August 2015

The best time to Capture Sapa, Photographers’ Paradise

<div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>Sapa for years has been an enchanted destination for professional photographers, considering its magnificent scenery on a very grand scale plus colorful life of various ethnic hill tribes. </i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Searching photos of Sapa on the Internet, you will be impressed by the beautiful multi-color green-and-yellow rice terraces – which is exactly what Sapa image is shaped and known about. Still, the opportunity for travelers to take such marvelous photos is not year-round.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlXUaBi1fcMkFcls1E9XE6gRXVeqnJz3m4oG_rX0wGLkJF9qh8hRJyr_3STpQg6b1DQfPz7_vP2mY1SO_c-b95K30ucBzHjRNL7UtAOIzzrtgibImgM-vET9phSb8WlcXfVWmC0yKpZBg/s1600/sapa+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlXUaBi1fcMkFcls1E9XE6gRXVeqnJz3m4oG_rX0wGLkJF9qh8hRJyr_3STpQg6b1DQfPz7_vP2mY1SO_c-b95K30ucBzHjRNL7UtAOIzzrtgibImgM-vET9phSb8WlcXfVWmC0yKpZBg/s640/sapa+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>The best month - when? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">September will be the best month for photographers, in term of pictures. By early September, rice is about to be harvested and the colors of rice terraces, dotted with green and yellow, are just magnificent. By the end of September & early October, the view is still stunning but with less area of rice terraces as certainly a few main parts has been harvested. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKoqlsAku0bIrOXTqL1MxWgPQ0gAj7iG9aFDHL_yYGm5obiGaE1T4XUB0DHwWGz5fJE821tJ4m_tpr0X4VajhGjpHUWtvmI3xnb5NzbBZsYeTYXTjZxw_HBNOpqaZqpjDyKgAvmiLlvM/s1600/sapa+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKoqlsAku0bIrOXTqL1MxWgPQ0gAj7iG9aFDHL_yYGm5obiGaE1T4XUB0DHwWGz5fJE821tJ4m_tpr0X4VajhGjpHUWtvmI3xnb5NzbBZsYeTYXTjZxw_HBNOpqaZqpjDyKgAvmiLlvM/s640/sapa+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Weather - What to expect? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">September is the end of rainy season, which makes it a good time to do the trek. You should expect a certain amount of rain here and there, not much as there will be plenty hours of sun as well. Temperature will vary from 16 – 23 Celsius Degree, sunny in day time & bit cold at late night and early morning.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Must-see destinations - What are they? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">1.  Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai, Ta Van, Giang Ta Chai villages. From Sapa town, it will be a nice walk passing these villages through the beautiful rice fields of Muong Hoa valley, the largest rice paddy terraced among Sapa area. Along the way, you will be able to observe and experience how the local do planting and harvesting.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsM5zQQQkzf_Xd1_b-ma-Q_OU4sAmsadwnmj_bUYsEg8Iw7irRD9caAZ7lCi2ENyEKIEfVeMjlr1QuI1B2-1DGE3E2RBqVeYfF5RpidIC7rMM2xJgGdf2-HVywHvdKmj-qZ_JXdylqCRg/s1600/sapa+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsM5zQQQkzf_Xd1_b-ma-Q_OU4sAmsadwnmj_bUYsEg8Iw7irRD9caAZ7lCi2ENyEKIEfVeMjlr1QuI1B2-1DGE3E2RBqVeYfF5RpidIC7rMM2xJgGdf2-HVywHvdKmj-qZ_JXdylqCRg/s640/sapa+3.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2. Ma Tra, Ta Phin villages: Leaving the busy life behind to enjoy a nice walk in a far & less touristic area. It will take you few hours easy walking through rice paddy fields and spectacular scenery with few stops on the way to visit Black Hmong and Red Dao minorities’ local houses, to hear their story of their unmixed cultural life.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmEiYn_WxkuhRYiDJqIAAICfdyYo1gm0uaZNS3g7GB_rurJMU41_a_5jiVPKUVyNUIuMc_FHfg6R4RZfQJdKbHkYFdl-yiwcf7G44VxNQlqNVkXdOYrUXERp8DYlmRvDL2VfbRwBVGJ8/s1600/sapa+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmEiYn_WxkuhRYiDJqIAAICfdyYo1gm0uaZNS3g7GB_rurJMU41_a_5jiVPKUVyNUIuMc_FHfg6R4RZfQJdKbHkYFdl-yiwcf7G44VxNQlqNVkXdOYrUXERp8DYlmRvDL2VfbRwBVGJ8/s640/sapa+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">3. The local markets. The markets are always the colorful meeting places for the hill tribes of Vietnam. Minorities come down from the mountains to sell their produce. Sometimes it is a long hike for the tribes to come to sell or exchange their goods. Others may simply come in order to catch up on the latest news or gossip. With the various tribes in their colorful traditional dress, the smell of exotic herbs and spices, abundant rice wine and food stalls - you can be assured that market day in Vietnam is truly an unforgettable  experience. Here below is the weekly calendar for different markets around Sapa:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">• Tuesday: Coc Ly Market</div><div style="text-align: justify;">• Wednesday: Cao Son Market</div><div style="text-align: justify;">• Thursday: Lung Khau Nhin Market</div><div style="text-align: justify;">• Saturday: Can Cau Market</div><div style="text-align: justify;">• Sunday: Bac Ha Market, Muong Hum Market</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipxvFSuMrfUnmqhVJf-21yZMk-3Y_bpIGu1kwHO_Te4a2oTC-q9h0c5DK1ji6dpM7IFW7ZrQKw9ud5TOHW2owoJt1kN9Ou7_bIFWe4dBDkrIuuAPfNRpVeTvD8w1Sd6pm31o7KUIBN2gs/s1600/sapa+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipxvFSuMrfUnmqhVJf-21yZMk-3Y_bpIGu1kwHO_Te4a2oTC-q9h0c5DK1ji6dpM7IFW7ZrQKw9ud5TOHW2owoJt1kN9Ou7_bIFWe4dBDkrIuuAPfNRpVeTvD8w1Sd6pm31o7KUIBN2gs/s640/sapa+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We recommend at least two full days in Sapa to have a taste of a few.  For more advice and travel tips of an insider, please visit our website <a href="http://www.alotravelasia.com/"><span style="color: purple;">www.alotravelasia.com</span></a> or contact our team at <b>ata@alobooking.net </b>. We have a few amazing trip to explore Northern part of Vietnam including Sapa that you can explore here: <a href="http://alotravelasia.com/tours/vietnam-northern-highlights/"><b><span style="color: purple;">Vietnam Northern Highlights 8D7N</span></b></a> or <a href="http://alotravelasia.com/tours/tonkin-elegance/"><b><span style="color: purple;">Tonkin Elegance 9D8N</span></b></a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b>Davi Nguyen</b></div><div style="text-align: right;">By <a href="http://alobooking.net/">Alobooking.net</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>

The best time to Capture Sapa, Photographers’ Paradise

Sapa for years has been an enchanted destination for professional photographers, considering its magnificent scenery on a very grand scale p...

Sweetness

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fhNsNhcoAwIhBIpdIiJl3ziIg8inGuzED7KLeL47n5AEokh9DCBGDHppyArMfspX6zW6eNvJQdd874kPHmh6cO6qCbLPhKUsaxW5jfIpg8rF8v1Yho2BLYnIDPkjRjTWw3e8UgXO0Os/s1600/Sweetness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fhNsNhcoAwIhBIpdIiJl3ziIg8inGuzED7KLeL47n5AEokh9DCBGDHppyArMfspX6zW6eNvJQdd874kPHmh6cO6qCbLPhKUsaxW5jfIpg8rF8v1Yho2BLYnIDPkjRjTWw3e8UgXO0Os/s640/Sweetness.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A range of homemade Thai desserts such as Tapioca Pudding, Mango Layer Cake, Minute Chocolate Mango Mousse, Black Sticky Rice Pudding, Thai Sticky Rice and Mango and more delicious treats are awaiting for your discovery from only VND 30,000++/ piece.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b>Davi Nguyen</b></div><div><br /></div>

Sweetness

A range of homemade Thai desserts such as Tapioca Pudding, Mango Layer Cake, Minute Chocolate Mango Mousse, Black Sticky Rice Pudding, Thai ...

Birthday promotion

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAVxKun4iALgMGDYW7AA3AbcgTNe62nNT5ef7H0jPJUMShyZk1KPZBKLckh9-pdDKOPStzEWE61-fHvJ9LrDHT715JTDOPnUH2Ht8G7ZhkmJhNmZS-HFlEQeCcnI8BwQdewTq7XDVGU0/s1600/Cake+and+Saigon%25E2%2580%2599s+Best+Dining+Offer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAVxKun4iALgMGDYW7AA3AbcgTNe62nNT5ef7H0jPJUMShyZk1KPZBKLckh9-pdDKOPStzEWE61-fHvJ9LrDHT715JTDOPnUH2Ht8G7ZhkmJhNmZS-HFlEQeCcnI8BwQdewTq7XDVGU0/s640/Cake+and+Saigon%25E2%2580%2599s+Best+Dining+Offer.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tag anyone's birthday which falls in June to August. The birthday stars can enjoy a complimentary birthday Cake and Saigon’s Best Dining Offer at Café Saigon if they bring 3 friends to celebrate with them.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b>Davi Nguyen</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>

Birthday promotion

Tag anyone's birthday which falls in June to August. The birthday stars can enjoy a complimentary birthday Cake and Saigon’s Best Dining...

Happy hours

<b><i>Happy Hour is the best hour! Every day (Monday – Sunday), 17:00 – 20:00</i></b><br /><b><i><br /></i></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7G0sTYKxKP_wO5Qw2aHytQD1qLj83-JKbddP9R95NTO0JiNEdrr_LLdV10f-e7-sj0FnWZrM0IDvRv3gjsXFwX6lvf-wxS8iZ0X49phnHyaHn3zdkHmjSlldaJgqKLqDrJD2umEVW25w/s1600/beer-and-wine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7G0sTYKxKP_wO5Qw2aHytQD1qLj83-JKbddP9R95NTO0JiNEdrr_LLdV10f-e7-sj0FnWZrM0IDvRv3gjsXFwX6lvf-wxS8iZ0X49phnHyaHn3zdkHmjSlldaJgqKLqDrJD2umEVW25w/s640/beer-and-wine.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div> 1 for  1 deal: on the Cocktails, wines and beers.<br /><br />- Business set lunch. Choose to enjoy value lunch at our three restaurants – Café Saigon, Lotus Court and IKi , daily (Monday – Friday): 159,000 VND++/ person.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><b>Davi Nguyen</b></div><div><br /></div>

Happy hours

Happy Hour is the best hour! Every day (Monday – Sunday), 17:00 – 20:00 1 for 1 deal: on the Cocktails, wines and beers. - Business set lu...

20% discount on accommodations

<div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>The Boutique Hoi An Resort is running promotion which gives travelers who book a room at 07  nights in advance on website www.boutiquehoianresort.com with a special discount of up to 20%.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuescxlFbOMP1W3r-O018ELhBzQhr0KIe7ZO_9NeVcV5DC3X6tB9zlzyChXDuIGXoTcXi00buokUx16wKTDK0NvBeCxkh6UhCwe2T4CJSmG0fEQPqUKP6KgTymcTKUu8STpSDf0Ln_fy4/s1600/24.+Over+view+indoor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuescxlFbOMP1W3r-O018ELhBzQhr0KIe7ZO_9NeVcV5DC3X6tB9zlzyChXDuIGXoTcXi00buokUx16wKTDK0NvBeCxkh6UhCwe2T4CJSmG0fEQPqUKP6KgTymcTKUu8STpSDf0Ln_fy4/s640/24.+Over+view+indoor.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This discount is applied for new booking from 1 August 2015 to 28 April 2015 for all room categories and non refundable. Room rates are subject to 10% service charge & 5% VAT and include buffet breakfast for 2 persons, free shuttle bus to Hoi An ancient town.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">* For more information or booking, please contact our reservation at reservation@boutiquehoianresort.com</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Boutique Hoi An Resort</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Group 6, Block Tan Thinh, Ward Cam An, Hoi An, Quang Nam – Tel: +(84) 0510 3939 111</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.boutiquehoianresort.com/">www.boutiquehoianresort.com</a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b>Davi Nguyen</b></div>

20% discount on accommodations

The Boutique Hoi An Resort is running promotion which gives travelers who book a room at 07 nights in advance on website www.boutiquehoianr...

Asian FX and Economics: VND

<div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>The State Bank of Vietnam has devalued the VND by 1% and widened the USD-VND trading band to +/-3%...</i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> … in an attempt to maintain competitiveness in an environment of a weaker RMB</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> We raise our USD-VND forecasts higher and expect the exchange rate to end the year at 22,800 </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The repercussions of China’s CNY fixing reforms are being felt across Asian currencies. But the Vietnamese dong, in particular, is facing mounting pressures. Since China eformed the CNY fix on 11 August, the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has widened the trading band twice, from +/-1% to +/-3%, and also raised the mid-rate of USD-VND by 1%. The VND has responded accordingly, falling nearly 3% against the USD over the last week (see chart 1). We believe the SBV may have to depreciate the VND by an additional 2% by the end of the year, as a weaker RMB provides an increasingly challenging environment for Vietnamese exports. We raise our 2015 and 2016 year-end targets for USD-VND to 22,800 and 23,300, from 21,830 and 22,300, respectively.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>What has happened?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Today, the SBV announced it increased the mid-rate of USD-VND by 1%, the third time it has devalued the dong this year. In addition, the SBV also decided to widen the band to +/-3%. This is the second time in less than a week that the central bank has widened the trading band – the SBV widened the band to +/-2% from +/-1% on 12 August. The changes mean that, effective from today, the new USD-VND mid-rate is 21,890 with the upper ceiling at 22,547 and the exchange rate floor at 21,233 VND/USD.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Why has the SBV devalued the VND?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The move by the SBV to devalue the VND highlights the acute challenges the currency is facing at the moment. It also marks a notable shift in FX policy from a central bank which at the beginning of the year said it did not want the VND to weaken more than 2% against the USD in 2015.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The recent reforms in the CNY’s fixing mechanism and the subsequent depreciation of the RMB are</div><div style="text-align: justify;">probably the most important reasons behind the SBV’s decision to let the currency weaken. After all,</div><div style="text-align: justify;">China is an important trade partner for Vietnam, accounting for 21% of total trade. A weaker RMB would exasperate fears of declining exports to China, which in turn could push Vietnam’s trade balance further into deficit. Of even more concern is that China is a significant export competitor of Vietnam (see chart 4) especially on manufacturing goods. The SBV highlighted in its statement that the depreciation of the VND was a necessary step to ensure Vietnam exporters remain competitive in international markets.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Fears that the exchange rate is hurting Vietnam’s export competitiveness are well grounded. The central bank’s decision to ensure stability in the currency has actually meant the VND had been one of the strongest performing Asian currencies in 2015, prior to the recent devaluation and band widening (see chart 5). This has meant that on both a NEER and REER basis, the VND has appreciated substantially (see chart 6). In fact, we estimate the VND has appreciated by 9% y-o-y on a nominal effective exchange rate basis, the fastest rate of appreciation since 2000.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvsczduKYwCNOU76TXs0AxlqRTSOG4X1u-scf-PmOsnPG1LA18nDUDoUbKEVQrNg2lZ41U1js3FNbwzhUBzDK4BRkgx4K3ePCE5w4XPAzS0YGC09eNrxNX9WN652_3w3HHxvRAJmhWl7w/s1600/anh+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvsczduKYwCNOU76TXs0AxlqRTSOG4X1u-scf-PmOsnPG1LA18nDUDoUbKEVQrNg2lZ41U1js3FNbwzhUBzDK4BRkgx4K3ePCE5w4XPAzS0YGC09eNrxNX9WN652_3w3HHxvRAJmhWl7w/s1600/anh+1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was also indicated by the SBV that the decision to devalue the VND was a pre-emptive move to reduce pressure on the currency prior to the possibility of the Fed embarking on its tightening cycle before the end of this year.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Unlike a few years ago, the State Bank of Vietnam also has more room to accommodate depreciation in the VND. Inflation is at historical lows, thanks partly to the fall in global oil prices, so there are fewer concerns that weakness in the exchange rate will feed through into soaring prices. Furthermore, higher real interest rates also reduce the risks from domestic outflows (see chart 7).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>What’s next for the dong?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The sharp depreciation in the VND over the last week reflects the external headwinds which have been working against the currency. Most important is the recent weakness in the RMB. As we have written previously, we expect the RMB to depreciate further as the PBoC allows the exchange rate to become more market determined while also pursuing its policy of monetary easing (see Asian FX Special: More volatility - a permanent fixture, 12 August 2015 ). In our view, this will also mean the SBV will have to accommodate further weakness in the VND if it wants to ensure its exporters remain competitive with China. Furthermore, if the Fed begins to lift rates this year, the VND could face additional outflow pressures.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The SBV obviously has its FX reserves which it can use to maintain some currency stability. But the</div><div style="text-align: justify;">comments from Ministry of Finance Vice Minister, Vu Thi Mai, in April that the Vietnamese government could borrow money from the central banks’ reserves (source: Chichphu.vn) has dented investor confidence in the VND further and could lead to a loss of credibility in the SBV (see Vietnam: dipping into reserves?, 21 May 2015). Although the SBV has improved its FX cover, its reserve adequacy is already low by most conventional measures (see Chart 8). If the SBV’s foreign exchange reserves are used for financing government projects, this would leave the central bank with less ammunition to help it stick to its commitment.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Nevertheless, we do not think the VND will weaken aggressively from here. The Vietnamese economy has actually been one of the bright spots in Asia. Domestic demand has been picking up, and more balanced BoP flows, coupled with low inflation and higher real rates, should allow the FX policy to become more flexible in its ability to manage periods of USD demand. Furthermore, Vietnam’s high external debt limits the room for the central bank to let the currency weaken too fast.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As such, we have decided to revise our forecast and now expect the VND to depreciate against the USD by an additional 2% in 2015e, and then a further 2% in 2016e. Our year-end forecast for USD-VND is 22,800 for end 2015 and 23,300 for end 2016.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6LdTobiH78ral6IuexwgTFI29NNJ45GCrCy0maSAuQzn8pW_kw0ztIrCzm__AYlH4ToByUBpKeDCKqNfHvbdu6K22TGHkxaCigKtW4p-StOIHi-o0Hsi_9gLfpE_WoVkOILhBmq9ohs/s1600/anh+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6LdTobiH78ral6IuexwgTFI29NNJ45GCrCy0maSAuQzn8pW_kw0ztIrCzm__AYlH4ToByUBpKeDCKqNfHvbdu6K22TGHkxaCigKtW4p-StOIHi-o0Hsi_9gLfpE_WoVkOILhBmq9ohs/s1600/anh+2.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Economics implications</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vietnam has stood out recently as being one of the only Asian economies to boast strong export data. On a 3-month rolling y-o-y basis, it is the only country with positive growth by a wide margin (see Chart 9), even though the global trade pie is not growing. Vietnam has been able to take advantage of its labourintensive competitive advantage in manufacturing to gain market share and has pro-actively pursued freetrade agreements. As we show in Chart 10, manufacturing and manufacturing parts have been the main contributors to overall exports, particularly in recent years. Moreover, Vietnam stands out sharply from its ASEAN neighbours that have been hard hit by the commodity cycle.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">That said, we believe policymakers are sensitive to competitive pressure from China and are wary of any loss of thrust from this important engine of growth. Vietnam is running an overall trade deficit in 2015 yt-d (although it was positive in 2014) as it imports a large degree of capital goods needed for investment, Chart 9. Vietnam has seen Asia’s best export performance Chart 10. Manufacturing has contributed most of Vietnam’s export growth however, the bilateral deficit with China is particularly large (Chart 11). China accounts for roughly 10% of Vietnamese exports but 30% of imports, a proportion that has increasingly grown in China’s favour. In the first seven months of 2015, the bilateral trade deficit grew 30.2%, reaching USD19.4 billion, according to Vietnam customs data, a record high. Although a part of this reflects imports of electronics and industrial components that are necessary for supply chain integration and capital investment in Vietnam, a sizeable share is in garments and footwear – where Vietnamese goods compete with Chinese equivalents. Moreover, Vietnamese goods are increasingly competing with China in international markets, and there is a fair degree of competition with China in nascent industries that Vietnam is trying to develop –notably automobile production and shipbuilding. From an economic fundamental point of view, the economy can handle the devaluation – the third round this year. Vietnam’s perennial headache – inflation – has moderated to record-lows in recent months (Chart 12), dragged down by lower transportation costs (a function of 5 cuts this year to RON 92 petrol prices). The pass-through of the weaker VND to headline inflation should be manageable, especially as energy prices stay low. Moreover, the Ministry of Finance recently released a document instructing regional finance departments to improve the management of transport fees, in order to prevent increases and ensure that further oil price reductions are passed onto consumers. This should help keep inflation pressures contained.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As our FX colleagues point out above, the devaluation and band-widening is not only for exports. It is partly to accommodate future volatility alongside Fed’s lift-off as early as September (although HSBC’s Chief US Economist Kevin Logan forecasts a move in December). The recent devaluation, together with a further 2% devaluation this year as forecasted by HSBC’s FX strategists, is unlikely to put much pressure on the domestic financial system seeing that short-term external debt levels are small and manageable (Vietnam has the third-lowest short-term debt coverage ratio in Asia, although the total stock of external debt has risen at a fast clip in recent years). Instead, it should ensure that Vietnam’s exports do not lose competitiveness versus regional peers. That said, Vietnam is unlikely to independently devalue its currency to help exports as it boasts a fundamental trade advantage based on low labour costs, infrastructure development and a pro-active expansion of free trade agreements by the government (Korea FTA, TPP, AEC, etc.). Accordingly, any further devaluation of the dong this year will likely be a reflection of exogenous factors.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b>Davi Nguyen</b></div><div style="text-align: right;"><i>Source: HSBC</i></div>

Asian FX and Economics: VND

The State Bank of Vietnam has devalued the VND by 1% and widened the USD-VND trading band to +/-3%...  … in an attempt to maintain competit...

Majestic’s Vegetarian Month

<div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>It is our pleasure to introduce our Hotel Majestic Saigon’s Vegetarian Month .</i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Overlooking the Saigon River, Cyclo Restaurant is a historical place recalling another era, as today's world passes beyond its doors. It features a variety of authentic Vietnamese Cuisine at exceptional fares and traditional Vietnamese music performance every evening. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvdn4QAH0G3F8yaHr0iMTb7KQNs68xFvSICja_Uti2yNzGaY877Qeo3FDr8ZIS8YOvBvV2o3xZKjmYsUYo4Dsggi71hdf2on-zXspzuWoL4cs-cRV-2-pLhLzu-kHaVhXK_aRfIfoCm8/s1600/mon+an+chay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvdn4QAH0G3F8yaHr0iMTb7KQNs68xFvSICja_Uti2yNzGaY877Qeo3FDr8ZIS8YOvBvV2o3xZKjmYsUYo4Dsggi71hdf2on-zXspzuWoL4cs-cRV-2-pLhLzu-kHaVhXK_aRfIfoCm8/s640/mon+an+chay.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Especially in this “Vu Lan Season” (14 August to 13 September), Cyclo Restaurant is proud to introduce a special selection of vegetarian dishes which are well picked by our professional chefs. Given its fabulous offerings, great service and relaxing atmosphere, it is no wonder that Cyclo Restaurant is the ideal place for this Season.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><i>Date <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>: 14 August – 13 September  (Lunar Calendar  1 July – 1 August)</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Time <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>: All Day Dining </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>At<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>: Cyclo Restaurant – Ground Floor</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Price :  90.000đ/dish – Kimchi Hotpot : 150.000/hotpot</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;">  </span>Chosen of 3 dishes : 249.000đ</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;">  </span>Chosen of 4 dishes : 329.000d</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sharing the promotion on our Facebook and get 20% discount</div><div style="text-align: justify;">                <a href="https://www.facebook.com/majesticsaigonhotel">https://www.facebook.com/majesticsaigonhotel</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b>Davi Nguyen</b></div>

Majestic’s Vegetarian Month

It is our pleasure to introduce our Hotel Majestic Saigon’s Vegetarian Month . Overlooking the Saigon River, Cyclo Restaurant is a historica...

EU-Vietnam free trade accord

<i><b>Agreement reached: what’s next? </b></i><br /><br />The European Union (EU) and Vietnam reached an agreement in principle on a trade and investment deal on 4 August 2015.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewq4BW_xTyV-KcRsqJSHM1ybP6Hiyyb-27igpN160ipi0llPi5p345waO4gFk4n8eSuBXoqBgz7dzgk2pjkf8eJgHo0Ob0fqNS2XRE_1t_FGGkiml_VQpbIAXcCmUL-gFBPhP6Gjx6aU/s1600/vietnam-eu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewq4BW_xTyV-KcRsqJSHM1ybP6Hiyyb-27igpN160ipi0llPi5p345waO4gFk4n8eSuBXoqBgz7dzgk2pjkf8eJgHo0Ob0fqNS2XRE_1t_FGGkiml_VQpbIAXcCmUL-gFBPhP6Gjx6aU/s1600/vietnam-eu.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> Vietnam's exports to the EU grew 12% to USD27bn in 2014, mainly in electronics, footwear, and food; Vietnam imported USD6bn of machinery and pharma products from the EU.<br /><br /> The agreement goes beyond the elimination of tariffs to include liberalisation of investment and services, and seeks to level the playing field between SOEs and private firms .<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><b>Davi Nguyen</b></div><div style="text-align: right;"><i>Source: HSBC</i></div>

EU-Vietnam free trade accord

Agreement reached: what’s next? The European Union (EU) and Vietnam reached an agreement in principle on a trade and investment deal on 4 A...

BRG Legend Hill Golf Resort – Where legends met to create an amazing first in golfing experiences

<div style="text-align: justify;"><i><b>BRG Group today announces the opening of BRG Legend Hill Golf Resort at Phu Linh Commune, Soc Son District, Hanoi city. This is the most highly anticipated event of the year for Vietnamese golfers. </b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">With both happiness and excitement BRG Group Chairman, Madame Nguyen Thi Nga, said: “<i>We are very proud to offer this new, high quality legend golf course to golfers of all standards. Our world class golf course with twin “legend” signatures of location and golf design has been an inspiration and challenge to Nicklaus Design, Flagstick golf construction management, Z-Design clubhouse architects, GCH  landscaping designs and numerous other famous international and domestic industry leaders who have participated in this project.</i>”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4i7EvLX_pr6KDPfhVtrf08Z-Bmx5ED-dKD2oG9yZ8-YDlytdtXlKw-et336RkiWesKXpbxlgPLL_fXoqK4RmqQWa72w4IlO8avHe-cX62zx-SLv_L3-U4e8TDXjK0PaHqT19-qFfXro/s1600/BRG+Hill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4i7EvLX_pr6KDPfhVtrf08Z-Bmx5ED-dKD2oG9yZ8-YDlytdtXlKw-et336RkiWesKXpbxlgPLL_fXoqK4RmqQWa72w4IlO8avHe-cX62zx-SLv_L3-U4e8TDXjK0PaHqT19-qFfXro/s1600/BRG+Hill.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The opening of BRG Legend Hill Golf Resort is a significant milestone for the game of golf in Vietnam in efforts to satisfy the high expectations of premium golfers of all levels. As the first Nicklaus Design golf course to open in Vietnam it has drawn the World’s leading golf course design company, senomimous for designing more than 390 golf courses in 41 countries, to BRG Legend Hill to offer an excillerating “twin green” experience never before seen in Vietnam.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As the first Nicklaus Design course in Asia to offer this amazing “twin green” concept players can expect to find a unique option to play to two different greens on all 18 holes. Talking about this unique feature, Mr. Paul Stringer President of Nicklaus Companies Asia Pacific said "<i>The result will be a variety of strategic hole combinations that can be played in one 18-hole round. We have created two separate green complexes playing from one primary landing zone on each hole. From a Nicklaus team perspective the twin greens add interest, challenge, and a unique design feature to the golf course. The golf course at BRG Legend Hill Golf Resort has water, strategically placed bunkers, and is a beautiful environment in which to play golf</i>."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">BRG Legend Hill Golf Resort is a first cooperative project between BRG Group and Nicklaus Design which will be closely followed by a series other joint projects such as a Jack Nicklaus Golf Academy. In a June 2015 announcement on strategic cooperation the parties declared commencement of a new chapter of business initiatives that will go well beyond golf course design and cover a wide range of other golf-related business opportunities. The partnership will not only enable Vietnam to rapidly reach true international golf standards but also improve domestic  lifestyles as golf continues to boom in Vietnam. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Becoming a member BRG Legend Hill Golf Resort’s international club means members can enjoy the rights associated with Jack Nicklaus International Golf Club and have opportunities to play golf at over 140 golf courses in countries such as America, Canada, Mexico, Europe, China and South East Asia.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On the golf course Opening Day invited golfers played Holes 10-18 with its 9 ‘Masters’ greens followed by 9 ‘Legend’ greens for a total 18-hole game to test the unique “twin green” feature. During the post event presentation BRG Golf shared its golf vision for the future and made several announcements including its BRG Golden Hattrick membership program, the upgrading and rebranding of BRG Doson Seaside Golf Resort to BRG Ruby Tree Golf Resort and the ambitious BRG Vietnam U16 program for young people of Vietnam.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> As  pioneers and the first and only business to own three international standard golf courses, BRG Group has always sought development opportunities for this modern and innovative game in Vietnam. Holding a strategic vision for the game BRG Group has constantly upgraded its technology and service standards at its three golf facilities. With over 20 years of expertise in building, operating and managing golf courses BRG Group has maintained its leading industry position in golf and won numerous prestigious awards; both domestic and international. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b>Davi Nguyen</b></div><div style="text-align: right;"><i>Source: BRG Group</i></div><div><br /></div>

BRG Legend Hill Golf Resort – Where legends met to create an amazing first in golfing experiences

BRG Group today announces the opening of BRG Legend Hill Golf Resort at Phu Linh Commune, Soc Son District, Hanoi city. This is the most hig...

Tourism: New Zealand-Viet Nam Comprehensive Partnership

<div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>Under the New Zealand-Viet Nam Comprehensive Partnership, the two governments have identified tourism as a key sector with significant potential for future growth. </i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLGkW2Mixei5jgh2Lx1dfZnDpZZs520wSb5OQT8BmgHjhatez243fG9iWzUpoLVugKDwUi9LsXNUF1AyimhdNdSl3OZz-kfKJuUSJshZD_-jDa8egG-kxJbOm-k6td_oodSGdkfETIWo/s1600/Vietnam+-+new+zealand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLGkW2Mixei5jgh2Lx1dfZnDpZZs520wSb5OQT8BmgHjhatez243fG9iWzUpoLVugKDwUi9LsXNUF1AyimhdNdSl3OZz-kfKJuUSJshZD_-jDa8egG-kxJbOm-k6td_oodSGdkfETIWo/s400/Vietnam+-+new+zealand.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In 2014, over 3000 Vietnamese visited New Zealand, a 50% increase since 2007. In the year to November 2014, 33,000 New Zealand citizens visited Viet Nam. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The return of direct flights on New Zealand’s national carrier, Air New Zealand, to Singapore, with code-sharing services to Viet Nam plus recent revisions to the Air Services Agreement will improve the connectivity and ease of travel between the two countries in future.  </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b>Davi Nguyen</b></div>

Tourism: New Zealand-Viet Nam Comprehensive Partnership

Under the New Zealand-Viet Nam Comprehensive Partnership, the two governments have identified tourism as a key sector with significant poten...

Development Assistance

<div style="text-align: justify;"> New Zealand is currently funding multi-year projects worth of NZ$ 44 million in Vietnam, focused on areas of New Zealand’s comparative advantages that align with Vietnamese Government’s priorities – agriculture, human resource development (HRD), and disaster risk management (DRM).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinpppqWDTgJAsmito06nRq4L1qPtuVWJ4QHA_aZEFxATaCdzqyLO6wlNdFCpofhRola4vigUrL-Lw9BPP0OnYqGSGw4_l_SkfTvoi3lSROporXN9bmmP7vWSgnSpYyfCBfdIU6_m783w0/s1600/Dai+su+New+Zealand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinpppqWDTgJAsmito06nRq4L1qPtuVWJ4QHA_aZEFxATaCdzqyLO6wlNdFCpofhRola4vigUrL-Lw9BPP0OnYqGSGw4_l_SkfTvoi3lSROporXN9bmmP7vWSgnSpYyfCBfdIU6_m783w0/s400/Dai+su+New+Zealand.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Highlighted projects include an innovative agriculture partnership between Viet Nam’s Southern Horticultural Research Institute (SOFRI) and NZ research institute Plant and Food Research (PFR), and a dam safety initiative where a New Zealand engineering company (Damwatch Services) and crown research institute (GNS Science) are partnering with the Ha Noi Water Resources University.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> New Zealand provides 30 post-graduate scholarships to Viet Nam (NZ$ 2.5 million) annually and continues to provide English language training for officials and senior officials, with over 420 Vietnamese officials having spent time in New Zealand participating in the programme since 1990. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b>Davi Nguyen</b></div>

Development Assistance

New Zealand is currently funding multi-year projects worth of NZ$ 44 million in Vietnam, focused on areas of New Zealand’s comparative adva...

Education links: VietNam & New Zealand

<div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i> Education links are a key feature of New Zealand’s relationship with Viet Nam.  </i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqU7d3AaYpYcXlRshcCN7Z9nUL8LNNv2y4TNCP406wAhpeg3dN6bOWgp0Ji3VPIQSo1iV6bnUqo5LrrNd8aEaUb_m9EYWxXW4LhSGuat8aiqzC_6nuDliFPtXyP38xlZTr6oFc2Tc04K4/s1600/newzealand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqU7d3AaYpYcXlRshcCN7Z9nUL8LNNv2y4TNCP406wAhpeg3dN6bOWgp0Ji3VPIQSo1iV6bnUqo5LrrNd8aEaUb_m9EYWxXW4LhSGuat8aiqzC_6nuDliFPtXyP38xlZTr6oFc2Tc04K4/s400/newzealand.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Viet Nam is now the eleventh largest source of international students studying in New Zealand, averaging 2000+ per year in the past two years (a 90% increase on 2008).  Tertiary education linkages are also strong, with a number of New Zealand institutions, including Victoria University, Auckland University of Technology and Massey University, now operating joint programmes in Viet Nam.  Victoria University also has a campus at the National Economics University in Ho Chi Minh City.  </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">New Zealand company Academic Colleges Group also owns the Australian International School in Ho Chi Minh.  New Zealand is also providing 150 fully funded post-graduate scholarships for Viet Nam over the period 2011 – 2016 and continues to provide English language training for officials, with over 420 Vietnamese officials having spent time in New Zealand participating in the programme to date. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b>Davi Nguyen</b></div>

Education links: VietNam & New Zealand

Education links are a key feature of New Zealand’s relationship with Viet Nam. Viet Nam is now the eleventh largest source of internation...

New Zealand & VietNam: Agriculture and Food Safety

<div style="text-align: justify;"><i><b>Agriculture is a critical part of the two-way trade and investment relationship. </b></i> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Viet Nam exports a wide-variety of agricultural products to New Zealand, including tropical fruits, nuts, coffee, pepper and seafood, and Vietnamese dairy company Vinamilk has invested in New Zealand dairy company Miraka.   </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSkr9eNgPLvGPcW1w3d81F4CoqN_Wkw1K-5zWsmVjU2H6AkkSzXcH12IGwh1FSADMJgfyjQB-_Ytjs373GuYOhYWP7ON2iP7PLD9kKiTIajY_MOCLl5469-akK5wvtbyGDHhRlhMVY8QQ/s1600/New+Zealand+%2526+VietNam+Agriculture+and+Food+Safety.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSkr9eNgPLvGPcW1w3d81F4CoqN_Wkw1K-5zWsmVjU2H6AkkSzXcH12IGwh1FSADMJgfyjQB-_Ytjs373GuYOhYWP7ON2iP7PLD9kKiTIajY_MOCLl5469-akK5wvtbyGDHhRlhMVY8QQ/s1600/New+Zealand+%2526+VietNam+Agriculture+and+Food+Safety.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">New Zealand’s agricultural exports to Viet Nam account for 66% of New Zealand’s total exports to Viet Nam and include dairy, furs and skins, fruit and vegetables, timber and seafood.  Given the significant trade in food products between the two countries and the world-leading reputation of New Zealand’s food safety and quality assurance systems, the two governments signed a food safety cooperation agreement in March 2015 aimed at facilitating cooperation in this area and enhancing Viet Nam’s own systems.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b>Davi Nguyen</b></div>

New Zealand & VietNam: Agriculture and Food Safety

Agriculture is a critical part of the two-way trade and investment relationship. Viet Nam exports a wide-variety of agricultural products ...

Viet Nam is now New Zealand’s 20th largest trading partner

<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><i>Viet Nam is now New Zealand’s 20th largest trading partner, with potential for further significant expansion.   </i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzMO-DWel9VYOXxujX7RYc22E3jSNijMp7L5DMHfRMVcoDBProqbQm5efqlj7zn7uCClYsk9lLmyMXAR6HUzzd5Yomdn5uHeDE-ZmTSgwUt7dDV9m6UAwiKJ5PMp5nWFcSnzax-Hak9OU/s1600/New-Zealand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzMO-DWel9VYOXxujX7RYc22E3jSNijMp7L5DMHfRMVcoDBProqbQm5efqlj7zn7uCClYsk9lLmyMXAR6HUzzd5Yomdn5uHeDE-ZmTSgwUt7dDV9m6UAwiKJ5PMp5nWFcSnzax-Hak9OU/s1600/New-Zealand.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">New Zealand and Viet Nam aim to reach a target figure of US$1 billion in two way trade by 2015.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">  </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">In the year to December 2014 bilateral trade grew by 10% to USD$888 million. Over the five years since 2008, NZ goods exports to Viet Nam have grown by more than 60%, making it New Zealand’s fastest growing market in ASEAN. </span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The main New Zealand goods exported to Vietnam are dairy and forest products, making up 51% and 13% of New Zealand’s total merchandise exports to Vietnam in the year ending December 2014. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: right;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Davi Nguyen</b></span></div>

Viet Nam is now New Zealand’s 20th largest trading partner

Viet Nam is now New Zealand’s 20th largest trading partner, with potential for further significant expansion. New Zealand and Viet Nam ai...

Comprehensive Partnership Agreement

<div style="text-align: justify;">New Zealand and Viet Nam signed a Comprehensive Partnership Agreement in 2009 as formal recognition of the growing strength of the relationship.  The Comprehensive Partnership Agreement is implemented through an Action Plan.  </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwY1pQg0HLnFco3QI1hsXDtBbMVqVn38reHSO4JyBAw-FySIxFCE3EVM_BQ0PeCuqAQO_YgSjS-_4xhtBld_1XJj2YPXN9kCZu7-y_r8tkvQYo9mPM5-y85dMMAIUQt8oHfjPl759-eA8/s1600/Comprehensive+Partnership+Agreement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwY1pQg0HLnFco3QI1hsXDtBbMVqVn38reHSO4JyBAw-FySIxFCE3EVM_BQ0PeCuqAQO_YgSjS-_4xhtBld_1XJj2YPXN9kCZu7-y_r8tkvQYo9mPM5-y85dMMAIUQt8oHfjPl759-eA8/s1600/Comprehensive+Partnership+Agreement.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Current priorities for cooperation under the second Action Plan 2013 – 2016 include agriculture, education, clean technology / environmental management / disaster relief, aviation and tourism. In 2015, the two countries released a Joint Statement which included the goal to further deepen and intensify the existing Comprehensive Partnership toward the establishment of a Strategic Partnership in the coming time. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b>Davi Nguyen</b></div>

Comprehensive Partnership Agreement

New Zealand and Viet Nam signed a Comprehensive Partnership Agreement in 2009 as formal recognition of the growing strength of the relations...

Press Release – New Zealand embassy Ha Noi

<div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>New Zealand Minister for Food Safety and Associate Minister for Primary Industries, the Honourable Jo Goodhew, will pay a working visit to Viet Nam from 27-30 July.  During her visit, she will visit the capital Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Dinh. </i></b> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The key objective of the visit is to review existing cooperation between New Zealand and Viet Nam in the critical area of food safety and discuss opportunities to expand this in future.   The visit is also an opportunity to celebrate bilateral ties during the 40th anniversary of friendship and diplomatic relations between New Zealand and Viet Nam in 2015.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJFzCFHMUYJYboWhUKjRynZIAJXkCDbSx7FfZ_Xm1wOWeWksnPDv6FP6X1ObgenyrwHa9TBK9lwpJ6N2UXohBad2dSrisv-AmnMT0HuXuqRMBYMH_sQmGUuTF1OB70AYGmzNWiaUC080/s1600/Minister+Goodhew%25E2%2580%2599s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJFzCFHMUYJYboWhUKjRynZIAJXkCDbSx7FfZ_Xm1wOWeWksnPDv6FP6X1ObgenyrwHa9TBK9lwpJ6N2UXohBad2dSrisv-AmnMT0HuXuqRMBYMH_sQmGUuTF1OB70AYGmzNWiaUC080/s1600/Minister+Goodhew%25E2%2580%2599s.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Minister Goodhew’s working visit follows the official visit to New Zealand by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in March 2015, during which a Food Safety Cooperation Arrangement was signed by Minister Goodhew and Viet Nam’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, H.E. Cao Duc Phat.  This Arrangement lays the platform for closer cooperation between New Zealand and Viet Nam in the food safety area and in respect of trade in food products.  </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“New Zealand and Viet Nam have been cooperating in the agriculture and food safety space for many years, across a wide-variety of activities.  These have taken place in the development assistance area, in regional forums and in the trade area.  This Food Safety Cooperation Arrangement I recently signed with Minister Phat is an excellent opportunity to take this cooperation to the next level. As two agricultural economies, in which food safety is extremely important, I see this as a very meaningful and mutually beneficial area in which to grow our partnership.” </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“New Zealand has a world-leading food safety and assurance system.  We are very keen to share our experiences with Viet Nam on food safety and use this to increase food safety outcomes and grow trade between our two countries and with the rest of the world”, said Minister Goodhew. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">During her visit to Viet Nam, Minister Goodhew will meet with Minister H.E. Cao Duc Phat to discuss implementation of the recently concluded Food Safety Cooperation Arrangement.  She will also meet with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Vu Duc Dam to discuss Viet Nam’s multi-agency approach to food safety and the possible application of new models of cooperation between New Zealand and Viet Nam on food safety.   Minister Goodhew will also pay a courtesy call on Viet Nam’s Minister of Health Mme Nguyen Thi Kim Tien.   </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Minister Goodhew will then travel to southern province of Binh Dinh to work with local authorities, experts and farmers to assess the outcomes of New Zealand’s existing development projects in Binh Dinh and review the design of new food safety-related development assistance projects being planned. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“I am really looking forward to travelling to Binh Dinh to review New Zealand’s development in that province.  Binh Dinh and New Zealand have a special relationship going back over 50 years, back to when New Zealand’s volunteer medics served there in the 1960s.  We’re now looking at new and innovative projects in Binh Dinh in the food safety area, building on our sustainable rural livelihoods project, which we hope will form the basis for implementation right across Viet Nam.”, commented Minister Goodhew.  </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The project of Binh Dinh Sustainable Rural Livelihoods-Linking Poor Farmers to Market started in 2009. To date over US$3 million has been spent for the project with the aims of improving food safety standards, increasing the quantity and quality of the safe agricultural products including safe vegetables, coconut and livestock.  The ultimate goal is increased and sustainable farmer income.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In HCMC, Minister Goodhew will meet business contacts from the agriculture and forestry/timber sectors.  As Associate Minister for Primary Industries Minister Goodhew is responsible for forestry, so this will be an opportunity to discuss opportunities for expanding trade in forestry products between New Zealand and Viet Nam and overcoming some of the challenges currently faced by importers in this area. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Viet Nam has been our fastest growing market in ASEAN over the past five years, and is becoming an increasingly important partner of New Zealand’s.  This includes $430 million in New Zealand primary products exported to Vietnam in 2014.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The relationship between Viet Nam and New Zealand has grown significantly in the last 10 years with close cooperation in areas such as agriculture, education, development assistance and defence.  In 2009, New Zealand and Viet Nam signed a Comprehensive Partnership Agreement and during Prime Minister Dung’s visit to New Zealand in March 2015, the two countries agreed to further deepen and intensify the existing Comprehensive Partnership toward the establishment of a Strategic Partnership in the coming time. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b>Davi Nguyen/BHD</b></div>

Press Release – New Zealand embassy Ha Noi

New Zealand Minister for Food Safety and Associate Minister for Primary Industries, the Honourable Jo Goodhew, will pay a working visit to V...

Car loans: HongLeong Bank welcome

<div style="text-align: justify;">If you Family want car loans, we HongLeong Bnak welcome.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgEqeR1EJhBPUj1ke3yAuS2CHBrQMROAwj4IYmsOiuNVzZSLSu08VJ9WcQeXGZTH0GqXmOvHFNccvmLSPK4ka04h6sVaRQUMHXfodajhWiN2vIm42ASIgcXVIMTOZFb33pe-2M478egU/s1600/car+loan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgEqeR1EJhBPUj1ke3yAuS2CHBrQMROAwj4IYmsOiuNVzZSLSu08VJ9WcQeXGZTH0GqXmOvHFNccvmLSPK4ka04h6sVaRQUMHXfodajhWiN2vIm42ASIgcXVIMTOZFb33pe-2M478egU/s400/car+loan.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">from 7%per year, stabe interest within 12 months.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">lending up to 70% of the evaluated asset value</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Loan tenor up to 5 years</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Term and Conditions apply.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b>Davi Nguyen</b></div>

Car loans: HongLeong Bank welcome

If you Family want car loans, we HongLeong Bnak welcome. from 7%per year, stabe interest within 12 months. lending up to 70% of the evaluate...

HongLeong Bank: Housing loan 5,99%

<div style="text-align: justify;">A loan for every dream: If you think that, You Can ..</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZIJJaxSTl_oEa2Lm96PQLVKP4GJ6QaUCd3mpKNr_hIHPgLaClwHN71siBWWXKgTGxMCerez5jv_coeTgzM4vVpIIUIeh5cX3wxUJqBBcD-308Mb_9u9rfKKcEPkHWeiKzx9NlX3vmT0/s1600/housing+bank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZIJJaxSTl_oEa2Lm96PQLVKP4GJ6QaUCd3mpKNr_hIHPgLaClwHN71siBWWXKgTGxMCerez5jv_coeTgzM4vVpIIUIeh5cX3wxUJqBBcD-308Mb_9u9rfKKcEPkHWeiKzx9NlX3vmT0/s1600/housing+bank.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">From 5,99% per year, stable interest between 12 and 24 months. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lending up to 80% of the evaluated asset value.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Loan tenor up to 25 years.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hongleong Bank welcome.</div><div style="text-align: right;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b>Davi Nguyen</b></div>

HongLeong Bank: Housing loan 5,99%

A loan for every dream: If you think that, You Can .. From 5,99% per year, stable interest between 12 and 24 months. Lending up to 80% of t...

FinanceAsia

<div style="text-align: justify;"><i><b>Established in 1996, FinanceAsia quickly developed into Asia's leading financial publishing company, based in Hong Kong. </b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYApzOcm2EYoxrEnL0nB8ShtkhieA78n8h-MhN-ufVYc_qZNjft49fLOequY-_nbIF5Q7sdQe4z8zRfPoEG5k9G_sHBObrw_estrqBjT8brANIFJ2Hm3aav4GP3XDXBJAqVo6ExXJ5Jw/s1600/FinanceAsia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYApzOcm2EYoxrEnL0nB8ShtkhieA78n8h-MhN-ufVYc_qZNjft49fLOequY-_nbIF5Q7sdQe4z8zRfPoEG5k9G_sHBObrw_estrqBjT8brANIFJ2Hm3aav4GP3XDXBJAqVo6ExXJ5Jw/s400/FinanceAsia.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At the end of 2005, FinanceAsia was acquired by Haymarket Media Limited, the largest privately owned publishing group in the UK. With bureaus in Hong Kong, Singapore and Sydney FinanceAsia covers Asia's fast moving financial and capital markets.  </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Published 11 times a year, FinanceAsia magazine covers the region's capital and banking markets. With a mixture of in-depth articles, surveys, key interviews and blockbuster cover stories, we provide the professional reader with an intelligent, timely and subjective view of the markets. The website financeasia.com is updated daily ad features a mixture of the latest deals and financial news from the region's markets. </div><div style="text-align: right;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b>Davi Nguyen</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><br /></div>

FinanceAsia

Established in 1996, FinanceAsia quickly developed into Asia's leading financial publishing company, based in Hong Kong. At the end of ...

HSBC VietNam Winning Two Presitigious awards from Financeasian

<div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>HSBC Bank (Vietnam) Ltd. has been declared Best Foreign Bank in Vietnam for the ninth time in 10 years by FinanceAsia, one of Asia’s leading publications for finance and banking news and analysis. </i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">FinanceAsia also recognised HSBC Vietnam’s strength in investment banking by naming it as the Best Foreign Investment Bank for the first time. Vietnam was the only country among all Asia Pacific (excluding Hong Kong) to scoop two awards in the region for the group.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXmfvVpGjQcw4aHX5l2pW1Rccd45O9bCveS_ZhHr1IzfmU-ok9mWfjFLOFeEdwquHtSQB7NykuYuG3MTAayTbpVIGCWDCfyH6SxqDlJtBB6VNWjw1kpwop6EAf96MDHO2rUMQ39mkgKQk/s1600/HSBC+nhan+giai+thuong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXmfvVpGjQcw4aHX5l2pW1Rccd45O9bCveS_ZhHr1IzfmU-ok9mWfjFLOFeEdwquHtSQB7NykuYuG3MTAayTbpVIGCWDCfyH6SxqDlJtBB6VNWjw1kpwop6EAf96MDHO2rUMQ39mkgKQk/s1600/HSBC+nhan+giai+thuong.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“We are delighted to be awarded the Best Foreign Bank and the Best Foreign Investment Bank by FinanceAsia at the same time this year ” said Pham Hong Hai, CEO of HSBC Vietnam. “To be acknowledged in this way is a remarkable tribute to the headway we have made in broadening our business and bringing the full spectrum of investment banking, commercial banking and markets solutions to our clients in what remains a very challenging market. The award for Best Foreign Investment Bank is also a milestone achievement for us – one we have achieved by leveraging our peerless international connectivity that links clients and also HSBC teams across multiple markets  globally.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">FinanceAsia noted that in the last year HSBC had supported large infrastructure and power projects that have contributed to Vietnam’s development, such as a US$931 million loan to PetroVietnam and a US$910 million power project deal for Vietnam Electricity. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Moreover, the bank has also been a leader in supporting Vietnam to access the international financial market. It served as joint book-runner, deal manager, and billing and delivery bank on a switch tender offer for the government’s issuance of bonds valued at US$1 billion in November, 2014 – Vietnam’s first foray into international capital markets since 2010.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">HSBC Vietnam also advised on landmark cross-border M&A, helping Vietnamese companies obtain foreign equity and expertise. It acted as financial advisor for Thailand’s Central Group in the purchase of 49% stake in a local electronic retailer, that needed help transform  its retail business.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Besides winning these prestigious awards from FinanceAsia, HSBC Vietnam has maintained a firm grip on a number of other prestigious prizes in recent years. The bank won an award for Best Deal in Vietnam 2014 from Asset Triple A for PetroVietnam’s USD931 million multi-tranche financing package and Deal of the Year 2014 from Trade Finance (Euromoney Group) for the Vietnam Electricity (EVN) 2x600MW Vinh Tan 4 Supercritical Thermal Coal-fired Power Project. HSBC Vietnam also picked up an award for Deal of the Year 2014 from Asiamoney for the Socialist Republic of Vietnam’s switch tender and US$1 billion bond issuance . </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b>Davi Nguyen</b></div><div style="text-align: right;"><i>Source: HSBC</i></div><div><br /></div>

HSBC VietNam Winning Two Presitigious awards from Financeasian

HSBC Bank (Vietnam) Ltd. has been declared Best Foreign Bank in Vietnam for the ninth time in 10 years by FinanceAsia, one of Asia’s leading...

HSBC’s credit card promotion rewards shoppers and holidaymakers

<b style="text-align: justify;"><i>HSBC Bank (Vietnam) Ltd. has launched the ideal summertime credit card campaign with an array of benefits on offer for shoppers and holidaymakers between 7 July  and 30 September 2015.</i></b><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After successfully signing up for a new credit card with HSBC, customers can enjoy cash back of up to VND2 million when spending an equivalent amount with HSBC Visa or MasterCard. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSi0PeNof42SvqjhYOZjUON_8V-1p3W69keFuL6aEwq5OD9TMMgvviXkfg8IpceKaHrLyBBDThu7xWkdZeUQK9cuQ0XK9VfgfGbHYmiwE2JFs8sLoHX82p_ohiVc482K2K3GL5TpsMEE/s1600/HSBC+du+doan+kinh+te.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSi0PeNof42SvqjhYOZjUON_8V-1p3W69keFuL6aEwq5OD9TMMgvviXkfg8IpceKaHrLyBBDThu7xWkdZeUQK9cuQ0XK9VfgfGbHYmiwE2JFs8sLoHX82p_ohiVc482K2K3GL5TpsMEE/s1600/HSBC+du+doan+kinh+te.jpg" /></a></div><span id="goog_125520762"></span><span id="goog_125520763"></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The first 4,000 applicants will also receive a HSBC travel bag – suitable for anyone heading off on summer holidays with friends or family.  </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There will also be a total of 300 vouchers made available for primary credit cardholders with an expenditure of VND5 million or above in a monthly period. For July, there will be 100 vouchers for resorts, while there will be 100 shopping and 100 dining vouchers valued at VND3 million in August and September respectively. Cardholders can redeem vouchers first by going to www.hsbc.com.vn after each round. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At the end of this summer-long campaign, HSBC Visa Platinum and Premier World Mastercard credit cardholders with a total expenditure of VND30 million or above during the promotion period will have a chance to win one of 80 Vinpearl Premium Danang vouchers for a two-night stay valued at VND8,550,000. Eligible cardholders must be one of the first 80 to redeem vouchers online. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">All credit cardholders are also eligible to apply for a 0% installment plan to purchase high valued products and services such as home appliances, electronics, tuition fees, and enjoy many other on-going promotions.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On top of all the above offers, all HSBC cardholders can enjoy instant discounts at shops, restaurants, spas, tourism websites and resorts all around the world via home&Away – a unique and ongoing privilege programme offering special deals at more than 27,000 outlets across 160 countries and territories, including 530 outlets in Vietnam. Customers can log on to www.homeandaway.hsbc.com to see a full list of the exclusive deals on offer for all HSBC credit cardholders. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b>Davi Nguyen</b></div><div style="text-align: right;"><i>Source: HSBC</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>

HSBC’s credit card promotion rewards shoppers and holidaymakers

HSBC Bank (Vietnam) Ltd. has launched the ideal summertime credit card campaign with an array of benefits on offer for shoppers and holidaym...

CEO of HSBC in Vietnam, comments on EU Vietnam

<div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>Pham Hong Hai, CEO of HSBC in Vietnam, comments on EU Vietnam reaching an agreement on FTA on 4 August 2015: </i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYPXPzb4h8rtnlZJa-tzZheYtWaRfILN7V-P38hhef6RU7XFZTTrPEJR01F73RCdlUVxtuatUQBdXJEqRkIW50jnnfIIz_38hSMkvkzEK1aiRB0QU8n02aKE5TX8161LBpyfEhTtSCPOY/s1600/ong+pham+hong+hai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYPXPzb4h8rtnlZJa-tzZheYtWaRfILN7V-P38hhef6RU7XFZTTrPEJR01F73RCdlUVxtuatUQBdXJEqRkIW50jnnfIIz_38hSMkvkzEK1aiRB0QU8n02aKE5TX8161LBpyfEhTtSCPOY/s1600/ong+pham+hong+hai.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“<i>As the leading international bank with a mission to facilitate world trade, HSBC is very excited about this deal. By reaching this agreement, the EU and Vietnam will advance trade relations between one of the world’s biggest economic blocs, and one of Asia’s most dynamic economies. With trade between the EU and Vietnam increasing three fold in the past decade to €28 billion per year, the FTA is expected to raise this number to significantly higher levels. And with the removal of nearly all tariffs on goods traded between the two regions, Vietnam stands to benefit from even more freer exports to one of its already biggest export markets. As this is the first agreement of its kind that the EU has concluded with a developing country, it demonstrates the continued importance  of Vietnam, both as a member of ASEAN, and as a growing Asian economy offering a 90 million consumer market. At its June 2015 Investor Day, HSBC announced ASEAN as a key priority region as part of its ‘Pivot to Asia’ business strategy. The focus will see HSBC accelerate its investment to Asia with a large focus on ASEAN.”</i> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b>Davi Nguyen</b></div><div style="text-align: right;"><i>Source: HSBC</i></div>

CEO of HSBC in Vietnam, comments on EU Vietnam

Pham Hong Hai, CEO of HSBC in Vietnam, comments on EU Vietnam reaching an agreement on FTA on 4 August 2015: “ As the leading international...

Vietnam at a glance

<div style="text-align: justify;"><i><b>The world is slowing down. The latest data, whether exports or PMI, all highlight the extent to which trade activity has slowed. </b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And this is not just an Asian problem – global trade data reveal that the USD19trn global export pie did not grow in 2014. Commodities subtracted 2ppt from global export growth, while manufacturing added 2ppt, netting to zero per cent expansion. This essentially means three things: a) the only way to grow exports is to take away global market share from another country; b) countries with higher exposure to manufacturing fare better than those that are commodity-based; and c) countries with comparative advantages in manufacturing will likely do better.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Uh96kF6SHuDS4wE1yhaa3m4hllgnBPfgii-JsrLNCPb-TlxLmtFEj9s8D7jQn8WzmYNxa-kHhTlXVUslrbsTQm3jDKr3nps26VRrHCkYRgH69T_WjeRxHR0IqQlvv6TSHXTIMDXxP_A/s1600/vietnam+index.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Uh96kF6SHuDS4wE1yhaa3m4hllgnBPfgii-JsrLNCPb-TlxLmtFEj9s8D7jQn8WzmYNxa-kHhTlXVUslrbsTQm3jDKr3nps26VRrHCkYRgH69T_WjeRxHR0IqQlvv6TSHXTIMDXxP_A/s1600/vietnam+index.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We believe Vietnam is poised to continue to take some global manufacturing market share due to three reasons. First, it has comparative labour cost advantages to attract labourintensive manufacturing. Coupled with this, the government has been aggressive in courting manufacturing FDI by providing tax incentives and improving infrastructure.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Second, Vietnam has a diversified export exposure, with the EU and the US as its largest partners. Export growth to China and Korea has been strong as well. Given that it has signed a FTA with Korea and has been working on a comprehensive agreement with both the US and the EU through the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the EU Free Trade Agreement (EU FTA), we expect Vietnam to continue to gain market share. In 2014, its share rose to 0.8% of total global trade from 0.7% in 2013. The July PMI continued to expand to 52.6 from 52.2 in June.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The question is what will give? Even domestic demand is on the mend (Table 4). We believe the biggest risks to Vietnam will be domestic-oriented rather than externally driven. Labour comparative advantages and limited exposure to portfolio investment limit the impact of slowing external demand and the unpredictable nature of capital flows. However, two domestic developments are worth highlighting: a) widening fiscal deficit, which the MoF has recently tried to tap into the foreign reserves of the SBV; and b) the continued crowding out of the state-owned sector investment over the more efficient private sector. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b>Davi Nguyen</b></div><div style="text-align: right;"><i>Source: HSBC</i></div>

Vietnam at a glance

The world is slowing down. The latest data, whether exports or PMI, all highlight the extent to which trade activity has slowed. And this i...

Not a bad summer: activity tracks higher

<div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>While overall global trade is not growing, Vietnam isspecialising in a segment that is still expanding: manufacturing.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5EjU3DdpZTkNIn0g_vhUKIvI00tkfivPf2RgOEhF-Pm2yCya46SHW98aXGHxo26PtTHgkydq-KIsVAXGjrP2eKJ3jufSHvOS6Wf2z03GGaQAoTDaLgLPKjlHvnpcnTmIUQc_JiTsPWKM/s1600/Summer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5EjU3DdpZTkNIn0g_vhUKIvI00tkfivPf2RgOEhF-Pm2yCya46SHW98aXGHxo26PtTHgkydq-KIsVAXGjrP2eKJ3jufSHvOS6Wf2z03GGaQAoTDaLgLPKjlHvnpcnTmIUQc_JiTsPWKM/s1600/Summer.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Unlike most ASEAN countries, its largest exposure to trade is the US and the EU, where momentum is improving; ongoing trade integration efforts should boost Vietnamese shipments.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Exports expanded 12% y-o-y in Q2 2015; the July manufacturing PMI shows that momentum is still solid, rising 52.6 from 52.2, led by new order, output and employment.</div><div style="text-align: right;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b>Davi Nguyen</b></div>

Not a bad summer: activity tracks higher

While overall global trade is not growing, Vietnam isspecialising in a segment that is still expanding: manufacturing. Unlike most ASEAN cou...

Iki Japanese restaurant

All You Can Eat Sushi and Sashimi is on offer at 399,000 VND++/ person. 50 % discount for children below 16 years of age. Terms and conditi...

Lotus Court: Can you visit it

“ All-you-can-eat” dim sum promotion is going on at 399,000 VND++/ person. 50 % discount for children below 16 years of age. Terms and cond...

Eastin Grand Hotel Saigon: Cafe Saigon

<i><b>Our international buffet covers an extensive assortment of the most popular and irresistible dishes to delight you with Saigon’s Best Dining Offer programme – 4 dine and 2 pay, 8 dine and 4 pay and 12 dine and 6 pay.</b></i><br /><i><b><br /></b></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0degsChmkVg8G_7ag_n-sgXwcsn8j7WjmFnMyysfSkY3lbwPyGmNPNwmL8z1mDPrD5Vrv-8i9RWoFtq_51PNlu9dazP0dktTvUZDahh0wsanXSMA3mY-TMf4Pu9fUskJ9ujwFiYat3Q/s1600/EastinGrandHotelSaigon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0degsChmkVg8G_7ag_n-sgXwcsn8j7WjmFnMyysfSkY3lbwPyGmNPNwmL8z1mDPrD5Vrv-8i9RWoFtq_51PNlu9dazP0dktTvUZDahh0wsanXSMA3mY-TMf4Pu9fUskJ9ujwFiYat3Q/s1600/EastinGrandHotelSaigon.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div> The Thai buffet promotion titled The Taste of Thai for lunch at 399,000 VND++/ person (Mon-Fri) and dinner at 799,000 VND++/ person (Fri-Sun). Kids below 16 years of age receive 50 discount.    <br /><br />Free flow soft drinks and beer for 3 hours from 140,000 VND++/ person<br /><br />Terms and conditions apply<br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b>Davi Nguyen</b></div>

Eastin Grand Hotel Saigon: Cafe Saigon

Our international buffet covers an extensive assortment of the most popular and irresistible dishes to delight you with Saigon’s Best Dining...

Southern Vietnamese food specials with lotus

<div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>Mojo Café will be featuring a special Southern Vietnamese food featuring specialties with lotus in the month of June. </i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWsQhzWmYgoZzgOPkE5WUv-gP9OK5w4XbKWg0RcjAmWv3t-ciKARWF_K2G3RRcSNS6-Sd0_cTzdNex4pIu8AEPhdBlzEostlkBdyI_RW2KDtLGK96DK2-pXpG7PciAazXqp7ith3s2bus/s1600/Mojo+Caf%25C3%25A9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWsQhzWmYgoZzgOPkE5WUv-gP9OK5w4XbKWg0RcjAmWv3t-ciKARWF_K2G3RRcSNS6-Sd0_cTzdNex4pIu8AEPhdBlzEostlkBdyI_RW2KDtLGK96DK2-pXpG7PciAazXqp7ith3s2bus/s400/Mojo+Caf%25C3%25A9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Experience lotus stems and prawn salad, slowly cooked US beef rib in lemongrass, grilled marinated Perth fish, and grilled spiced chicken in lotus leaf. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Daily in June, from 11:00 till late. From VND 190,000++.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b>Davi Nguyen</b></div>

Southern Vietnamese food specials with lotus

Mojo Café will be featuring a special Southern Vietnamese food featuring specialties with lotus in the month of June. Experience lotus stem...

LA RESIDENCE: the Conde Nast Traveler Hot List

<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><b><i>Set on a two-hectare site with 200 meters of frontage on the fabled Perfume River, La Residence celebrated its grand opening in December 2005 after a painstaking restoration of the 1930-built mansion.</i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">The hotel’s distinctive bowed façade, its long horizontal lines and nautical flourishes are hallmarks of the streamline moderne school of art deco architecture.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75Tu6aP-AHJSg4_LXMHo_XFPPrGO7ASEJ57Tsvdco9BgSMk0NAemoA0yp5elCSLmE2CJU1lkz7j3_cSVRGaBU4AZBgr221ZoRhwbZvL16VsViP0xrYJhUy7HmWpO86u22aW0J4tMomaw/s1600/La+Residence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75Tu6aP-AHJSg4_LXMHo_XFPPrGO7ASEJ57Tsvdco9BgSMk0NAemoA0yp5elCSLmE2CJU1lkz7j3_cSVRGaBU4AZBgr221ZoRhwbZvL16VsViP0xrYJhUy7HmWpO86u22aW0J4tMomaw/s400/La+Residence.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">The hotel’s 122 rooms and suites, restaurants, lounges, bars and conference room are tricked out in complementary art-deco furnishings and décor that evoke both the 1920s and 1950s. The hotel’s fine-dining venue, Le Parfum, serves Mediterranean and French cuisine, as well as dishes from an expansive Vietnamese menu.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">The hotel and its spa were named to the Condé Nast Traveler Hot List in 2007. More recently, the hotel has been selected for inclusion in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2014 and in Travel + Leisure’s  T+L 500 list of the world’s best hotels  for 2013 and 2014.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><b>BHD</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>

LA RESIDENCE: the Conde Nast Traveler Hot List

Set on a two-hectare site with 200 meters of frontage on the fabled Perfume River, La Residence celebrated its grand opening in December 200...

Summer Coolers

<div style="text-align: justify;"><i><b>Refresh and release from the heat of summer by choosing a fresh summer cooler drinks at Mojo Cafe. </b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDz-NstfipaeTfETWboqvyqzaBJuwT8UdrW66o2dhyuwJzNmz83jFDSn514NSMhNdil4frxIVvqUXA7hklIiuG24F-4c1IV-HllZgHKS6h32oZVsQf3NGBUZ-6dQKcUM3pibaAn7gQqG8/s1600/Summer+Coolers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDz-NstfipaeTfETWboqvyqzaBJuwT8UdrW66o2dhyuwJzNmz83jFDSn514NSMhNdil4frxIVvqUXA7hklIiuG24F-4c1IV-HllZgHKS6h32oZVsQf3NGBUZ-6dQKcUM3pibaAn7gQqG8/s400/Summer+Coolers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the month of June, there will be a flavorful cooler collection including wild rose cooler, green cooler, rosy cooler, rose tea with mango, and hibiscus tea with peach. served daily in June. From 8:00 till late. From VND 125,000++.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b>Davi</b></div><div><br /></div>

Summer Coolers

Refresh and release from the heat of summer by choosing a fresh summer cooler drinks at Mojo Cafe. In the month of June, there will be a fl...

Li Bai: Delicacies with double-shell crabs

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSr1O0hewqvHidGfhqabk1Jx7OIJ7pwd86ZKsw1syQwVMLlMB5H3j1DiW8lfP7394R4hIan2LXlbqH8PyuvfvQIWUp0_MZEtG9djTcbGWMbAKqnx1GiiTKS5TMuq5LJHzE48OTIMjT6Vs/s1600/Li+Bai+Delicacies+with+double-shell+crabs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSr1O0hewqvHidGfhqabk1Jx7OIJ7pwd86ZKsw1syQwVMLlMB5H3j1DiW8lfP7394R4hIan2LXlbqH8PyuvfvQIWUp0_MZEtG9djTcbGWMbAKqnx1GiiTKS5TMuq5LJHzE48OTIMjT6Vs/s400/Li+Bai+Delicacies+with+double-shell+crabs.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Enjoy wok-fried double-shell crab with chili sauce in Singapore style, braised double shell crab with X.O sauce and glass noodle in clay pot, steamed double shell crab with Shao Shing wine, deep-fried double shell crab with garlic and chilli; and fried double shell crab with sweet and sour sauce.</div><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><b>D.N</b></div><div><br /></div>

Li Bai: Delicacies with double-shell crabs

Enjoy wok-fried double-shell crab with chili sauce in Singapore style, braised double shell crab with X.O sauce and glass noodle in clay pot...

Caravelle Saigon

<div style="text-align: justify;"><i><b>Caravelle Saigon, one of Vietnam’s most storied hotels in downtown Ho Chi Minh City has raised the curtain on its fully refreshed Cafeé de l’Opera and all-new Champagne Corner on the ground floor, where Caravelle has presided over a prominent corner of Lam Son Square since 1959.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFuwGu_4-tEXCd4__kbnfQ8LVyBZA69ADuW6_-SkT0D7zoTQdfbTjbhqS7HABh91uBaJvv-IQiA846dKKK1XVzTYAQzDVEJ2hYHTOM1RYphJptT2_zmgieGI6VqRvPKl8TGTFvDCmWXtw/s1600/Caravelle+Saigon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFuwGu_4-tEXCd4__kbnfQ8LVyBZA69ADuW6_-SkT0D7zoTQdfbTjbhqS7HABh91uBaJvv-IQiA846dKKK1XVzTYAQzDVEJ2hYHTOM1RYphJptT2_zmgieGI6VqRvPKl8TGTFvDCmWXtw/s1600/Caravelle+Saigon.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Formerly the Lobby Lounge, Cafe de l’Opera has been redesigned and expanded to allow even better views of the city centre. Among the highlights at Cafe de l’Opera are nightly live music (5pm - 10pm, Tuesday to Saturday) by the resident duo of Sitti and Jasson and an open kitchen serving tapas. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Caravelle Saigon unveiled its redesigned lobby, reception area and buffet restaurant, Nineteen in November. A top to toe enhancement programme of all accommodation will start in April with completion expected in early 2016.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b>Davi Nguyen</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>

Caravelle Saigon

Caravelle Saigon, one of Vietnam’s most storied hotels in downtown Ho Chi Minh City has raised the curtain on its fully refreshed Cafeé de l...

A romantic dinner for couples

<span style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>The grill dinner is served in a private section of the restaurant. </i></b></span><br /><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span><span style="text-align: justify;">The special menu features saffron spiced fish consommé, a choice of three favorite grilled dishes among of US prime beef tenderloin, US prime beef rib eye, Wagyu beef strip loin steak, lamb chop, duck foie gras, salmon steak, Cod fish steak, king tiger prawn, Vietnamese lobster and oriental spiced chicken skewers. </span><br /><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOWgPmYU5hyphenhyphen4NEaV_sRVIBeDAEp_fLBJ5HDtJnNrY0KJ4s-J2sYxTOmOW2KYBU94lUNVNmadYpGvtgiZdaVx8DncB4TGutqI3_c9E5-PDklJfHh4tJ1Vkf6SKFlFG-93TVhZ4yWZLkGU/s1600/The+grill+dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOWgPmYU5hyphenhyphen4NEaV_sRVIBeDAEp_fLBJ5HDtJnNrY0KJ4s-J2sYxTOmOW2KYBU94lUNVNmadYpGvtgiZdaVx8DncB4TGutqI3_c9E5-PDklJfHh4tJ1Vkf6SKFlFG-93TVhZ4yWZLkGU/s1600/The+grill+dinner.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><span style="text-align: justify;">The grilled will be served with choice of scalloped potato, sweet potato straw, steak fries, mashed potato choice of truffle sauce, fresh pepper corn sauce, BBQ sauce or dill cream sauce for seafood daily veggies, daily in June at 18:00 – 22:00.  VND 3,000,000++ </span><br /><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><b>B.H.D</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>

A romantic dinner for couples

The grill dinner is served in a private section of the restaurant. The special menu features saffron spiced fish consommé, a choice of thre...

Pan Asian cuisine

<div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>The Pan Asian themed set menu, personally designed by our Executive Chef, Mr. Jakob Angerer features seared spicy tuna loin, lobster soup with five spice flavors, crispy perch filet, roast lamb cutlet with quinoa crust, green pepper corn tofu and bean stew with zatar herbs. </i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp2ZqKLEd_dY_UAicO7HXwTMOsHTRaD_H5gMguhhcvItBE_COag6vJ2_xS70NNXNYsSagqO_fpFCeI4zY5BJS8G0LCVbeVDdE6EzNnQwnaIduPw6dVPqrI0G-AQXsJ4jDkvw4Kv4YW4fo/s1600/Pan+Asian+cuisine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp2ZqKLEd_dY_UAicO7HXwTMOsHTRaD_H5gMguhhcvItBE_COag6vJ2_xS70NNXNYsSagqO_fpFCeI4zY5BJS8G0LCVbeVDdE6EzNnQwnaIduPw6dVPqrI0G-AQXsJ4jDkvw4Kv4YW4fo/s1600/Pan+Asian+cuisine.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A perfect night is awaiting you with great food, nice live music with violin and guitar, and spectacular views from level 23, daily in June at 18:00 – 22:00.  VND 1,575,000++ .</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b>Duong Nguyen</b></div><div><br /></div>

Pan Asian cuisine

The Pan Asian themed set menu, personally designed by our Executive Chef, Mr. Jakob Angerer features seared spicy tuna loin, lobster soup wi...

Enjoy Thai culinary festival

<div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>Explore an appealing and spicy Thai culinary every Saturday during June. </i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQXgR_u3NMjBNIoXbVV1yd09GMxT_Onec3F9dI1jv8dSpUiHymRcHUn3xkaWDO8juVD5g2eYIg9sH39oH4KDxnMjGo5aTRekxtlGGN7gEEMWaD9BPSMmElTtQMfZIee288dFtmFXgpHY/s1600/Enjoy+Thai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQXgR_u3NMjBNIoXbVV1yd09GMxT_Onec3F9dI1jv8dSpUiHymRcHUn3xkaWDO8juVD5g2eYIg9sH39oH4KDxnMjGo5aTRekxtlGGN7gEEMWaD9BPSMmElTtQMfZIee288dFtmFXgpHY/s400/Enjoy+Thai.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On offer is a wide range of Thai specialties from ‘Yam nua’ Thai beef salad, ‘Som Tom’ green papaya salad, fragrant mushrooms with lettuce leaves, cellophane noodles with pork, ‘Thod Mun Goong’ deep-fried shrimp cakes to ‘Pla Meuk Phad Nam Prik Pow’ wok fried basil squid with chili, ‘Pla Sam Rod’ crispy sea bass with sweet and sour sauce, ‘Gai Yang’ spiced grilled chicken, ‘Mu Kiew Wan Nua’ pork in green curry and ‘Tom Yum Kung’ spicy Thai prawn soup. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The tempting sweet corner is also not to be missed with choices of Thai jewel dessert, grass jelly with sweet syrup, chocolate mousse, mango and sticky rice and fried custard Kanom Sod Sai. Every Sat in June, 18:00 – 22:00</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">VND 1,100,000++ including free flowing house wine, coffee and tea. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b>Davi Nguyen</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><br /></div>

Enjoy Thai culinary festival

Explore an appealing and spicy Thai culinary every Saturday during June. On offer is a wide range of Thai specialties from ‘Yam nua’ Thai b...

Five UNESCO Experiences Play Out Over Six Vietnamese Days

<div style="text-align: justify;"><i><b>La Residence Hotel & Spa Hue introduces  the ‘Wonders of Vietnam’</b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At the center of Southeast Asia’s greatest concentration of UNESCO World Heritage sites, La Residence Hotel & Spa is rolling out a package that provides access to five sites and experiences over the course of a five-night stay.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Wonders of Vietnam package shepherds travelers into stupendous grottos of the world’s largest cave system, into the pavilions and palaces of East Asia’s most charming imperial city, among ancient temples of the vanished Cham Kingdom, up and down the streets of an ossified 16th-century seaport and into the theater for a performance of Vietnamese culture’s most exquisite music.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJwvMngjyGf4IlC3tNpmK1yo7Gqe2H7w_vkyPOI8LPW75w4zpK1nVo_f3ZRE2ZleWzJtstwhcRqMJImvGqHllaUO3D1GrGZBbC9kvcmwN_146Q73kkrYjWPX5qWOyBtOJH9TgHoDEbQS4/s1600/La+Residence+Hotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJwvMngjyGf4IlC3tNpmK1yo7Gqe2H7w_vkyPOI8LPW75w4zpK1nVo_f3ZRE2ZleWzJtstwhcRqMJImvGqHllaUO3D1GrGZBbC9kvcmwN_146Q73kkrYjWPX5qWOyBtOJH9TgHoDEbQS4/s640/La+Residence+Hotel.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“It’s the most intensive experience of Vietnam that any traveler could have inside a single week,” said Phan Trong Minh, general manager of La Residence. “Hanoi and Saigon are fine destinations, but these sites are the Vietnam that every traveler dreams of.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Valid for bookings through Dec. 20, 2015, the neatly priced $2,500 experience includes five night’s accommodation, a 90-minute spa treatment at the hotel’s award-winning spa, an imperial dinner, and the tours. The UNESCO sites and experiences include:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A day long journey to and into Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. In 2009, explorers discovered Son Doong Cave, the largest cave inside the national park. The Wonders visit takes in Phong Nha Cave, which was the largest cave in Vietnam until the discovery of Son Doong.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A half-day tour of two temple complexes at the heart of the Hue Monuments. The extensive 19th-century funereal cities of Emperors Minh Mang and Tu Duc merge landscape and architecture in a setting reminiscent of an East Asian ink painting.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A half-day visit to Hoi An Ancient Town, a remarkably well-preserved 16th Century seaport. As evocative as a ghost town, and as addictive as a humming night market, Hoi An is the most compelling pedestrian experience in Vietnam.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A half-day visit to Vietnam’s answer to Angkor, My Son Sanctuary. A cluster of ancient temples built between the 4th and 13th centuries, these temples have come down into the modern age in various states of ruin and repair. The valley setting is one of Vietnam’s most picturesque.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A performance of Court Music at the Royaal Theater inside Hue’s Imperial City.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Wonders of Vietnam package also includes a visit to the city’s famed Dong Ba marketplace and a boat ride on the Perfume River. Earlier this year, the hotel blazed a food trail through Hue and introduced a Hue Food Trail package.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b>Davi Nguyen/ Dung Ha</b></div><div><br /></div>

Five UNESCO Experiences Play Out Over Six Vietnamese Days

La Residence Hotel & Spa Hue introduces the ‘Wonders of Vietnam’ At the center of Southeast Asia’s greatest concentration of UNESCO Wor...

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited

<div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited is the founding member of the HSBC Group, which serves around 51 million customers through four global businesses: Retail Banking and Wealth Management, Commercial Banking, Global Banking and Markets, and Global Private Banking.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Df7YwUm-aTcpZAdY8Ilr0T3OJ7EzoDtV7KAiPF5xguFxpurnMIwJ6ajyd3g3sgFTb_miocPRAWTkPcJA8rxLvE2Yd3JoOCo7pjsyWS7auOYTNgVtIyro2FWKM6z4qyxBlJxP7iIRKS0/s1600/HSBC+hong+kong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Df7YwUm-aTcpZAdY8Ilr0T3OJ7EzoDtV7KAiPF5xguFxpurnMIwJ6ajyd3g3sgFTb_miocPRAWTkPcJA8rxLvE2Yd3JoOCo7pjsyWS7auOYTNgVtIyro2FWKM6z4qyxBlJxP7iIRKS0/s1600/HSBC+hong+kong.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> The Group serves customers worldwide from over 6,100 offices in 73 countries and territories in Asia, Europe, North and Latin America, and the Middle East and North Africa. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">With assets of US$2,670bn at 31 March 2015, HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations.</div><div style="text-align: right;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b>Davi Nguyen</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited is the founding member of the HSBC Group, which serves around 51 million customers thr...

HSBC’s credit card promotion rewards shoppers and holidaymakers all summer long

<div style="text-align: justify;"><i><b>***Promotion includes cash back, travel bags for early birds, and 300 vouchers for resorts, shopping, and dining ***</b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">***A two-night leisure stay at Vinpearl Premium Danang has been reserved for 80 Visa Platinum and Premier World Mastercard credit cardholders***</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyOH56FkWEn509_XrAJSluzQjzqNW4hymP0YUlD1HZmP_yWf81piupxDWQKIDTFn3N5yTHheepYfuu_stp1qC4kr4C3Dkch4QbOU14BEVe8G6j5bOquY7lGK8Za4gWI6iBYtbgnccTug/s1600/HSBC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyOH56FkWEn509_XrAJSluzQjzqNW4hymP0YUlD1HZmP_yWf81piupxDWQKIDTFn3N5yTHheepYfuu_stp1qC4kr4C3Dkch4QbOU14BEVe8G6j5bOquY7lGK8Za4gWI6iBYtbgnccTug/s1600/HSBC.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">HSBC Bank (Vietnam) Ltd. has launched the ideal summertime credit card campaign with an array of benefits on offer for shoppers and holidaymakers between 7 July  and 30 September 2015 (*). </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After successfully signing up for a new credit card with HSBC, customers can enjoy cash back of up to VND2 million when spending an equivalent amount with HSBC Visa or MasterCard. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The first 4,000 applicants will also receive a HSBC travel bag – suitable for anyone heading off on summer holidays with friends or family.  </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There will also be a total of 300 vouchers made available for primary credit cardholders with an expenditure of VND5 million or above in a monthly period. For July, there will be 100 vouchers for resorts, while there will be 100 shopping and 100 dining vouchers valued at VND3 million in August and September respectively. Cardholders can redeem vouchers first by going to www.hsbc.com.vn after each round. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At the end of this summer-long campaign, HSBC Visa Platinum and Premier World Mastercard credit cardholders with a total expenditure of VND30 million or above during the promotion period will have a chance to win one of 80 Vinpearl Premium Danang vouchers for a two-night stay valued at VND8,550,000. Eligible cardholders must be one of the first 80 to redeem vouchers online. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">All credit cardholders are also eligible to apply for a 0% installment plan to purchase high valued products and services such as home appliances, electronics, tuition fees, and enjoy many other on-going promotions.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On top of all the above offers, all HSBC cardholders can enjoy instant discounts at shops, restaurants, spas, tourism websites and resorts all around the world via home&Away – a unique and ongoing privilege programme offering special deals at more than 27,000 outlets across 160 countries and territories, including 530 outlets in Vietnam. Customers can log on to www.homeandaway.hsbc.com to see a full list of the exclusive deals on offer for all HSBC credit cardholders. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b>Davi Nguyen/ Dung Ha</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>

HSBC’s credit card promotion rewards shoppers and holidaymakers all summer long

***Promotion includes cash back, travel bags for early birds, and 300 vouchers for resorts, shopping, and dining *** ***A two-night leisure ...