Anthony Bourdain spent countless weeks on the road every year exploring different cultures and inviting viewers of his TV shows to join him on his culinary adventures around the world. However, the late author and celebrity chef, who died of suicide earlier this summer, credited Vietnam as the place that really changed his life.
Now, one travel company is making it easy to explore the country Bourdain loved so much just as he did with a brand new 14-day tour that hits nine cities and retraces the globe-trotting chef’s footsteps there.
The itinerary for A Tribute to Anthony Bourdain: Taste of Vietnam was curated by the Vietnam-based tour company Exotic Voyages, and takes travelers on a 14-day, 13-night excursion around the Southeast Asian country visiting a number of the eateries featured in various episodes Bourdain filmed there, among many other activities. The tour is also led by Diep Nguyen, who worked with Bourdain on the 2016 Parts Unknown episode through North Vietnam.
The tour is jam-packed and guaranteed to give you a great taste of the country’s rich culture, kicking off in Ho Chi Minh City with a clay pot rice dinner at a Bourdain favorite, Com Nieu restaurant, which can be seen in episode 10 of No Reservations’ fifth season. Then, after catching a show at the Opera House, it’s off to the Ben Tre province, and a cruise along the Chet Say River. Some other highlights include a stop at the Japanese Thanh Toan Bridge, a visit to Hoi An’s Central Market, and a scooter tour through Phung Hung Street in Hanoi. The Hanoi stop also includes a jaunt to the small restaurant where Bourdain famously dined with President Barack Obama (the chairs and table they sat at are now preserved in a glass case).
As with any trip befitting of Bourdain, there will also be plenty of opportunities to enjoy Vietnam’s many delicious street foods.
The tour is all-inclusive, which means all meals, accommodations, and transportation are covered (except for airfare to and from Ho Chi Minh). That also means that it’s pretty pricey, with rates starting at $3,755 per person. Still, for any Bourdain super-fan out there looking to see Vietnam like the man himself, you really can’t do much better.
If you’re interested, read up on all the details and secure a reservation at ExoticVoyages.com
Two founders of Vietnamese tech companies were listed in the Southeast Asia’s top 30 tech founders this year by technology and start-up platform techinasia.com.
They are Tran Ngoc Thai Son, founder of e-commerce platform Tiki, and Le Hong Minh, CEO of VNG Group.
According to a report on VNS, Southeast Asia is home to many smart and inspirational founders who have started companies that have fetched millions or even billions of dollars in funding.
In the past two years, funding raised by the region’s start-ups rose threefold, soaring from 2.52 billion USD in 2016 to 7.86 billion USD in 2017.
Southeast Asia’s top 30 tech founders list features entrepreneurs who run a start-up and they are ranked based on their personal track record and their firms’ public data (funding, revenue and valuation), using data from the past two years.
They are placed into three groups based on their company’s size: the up-and-comers, established entrepreneurs and industry giants.
Singapore is home to the top 20 founders while Indonesia has four.
Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia each have two in the list.
Le Hong Minh, VNG CEO, an established entrepreneur, turned his interest in gaming into a sprawling business. He helped make VNG into one of Vietnam’s largest internet companies, focusing on online gaming and content, social networking and e-commerce.
VNG has been expanding rapidly since its establishment in 2017. It reported a record 186.3 million USD in revenue and 41 million USD in net profit last year, up 41 percent and 70 percent year-on-year, respectively.
Tran Ngoc Thai Son, founder of Tiki, an e-commerce platform that sells more than 300,000 products in 12 categories, is among the outstanding up-and-comers.
Two years after foundation in 2012, Tiki raised funding from CyberAgent Ventures and became the only e-commerce company to receive capital from Japanese Sumitomo Corporation. It also has drawn interest of Chinese e-retailer JD.com, which joined its series C funding round in 2017.
It claims to have the lowest return rate among all Vietnam-based ecommerce companies, and that it has grown in triple-digit rates six years in a row.
Tiki is planning to raise a series D funding round to finance the development of new services and mobile applications.
The organiser Vietnam National Trade Fair and Advertising Company said equipment for professional and individual sports, multi-functional gym systems, swimming pools, franchise of sport centres, vitamin supplements for sport players, health index gauging tools, and sport fashion will be displayed on a site of over 3,000 sq.m.
Major brands in professional sport equipment and infrastructure such as Sodex Toseco, Mizuno, Dong Luc, Delta, or sport fashion such as Anta, 361 Sport, Alzado, Attivo and Bigfun will join the event – Vietnamnet reported.
The show will offer promotions and seek partners in building sport centres, franchise or distribution.
According to Google Vietnam, words related sports were common in terms of searching.
In another study, the topic of sports ranked second on the media in terms of discussions with 18 percent, only behind music (20 percent) and above movie (17 percent).
At present, roughly 20 percent of Vietnamese population play sports, equivalent to 18 million which is increasing. High achievements at domestic and foreign tournaments also encourage physical exercises and sports playing at all ages.
South Korea beat Vietnam 3-1 in the Asian Games semi-finals on Wednesday thanks to Lee Seung-woo’s double and if they retain the title it would have significant ramifications for striker Son Heung-min’s professional career – Reuters reported.
Son, who plays for Premier League club Totttenham Hotspur, provided the assist for the second goal before being substituted in the 72nd minute. He would be exempted from mandatory military service if South Korea win the competition.
All able-bodied South Korean men must complete 21 months service in the military as a deterrent against the North, but exemptions are offered to athletes who win gold at the Asian Games or a medal of any colour at the Olympics.
“We deserved to win, we had lots of chances to score,” 26-year-old Son said after the victory. “I think we are better players so we dominated the game.”
The champions, who will play Japan or the United Arab Emirates in Saturday’s final, grabbed an early lead when Lee scored the first of his two goals with a left-foot shot after Hwang Ui-jo tumbled trying to meet the through pass.
Hwang made amends just before the half-hour when Son fed him a through pass which he chipped over goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung.
Vietnam’s occasional attacks mostly faltered before reaching the opposition box and South Korea keeper Jo Hyeon-woo was barely tested by a couple of tame long-range strikes.
Lee scored again 10 minutes into the second half when he latched onto a pass from Hwang Hee-chan.
Vietnam finally got on the scoresheet when Tran Minh Vuong buried a curling free-kick into the net in the 70th minute.
Son said neither he nor his team mates felt any pressure.
“We are so close to gold. We fight for that. I don’t need to say anything, I am ready for that.”
The defeat broke the hearts of hundreds of Vietnamese who thronged the Pakansari Stadium blowing vuvuzela, playing cymbals and waving flags.
Tommy Nguyen, a tour guide, said at least 300 Vietnam fans made a one-day trip to Jakarta to watch the match.
“We love the Vietnamese under-23 team, especially the Korean coach (Park Hang-seo),” said Ngo Thanh Tung, a fan from Halong Bay.
“That’s why even though we had to cross such a distance, are tired and had to pay a lot of money, we are here today,” added the 40-year-old.
Writing by Amlan Chakraborty in Jakarta, editing by Ken Ferris
Vietnam attracted foreign direct investment (FDI) of nearly 19.1 billion U.S. dollars in the first eight months of this year, showing a year-on-year decline of 4 percent, according to a report by Vietnam’s Foreign Investment Agency on 29 August 2018.
Specifically, the country licensed 1,918 fresh FDI projects with total registered capital of roughly 13.5 billion U.S. dollars, up 18.1 percent in project number and up 0.2 percent in registered capital, while seeing 736 operational FDI projects increase their capital by nearly 5.6 billion U.S. dollars, down 12.8 percent against the same period last year. Xinhua reported.
“Most of the enquiries send to us for investment consulting services came from small and medium investors, while last year we spent more times for large size investors”, said Ms. Sophie Dao, Partner of GBS, a legal and business consulting firm in Vietnam.
Among the FDI of nearly 19.1 billion U.S. dollars in the eight-month period, 48.8 percent was poured into the local processing and manufacturing sector, and 28.8 percent in real estate trading, said the agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment.
The capital city of Hanoi got the biggest amount of registered capital of 5.1 billion U.S. dollars, accounting for 37.8 percent of the total, followed by the southern province of Ba Ria Vung Tau with 13.1 percent, and the southern province of Binh Duong with 4.9 percent.
Japan was the biggest investor with more than 5.8 billion U.S. dollars, making up 43.4 percent of the total, tailed by South Korea with 20.9 percent, and Singapore with 7 percent.
From January to August, realized capital of FDI projects in Vietnam stood at nearly 11.3 billion U.S. dollars, up 9.2 percent on-year, the agency said.
In the period, foreign investors also spent roughly 5.3 billion U.S. dollars buying shares or contributing capital to Vietnamese firms, up 50.9 percent.
Hanoi, the heart of Vietnam, is appreciated by millions of international visitors thanks to its centuries old French style architecture, diverse culture, attractive points of interest, friendly people and superb cuisine. Check out our tips to explore the best Hanoi has to offer.
Best time to travel
Autumn, which falls from early September to late November, is an ideal time to visit Hanoi. The weather is milder and drier, without the scorching sun of summer, making it the perfect time for sightseeing.
However, visiting Hanoi later in the year is also an interesting experience as holidaymakers can enjoy hot and tasty dishes in the chilly winds of winter.
Autumn in Hanoi falls from early September to late November
How to get there
There are a lot of airlines providing flights to Hanoi from all around the world, including Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, Jetstar and Qatar. Visitors can also get in by train or sleeper bus.
Where to go and what to do
Hanoi’s Old Quarter is the highlight of the city’s tourism sector. With its dense population and busy trading activities, it is an ideal place to explore the traditional and unique features of Hanoi.
While Ho Chi Minh City is famous for Bui Vien, which is dubbed “Western street” for backpackers, Hanoi’s Old Quarter is known for its “international crossroad” at Luong Ngoc Quyen – Ta Hien intersection, where visitors can have a few cold and fairly cheap fresh beers at the end of the day for a price of only VND10,000 (US$0.43) for a tall glass.
Hanoi’s Old Quarter is known for its “international crossroad” at Luong Ngoc Quyen – Ta Hien intersection
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is a place you shouldn’t miss when in Hanoi. This was the place where President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, marking the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
The mausoleum is open to visitors every day, except Mondays and Fridays. Visitors to the site are required to wear appropriate clothes and to act with respect. The site is free for Vietnamese citizens, while foreigners have to pay VND25,000 for a ticket to the Ho Chi Minh Museum and VND25,000 to the President’s stilt house.
Another must-see tourist attraction in Hanoi is the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s oldest university. Tickets cost VND30,000, people with disabilities and students with ID cards enjoy a 50% discount, while children under 15 can visit free.
Where to eat and drink
Pho (Vietnamese noodles) is a perfect choice to start a new day in Hanoi. With prices ranging from VND25,000 to VND40,000, Pho can be served at any time of the day in Hanoi. Two of the most popular types of pho are beef noodle soup and chicken noodle soup.
Other suggestions for breakfast include banh cuon (steamed rice pancake rolls), mien luon (vermicelli with eels), xoi (sticky rice), and of course, banh mi (fresh bread with tasty fillings).
Bun cha, a delicious and filling dish comprising charred and crispy slices of seasoned pork served with a bowl of fish sauce-heavy broth, a basket of herbs and rice noodles, can cost from just VND25,000 to VND35,000. Bun cha often comes with the delicious nem cua be (fried crab spring rolls).
Afternoon is a great time to have a cup of egg coffee. You might have to pay VND15,000 to VND20,000 to savour the creamy, rich taste of a sweet and eggy custard poured onto the dense Vietnamese coffee.
Afternoon is a great time to have a cup of egg coffee.
Fruit juices, smoothies and che (sweet beverages) are available at kiosks along Dinh Tien Hoang and Nguyen Huu Huan streets around Hoan Kiem (Sword lake).
For dinner, cha ca (grilled catfish seasoned with dill and shrimp paste) is a can’t miss dish for visitors to Hanoi. When the dark of night fills the sky, visitors can join Hanoians at the bustling corner of Ta Hien – Luong Ngoc Quyen streets to taste the iconic street food of Hanoi, including nem chua ran (fried fermented pork rolls), nem chua nuong (grilled fermented pork rolls), grilled chicken feet, and roasted quails with honey.
Where to stay
Over recent years, the home stay industry has mushroomed in Vietnam and Hanoi in particular, with prices ranging from VND 550,000 to VND1.5 million per night for a room.
Some suggestions include O’Hanoi (33B Pham Ngu Lao), Tuti Downtown (98 Hang Buo), and Little prince home (8B Yen Hoa).
There are also budget hostels with full accommodation and equipment from VND200,000 to VND800,000. For those who want to enjoy a luxury retreat in Hanoi, there are many five-star hotels such as the Sheraton and Sofitel Metropole.
How to get around Hanoi
You can take a taxi, a xe om biker or a bus to get around Hanoi. If you are brave enough to ride a bike through the hectic streets of Hanoi alone, you can hire a bike for between VND50,000 and VND150,000 a day to save money.
The red open top buses take visitors to the 30 most popular local tourist attractions
Recently, the city has launched a double-decker city Hop on – Hop off tour, offering visitors three price options, starting at VND 300,000 for a ticket valid for four hours, VND 450,000 for 24 hours, and VND 650,000 for 48 hours.
The red open top buses cover a route of 25 streets with 13 stops, taking visitors to the 30 most popular local tourist attractions. The 13.8 km tour operates from 9am to 5pm daily with a frequency of 30 minutes.
The Legislature is poised to OK the addition of freeway signs promoting the city-designated Vietnamese business and cultural hub in San Diego’s mid-city area. The move is the latest effort to brand the Little Saigon Cultural and Commercial District in City Heights as a destination.
The resolution from Assemblyman Todd Gloria, D-San Diego, directs Caltrans to price out the cost of cultural landmark signs for the Little Saigon region, which the Little Saigon San Diego Foundation will cover.
Gloria said the highway postings are a step toward a larger goal.
“Our vision for Little Saigon is something similar to what we now have in Little Italy. A number of years ago it wasn’t what it is now, but now it’s where everyone wants to go,” the Democratic lawmaker said.
The Assembly must still approve Senate amendments to the resolution, but a Caltrans spokesman said discussions with the Little Saigon San Diego Foundation are already underway.
The city of San Diego formally recognized the six-block region along the border of the City Heights and Talmadge communities in 2013. The area recently received a new mural from a traveling artist, and the Foundation is part of a collaborative art project to collect and present stories from the Vietnamese community.
Community groups also plan to include the Little Saigon region in its application for a state-designated multicultural district.
Communities of cultural and historic significance must meet certain criteria before a freeway sign will be considered, and it doesn’t appear that legislative action is always required. According to a Senate analysis, there wasn’t clear indication Caltrans would move forward with the signs even though the area met requirements.
“The author has received mixed messages from Caltrans over how to ensure the signs are erected. This resolution is the surest way,” the analysis said.
Mai House Hospitality Group has appointed UK firm Mace to project manage the construction of a new luxury golf and hotel resort in Hoi An, Vietnam.
Designed to resemble a Vietnamese lantern, the five-star Mai House Hoi An resort will be on the main beach road between Hoi An and Danang, covering a gross floor area of 105,000 sq m.
It will be the first hotel project secured by Mace’s Vietnam business, which will provide design, project and construction management.
Mace said the resort has been designed in the style of a Vietnamese lantern and has been modelled on the Burj al-Arab in Dubai, but on a greater scale.
It will have 300 rooms, 50 villas, 100 apartments, and 100 shop houses in front of the golf course, Montgomerie Link.
John Campbell, General Director for Mace Vietnam said: “We are very excited to be involved in this iconic five star hotel project. The work done with the client over the last six months has paid off and the delivery promises to be an exciting one for all involved.”
After several delays, Hong Kong-based Suncity Group has finally completed its acquisition of a 34% stake in a Vietnam casino and resort.
In its filing with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Suncity said the purchase was completed on Aug. 28, noting that, “Upon completion, the target has become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company.”
Paul How reported on Calvinayre, Suncity completes purchase of Vietnam casino stakeThe ‘target’ in this case is Star Admiral Ltd., which Suncity bought a 100% stake in and which will be sold to Suncity Chairman Alvin Chau Cheok Wa’s Goal Summit. The casino and resort will be built in HoiAn in Central Vietnam.
In a separate filing, the company reported a RMB1.65-billion ($242 million) loss for the first half of 2018, after last year’s RMB633-million ($93-million) loss for the corresponding period.
The company’s revenue from January to June 2018 amounted to RMB456 million ($67 million), 25.9% higher than last year for the same period. “The increase was mainly attributable to the continuous growth in sales of travel related products and services and the new source of income from provision of hotel and integrated resort management and consultancy services since the second half of 2017,” the statement read.
The purchase agreement to acquire the 34% stake for $76.8 million was initially entered into in July 2017, with the closing of the deal being pushed back to March, then to July, then finally to end of August. The delay, Suncity has said, involved waiting for approval from the bank that had lent the money to developer Hoi An South Development Ltd. Other partners in the Hoiana project are VinaCapital Group from Vietnam, as well as a subsidiary of Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Ltd. from Hong Kong.
The construction of the resort will consist of seven phases, the first of which will include a casino with 1,000 slot machines and 140 gaming tables, a hotel and a golf course.
Suncity has stated interest in acquiring more casinos, and has been looking in South Korea, the Philippines, Russia and Myanmar, as part of a shift from being top gaming promoter to also a gaming operator.
An international packaging and printing industry exhibition, 2018 Vietnam Print Pack Foodtech, kicked off here Wednesday Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam.
There are over 380 firms from 11 countries and regions to participate the event.
The firms from such countries as Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, South Korea and Vietnam, are showcasing their latest printing and packaging products, accessories and technologies at 500 booths.
During the four-day expo, a seminar on 2D and 3D printing technologies and their applications in Vietnam will be held, said the Ho Chi Minh City Printing Association
Huntsman Corporation (The Woodlands, TX, US) announced Aug. 23 that it has opened a multi-purpose facility at the Amata Vietnam Industrial Park, near Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
The site is a greenfield investment for the company and will house Huntsman’s Polyurethanes and Advanced Materials businesses, comprising manufacturing, R&D capabilities, a technical service center, warehouse and distribution space and a commercial office.
Huntsman’s CEO Asia Pacific and president of the Polyurethanes business, Tony Hankins, says, “Vietnam is one of the largest and fastest growing countries in Asia Pacific. For Polyurethanes, we’ve seen double digit growth rates for a sustained period and fully expect this to continue. At the new site, we’ll manufacture formulated systems for the footwear and automotive markets; rigid insulation foam used in construction and cold chain applications; and simulated wood for the furniture market. These products will be consumed primarily in Vietnam, with the balance being exported to Cambodia. The facility will enable Huntsman to collaborate more effectively with Vietnamese customers and will also strengthen our strategy of globalizing downstream bolt-on acquisitions.”
Scott Wright, president of Huntsman’s Advanced Materials business adds, “This is the first manufacturing expansion investment outside China for our business in Asia Pacific and we see many opportunities in Vietnam to support large-scale infrastructure and construction projects in one of the fastest growing economies in the region. The new plant will give us the capability to efficiently supply customers across the ASEAN region with high quality electrical insulation, coatings and adhesive solutions that will ensure these ambitious projects are implemented successfully.”
In addition to this facility, Huntsman has a distribution warehouse located in the inland container depot at Long Binh – Dong Nai Province, and a site in Hanoi which offers technical service and comprises warehouse and distribution space, and a commercial office.
Central bank appears to be striving to reduce risks from dollar transactions
Vietnam plans to officially allow the use of the Chinese yuan for trading goods in its northern border towns, the central bank said on Wednesday.
According to a report on Nikkei, the State Bank of Vietnam announced on its website that merchants, residents and related banks and institutions engaged in cross-border trade will be authorized to use the yuan, or the Vietnamese dong, to settle transactions starting on Oct. 12.
The central bank did not provide further details, but many economists see the decision as an attempt to reduce foreign exchange risks from current trading practices.
Trade between Vietnam and China exceeds $100 billion, and most transactions are settled in U.S. dollars. This creates a forex hazard for both sides.
The trade war between the U.S. and China is only exacerbating those concerns. With tensions escalating, the yuan has weakened 6% against the greenback in the last six months, partly because Beijing is seen as intentionally devaluing its currency to make its goods more competitive. Meanwhile, the dong has weakened only 2% in the same period, mostly due to U.S. Federal Reserve rate increases that have pulled money out of emerging markets.
“Vietnamese exporters to China are losing competitiveness” because of the dong’s strength relative to the yuan, said Nguyen Tri Hieu, a Vietnamese economist. “The situation is even widening Vietnam’s trade deficit with China.”
In border towns on Vietnam’s side, the yuan has been widely used — albeit illegally — for years. Tran Long, a Vietnamese trader living a few kilometers from the border crossing in Mong Cai, said he uses yuan to pay for just about everything in the city.
“If the yuan is legalized and freely used in Vietnam, trade with China for Vietnamese companies will be more convenient,” he told the Nikkei Asian Review.
Beijing, for its part, has been pushing to internationalize its currency as a means of settlement. Last year, China’s Global Times newspaper quoted Beijing’s ambassador to Hanoi, Hong Xiaoyong, as saying that “the use of yuan [in Vietnam] helps to promote stable, balanced and sustainable growth in bilateral economic and trade exchanges.”
Vietnam’s decision to allow the yuan in “some specific areas could be a step toward this currency’s internationalization, as the yuan is playing a more and more important role among the world’s currencies,” Hieu said.
The central bank’s move comes about a week after Tran Quoc Vuong — a permanent member of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee’s Secretariat and a potential candidate for party chief — visited Beijing and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Aug. 20.
Vietnam’s inspirational run at Asian Games 2018 finally came to an end on Wednesday as they were beaten 3-1 by Korea Republic in the semi-finals.
It took the South Koreans just seven minutes to break the deadlock at the Pakansari Stadium, when Lee Seung-woo reacted quickest to a loose ball inside the box and sent a left-footed effort arrowing into the top corner.And, two minutes before the half-hour mark, Hwang Ui-jo doubled their advantage when he beat the offside trap to run onto Son Heung-min’s incisive pass and coolly clipped a shot past Bui Tien Dung.
The contest was then effectively over ten minutes into the second half when Lee once again benefitted from a touch of fortune.
Celebration time for Son Heung-min and Korea Republic.
Having made a charge towards the opposition goal, the Hellas Verona starlet then sent a pass in search of Hwang Hee-chan but desperate defending by a Vietnam defender – also named Bui Tien Dung – saw him make the interception.
However, the ball fell kindly back to Lee, who had made a good follow-up run, and he was left with the simple task of poking the ball into the unguarded goal.
To their credits, the Vietnamese refused to give in and actually created a number of good openings, but were just lacking that extra bit of quality to match it with a team like Korea Republic.
But, in the 70th minute, Vietnam did grab a consolation courtesy of a fine effort by substitute Tran Minh Vuong, who lined up a 25-yard freekick before curling away a sublime effort that had Cho Hyun-woo – South Korea’s hero at the 2018 FIFA World Cup – beaten all ends up.
While they may have been defeated, Vietnam certainly gained plenty of admirers along the way and still have a chance to claim the bronze medal when they meet either Japan or United Arab Emirates in Saturday’s third place playoff.
VIETNAM: Bui Tien Dung, Pham Xuan Manh, Do Duy Manh, Tran Dinh Trong, Bui Tien Dung, Vu Van Thanh, Luong Xuan Truong (Tran Minh Vuong 46’), Pham Duc Huy (Nguyen Van Quyet 31’), Nguyen Quang Hai, Phan Van Duc, Nguyen Anh Duc (Nguyen Cong Phuong 76’).
KOREA REPUBLIC: Cho Hyun-woo, Kim Moon-hwan, Cho Yu-min, Kim Min-jae, Kim Jin-ya, Kim Jung-min, Lee Jin-hyun, Hwang Hee-chan, Lee Seung-woo (Hwang Hyun-soo 85’), Son Heung-min (Lee Si-young 72’), Hwang Ui-jo (Na Sang-ho 59’).
For the first few days following his disappearance‚ the family of Tyrone Lee Coetzee searched high and low for him in South Africa‚ declaring him missing.
On Tuesday‚ however‚ news broke that the former Ferndale High School pupil had since been sentenced to death for smuggling cocaine into Vietnam from Brazil. His sister Chantal had taken to Facebook in 2016 to plead for assistance in finding him. “Tyron Lee Coetzee has been missing since the beginning of June (last contact was on 30th May). If anyone has seen him or heard from him more recently‚ or has any information about where he was living or working‚ or his current whereabouts‚ please contact me or my mother‚ Joanne Coetzee or the police urgently‚” she wrote.
According to a report by Nalledi Shange on SowetanLIVE, missing Children South Africa had also reported him missing in June last year‚ the group said on its Twitter page. Coetzee was last seen on his way to Port Elizabeth in May 2016‚ the group said. Reuters quoted the Ho Chi Minh City Law newspaper as saying that the 34-year-old was arrested in June 2016‚ carrying 1.46 kg of cocaine in his luggage. “He confessed to Vietnamese investigators that he had been hired by a Nigerian man to smuggle cocaine into Ho Chi Minh City from Brazil‚ via a transfer in Dubai‚” the newspaper reported‚ adding that Coetzee had been offered $3‚500 (R50‚000) to carry the drugs.
Coetzee’s trial began in May last year but was temporarily suspended after he said he suffered from schizophrenia‚ according to the newspaper.
Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Lindiwe Sisulu said an official from South Africa was in court when Tyrone was handed his sentence on Tuesday.
“The family of the man has been informed of the latest developments and the department is rendering consular support to them‚” Sisulu said in a statement.
“The department will continue to monitor the case and will take the lead from the concerned citizen with regard to the possibility of appealing the sentence.”
Sisulu expressed concern at the number of South Africans who are currently in prison in foreign jails‚ adding that there were around 800 of them.
“The department once again calls on South Africans traveling abroad to familiarize themselves with the legal and cultural practices of the countries they are visiting. South Africans are warned against taking part in any unlawful activities.”
Often when a country is looking to improve its residents’ lifestyles, they look at modernizing and building new infrastructure. As a resident of your own country, you could agree with the fact that new infrastructure give positive results for your personal life.
According to an article, posted by Chris Price on Techdigest, not to mention when the modernizing deals with the transportation system; that’s always a good way to go. Vietnam’s infrastructure is undergoing ambitious redevelopments and with a big project ahead that will touch on several areas around the country, the final outcome is looking better than ever.
With a focus on the industrial hubs and the coastal areas, Vietnam’s prime minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has set his aim on increasing the infrastructure spending budget. The decision is made on the basis of wanting to improve Vietnam’s stance both domestically and internationally. In fact, the Vietnamese government recently announced a budget of $921 million for the project- a large sum that can only have you imagine the level of development that Vietnam will undergo.
Although the project touches upon several different fields, there are a few that will have a bit more follow up. For example, one of the first redevelopments will be the construction of new roads spanning for 250 kilometers, along with a wastewater management system.
Furthermore the project also has a plan for 8 specific areas, all of which are coastal locations. The aim is to attract private investors and the headquarters they would then go to build in these areas; specifically industrial parks and technological hubs. With the presence of private investors and their resulting input, Vietnam would then be able to compete more, and better, with its neighboring South East Asia countries.
Nevertheless, the project is ambitious and imaginative, but also quite pricey. A 2016-2017 report by the World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Report shows Vietnam as 79th out of 138 countries in terms of infrastructure quality. What’s more is that it also placed 77th for the quality of its ports, and 89th for its roads. And although the project is going to take time before its full competition, there have already been important improvements.
For example, the upgraded railway connection between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, the modernization of the Vietnamese road networks that feature only 20% of its roads paved, and the construction of new electricity plants that go on to serve the largest city’s needs.
Both the rankings and the recent developments show that Vietnam is on its way to bigger and better things. With a steady project as the backbone and a serious budget to work with, the Global Infrastructure Outlook has reported that if Vietnam keeps its current pace, the country will meet 83% of its infrastructure needs by 2040. Will it stop there? Let’s hope not!
