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Shot down US aircraft on display at Vietnam’s military museum in Hanoi : Photos

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The Vietnam Military History Museum in Hanoi is one of six national museums in the country.

Opened in 1959, the museum has thousands of military artifacts, everything ranging from small medals to large aircraft.

In fact, the museum even has several US aircraft, which were shot down in North Vietnam during the Vietnam War, according to the museum’s website.

The Vietnam War, which was fought from 1955 to 1975, killed about 58,200 US troops and as many as 2 million civilians. The US had military advisors in Vietnam in the 1950s, but didn’t officially send combat troops there until 1965.

The museum also has US military vehicles that were purportedly captured during the Vietnam War.

Check them out below.

Here’s the purported wreckage of a US B-52, which was possibly shot down by a surface-to-air-missile during Operation Linebacker II in 1972.

Read more about the operation and how the B-52 was shot down here.

Here’s another angle.

Next to the B-52 appears to be a US M-48 Patton main battle tank.

Read more about M48s, which was named after US Gen. George S. Patton, here.

And what looks like an M113 armoured personnel carrier.

The museum also has what looks like an M114 155mm howitzer.

Read more about M114s here, and about the US military’s current 155mm howitzer, the M777, here.

And what looks like a Bell UH-1H Iroquois, or Huey, helicopter.

It also appears to have an M3 Half-track, which was an armoured personnel carrier.

And what looks like an M107 self-propelled howitzer.

Read more about M107s here, and about the US military’s current self-propelled howitzer, the M109 Paladin,here.

And what appears to be two A-1 Skyraiders (lower left), which were attack aircraft that often provided close air support.

image: https://static.businessinsider.com/image/5be07486110d4c1ebe51fbfb-1200.jpg

Source:US Air Force/Business Insider

The museum has many more US, and even Russian, platforms too. Check out their website here.

VinFast and Vespa crack open electric motorcycle segment

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Both VinFast and Vespa have come out with spectacular new electric motorcycle models to green out the roads with style – at very different prices.

VinFast officially issued the decision to apply the “Three No” policy – no depreciation charge, no financial charge, and no profit – for its electric automobiles and motorcycles, while simultaneously adding the discount on Klara electric motorcycles.

Notably, at the beginning all electric automobiles and motorcycles will enjoy the “Three No” policy.

At the same time, Klara electric motorcycled will also be offered at a discount (see details in the chart below).

“With the “Three No” policy, VinFast accepts to sell products without profit to help customers enjoy “Made in Vietnam” products of international standards. Especially, with the electric motorcycle model, VinFast is willing to offer a discount of 40 per cent at the beginning so that these products can achieve larger market coverage,” said Le Thi Thu Thuy, chairwoman of VinFast.

Along with the price incentives, VinFast will support customers by constructing charging stations and providing warranty as well as maintenance services.

In a related move, on October 8, Vespa officially began the online sales of its electric motorcycle model named Vespa Elettrica. Accordingly, the first exclusive models of the Vespa Elettrica can be booked from October 8 until November.

The Vespa Elettrica is a contemporary icon of Italian technology, a synonym for advanced connectivity and silence, personalization, and accessibility, respect for the environment, and style. These values have always characterised Vespa and are fully implemented again today in the Vespa Elettrica, confirming Vespa as a pioneering brand on the market.

With a power unit delivering top power of 4 kW, assisted by the dynamic performance typical to electric engines, Vespa Elettrica outshines a traditional 50cc scooter, particularly in acceleration and hill starts.

It guarantees easy, agile, and enjoyable riding on city roads, even at very low speeds in congested urban traffic, with the added benefits of absolute silence and the absence of vibration, helping to make cities less chaotic and more liveable by avoiding both air and sound pollution.

Vespa Elettrica has a maximum range of 100km, a value that changes little between urban and extra-urban environments thanks to the scooter’s modern lithium ion battery and efficient kinetic energy recovery system, which recharges the battery during deceleration. To recharge the battery, the rider simply plugs the cable located in the compartment below the saddle into a normal electric wall socket or into one of the recharging points that are becoming a common sight in today’s cities. A complete recharge normally takes 4 hours.

Vespa Elettrica is available in the main Eurozone countries at a price of €6,390 ($7,300) or alternatively through a new purchasing solution based on monthly payments of €99 ($113).

According to the plan, Vespa Elettrica will be launched in Asia and the US in 2019.

Source: VIR

Petrol prices sharply reduced

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The retail price of biofuel E5 RON 92 fell by VNĐ1,082 to trade at a maximum of VNĐ19,600 (US$0.84) per litre at 3pm today, the ministries of industry and trade and finance announced.

The price of RON 95-III also dropped by VNĐ1,138 to a maximum of VNĐ21,065 per litre, while the prices of diesel 0.05S went down by VNĐ67 to VNĐ18,544. The prices of kerosene and mazut 180CST remained unchanged at VNĐ17,086 per litre and VNĐ15,694 per kilo respectively.

According to the ministries of industry and trade and finance, in the 15 days before November 6, the global price of RON 92, which is used to produce biofuel E5, averaged $78.70 per barrel, $10 a barrel lower than the previous period. Those of RON95 and diesel 0.05S were $80.52 per barrel and $92.27 per barrel, respectively.

The global prices of kerosene and mazut were averaged at $92.09 per barrel and $489.901 per tonne, respectively.

The ministries of industry and trade and finance said the adjustment of petrol prices aimed at regulating gasoline prices, contributing to controlling inflation and limiting the increase in the consumer price index (CPI).

The two ministries also decided to decrease the use of subsidies from the petrol price stabilisation fund.

Subsidies for E5 RON 92 were unchanged at VNĐ700 per litre, while those for RON 95 and diesel were zero.

The ministries said the use of the petrol price stabilisation fund has helped limit the effects of increasing petrol prices in the world market in the past few months, thus contributing to curb inflation.

The price of ethanol E100, which is used as the basis for the calculation of the price of biofuel E5 RON 92 after the elimination of petrol RON 92, stood at VNĐ14,737 per litre without value added tax.

Reviews of fuel prices are set to be announced every 15 days to keep up with swings in the global market.

As of November 5, the balance of the price stabilisation fund was more than VNĐ3.03 trillion.

The petrol prices have had 21 adjustments so far this year including 6 increases, 3 decreases and 12 times they were kept unchanged.

Source: VNS

Vietnam’s e-wallet breaks top 100 on KPMG Fintech list

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A financial technology (fintech) firm that owns one of the most popular mobile wallet apps in Vietnam has become the first-ever Vietnamese representative to be listed among the world’s top 100 companies of this kind.

Vietnamese e-wallet MoMo was honored in the 2018 Fintech100 alongside such technology unicorns as Ant Financial, JD Finance, and Baidu from China, Robinhood from the U.S, and Adyen from the Netherlands.

The ranking was announced by the fintech investment firm H2 Ventures in collaboration with KPMG Fintech on October 23.

MoMo offers a mobile, electronic wallet and payment application for iOS and Android devices.

The app helps customers in Vietnam make nationwide cash transfers, pay more than 100 types of bill, top-up mobile phone accounts, settle personal loans, and purchase services such as software licenses, online game cards, and airline and movie tickets.

In the company description, the 2018 Fintech100 introduced MoMo as “both the largest and the fastest-growing of Vietnam’s payment providers with over eight million customers and a growth rate of 15 percent in monthly transaction volume and user base.”

This is also the first time a business from Vietnam has been named in this report.

In the 2017 Fintech100, Southeast Asia had only two representatives – Silent 8 and SoCash, both from Singapore.

This year’s report, the fifth of its kind, highlights dynamic fintechs from around the world that are transforming the financial services industry.

It lists the ‘Leading 50’ fintech firms around the globe, ranked based on innovation, capital raising activity, size and reach; and the ‘Emerging 50,’ exciting new fintechs that are at the forefront of innovative technologies and practices and are often pursuing new business models.

MoMo is listed among the ‘Emerging 50’ companies.

Ian Pollari, global co-lead of KPMG Fintech, commented that “the 2018 Fintech100 showcases the increasing diversity and scale of the global fintech market.”

“Payments and lending continue to be the dominant sectors, however wealth management is taking off, with 14 companies on the list, and insurtech remains strong with 12 companies,” Pollari elaborated.

‘Insurtech’ refers to the use of technology innovations designed to squeeze out savings and efficiency from the current insurance industry model, which was inspired by the term ‘fintech.’

Earlier in March, MoMo was also listed among the top 100 fintech companies in the world in the report “Financial Inclusion in the Digital Age” by a team from Stanford University and International Finance Corporation (IFC) from the World Bank Group, according to news site VnExpress.

Source: Tuoitrenews

Vietnam’s highway robbers put traffic safety at risk

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Components of a major expressway in southern Vietnam are being stolen repeatedly, putting vehicles at risk and causing mounting losses.
The Vietnam Expressway Services Engineering Joint Stock Company (VECE), which manages the HCMC-Long Thanh-Dau Giay Expressway, said up to 116 cases of theft have been recorded so far this year.

More than 1,000 cast iron manhole covers, 500 meters of power cable, more than 400 meters of control wire, 448 meters of earth wire, 11 traffic cones and metal beam crash barriers have been stolen from the expressway that runs 55 kilometers (34 miles), connecting HCMC with the neighboring provinces of Dong Nai and Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

Nguyen Thi Hoai Phuong, deputy director of VECE, said the total value of the stolen products was around VND1 billion ($43,000), but it costs a lot more to replace them with new ones.

The greater worry is about the risks that such stealing poses for vehicles.

Metal beam crash barriers save vehicles from serious damage in case of accidents while traffic cones are mounted on the pedestals along the road and the dividing strip to help vehicles in low light areas.

The most serious problem is the stealing of power cable, which has paralyzed the lighting control system in Xuan Thanh Commune, Thong Nhat District, Dong Nai Province.

VECE has reported the problem to local police and the company itself frequently checks the area, but theft has continued to rise.

For three days in a row last month, hundreds of manhole covers plates were taken away.

On early October 30, a team from VECE caught a container truck driver stopping his vehicle along the expressway in Long Thanh District of Dong Nai and taking 24 plates.

Earlier, the team caught two men taking power cables in District 2 of HCMC and another man driving a truck to the area with the same purpose.

Costing more than VND20.6 trillion ($883.7 million), the expressway opened to traffic in 2015, cutting the travel time between HCMC and the beach town Vung Tau from two and a half hours to just 80 minutes.

From 2016 to date, power cables have been stolen at least 12 times along the expressway.

Huu Nguyen report on Vnexpress

Shinhan Bank launches new mobile banking app

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App features range of safe and secure log in options.

Shinhan Bank Vietnam has officially launched a new mobile banking app, SOL, with many outstanding features.

Apart from regular features in any mobile banking app, such as balance checks and money transfers, SOL also has logging in by password identification and other safe and secure log in options such as pattern, fingerprint, or iris identification.

SOL also offers customers direct transfers to mobile numbers of recipients. Its interface is user-friendly, integrating all transfer functions on one screen and allowing users to self-arrange and customize according to their actual needs.

“With consultation from our parent bank in South Korea, the SOL app integrates the most advanced technologies in mobile banking and bears outstanding features compared to other apps in the market,” said Mr. Shin Dong Min, CEO of Shinhan Bank in Vietnam. “We hope it will provide our customers with a modern, fast and convenient solution for their financial needs with an easy yet safe and secure approach.”

The app is named after the SOL bear, the mascot of Shinhan Bank in 2018. SOL stands for Speedy Optimized Leading Lending? and embraces the meaning of SOLution for customers’ financial demands.

Hoang An report on Vneconomictimes

Three million Vietnamese youths suffer from mental health problems

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About 3 million young Vietnamese are affected by mental and psychological problems but only 20 percent of them receive medical treatment, while the rest resort to alcohol, tobacco, and drug, said a doctor in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnamnews reported.

Nguyen Song Chi Trung from the Centre for Technology Transfer in HIV and Addiction Treatment under the Ho Chi Minh City Medical University shared the information at a recent conference on mental health and drug use among youths.

According to Trung, there are many reasons leading to drug use among young people, such as the pressure of self-assertion, peer pressure, being a victim of abuse, divorced parent, and poverty. They often come to drug as a new experiment, however, some turn into addicts.

Trung said the family plays a key role in keeping young people away from stimulants. Parents need to equip themselves with knowledge on early symptoms of mental health problems and help their children get life skills to be able to deal with challenges at school and in society, he advised.

He recommended avoiding ostracism and discrimination against young drug users as the practice can hamper their treatment and rehabilitation.

According to the World Health Organisation, half of psychological disorders start at the age of 14, most going unnoticed or untreated.

A UNICEF’s study of mental health and psychosocial wellbeing among children and young people in Vietnam this year showed the average rate of having mental health problems among people aged 14 – 18 was 12 percent. The most common disorders were depression, anxiety disorder, loneliness, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Danang to set height limit to buildings

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According to Danang Department of Construction, plots of land that are smaller than 1,200 square metres in the city centre will not be allowed to build high-rise buildings.

The department has sent official documents to district authorities and related agencies about the regulation.

Investors will only be allowed to build up to nine floors on linked plots of lands. However, investors are only allowed to build up to eight floors in Hai Chau and Thanh Khe districts as authorities are considering a ban on high-rise buildings in those areas.

Projects without 1/500 scale plans must follow the city master planning to 2030 with a view to 2050, in which high-rise buildings will be limited in existing residential areas, along streets that are smaller than 20 metres wide and on plots of land that are smaller than 1,200 square metres.

For investors with large plots of land, the city will review each case and issue decision based on the infrastructure and how the land will be used.

Many buildings have been found to have violated planning regulations in Danang. The inspectorate discovered that Bach Dang Complex Company built a hotel complex without permission. Bach Dang Complex Company was fined VND110m and instructed to remove the building in 60 days or face forced removal.

Meanwhile, Minh Thuy Company, investor of the Eden Hotel in Ngu Hanh Son District, illegally increased the number of rooms from 96 to 225. They were also told to remove the illegal section.

Song Viet was given permits to build 19 villas, covering 5,008 square metres in total. In reality, they built 20 villas that covered 6,975 square metres. They were also building 18 villas without licenses. Some villas were located in different places than planned or were bigger than registered. There are also seven unlicensed bungalows and a 17-metres embankment that encroached on the water.

Song Viet continued the construction despite the ban and was fined VND100m (USD4,400). The investor of The Song resort project also had to remove the illegal constructions and was made to seek permits for the rest.

Danang People’s Committee has applied various measures to prevent similar cases and issued a decision which states that the chairmen of wards, communes and districts must take full responsibility.

Source: Dtinews

VIB spends VND270 billion to pay cash dividends

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Vietnam International Bank (UPCoM stock code: VIB) will spend nearly VND270 billion to pay 2017 cash dividends to its shareholders. For many years, VIB has been consistently paying cash dividends to shareholders of the bank.

In, October 30, 2018, the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) approved of VIB’s paying 2017 dividends in cash at the rate of 5%, equivalent to VND265.3 billion.

Previously, the Board of Directors of VIB announced the decision to close the list of shareholders to receive 2017 cash dividends on November 8. The dividends payment date will be December 10, 2018.

The 5% cash dividend was agreed by VIB’s shareholders in March-end 2018. VIB is one of few banks which are consistent with paying cash dividends for shareholders in many consecutive years with dividend payout ratio of 5-9%. The bank issued more than 564 million of stocks owned by above 5,000 shareholders, in which 3,100 shareholders are VIB’s staff, accounting for 62%.

In October-end 2018, VIB’s 10-month profit before tax reached VND1,956 billion, up 187% year-on-year, fulfilling 98% of the full-year target. Accumulated revenue increased by 47% year-on-year, in which interest income and non-interest income up 49% and 40% , respectively. VIB continues to become one of the biggest retail banks in Vietnamese market as the bank’s accumulated individual lending reached VND69,000 billion, up 55% year-on-year.

In October 30, 2018, Moody’s Investors Service upgraded the baseline credit assessment (BCA) and adjusted BCA of VIB to B1 and Counterparty Risk Assessment (CRA) to Ba3. The upgrade in VIB’s BCA is driven by the higher Macro Profile of Vietnam, progress in writing off legacy problem assets and profitability of the bank, according to a report from Moody’s. Moody’s and VIB expect profitability for the bank to improve well in coming time.

How to Ride in Vietnam Safely and Legally

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Motorbiking in Vietnam is a popular way for travelers to see this diverse and beautiful country, but the process isn’t always simple. Jessica Hayward gives us the lowdown on how to do this legally and safely.

Australian Jessica Hayward covered 7000km through Vietnam and Cambodia by motorbike including through the traffic chaos of Ho Chi Minh City and the entire length of Vietnam. But how do you do this legally and safely? Here’s what you need to know.

Motorbike Legality in Vietnam

Motorbikes up to 50 cc can be ridden without a license in Vietnam, but this size of motorcycle is not suitable for extended travel throughout the country.

International Drivers Permits are currently legal IF your home country has signed under the 1968 convention (countries coloured green on this map). But you must hold a motorcycle license at home and have it registered on the IDP. Australia, UK, USA, and Canada have signed only the 1949 convention on IDPs, so they are not valid and you will be riding illegally.

A Vietnamese license is otherwise required. Whilst many travellers ride without one, and successfully bribe their way out of police stops, if you cause damage to yourself or others you will be held fully responsible and be at the mercy of Vietnamese justice.

You can have a valid license from home transferred to a Vietnamese license in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh with a bit of time and paperwork. Here’s how to do that.

Be aware that without a valid IDP or Vietnamese license, your travel insurance will not be valid, even if you have a motorbike license in your home country. You are riding illegally.

Also note that some insurers may exclude “motorbike touring” for policyholders from particular countries of residence. This means you cannot travel where motorcycle is the primary means of transport, however you are covered for incidental use of a motorcycle. World Nomads policyholders from the UK are subject to this exclusion at this time. Always check the wording of your policy regardless of your country of residence.

Renting or Buying in Vietnam

Try to rent from reputable companies that provide proper vehicles (Honda, Yamaha etc) rather than Chinese knock offs. One of the most popular is Tigit Motorbikes. Many travelers choose to buy cheap $200 bikes from fellow backpackers to keep their travel costs down. I cannot stress enough the value in renting or buying a proper, well maintained bike; the hassle of repairing your constantly breaking bike and cost will soon match or exceed the price of renting a newer motorbike. Vietnamese roads are dangerous enough without making life harder with a faulty motorbike.

Renting a Motorbike Outside of Vietnam

Vietnam generally only allows Vietnamese bikes into the country. You will be facing difficulties crossing borders from Laos, Cambodian and China on a non-Vietnamese bike. Expect to pay some hefty bribes, or not cross at all, depending on how frequented your border is and how much the border security cares about letting you in.

What Bike to Rent

110 cc to 125 cc will be completely sufficient for touring the country, unless you intend to head through rougher country in the north and west. In those cases, it is best to hire a more powerful bike. Speed limits are low within Vietnam – 40 km/h for cities, 60 km/h for highways – so having a very powerful motorbike can often be a detriment in congested areas. You can navigate the country on an automatic, semi automatic or manual, so choose what will work best for your experience.

Try to keep to known brands like Honda or Yamaha. Whilst most Vietnamese know how to repair motorbikes, if you do not know what they are doing it will be hard to judge if you are being scammed or sold faulty repairs. With a Honda bike, or similar, you can take it to one of the many Honda stores for service and be assured of legitimate mechanics who will charge you a flat rate. These stores are in almost every town and city.

Riding in Vietnam

Expect average to poor roads the majority of the time, along with heavy traffic. Vietnam has built good highways but only cars and trucks are allowed to use them, and as they come with a toll, most vehicles will still use the rougher and narrow roads that motorbikes must use.

Roadsides will often be filled with stalls, markets and livestock, so please pay attention at all times.

Traffic is chaotic, but drivers in Vietnam are politer and more aware than other South East Asian countries. Most trucks will beep to warn you out of the way before overtaking, so pay attention to your fellow motorists. In kind, warn everyone if you are not sure if they see you by using your horn. This especially applies on the twisting mountain roads in the west and north, as there are multiple blind corners with no space and the only way to know you can pass safely is to ensure any oncoming traffic can hear you coming!

Riding in Saigon and Hanoi may seem intimidating, but traffic speed is so low it is generally safe. The trick is to look directly where you are going so motorists know where you are headed. If you need to cross oncoming traffic, do so slowly and steadily; everyone will get out of your way if you do not make erratic movements. Follow the flow!

Be aware of the weather. Rain can and will come at any time, so be prepared with waterproofs. In a downpour a good road can rapidly become slippery and dangerous, so please consider this and your visibility when deciding to travel in bad weather.

Scams to Look Out For

Police are known to target foreigners, because most do not have licenses. You can avoid this by not advertising your nationality. Wear long pants and long sleeved shirts, with gloves, and you will be no different to every other local on the road.

If you have valid licenses or IDP, the police will leave you alone. Without them, you will likely need to pay a fine/bribe to continue on your way.

Dodgy mechanics – while it may be unavoidable to use local repair places at times, try to service at reputable stores to ensure you are not being scammed.

Fuel – this is not common, but always check your attendant resets the fuel gauge before filling your bike.

Dangers While Riding in Vietnam

Vietnam is an extremely safe country, but the roads are some of the most dangerous in the world. For this reason, wear appropriate safety gear, drive defensively and always be aware.

Thieving is a problem – make sure your motorbikes are in secure, safe parking each night, and do not leave them unlocked/unattended for long (if at all). Gear left with your bike can and will be stolen, including your helmet, even if it is locked to your bike. Thieves will simply cut through the strap and take it anyway.

Best Biking Routes in Vietnam

Main Route: Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi and vice versa, following the east coast. Mostly good roads, if busy, and access to all main cities like Hue, Hoi An and Da Nang. Most travellers choose this route. 1-3 weeks travel time depending on speed.

Ho Chi Minh Road: Starts outside of Ho Chi Minh and winds all the way to Hanoi on the western border of the country. Incredibly quiet road with spectacular scenery; highly recommended for nature lovers who want to experience untouched Vietnam.

Ha Giang Loop: Heading from Ha Giang to the very north of Vietnam and circling back, this is widely known as the best of Vietnam’s scenery. 3-6 days to complete. The road alternates between great and terrible, so expect the unexpected.

By Jessica Hayward, World Nomads

Skype English uses a new and effective model to teach English

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None of us deny the importance of speaking English in today’s world. Many studies have shown that people who speak English well will likely be more successful in the fields of research, technology, and commerce.

It’s not just adults who need to learn English in order to work or travel. Most parents invest in English classes for their children when they turn 5 years old to learn pronunciation and communication.

However, it’s a fact that people can only use a language fluently if they have the opportunities to live in that language’s environment. Only then will their responsive and listening skills significantly improve.

Mr. Thomas Friedman, author of The World is Flat, which was published in 2005, put forward fresh insights into how global connectivity has changed since the internet first appeared. Now because of faster internet speeds, online English learning centers that use a “one teacher – one student” model are becoming more and more common.

Enrolling in English training centers is no longer a priority as it was in previous years now that the quality of online training centers has gone up and have lower tuition fees. Many students use online English schools to have one-on-one English training. It’s completely different from a classroom at an English center where a teacher has to deal with 12-15 students. The opportunity to communicate with the teacher is limited and students have to spend time traveling to the centers.

One of the many online English training centers that follow this model is Skype English, which was established in 2013 and has become a well-known center that’s trusted by thousands of local and international students. Using the model “one teacher – one student” via Skype, learners are able to improve their English at lower tuition fees without having to spend time traveling. The students only need to own a computer, a smartphone, or a tablet, and have access to the internet.

“To attract thousands of students, we have to work hard to meet the goals of each person and ensure the highest efficiency for each course,” said Ms. Vu Thi Kim Anh, Director of Skype English Company Ltd. “We always listen to the comments and feedback of our students to improve the quality of our service. That is by many domestic and foreign customers consider us to be a quality online English training center.”

With Skype English, students have the chance to take a 30-minute free trial with a foreign teacher. After that, the teacher gives an assessment, method and curriculum that best suit the course objectives of those students.

Funny pictures: How does the traffic look like in Vietnam?

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If you’re heading to Vietnam on a cruise, we guarantee one of the first things you’ll notice is the number of Vietnamese scooters on the roads. But that is not all.

Vietnam Insider has collected plenty of funny photos from social media to show you that, the traffic in Vietnam is awesome!

A South African teacher has died in an accident in Vietnam

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Two South Africans were traveling from Hanoi to Hai Phong City when the accident occurred on Saturday.

Their motorbike hit the back of another vehicle, and one of the men was then run over by a container truck.

Vietnam Insider identified the dead man as South African citizen Benjamin Jooste.

The local publication reported that family friend Bertus le Roux confirmed the death and that Jooste’s father and brother will travel to Vietnam to make arrangements for cremation.

Local media said that the second man was hospitalized and that both men taught at an English language centre in Hanoi, Vietnam

On Facebook, Jooste’s brother Simeon posted: “Goodbye bro bear. I love you.”

Both Vietnamese publications said that alarm has been raised by the increasing number of foreigners dying in highway accidents in the country.

According to the World Health Organization, 14 000 people die each year on Vietnam roads, and 59% of them are motorcyclists. The organization says that the majority of the deaths are people between 15 and 49 years old.

Princess Cruises: Local digital habits disrupting sleep

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Princess Cruises’ first global survey on relaxation and sleeping behaviors of people in 12 countries, including Vietnam, found that 60 per cent of Vietnamese check social media before going to bed and this is one of the highest numbers globally, second only to Indonesia, with 62 per cent.

The survey also found that 59 per cent of Vietnamese watch TV before sleeping. Studies have shown that using blue light-emitting devices before bed can prevent people from getting quality sleep.

Millennials in Vietnam (76 per cent of those surveyed) are much more likely to check social media before sleeping. Interestingly, despite the high use of social media in Asian nations, the survey found that only 23 per cent of people in South Korea and 24 per cent in Japan check social media before sleeping.

The 12 countries surveyed in the Princess Cruises Relaxation Report were Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan (China), Japan, Hong Kong, China, South Korea, the US, the UK, and Australia. Over 1,000 adults in each country participated in the online survey.

While Vietnamese are disciplined about their sleep schedule, with 83 per cent having a consistent bedtime, the hustle and bustle of city life may still be taking its toll on their wellbeing. Vietnam has the second highest number of “early birds” in the world, with about 31 per cent going to bed before 10pm and waking before 6.30am. This is most likely due to a preference for avoiding heavy traffic during peak hours when travelling to work.

A high number of Vietnamese (95 per cent) take time off work each year just to catch up on sleep. In fact, 63 per cent of Vietnamese take a full week or more off just to rest and 92 per cent use weekends to make up for sleep lost during the week. All these figures are the highest globally. This may mean the majority of people go on overdrive during the week and then crash over the weekends.

One way that working Vietnamese can relax is to take a holiday. However, the survey found that more than a quarter of Vietnamese (27 per cent) did not take all of the holidays available to them in the last year.

Even going on holiday does not guarantee better rest, as a very high number of Vietnamese (94 per cent) frequently struggle to get a good night’s sleep while on holiday.

When travelling across two or more time zones, 76 per cent of Vietnamese typically experience unpleasant side effects including disturbed sleep, such as insomnia or early waking, daytime fatigue, and headaches, which can all get in the way of enjoying pleasurable activities while on holiday. On a cruise, the opportunity to enjoy a vast range of activities onboard can help Vietnamese holiday makers relax and unwind.

Vietnam brings Formula One racing to Hanoi in 2020

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Vietnam will host its first-ever Formula One race in April 2020, bringing the prestigious series to a country where auto racing is a very new sport.

The capital city of Hanoi will hold an event Wednesday to announce details about the venue and schedule, according to invitation letters.

Environmental issues and the rising popularity of electric-vehicle races have driven the Paris-based FIA, or Federation Internationale de l’Automobile, to seek new frontiers such as Vietnam to revitalize the world’s most popular auto racing series.

Malaysia withdrew from the annual series after 2017, citing competition from neighboring Singapore, which remains one of the venues. Malaysia began hosting a race in 1999, while Singapore joined in 2008. Vietnam would be the third Southeast Asian country to host an F1 competition, which could be held annually.

The Hanoi city government will cooperate with Formula One to manage the project, including raising funds, building the road and hosting the race. Yet the city faces obstacles in raising capital for the race infrastructure as it will not be permitted to use the state budget, a traditional source in the state-owned economy. City leaders estimate the initial cost will start from $60 million. The city said the 6 km track and related facilities will be built in the coming months.

Vietnam’s government ordered the city to raise funds from the private sector. The Hanoi city authority said Friday that private enterprises are willing to participate in funding, but did not reveal the names.

Property conglomerate Vingroup is on the list of organizers, along with the Hanoi city authority, the Formula One Group and Grand Prix Vietnam. Vingroup entered the auto industry last year, involved in international and local activities of late.

Experts estimate it will cost more than $1 billion to build a new racing road.

Vietnam’s legalization of sports betting in 2017 has attracted more events such as motor racing. The Vietnamese sports authority hoped to bring the event to the country years ago, but faced barriers related to gambling.

Sources in the auto industry, sports and entertainment said Vietnam was ready to pay roughly $400 million annually for the right to host an F1 race for 10 years. However, Formula One Group in 2017 refused the proposal, saying the country lacked experience in the field.

Last year, U.S. firm Liberty Media took over Formula One for $8 billion, and the new owners have said they are keen on exploring new regions.

Hanoi negotiated a final agreement to host the event in April 2020, a city Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism officer told local media earlier. The event aims to promote Vietnam and attract more tourists.

Hanoi initially planned to build a racing circuit around Hoan Kiem Lake at the center of the city. But city officials have decided to move the project to a site west of Hanoi near My Dinh National Stadium, where the roads are wider.

Agence France-Presse cited F1 race director Charlie Whiting last month, reporting that he visited the site and was confident that it would be ready for the 2020 season. The race would take place on existing roads, but some sections would need to be built.

According to a report on Nikkei