existing since time of PNoy, Arroyo.

 

“He has a scheduled fight but suddenly nag back out. Probably he knows that he’s too old for that and failing in his boxing career, kung matalo siya, he’s a goner actually,” the President added.

 

 

Pacquiao, for his part, clarified that his upcoming boxing match will push through.

 

Pacquiao is due to fly out this weekend “para bigyan ng dangal ang ating bansa,” the lawmaker said in a statement.

 

Fake news maybe or could it just political sparring….who knows?

 

Indonesia Declares Lockdown in Java and Bali as Covid Cases Rise Dramatically.

 

Indonesia has just declared a lockdown that its main island Java and the tourism destination of Bali are now in lockdown.

 

Indonesia has had the worst outbreak in South East Asia with about 2.1 million positive cases.

 

The President 

 

The announcement by President Joko Widodo, comes as the country battles multiple outbreaks and an alarming huge rise in Covid cases.

 

Indonesia recently recorded two million Covid cases, attributed to increased holiday travel and the Delta variant.

 

This current lockdown will last a minimum of two weeks, with the target of reducing the number of cases to below 10,000 a day.

 

The country is currently recording more than 20,000 new cases each day.

However, experts warn that the case numbers are potentially much higher, because of severely inadequate testing outside Jakarta.

 

Under the new rules, all staff working for non-essential businesses will have to work from home, and distance learning will be implemented across schools.

 

Malls, places of worship and public leisure facilities like parks will also be shut, with dining-in banned.

 

Businesses including those in the health, security and energy industries have been deemed critical and will be allowed to run at 100% capacity, which means all employees can go to work. Others like financial services, which have been deemed essential, can run at 50% capacity.

 

Highest Number of Cases in SE Asia

 

Indonesia has had the worst Covid outbreak in South East Asia, with about 2.1 million positive cases and 57,000 deaths so far.

 

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies had reported on Tuesday that the country was "teetering on the edge of a Covid-19 catastrophe".

 

Sudirman Said, secretary-general of the Indonesian Red Cross said, "hospitals were full to the brim and oxygen supplies critically low", and that their hospital in Bogor, West Java, was "overflowing".

 

"We have set up emergency tents at the hospital to accommodate more patients, with many travelling for hours so they can access vital medical care," he said.

 

Last month, authorities banned domestic travel across the sprawling archipelago at the end of Ramadan, in an attempt to curb what is known as "mudik" - the practice of migrant workers travelling back to their hometowns to celebrate Eid with their families. But many flouted the rules.

 

There have also been rising concerns that the spike in cases is due to the more transmissible Delta variant, which was first detected in late May in the Kudus region of Java.

 

Local authorities said this month that more than 350 health workers who were already vaccinated had caught Covid.

 

The Indonesian Medical Association has said so far 949 health workers have died from Covid-19.

 

Data checks found that of these deaths, at least 20 doctors and 10 nurses had been fully vaccinated with the Sinovac vaccine, CoronaVac.

 

Indonesia has mainly relied on the Chinese vaccine in its inoculation drive, which is ramping up this week. Only about 13 million people out of its 270 million population have been fully vaccinated so far.

 

Several epidemiologists believe a third booster dose may be needed for health workers, given the presence of the Delta variant as well as the efficacy of CoronaVac, which measured 65% in Indonesian trials earlier this year.

 

A more recent government study however found that it was 98% effective in preventing death and 96% effective in preventing hospitalisation among medical workers.

 

The outbreaks have concerned many citizens, such as 40-year-old Malika who lives in the capital Jakarta. She told BBC Indonesian she does not permit her child to leave the house.

 

"I'm very worried, especially now. I heard that there are so many children infected by Covid-19 in Jakarta," she said. "In the past I didn't give it too much thought ... But now I couldn't say such a thing."

 

These funds are aimed at assisting the central government and Vietnam’s largest economic hub, Ho Chi Minh City, in their efforts to proceed with an economic recovery that is inclusive, digitally transformative, and sustainable, the World Bank said this week.

 

“Due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam needs to now accelerate its reforms if it aims to become a high-income economy by 2045”, said Carolyn Turk, WB country director for Vietnam.

 

“The country must not only manage the immediate effects associated with the pandemic, but also build the foundations for a green recovery in the longer-term,” the country director emphasized.

 

Focuses on Policy Actions

 

The first DPO, worth $221.5 million, focuses on policy actions that will make the recovery more inclusive, including support for e-governance, renewable energy, mobile money, and childcare.

 

E-government development activities will help accelerate a recovery process based on digital transformation so that public services can be provided more effectively and comprehensively to Vietnamese people and businesses, the WB said.

 

 

Policies to encourage the development of renewable energy will assist Vietnam in prioritizing solar energy projects as greener and less carbon-emitting alternatives to coal.

 

Supporting the adoption of mobile payments aims to increase access to financial services for unbanked households, which are still a majority in Vietnam.

 

By providing more access to affordable and quality childcare, this operation will help to address one of the greatest barriers to women’s workplace equality in industrial parks, said the WB.

 

Second DPO to Support HCMC

 

Meanwhile, the second DPO, valued at $100 million, will support Ho Chi Minh City in promoting the use of integrated and transparent spatial information for urban management.

 

 

This operation is designed to strengthen public asset and debt management, as well as improve the delivery of priority municipal services – a basic element for effectively governing a modern city.

 

The bank expects that reforms aimed at simplifying business registration procedures and enhancing access to planning information will help improve the city’s business environment, thereby attracting more private investors, increasing labor productivity, and generating jobs.

 

By strengthening the city’s public asset and debt management efficiency, this operation is expected to help improve fiscal efficiency and generate additional revenue in the coming years.

 

In the long term, residents will benefit from higher-quality urban services thanks to the city’s reforms to promote competitiveness and transparency in the transport and real estate sectors.

 

This operation will also help the city relieve its vulnerabilities to climate change through increasing transparency in climate-informed land zoning, expanding drainage coverage, and the expected switch from private transport to less carbon-emitting public transport.

 

It will promote gender equality by encouraging women and girls to use public transport by enhancing connectivity and personal safety measures.

 

The funding for the national DPO comes from the International Development Association while the financing for the Ho Chi Minh City DPO is sourced from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

Parts of this article was originally published in Tuoitrenews

 

Despite increasing supply, Jakarta still has the lowest rate of homeownership in the country, according to a recent report in the Jakarta Post.

 

photo: REUTERS

 

As workers flock to the capital to find jobs, homeownership in Indonesia has been dropping since 1999, as workers find house prices have risen.

 

Now, the affordability of homes is under further threat, as a number of people face declines in real income as a result of the pandemic.

 

The national share of households with a home of their own fell to just over 80 percent last year from nearly 85 percent in 1999, according to data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS).

 

Jakarta recorded the lowest share last year. The fall in Jakarta homeownership is in line with the share of households renting a home in the city, at 37.71 percent last year, higher than any other province, as workers flock to the capital to find jobs.

 

Although some provinces ended up with a higher homeownership rate after the first 20 years of the century, Jakarta posted the steepest decline between 1999 and 2020.

 

Realtors Q1 Report

 

According to a report on Q1 2021 from realtors Colliers, some developers started to introduce their new projects in Q1 2021. Unfortunately, the demand growth in the market remains sluggish, making it hard to revise the asking prices.

In addition, the government set out some stimuli for the residential property sector, including the property relaxation norm from the Central Bank coupled with the foreign ownership regulation, which will bode well for developers and property demand.

 

photo: REUTERS

 

Also, the Colliers reports stated that the VAT waiver will be beneficial for upgraders as well as developers who still have unsold inventories.

 

All in all, Colliers were of the view this year will remain a buyer’s market, and there will be a gradual yet moderate recovery in the market.

 

Meanwhile with the pandemic playing havoc in most business sectors, the chances of the homeownership in the country decreasing further is a strong possibility.

Lao Airlines the state-owned airline will now resume flights to a total of six domestic destinations after flip-flopping between opening and canceling routes over the last few days.

 

 

Lao Airlines announced it would resume domestic flights under strict Covid-19 safety measures starting from 25 June after a long absence from the skies.

 

Earlier the airline had reversed its decision, saying that due to strict regulations requiring special authorization for travel in certain provinces, the airline had decided to cancel the previously-announced flights to Oudomxay, Luang Namtha, and Xieng Khouang provinces.

 

However, Lao Airlines has said in a statement today that has reinstated those flights. “After careful consideration by the provincial Covid-19 taskforces, Lao Airlines will resume flights to Oudomxay, Luang Namtha, and Xieng Khouang provinces in accordance with strict Covid-19 prevention measures,” the statement reads.

 

Due to the relatively low number of passengers who have had two doses of vaccine, the opening schedule will be rather limited.

 

Provinces served by two return flights per week include Luang Prabang, Pakse, and Oudomxay. Luang Namtha will have three return flights per week and Xieng Khouang will be served with one weekly return flight.

 

A weekly return flight to Savannakhet will commence on 7 July.

 

Many homeowners and residents in Vientiane capital have expressed their dissatisfaction with extremely high electricity bills for the months of April, May, and June this year.

 

 

Although agreeing to provide a 3%discount on all electricity rates to residential consumers for the months from May to July, the state-run power company Electricite du Laos (EDL) has seen complaints flooding in to their offices by Laos residents who say their bills are just too high.

 

Apparently the discount offered applies only to residential consumers and does not include value-added tax (VAT).

 

Many residents have taken to social media to air their complaints, posting photographs of their electricity bills to show the difference in price between the beginning of the year and the months of April, May, and June.

 

One resident of Vientiane Capital told the local newspaper the Laotian Times that she rents a room at Phonpapao Village, Sisattanak District, and is rarely home.

 

She regularly pays her electricity bill on time but was stunned by the high price of recent months.

“When I saw the electricity bill in May, I was alarmed because it was up to LAK 800,000,” she said.

 

 

Another resident in Vientiane said that his power bill would normally be around LAK 200,000 per month and he was shocked to see a bill charged at over LAK 900,000.

 

“When I made an inquiry with EDL, they stated that it was due to me using more power during the hot weather in April and May,” he said.

 

Restaurants and hotels have also seen higher bills than usual, despite many being closed during the lockdown period.

 

Electricite du Laos began rolling out smart meters for residence and businesses in Vientiane Capital in 2018.

Smart meters are self-reading meters that send information about electricity use back to the power company automatically without requiring a human meter reader.

 

The use of smart meters is said to be more efficient and help protect the consumer from faulty or incorrect meter reads. EDL installs smart meters in Vientiane Capital.

 

But the high charges for electricity bills during the warmer months of April, May, and June remains an ongoing issue.

Residents aired their complaints about high electricity prices on social media in 2020 as high utility bills came at a time when many have been feeling the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

President Thongloun Sisoulith (then-Prime Minister) even stepped in to intervene when tariff increases took the public by surprise.

 

Meanwhile, Electricite du Laos has responded by announcing that it will place a greater focus on customer service, saying it will dismiss irresponsible employees or employees who behave in a way that is damaging to the reputation of the company.

 

Residents would of course prefer the company gave them all a refund in their next bill.

 

Additional information by the https://laotiantimes.com/

 

Surely all businesses especially shops, are “essential” in making up a complete and diverse economy. Unnecessary labels do not help improve businesses’  survivability, according to a trade group coalition.

 

In a virtual press conference recently, Industries Unite co-founder Datuk David Gurupatham said it was time to discard the “essential” and “non-essential” labels placed on businesses, and instead to employ targeted measures to reopen as many businesses as possible.

 

“Every industry is essential as it employs people and creates jobs. To truly recover and inject life into the economy, the Covid-19 battle must be targeted, locality by locality, building by building, district by district, state by state,” he said.

 

David said areas with high economic value should be prioritised for Covid-19 testing, contact tracing and vaccination — especially as testing kit prices “have come down tremendously”.

 

“Businesses should be allowed to operate with enhanced standard operating procedures (SOPs) in these areas.

Allow people who are vaccinated and of low risk more freedom to move within these targeted areas, allow more businesses to open.Increase education and monitoring of these places. Allow businesses in these areas to open immediately,” he added.

 

David also highlighted that despite being deemed an essential economic sector, the food and beverage (F&B) industry is suffering and the ban on customers dining in needs to be lifted.

 

A section selling stationery is cordoned off at a Mr. DIY outlet amid MCO— Picture by Choo Choy May

 

He said that F&B operators are being forced to sell their products online, where they have almost no choice but to subscribe to the “two biggest food delivery apps” that charge an upwards of 30 per cent commission on the price of the food.

 

“So, who benefits? The mom and pop shops and warungs end up essentially working for the delivery apps.

Not to mention that these food shops are dealt a double whammy where the prices of raw materials have also increased,” he added.

 

A “total lockdown” under the third movement control order (MCO 3.0) was initiated on June 1 and required most businesses — except for those deemed “essential” by the government — to close their premises.

 

Under the government’s National Recovery Plan, most businesses and economic sectors will only be allowed to reopen in the third phase of the plan, after daily new Covid-19 cases drop below the 2,000 mark and 40 per cent of the Malaysian population has received Covid-19 vaccination.

 

This government expects this to happen no sooner than September.

 

 

Hopefully, there is a low risk of severe haze expected this year originating from forest fires coming over from Indonesia this year, according to a local think-tank.

 

Image: Reuters file photo

 

 

The report by the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA) released recently said this was due to a confluence of factors.

 

These include improved land management policies by the Indonesian government, projected weather conditions.

Also due to the growing recognition among the authorities there that the carbon-rich peatlands and forests in the country could be a source of carbon credits.

 

This is good news not only for Singapore but also for other Asian countries including Thailand and Malaysia. The severe haze in the past has been especially hard on asthma sufferers.

 

Here we post an interesting perspective on Vietnam and it golf by Golflux, a Hanoi based tour operator. 

 

1.     Caddies in Vietnam are Wonderful.

 

Foreign golfers will feel a little bit strange when they realize caddie is a must in each Vietnamese golf course. In many other countries, having a caddie in a game of golf is a luxurious thing and, in most cases, golfers must carry their golf clubs or hire a golf buggy.

 

 

On the other hand, most of caddies are just part-time local students. Almost foreign golfers after playing golf in Vietnam said that they were impressed by the caddies in Vietnam.

 

Caddies in Vietnam mostly are women. They have the responsibility to consult their customers for the game. They also help golfers to carry golf equipment, take care of golfers such as swipe the clubs, pick up the ball, swipe golfers’ sweat, etc.

 

Why is caddie a must in Vietnam? There is a story behind that. When the first 2 golf courses were built in Vietnam (BRG Kings Island Golf Resort and Song Be golf resort), many people had to leave their houses because of the courses’ space.

 

Therefore, the local government requires these courses to provide jobs for these people. Thus, citizens here were recruited to become caddies. So far, caddies have become an indispensable part in the golf culture and rules in Vietnam.

 

2. Vietnamese golf courses have a longer coastline than any other golf course in America or other places.

 

The long coastline in Vietnam golf courses is an exploited element compared to all golf courses in other countries. This unique point will make golfers overwhelmed and surprised. 

 

In central Vietnam, there are a lot of long beaches, rolling dunes which create many beautiful golf courses such as Laguna Lang Co, Golf Montgomerie Links, BRG Da Nang Resort, Vinpearl Golf Club, … These famous, breathtaking courses attract many golfers from Vietnam and other countries. Many of them were rated as the best golf courses in Southern Asia and in the whole world.

 

Three outstanding golf courses that must be named here are Montgomerie Links, The Dunes and Laguna Lang Co. All of them were rated as the top golf courses in central Vietnam, featured by nature and the ridged terrains of white dunes on the East coastline. Moreover, they also achieved many rewards of quality and difficulty levels. Consequently, the courses attract a lot of famous golfers in the world and promise to bring the best experience for golf lovers.

 

3. The weather in Vietnam will easily satisfy the most difficult players.

 

The unique geography in Vietnam creates a range of weather patterns, with both tropical and temperate regions. But in general, the ideal time to play golf in Vietnam is in the spring (February-April) and the autumn (August-October). These periods of time will offer the best weather countrywide.

 

·         Weather in Hanoi and Northern Vietnam

Hanoi and Northern Vietnam have a cool to cold season (from November to March) and a warm to hot wet season (from April to October). December and January, in particular, can get quite frosty in the far north of Vietnam. The wettest months of the year in Hanoi are July and August; the driest ones are December and January. Generally, you can play golf in Hanoi and the North of Vietnam throughout the year and should be well-prepared before playing if it is in the midst of summer since it is hot, humid and the region experiences the highest rainfall.

 

·         Weather in Da Nang and Central Vietnam

The beautiful coastlines around Danang and central Vietnam are warm all year round with temperatures of 38⁰C (100⁰F) in July and August and then dropping as low as 18⁰C from November to January.  There is a little rain between February and July but from the beginning of August to early November the rainfall increases. Besides, the area is also prone to the occasional tropical storm. Indeed, you can have your Da Nang golf tour at any time in the year, but the best time is from February to May.

 

·         Weather in Ho Chi Minh city and Southern Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh city is close to the equator, the weather here is warm with average daytime temperatures of 28°C (82°F). The season is basically divided into two types: the wet season and the dry season.

The wet season starts in May and lasts until the end of November. The rains stop in December and the dry season lasts until April, this time is the best option for you to play golf in Ho Chi Minh City.

 

4. The Government supports developing golf in Vietnam.

 

The government cares about the development of Golf Vietnam. Vietnam has many strategies to welcome players from over the world to visit and play golf in Vietnam. And golf Vietnam now has already attracted a lot of golfers by itself and it is predicted to develop quickly in the future.

 

Golf Vietnam is evaluated as the fastest developing golf market in the world according to Forbes Magazine. Therefore, there will be a lot of investments to develop this market so that players can have a bunch of conveniences. Besides, with the stable politics players can feel more comfortable and safe in your Vietnam golf tour.

 

5. Many challenging golf courses in Vietnam will surprise you.

 

Golfers tend to try to find as many difficult golf courses as possible to achieve a new record. And many Vietnam golf courses can surely urge you to conquer.

 

The Bluffs Ho Tram. A links course crafted over rolling dunes, it is not flat, with the highest hole raising 54 meters above the lowest points on the course. Amid the holes is a system of forests and pools that make it more challenging for players. Besides, this golf course is one of the most difficult golf courses not only in challenging design, but also because of other factors such as wind and lighting conditions of each season. Even a professional golfer still runs into some difficulties when playing here.

 

 

BRG Kings Island Golf Club. The designer specializes in designing these challenging courses. He uses local terrain and natural hazards to build testing golf courses. Also, many hidden greens that require testing approach shots over water or swamps.

 

 

Sky Lake Golf Course. The Lake Course provides members with championship-level golf and plays up-and-down through a series of lakes with mountains as backdrops. Most holes are routed over rolling hills. Golfers can witness scenic views overlooking the surrounding farmland from the clubhouse and from many points on the course itself.  Fairways and greens are undulated and follow the hilly contours of the area. The course is long and challenging as it plays up to 7,265 yards from the tips.

 

 

Tam Dao Golf Resort. Clever use of natural surroundings and water makes this a tricky course. Water hazards are well placed ensuring that approach shots must be well considered.

Golfers should beware of the giant tree front to the left of the green as shots with not enough distance tend will quickly get caught in the top branches. Equally challenging is the second hole on the back nine. The short par 4, only 353 yards, plays to an elevated island green with closely mown fringe and flanked by water on all sides. The hazard demands an accurate second shot, to avoid a watery penalty.

 

6. Many unique golf courses can bring the best experience for golfers.

 

There are many unique golf courses in Vietnam that will bring unforgettable experience for every golfer when playing here.

 

 

Chi Linh Star and Golf Course.  This golf course is considered one of the best golf courses in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. The golf course covers a large area of 325 hectares, locates in the heart of a beautiful valley with a natural lake nestled in the green hills. There are numerous paths around the small lake and across the hills, all with lovely views. Chi Linh Star golf course was built with 36 holes to AAA international standard, the greens and grass are carefully tended every day. This course is also particularly challenging because of the hilly terrain.

 

 

Dalat Palace Golf Club. Dalat Palace Golf Club is in a delightfully peaceful location with rolling hills, majestic pines, and a series of lakes around ten of the 18 holes. It creates a particularly challenging championship-caliber golf course. The 6th hole is signature with its intimidating tee shot with water to the left and along a narrow fairway. The intimidation does not end there as it is a difficult shot to the green, which is surrounded by water and bunkers. This will be an enjoyable challenge for golfers of all levels.

 

 

Song Be Golf Resort.  Song Be Golf Resort was Vietnam’s first international championship golf course. The 27-hole course is officially rated by the USGA (United States Golfers Association) requirements. There are three main courses – Lotus Course, Palm Course, and Desert Course. Each of them features different attributes reflecting its name in this tropical landscape. The three golf courses, each with a variety of difficulties, are suitable for golfers of any level. Among them, the Desert Course is considered the most challenging and demanding course even for professionals.

 

For more information contact [email protected] or visit https://www.golflux.com/

 

 

 

Foreigners have always marveled, when they see for the first time the traditional Vietnamese houses seen all over the country, which are usually 3-4 levels high but just an incredible 4-5 metres wide.

 

Especially in the cities where land was expensive this was how many families lived for centuries.

Family ties in a traditional Vietnamese family are extraordinarily strong. Usually several generations live together under a single roof where many family events take place.

 

CN House on the street in Hanoi

 

Now some enterprising family has given theses unique houses a modern twist. Simply called the CN House, this modern version of a thin Vietnamese home was designed for three family generations, who wanted to create a harmonious space in the hectic city OF Hanoi, in order to enhance traditional family life.

 

The site of the house is a typical plot for long and narrow local tube houses; with this house measuring just 4,2 metres wide by 35 metres long. 

 

Modern Version

 

Inspired by old traditional houses of Hanoi, here the architects and designers of this Hanoi home, have provided all spaces filled with natural light and ventilation, made possible by the inner courtyards.

 

 

The design aims to bring a breath of traditional spirit to modern life, while at the same time creating spaces full of natural light and ensure natural ventilation within the house.

 

The house is separated into 2 zones: the commercial area of two floors and the family area. 

 

The common spaces of the family area such as living room, library, dining room and kitchen are positioned in different levels  with varying ceiling heights in order to compose an open continuous space to maintain easy family communication with each other.

 

 

This design makes the space incredibly open and provides an unexpected feeling of spaciousness despite the limited width of the house.

 

The two children’s bedrooms are situated above the main common area, next to the void spaces, allowing connection with family members downstairs.

 

The quiet area is located at the innermost part of the house, which includes the grandparents’ bedroom and the parents’ master bedroom.

 

Significant elements of the interior spaces are three void gaps separating the house volume to deliver natural light into lower leveled spaces of the house.

 

 

In today’s world of modern technology with smart phones and television, these family ties are weakened. Therefore the space design emphasizes connections among the family members, especially in the context of today’s hurried lifestyle of new economically growing Vietnam. 

 

Nature and Greenery in the City

 

Nature is an important element providing a positive effect on people’s mental health. However, the rapid development of large cities creates a lack of green spaces for people to relax.

 

That is why planting trees and plants inside the house is necessary and helps creating a peaceful living space reducing stress.

 

CH house is not only a home for city dwellers, but also a place attempting to create a link between people and nature. This is often missing in Hanoi due to many environmental problems and limited green spaces.

 

The facade of the house is designed as double layer with its outer layer made from perforated cement blocks and a steel frame glass inner layer.

 

The double layer facade combined with a green layer provides cover from the sun, dust and allowing natural ventilation throughout the entire length of the house.

 

The facade is designed with a large window, providing even more light to fill the house when needed and giving the facade a more attractive look.

 

The intention was to design spatial harmony with consideration of family traditions, the local climate and contemporary lifestyle. 

 

Although this concept has worked in the capital Hanoi, Certainly with ground space at a premium, it would certainly be of great intertest in say downtown Manahatten or even in Tokyo know for its capsule living conditions.

 

The architects should be congratulated.

 

Images provided by ODDO architects.  https://www.designboom.com/tag/oddo-architects/

 

We have all read about the chaos the micro chip shortage is costing manufactures. Now to add to their problems is  an even bigger drama is emerging as shipping cannot cope with demand.

 

Before the pandemic, an English importer was paying $2,500 to $2,800 (£1,800-£2,000) to bring a 40-foot container from China to the UK. Now they are having to pay $16,000, and that is if they can actually get a booking.

 

 

This is already starting to have a major impact on Vietnam exporters, who will start to struggle just to be competative and to get international orders.

 

Due to the increasingly complicated situation of Covid 19, this has seriously affected the international flow of goods and transport, leading to the shortage of container shells, thereby increasing shipping rates in the export of goods in Vietnam.

 

Currently, because the epidemic is rampant in European countries and especially in the US, 1 container is imported from Asia for every 3 containers, thereby causing a lack of container shells.

 

Lack of containers currently appears regularly in Asian countries and Southeast Asia and tends to spread out.

 

Rising Maritime Transport Costs is Making Vietnam Exports Expensive

 

A businessman operating in the shipping industry added: “shipping companies have to wait many weeks to get their containers and are forced to pay high prices, which has pushed up shipping prices dramatically.” 

 

“Specifically, freight rates from China to the US and Europe have increased by 300%. Sometimes the freight was up to US$6,000 a container, compared to the usual price of US$1,200."

 

Therefore, many companies trying to export general items or agricultural products from Vietnam are now being forced o pay for container charges of up to 3-4 times, and in some cases even ten times higher than normal, just  to keep up with the scheduled delivery times shown in the contract for their customers.

 

Currently, international buyers are having to wait to see if the freight is able to cool down or not to calculate the purchase price accordingly.

 

Cashew Exports Turn to Domestic Market

 

In addition, the cashew season in Brazil, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Kenya is currently in their harvest season, so the cashew inventory in these countries is quite a lot.

 

Some customers ask for future delivery, but the price is not good for Vietnamese cashew exporters, and there are not many orders to be closed.

 

This has led Vietnamese cashew producers to have to try to focus on selling roasted cashew for the domestic market.

 

Ceramic Tiles Taken Back from Port

 

“We even had to consider transporting 20 containers which had already been transported to the port back to the warehouse,” explained Vũ Trang Nhung from Vitaly in the southern province of Bình Dương.

 

Her company exports ceramic tiles to Malaysia, Yemen, and Bahrain.

 

She said that freight rates had increased dramatically from the end of last year. Especially for fees from Cát Lái Port (HCMC) to Aden Port (Yemen) increased from US$1,500 to US$2,500 per 20-feet container in mid-December then jumped to $4,500 in early January 2021.

 

Adding to this, containers were not always transported immediately but had to wait at the ports, pushing up costs even higher.

 

We have been focusing on a few issues here in Vietnam. However this is a global problem, that will naturally push up prices across the board.

 

So, whether you like your Durians from Thailand or your micro chips from Taiwan, what we will all pay in the shops in the future, will unfortunately rise accordingly.

 

Manuactures, exporters and importers will not be able to swallow this huge increases so us the poor consumer will find our monthly shoppping bill rise.

 

 

Surprise surprise a popular Vietnamese raw pork snack apparently contains a natural bacteria, and according to Scientists it can kill other bacteria, which could help reduce global food waste and protect lives.

 

The fermented pork snack, Nem Chua, although eaten raw but does not cause food poisoning when prepared correctly.

 

 

Apparently it is because friendly bacteria that thrives in the fermented meat, makes a special compound that destroys more dangerous bacteria..

 

Bacteriocins form holes in the membranes of target bacteria.

 

During a trip to Vietnam, researchers from RMIT Melbourne, started to grow curious when they heard that some locals could eat nem chua, a raw pork item, without getting sick. And this was also despite eating it in hot, humid conditions.

 

They were naturally curious, so when they started to study similar food, the Australian scientists discovered it contained Lactiplantibacillus plantarum B21AG, a lactic acid bacterium that can produce bacteriocins, a class of compound synthesized by bacteria that can kill other bacteria.

 

The scientists subsequently sequenced the genome of the bacteriocin-producing bacterium and published it. 

According to Saigoneer, the newly discovered bateriocin is called plantacyclin B21AG, and if used as a food preservative, it could have profound effects on limiting global food waste, as food could be kept longer and in less-stable conditions. 

 

Food Waste Can Cost Millions

 

Food waste costs industrialized economies approximately US$680 billion per year, while consuming almost a quarter of agricultural water and producing 8% of global greenhouse emissions.

 

Meanwhile, food-borne diseases such as listeria and salmonella infections put millions of lives at risk.

Nem chua is a traditional snack made from pulverized raw pork that's fermented. The pork paste is mixed with spices, including thính, a powder made of roasted rice; and then wrapped in fruit leaves before being tightly covered in banana leaves.

 

Bacteriocins are nothing new to scientists. Professor Oliver Jones, Associate Dean of Biosciences and Food Technology at RMIT, explains: “Scientists have known about these bacteria-killing compounds for many years but the challenge is to produce them in large enough quantities to be used by the food industry."

Until now, the bacteriocins that have been discovered are fragile and can often only combat one or two types of harmful bacteria.

 

Plantacyclin B21AG, by contrast, can withstand all extremes found in food processing environments. It can survive both high and low pH levels and even be heated to 90°C for 20 minutes. Moreover, they are able to kill a wide range of harmful bacteria.

 

More study is needed to determine if the compound could be used as a natural preservative to prevent food spoilage and illness. "Through this new research, we’ve identified the right growth conditions that would enable us to make it in large amounts, potentially at industrial scales. With further development, we hope this could be an effective, safe and all-natural solution for both food waste and food-borne disease," says Jones from RMIT Melbourne.

 

An enterprising Saigon bus driver has placed stuffed animals inside his bus, to bring cheer to all his commuters.

 

Maybe placing stuffed animals all over one’s workspace is not particularly a new concept. After all, these cute little creatures can do wonders in helping to relieve stress or even brightening a dreary commute to work every day.

 

But when you are a bus operator, the idea of “decorating your workplace with stuffed animals” is an entirely different story, according to a report by https://tuoitrenews.vn/.

 

Not only are you doing yourself a service, but you are also spreading positivity to passengers who board your vehicle.

 

And that is exactly what these two men in Saigon, a bus driver, and his ticket checker, have done in this heartwarming initiative.

 

The stuffed animals are prizes won from claw slot machines.

 

The Fun Bus . Image credit: Tuổi Trẻ

 

For regular expats and commuters who frequent the bus route between the Eastern Bus Station and the Hiệp Thành Market in Saigon, the image of Bus Number 146 is become well known.

 

The bus’s unique decoration is the work of driver Phạm Ngọc Tuyền and ticket checker Phạm Văn Sang.

 

Packed with hanging stuffed animals has become a common sight. Not sure if they will accept your favorite teddy bear in stead of cash for your next ride, but you never know!!!

 

Bus driver Phạm Ngọc Tuyền (right) and ticket checker Phạm Văn Sang (left)
Image credit: Tuổi Trẻ

 

Theatres and performers around the world have had a very tough 20 months as Covid 19 stopped all live performances.

 

Here in the Philippines live performances were expected to start again, but no dates have been decided yet.

 

Songkick, the major online ticket website, has no events currently posted throughout 2021 and just a few concerts with American singers scheduled for May 2022.

 

Onstream Ballet

 

Onstreaming performances has been one method to keep the culture vultures happy, with productions from the National Theatre in London, Broadway and Llyod Webber musicals gaining large audiences and donations to the theatre industry.

 

 

Meanwhile Ballet Philippines continues to develop its dancers with rigorous training, choreographies, and the occasional masterclasses available on BP OnStream.

 

Bottom of Form

 

2020 was a difficult year for businesses, but it was a lot more difficult for institutions and groups in the performing arts scene.

 

With theatres closed and live performances cancelled or postponed, the global pandemic truly altered the way people consume entertainment.

 

It has been a good time for Netflix and online streaming,  however despite the downs, many performing arts groups—including Ballet Philippines—remained resilient and have found new, creative ways to bring the stage to our homes.

 

Through its revamped website, called BP OnStream, Ballet Philippines' previous season was not short of accomplishments.

 

It was able to deliver 52 masterclasses from legendary superstars of the ballet world with over 1,600 virtual attendees.

 

Meanwhile, a total of 365 company classes were conducted with almost 7,000 attendees. Out of this, 31 original video productions were made, as well as carrying the K12 Kalusugan exercise breaks for students and teachers.  

 

Ballet Philippines president Kathleen Liechtenstein explained,

"Having adapted and integrated BP well to survive the lockdowns, closed stage, banned live shows, makes me proud of the dancers and executive staff who have demonstrated such awesome talents and fortitude,"

 

Support your local companies and donate if you can. As they say .....The show must go on!

20-year-old Philippines born Yuka Saso became an instant superstar after surprising a field of veteran golfers and former tour winners at the US Women’s Open a few weeks ago.

 

Yuka Saso with her Dad and Caddie at the US Open

 

According to Ramon Bonilla Head of Sports at the Manila Bulletin, “The San Ildefonso, Bulacan player put the country on the sporting map through her wits, unmatched skill and pure dedication to a game that is relatively concealed from the shadows of basketball and boxing.”

 

Saso’s win created a noise that reverberated across the globe, a victory that is worthy of  the attention of even golf legend Rory McIlroy, to whom she copied her swing.

 

Saso even received a congratulatory message from President Duterte who is a golf enthusiast on his rest days back in Davao City.

 

“May you remain determined as you aim higher, humbled even with all fulfillments… success and triumphant as you raise our flag in future competitions,” the President said.

 

New mission.

 

The stakes get high as you come away victorious from any major international competitions.

 

Remember the effect Bernard Langer had on German golf, or Anika Sorenstam had in Sweden too. Saso will now surely inspire numerous young Pinoy’s to take up the sport too.

 

Aside from pocketing a cool $1 million (P48 million) and securing five-year membership on the LPGA Tour, a privilege that entails more cash, exposure to attract big-time sponsors, and chance to add more accolades to her young career, Saso also jumped to eight spot in the world rankings.

 

Tokyo Beckons

 

In a country that starves for Olympic glory, golf could likely become the source of national pride when the Games begin.

 

Saso is almost assured of a spot in Tokyo due to her ranking. She could be joined in the women’s division by Bianca Pagdanganan should she stay consistent on her level of play before the list of qualified players comes out.

 

Juvic Pagunsan, veteran in the Asian and Japan Tour, already booked an Olympic berth after the international federation released the names of 60 participants in the men’s field.

 

“All three of our athletes have real chances of podium finishes, if not even gold,” said Bones Floro, secretary general of the National Golf Association of the Philippines.

 

Bones Floro had all the confidence to tell the world that a Filipino could soon be an Olympic champion from a sport that is dominated by Americans and Koreans.

 

During the US Women’s Open at the Olympic Club in San Francisco, California, Saso bested some of the top golfers in the world, including the No.1 women’s player Jin Young Ko of South Korea.

 

Big Filipino Group off to Tokyo

 

Saso and company could join the likes of world champion gymnast Caloy Yulo, pole vaulter EJ Obiena, weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz and Elreen Ando, boxers Eumir Marcial, Irish Magno, Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam, skateboarder Margielyn Didal, rower Criz Nievarez and taekwondo jin Kurt Barbosa to the Tokyo Games.

 

This contingent has its fair chance of winning the gold medal, an achievement not seen on the annals of Philippine sports history.

 

Saso returned for her first start as a full member of the LPGA at the KPMG Championship in Atlanta, Georgia, and she finished tied 21st earning another US$48,142 to add to the US$1 million she received at the US Open.

 

I am sure she must be excited of emulating Inbee Park who won gold at the last Olympics.