During the 6th Session on November 23, the National Assembly decided against the passage of the amended Law on Credit Institutions. Despite several approved contents compared to the draft presented at the 5th Session, the Assembly opted to allow relevant agencies to further research, absorb, and revise the submitted draft.
The revised Draft Law now comprises 15 chapters and 203 articles, an increase of 2 chapters and 8 articles. The amendments include 158 revised articles in comparison to the version presented at the 5th Session. The development of the draft aligns with the policy of restructuring the credit institutions system, refining monetary and banking institutions in line with market principles, and ensuring system safety, health, and stability. The focus is on enha[inline_related_posts title=”You Might Be Interested In” title_align=”left” style=”list” number=”3″ align=”none” ids=”” by=”tags” orderby=”rand” order=”DESC” hide_thumb=”no” thumb_right=”no” views=”no” date=”yes” grid_columns=”2″ post_type=”” tax=””]ncing transparency, competition, and adopting international best practices while incorporating new development trends.
The specific changes in the draft law encompass regulations addressing the manipulation and domination of credit institutions. These include adjustments to regulations on related persons to suit the type of PCF, altering the share ownership ratio for individual shareholders to 5%, and stipulating a roadmap to gradually reduce credit limits. The draft also emphasizes governance and management capabilities, limiting the abuse of major shareholders’ rights and enhancing transparency in operating activities.
Financial, accounting, and reporting aspects of credit institutions are addressed in the draft law, including concepts of charter capital, revenue recognition principles, and regulations on increasing charter capital for state-owned commercial banks. Early intervention measures have been revised, giving the Prime Minister authority over special loans to controlled credit institutions in specific cases.
Risk provision regulations have been restructured, now being regulated by the Government instead of the Governor of the State Bank. The draft law also introduces changes to various areas such as letters of credit, license granting authority, standards for managers and executives, information disclosure, and the operations of non-bank credit institutions.
A new chapter on Policy Bank with 11 articles has been added. The National Assembly proposes the development of a separate Law on public banks to create a clear legal basis for their operation.
Recognizing the complexity and sensitivity of this law project, the National Assembly deems it crucial for national financial security and the safety of the credit institutions system. They emphasize the need for meticulous research on a scientific and practical basis to ensure the law’s quality and avoid inadequacies that could impact the banking system and socio-economic activities. Consequently, the Assembly has decided not to pass the Draft Law during the 6th Session, intending to consider and pass it at the next session, allowing ample time for thorough study and review by relevant agencies.
China has recently exempted several countries from visa requirements, including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia. This exemption will be in effect from December 1, 2023 to November 30, 2024, and will allow holders of ordinary passports from these countries to travel, work, visit relatives and friends, and transit for up to 15 days in China without the need for a visa.
However, those who do not meet the visa exemption requirements will still need to apply for a visa before entering China. This move by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is aimed at promoting people-to-people exchanges and supporting high-quality development and strong economic growth.
Vietnam has been experiencing a significant rise in its tourism industry, with a substantial increase in the number of Korean tourists visiting the country in the first nine months of 2023. According to immigration data, Vietnam ranked second among the favorite tourist destinations for Koreans, with Da Nang being the most popular city. The country also made it to the list of the top five countries with the most number of passengers using flights.
Vietnam’s top ten international tourist markets include Korea, mainland China, America, Taiwan (China), Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Australia, and Singapore. Japanese tourists have been the most frequent visitors to the country, closely followed by Korean tourists. Vietnam’s warm weather and relatively low prices compared to Korea are some of the reasons why it has become a favorite destination among Korean tourists. They also enjoy exploring the country’s scenic destinations such as Ba Na Hills, Hoi An, Ha Long, and Sa Pa.
Travel businesses have expressed their optimism about the future of Vietnam’s tourism industry, with many Korean tourists expected to visit the country in the coming months and early 2024. Overall, this trend is a positive development for Vietnam’s economy and its growing tourism sector.
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of individuals and entrepreneurs choosing to invest in franchises. From well-known fast food chains to niche fitness studios, franchises have become a favoured alternative for those looking to start their own business. But what exactly is propelling this trend?
This article will examine the reasons why franchises are becoming a popular option for aspiring entrepreneurs and how they can offer an irregular opportunity for success and expansion. So, if you’re contemplating investing in a franchise, keep reading to discover why it could be an intelligent move for your future.
What are Franchises, and Where can Franchises be Found?
Franchises are business models in which a company grants individuals the right to operate a branch of their business under their brand name. These individuals, known as franchisees, are provided with a proven business model, training, and ongoing support from the franchisor. Franchises can be found in miscellaneous industries, including food and beverage, retail, healthcare, fitness, and more. They can be located in shopping centres, high streets, industrial areas, or even online using popular directories of franchises for sale. From popular fast food chains like McDonald’s and Subway to boutique fitness studios like F45 and Pure Barre, franchises are everywhere, presenting myriad opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Unveiling the Rise of Franchises
Over the past few years, franchises have experienced a significant surge in popularity. This can be attributed to several facets, such as the desire for established business models and the support provided by franchisors. Franchises offer individuals the chance to become their own boss, while still benefiting from the resources and expertise of a more prominent brand. This attraction has led to an upsurge in the number of franchise opportunities available in different industries. As more people become aware of the advantages and potential success of franchise ownership, the rise of franchises is probable to persist.
Understanding the Appeal of Franchises
The appeal of franchises lies in the unique combination of independence and support they offer to aspiring entrepreneurs. By investing in a franchise, individuals can become their own boss and have the freedom to run their own business. At the same time, they benefit from the proven business model, training, and ongoing support the franchisor supplies. This allows them to dodge the pitfalls of starting a business from scratch and boosts their probability of success. Franchises also provide a feeling of security, as they are associated with established brands and have a higher likelihood of enticing customers. Overall, franchises offer an exceptional opportunity for individuals to reach their business goals with the backing of a larger brand.
Things to Consider Before Venturing into a Franchise Business
Before diving into a franchise business, a few essential factors must be considered. Firstly, research the franchise thoroughly and ensure it aligns with your interests and goals. Look into the company’s reputation, financial stability, and success rate. It’s also crucial to understand the franchise agreement and any fees involved. Take into account the level of support and training provided by the franchisor, as well as the ongoing expenses and royalties you will need to pay. Lastly, consider the location and market potential for the franchise in your desired area. Considering these factors will help you make an informed decision and increase your chances of success in the franchise business.
The Future of Franchising
As the popularity of franchises continues to grow, the future of franchising looks bright. With their advantages, such as a proven business model and ongoing support, franchises provide a viable option for entrepreneurs looking for a successful venture. The franchising industry constantly evolves and adjusts to emerging customer trends and demands. This means there will always be new opportunities for aspiring franchisees to explore, whether in emerging or existing industries. As the franchise market expands, it opens doors for individuals to achieve their business goals and flourish under the umbrella of established brands.
Conclusion
In a world where entrepreneurship is ascending, franchises offer individuals a distinctive opportunity to achieve their business objectives. The allure lies in the combination of independence and support that franchises provide. Aspiring entrepreneurs can become their own bosses while benefiting from a proven business model and ongoing support from the franchisor. With the constant evolution of the franchising industry, new opportunities are constantly emerging. As more people recognise the potential for success and the advantages franchises offer, it’s clear that investing in a franchise is a smart move for those looking to secure their future in business.
Công ty TNHH Bảo hiểm Nhân thọ Prudential Việt Nam (“Prudential”) đăng cai tổ chức Hội nghị Định phí Bảo hiểm Việt Nam 2023 (Vietnam Actuarial Conference 2023 – VAC 2023). Hội nghị có sự tham dự của hơn 350 chuyên gia trong và ngoài nước, cùng thảo luận về chủ đề “Kỷ nguyên mới của ngành bảo hiểm” (The Next Insurance Era).
Hội nghị Định phí Bảo hiểm Việt Nam là sự kiện thường niên lớn nhất ngành Bảo hiểm. Bên cạnh sự góp mặt của Cục Quản lý và Giám sát Bảo hiểm (Bộ Tài chính), Hiệp hội Bảo hiểm Việt Nam (IAV) và Hiệp hội Định phí Hoa Kỳ (SOA), VAC 2023 còn quy tụ các đại diện đến từ 19 doanh nghiệp Bảo hiểm Nhân thọ (BHNT), các nhà tái Bảo hiểm quốc tế hàng đầu như RGA (Hoa Kỳ), Swiss Re (Thụy Sĩ), Gen Re (Hoa Kỳ), Pacific Life Re (Hoa Kỳ), Scor (Pháp) và Munich Re (Đức) và một số trường Đại học lớn của Việt Nam.
Hơn 350 khách mời tham dự Hội nghị Định phí Bảo hiểm Việt Nam 2023 với chủ đề “Kỷ nguyên mới của ngành bảo hiểm”
Với chủ đề “Kỷ nguyên mới của ngành bảo hiểm”, VAC 2023 đem đến một góc nhìn toàn cảnh về thị trường Bảo hiểm tại Việt Nam thông qua 4 bài tham luận của các chuyên gia đến từ RGA, Swiss Re, Gen Re và Pacific Life Re xoay quanh các chủ đề phân tích vai trò của chuyên gia định phí và ngành Bảo hiểm trong việc đáp ứng nhu cầu của khách hàng, Bacassurance 2.0 và các sản phẩm thế hệ mới giúp nâng cao trải nghiệm khách hàng, áp dụng các phương pháp phân tích dữ liệu hiện đại để tối ưu hóa quy trình thẩm định, và ứng dụng học máy (machine learning) để thẩm định và dự đoán rủi ro Bảo hiểm.
Phát biểu mở đầu sự kiện, bà Lý Thị Thu Thủy, Trưởng phòng Bảo hiểm Nhân thọ, Cục quản lý, giám sát bảo hiểm, Bộ Tài chính chia sẻ: “Tôi đánh giá rất cao những nội dung được thảo luận trong sự kiện ngày hôm nay. Đây thực sự là dịp tốt để cho tất cả các bạn hoạt động trong ngành định phí Bảo hiểm có cơ hội được cập nhật những kiến thức, cũng như nội dung mới từ các đồng nghiệp, các chuyên gia nước ngoài. Đồng thời, đây cũng là cơ hội để giao lưu, học hỏi và lan toả tình yêu đối với nghề định phí Bảo hiểm”.
Bà Lý Thị Thu Thủy, Trưởng phòng Bảo hiểm Nhân thọ, Cục quản lý, giám sát bảo hiểm, Bộ Tài chính phát biểu mở đầu sự kiện
Trải qua năm 2023 đầy thăng trầm và biến động, VAC 2023 là sự kiện quy tụ toàn ngành bảo hiểm cùng chung tay khôi phục niềm tin thị trường, mở ra một chương mới hướng tới sự phát triển bền vững. Ông Phương Tiến Minh,Tổng Giám Đốc Prudential Việt Nam chia sẻ tại Hội nghị: “Những thử thách và thay đổi trong năm 2023 đã mở ra kỷ nguyên mới cho ngành Bảo hiểm Nhân thọ tại Việt Nam, đặc biệt sau khi Thông tư 67 của Luật Kinh doanh Bảo hiểm ra đời vào ngày 2/11 vừa qua. Kỷ nguyên mới của ngành cần sự chung tay của tất cả các bên để mang lại sự tăng trưởng bền vững và đặt khách hàng làm trọng tâm”.
Ông Phương Tiến Minh, Tổng Giám Đốc Prudential Việt Nam phát biểu tại Hội nghị
Nổi bật trong hội nghị VAC 2023 là phiên tọa đàm với chủ đề “Mở khóa Tăng trưởng Bền vững: Ứng dụng ESG trong Bảo hiểm Nhân thọ”được điều phối bởi ông Trần Thanh Phong, Phó Tổng Giám đốc Marketing của Prudential Việt Nam, cùng với sự tham dự của 3 đại diện tới từ RGA, Swiss Re và Gen Re.
Ông Trần Thanh Phong, Phó Tổng Giám Đốc Prudential Việt Nam (ngoài cùng bên trái) cùng đại diện đến từ các công ty tái Bảo hiểm: RGA, Gen Re và Swiss Re trong phiên tọa đàm với chủ đề “Mở khóa Tăng trưởng Bền vững: Ứng dụng ESG trong Bảo hiểm Nhân thọ”
Phiên tọa đàm đi sâu phân tích về chiến lược ESG trong ngành Bảo hiểm, các thực hành ESG của các doanh nghiệp tại Việt Nam cũng như bài học kinh nghiệm từ các thị trường phát triển.
Bà Elena Quek – Giám đốc Phát triển Kinh doanh thị trường Đông Nam Á, Công ty tái Bảo hiểm Quốc tế RGA chia sẻ một gợi ý cho các doanh nghiệp Bảo hiểm tại Việt Nam:
“Trên hành trình cùng Chính phủ Việt Nam hiện thực hóa mục tiêu 15% dân số tham gia Bảo hiểm Nhân thọ vào năm 2025, các doanh nghiệp Bảo hiểm nói chung và bộ phận Định phí Bảo hiểm (Actuary) nói riêng cũng như các nhà hoạch định chính sách cần đặc biệt chú ý tới nhóm dân số già (trên 65 tuổi). Việt Nam đang trải qua giai đoạn già hóa dân số nhanh. Dự đoán tới năm 2050 Việt Nam sẽ có thêm 17 triệu người già. Đây là nhóm dân số cần được bảo vệ. Và đây cùng là một trong những khía cạnh liên quan tới yếu tố Xã hội của ESG”.
Ở chiều ngược lại, có thể thấy khách hàng ngày càng nhận thấy tầm quan trọng của ESG. Họ có xu hướng tìm đến các DNBH có các sản phẩm hướng đến ESG, thể hiện quan điểm, mục tiêu đạo đức và giá trị của mình thông qua các quyết định tài chính. Cũng có thể nói rằng khẩu vị của khách hàng đang dẫn dắt thị trường, khi các DNBH đang đưa ra những chính sách mới liên quan đến ESG và cải thiện tính minh bạch của mình trong thực hành ESG để đáp ứng kỳ vọng của khách hàng. Hơn nữa, những tiến bộ công nghệ, đặc biệt là phân tích dữ liệu, đang giúp các công ty bảo hiểm đánh giá rủi ro và cơ hội ESG hiệu quả hơn, cho phép họ đưa ra quyết định đầu tư và thẩm định sáng suốt hơn.
Ông Phương Tiến Minh, Tổng Giám Đốc Prudential Việt Nam cảm ơn các đơn vị tài trợ đã đồng hành cùng Hội nghị.
Thông qua VAC 2023, các công ty BHNT và các đối tác đã cùng nhau nêu bật tầm quan trọng của chuyển đổi công nghệ, tầm nhìn đặt khách hàng làm trọng tâm, và hướng tới phát triển bền vững bằng cách thực hành chiến lược ESG.
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Về Prudential Việt Nam
Công ty TNHH Bảo hiểm Nhân thọ Prudential Việt Nam (Prudential) là thành viên thuộc Tập đoàn Prudential plc, tập đoàn cung cấp các giải pháp bảo hiểm nhân thọ, sức khỏe và quản lý tài sản tại 24 thị trường trên khắp Châu Á và Châu Phi. Sứ mệnh của Prudential là trở thành người bạn đồng hành và người bảo vệ đáng tin cậy nhất cho các thế hệ hôm nay và mai sau, thông qua việc cung cấp các giải pháp tài chính và sức khỏe đơn giản và dễ tiếp cận.
Với 24 năm hoạt động tại Việt Nam, Prudential đã và đang phục vụ 7 triệu lượt khách hàng và không ngừng tập trung mở rộng thị trường bảo hiểm nhân thọ, thay đổi nhận thức của mọi người về bảo hiểm. Prudential hiện giữ vị trí số 1 tại thị trườngViệt Nam và vị trí số 6 toàn cầu về số lượng MDRT* với 1.976 thành viên.
Thực hiện cam kết đảm bảo an toàn tài chính cho khách hàng, trong 6 tháng đầu năm 2023, Prudential đã chi trả tổng quyền lợi bảo hiểm 5.977 tỷ đồng, chiếm 23% tổng số chi trả của toàn ngành bảo hiểm nhân thọ tại Việt Nam.
Với khẩu hiệu “Lắng nghe. Thấu Hiểu. Hành động.”, Prudential khẳng định cam kết luôn đặt khách hàng làm trọng tâm trong mọi hoạt động, mang đến những giải pháp sáng tạo và toàn diện để bảo vệ an toàn tài chính, giúp khách hàng gia tăng tài sản và chủ động làm chủ các kế hoạch trong cuộc đời của mình.
Global Beauties, a famous beauty site, has recently released its annual ranking of the top 10 countries in the world of beauty. The ranking is based on the performance of each country’s representatives in five major beauty pageants: Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss International, Miss Grand International, and Miss Supranational. According to Global Beauties, all contests except Miss World have already taken place.
Vietnam is ranked 9th place on the list of GB Country of the Year 2023
Peru is currently leading the rankings with a total of 4,875 points. This is due to their impressive wins in the Miss Grand International contest, as well as strong showings in other pageants such as Miss Supranational and Miss Universe. Following closely behind are Venezuela with 3,676 points, Colombia with 3,375 points, Nicaragua with 3,003 points, Thailand with 2,875 points, Ecuador with 2,753 points, Philippines with 2,626 points, Puerto Rico with 2,225 points, Vietnam with 1,976 points and the Dominican Republic with 1,526 points.
Dang Thanh Ngan (4th runner-up Miss Supranational) and Nguyen Phuong Nhi (Top 15 Miss International) helped Vietnam win achievements in beauty contests
Vietnam, which is ranked 9th on the list, has had an impressive year in terms of beauty pageant achievements. Le Hoang Phuong, Dang Thanh Ngan, and Nguyen Phuong Nhi have all placed highly in various pageants. However, Bui Quynh Hoa did not win any prizes in Miss Universe.
Miss World is the only contest that has not yet taken place this year and is scheduled to be held in March 2024. Beauty contestant Huynh Nguyen Mai Phuong will be representing Vietnam in the competition, and will compete against approximately 100 other contestants from around the world. Huynh Nguyen Mai Phuong expressed her determination to showcase Vietnam’s beauty and capabilities to the world and stated that she will do her best to not disappoint anyone.
The bank will start its crypto services to customers in Vienna in partnership with Bitpanda.
Austria’s Raiffeisen Bank International will roll out cryptocurrency trading services to retail customers by the end of January 2024.
The service will initially be offered to customers in Vienna, where the 97-year-old bank is headquartered, and be provided in association with cryptocurrency exchange Bitpanda, which signed a letter of intent with the bank earlier this year.
“We are starting in Vienna where about a quarter of Austria’s population lives,” Curt Chadha, the bank’s head of innovation, said in an interview. “The customer can use their mobile device to enter Bitpanda through the Raiffeisen app. The experience will be familiar, so confirming a trade will work exactly like an account-to-account bank transfer with the same sort of security customers are used to.”
The move by the bank, which has some $215 billion in assets and 17.8 billion customers across the European Union and eastern Europe, is another sign of crypto adoption ramping up, particularly in jurisdictions where clarity around rules is emerging.
Chadha said the service is aimed at customers who are digital savvy, but perhaps only want to make a small investment, as opposed to offerings from other banks, which are aimed at wealthy individuals with millions to invest.
Bitpanda, which was founded in Vienna in 2014, is under the supervision of the FMA in Austria and BaFin in Germany, and enables firms to offer regulated trading, investment, and custody services for stocks/ETFs, cryptocurrencies, precious metals, and commodities.
It appears bitcoin holders are not planning on offloading inventory at these price levels or any time soon, one observer said.
The percentage of Bitcoin’s (BTC) circulating supply that was last active on-chain at least a year ago has reached a record high of 70.35%, surpassing the previous peak of 69.35% in July, according to data tracked by blockchain analytics firm Glassnode.
The new lifetime high reflects “a strong belief from bitcoin’s holder base in the wake of crypto-wide contagion and macro headwinds after its all-time highs in 2021,” according to Reflexivity Research.
The percentage of supply that has not moved on-chain in two, three, and five years is also at their respective lifetime highs. It shows long-term investors are in no mood to sell even after bitcoin has more than doubled to $37,000 this year.
“While higher prices will ultimately incentivize new sellers, with Bitcoin up over 100% in the same time period, it appears Bitcoin holders are not planning on offloading inventory at these price levels or any time soon,” Reflexivity Research said in a note to clients.
These metrics, however, may not paint an accurate picture once the financialization of bitcoin through alternative investment vehicles like spot-based exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and cash-settled futures gathers pace.
For instance, in the ETF case, an issuer, with the help of the authorized participant, will pool the cryptocurrency and move it to custody, where it sits idle (inactive). However, investors will still take bullish/bearish trades on an exchange through the ETF units.
The Thang Long Imperial Citadel and Cultural Heritage Site in Hanoi hosted the opening ceremony of “The Fourth Vietnam Cultural Heritage Festival – 2023”, organized by the UNESCO Center for Culture and Sports Development (Vietnam Union of UNESCO Associations) and the Thang Long Heritage Conservation Center – Hanoi. The event showcased various unique forms of Vietnamese cultural and artistic heritage, including the elegant áo dài performance by young designers and traditional folk games.
The Ao Dai performance in the collection “Fragrance of Hanoi” by designer Duong Quynh Giang
The program aimed to celebrate the noble values of Vietnamese cultural heritage, promote its value, and contribute to its sustainable conservation. Mr. Nguyen Phuc Luu, Director of the UNESCO Center for the Development of Culture and Sports, emphasized the importance of honoring Vietnam’s cultural heritage and recognizing it as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
This cultural festival provided an excellent opportunity for domestic and foreign communities, friends, and international visitors to experience and enjoy the rich cultural heritage of Vietnam. The previous three festivals have left remarkable artistic impressions, showcasing various national cultural heritage performances and practices.
Da Lat has been recognized as a UNESCO Creative City for music, with various music stages that play a key role in promoting tourism development. Aside from music, the products of this city also contribute significantly to the tourism industry. The natural persimmon gardens, for instance, are integrated with coffee shops and check-in points that are particularly attractive to young people. During the weekends, these gardens are usually teeming with tourists.
Persimmon gardens charge a fee of about 20,000 – 30,000 VND/person, some places are even free. Visitors can buy persimmons to support the garden owner.
As tourism services in Da Lat continue to evolve, destinations like the persimmon gardens are constantly being updated to keep up with the changing times. These changes not only attract visitors from other cities but also provide new and interesting experiences for locals. Many gardeners now choose to plant persimmon varieties that bear fruit late into January, extending the tourist season and providing an additional boost to the tourism industry. Although the persimmon season typically ends in late November and early December, these efforts to extend the season are a testament to the city’s dedication to promoting tourism.
According to Insider Monkey magazine, Vietnam ranks 12th among the countries with the best quality of life in Asia.
The 12 countries with the best quality of life in Asia include Singapore, Japan, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Brunei, Qatar, Malaysia, Bahrain, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Bhutan, and Vietnam.
To rank these 12 Asian countries with the best quality of life, the economic magazine Insider Monkey considers three indices: Human Development Index (HDI), the economic freedom index, and the efficiency of the government.
Notably, Vietnam is ranked 12th on the aforementioned list, with an HDI report of 0.703 in 2021. According to the World Bank, Vietnam has a government efficiency index of 59.43%. The economic freedom index for the country is 61.80 this year.
Vietnam has impressive indicators to achieve a significant increase in quality of life.
Economic experts recognize Asia as a diverse region with some countries making significant progress in improving the quality of life. However, nations must continue to enhance investment, implement suitable demographic planning efforts, and promote gender equality initiatives to transition from poverty and underdevelopment to secure, prosperous, and improved quality of life states.
Despite these challenges hindering progress, many Asian countries are implementing progressive strategies to enhance quality of life by striving to increase GDP, improve public purchasing power, and enhance access to economic resources, welfare, and services.
According to the “Overview of Quality of Life Across Asia: A Sociological Assessment” study by a sociologist, Asian countries are continuously competing to improve their quality of life. This research highlights key factors such as education, income, employment, health, and the environment influencing quality of life in the region.
Currently, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reports that the Asia-Pacific region has a GDP of 37.04 trillion USD, with a growth rate of 4.4% projected until 2023. The average GDP per capita in the region is 8,390 USD. Inflation in the region is forecasted to decrease from 4.4% in 2022 to 3.6% in 2023 and 3.5% in 2024.
Some users have reported that YouTube is intentionally slowing down on the Firefox browser, causing slower upload speeds compared to Chrome.
According to Neowin, if the user’s internet connection is stable, it seems that the issue may be related to performance and hardware optimization for Firefox, such as poor hardware acceleration support or other issues related to system resources.
YouTube runs on Firefox “delayed” 5 seconds compared to Chrome
The issue is that users notice a 5-second delay when loading YouTube videos on the Firefox browser, and this delay disappears when YouTube is tricked into thinking that the video is running on Chrome using a User Agent switch. This suggests that YouTube seems to intentionally load slowly on the Firefox browser, which is a competitor to Chrome.
In fact, this issue is not entirely surprising as similar allegations occasionally arise because browser companies often take measures to compete for market share or increase user numbers. With Google owning Chrome and YouTube, the company has a reason to limit access speed to the largest video social network on rival browsers.
This issue does not occur when using uBlock Origin, so if users find it inconvenient to load YouTube in 5 seconds on Firefox and do not want to use the User Agent switch workaround, they can resort to using uBlock.
The Vietnam-Korea Friendship Cultural Festival will return on December 2nd and 3rd at Tran Van Lai Street, Hanoi.
Numerous musical activities by Korean artists will take center stage during the Vietnam-Korea Friendship Cultural Festival. This year’s festival, themed “The Journey Together,” will be held on December 2nd and 3rd at Tran Van Lai Street, Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi.
Lanterns with Korean and Vietnamese flags during a festival connecting the two countries last year
On the first day of the festival, traditional Korean folk music performances will be presented by groups such as Chuncheon nongak, Hanaesori, the classical music groups Pilgrim and Lieblings. Vietnamese young singers, including Hoang Ton and Liz Kim Cuong, will also perform at the opening ceremony.
The second day of the Vietnam-Korea Friendship Cultural Festival will feature traditional Korean instrumental groups and a B-boy performance by a popular Korean dance group. Notably, the “legendary singer” Wax will also make an appearance. She is highly regarded for her songs that evoke nostalgia and awaken deep emotions from the past.
The organizers of the Vietnam-Korea Friendship Cultural Festival stated that they carefully considered the selection of suitable guests. “In Vietnam, the youth are very interested in the festival, so we invited young artists to participate. Meanwhile, the Korean community in Vietnam is relatively older, so we chose Wax,” said Mr. Park Jongil, the representative of the organizing committee.
Speaking about the influence of artist Wax, Mr. Park Jongil compared her popularity, stating that in Korea, whenever people sing karaoke, her songs are frequently chosen. Wax is admired not only by older audiences but also by younger fans.
The theme of this year’s event was chosen in the context of the two countries upgrading their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The Vietnam-Korea Friendship Cultural Festival will continue to be held on Tran Van Lai Street, a densely populated area with a significant Korean community, bringing together the distinctive cultural and culinary features of Korea.
Ms. Chang Eun Sook, President of the Korean Association in Hanoi, mentioned that besides the cultural gala, the event will include activities such as photography, traditional games, traditional costumes, etc. These activities are a collaboration with the Korean Cultural Center, aiming to provide visitors with an immersive experience. Approximately 500 lights will be hung along Tran Van Lai Street in the evening to add to the festive atmosphere.
The organizers of the Vietnam-Korea Friendship Cultural Festival 2023 hope that this will become an annual cultural event, symbolizing harmony between the two countries. It is also expected to contribute to making the My Dinh Riverside Urban Area, where Tran Van Lai Street is located, more well-known and establish it as a symbol of the Korean community in Vietnam.
Previously, in 2022, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and South Korea, the Vietnam-Korea Friendship Cultural Festival took place on Tran Van Lai Street, attracting over 150,000 participants.
Two cities in Vietnam are on the list of preferred destinations for Indian tourists, amidst a context where the people of this country are favoring domestic tourism over international travel.
In the list of the top 10 preferred destinations for Indian tourists, Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) ranks 6th, and Hanoi ranks 8th. This holds significant meaning as currently, only about 1% of Indian tourists travel abroad, with the majority preferring domestic tourism. This trend has emerged since the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the booking platform Booking.com and the consulting company McKinsey, Indians undertook 1.7 billion trips in 2022, with only 1% of these being international travel.
Indian tourists prefer to travel domestically
This trend is expected to continue until 2030. A report released in October forecasts that Indian tourists will undertake 5 billion trips in 2030, with 99% of them being domestic.
The most populous country globally is anticipated to become the fourth-largest spender in tourism by 2030, primarily due to the increasing average income and household income expected to rise by an additional $35,000 per year by that time. Concurrently, spending on tourism and travel by Indian tourists is predicted to reach $410 billion – an increase of over 170% compared to $150 billion in 2019.
Moreover, according to McKinsey, the population of India is youthful, with an average age of 27.6, which is 10 years younger than most major economies.
Currently, the most visited destinations by Indian tourists are large cities, but there is a notable trend towards an increasing preference for smaller cities.
The deal also removes the final hurdle before approval of a spot bitcoin ETF, the report said.
While Binance experienced minor outflows of less than $1 billion following the news of the settlement with the U.S. government, there was no major panic from customers, and it remains the dominant crypto exchange internationally, with $67 billion of customer funds under custody, broker Bernstein said in a research report Wednesday.
“Binance’s reputation with retail non-U.S. customers has remained strong through the crisis,” analysts led by Gautam Chhugani wrote.
Binance will remain a “material entity in non-U.S. markets,” but Bernstein says it expects increased competition from the likes of listed rival Coinbase (COIN) and new exchanges in regulated markets such as Hong Kong and Singapore.
Bernstein says the crypto exchange has adequate funds to settle the $4.3 billion fine while maintaining healthy operations.
“Binance’s complete exit from the U.S would mean continued dominance of onshore and incumbent exchanges in the U.S.,” the authors wrote, noting that asset managers who have filed exchange-traded fund (ETF) applications are already working with exchanges such as Coinbase for prime broking and custody.
“In our view, this is the final straw before the establishment feels comfortable to approve a regulated bitcoin ETF,” they wrote.
Crypto services provider Matrixport says that while the plea deal does not include the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), it is a very favorable outcome for Binance founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao and the company itself, and the firm will likely remain a top-three exchange in the near term.
“With this plea deal, the expectations for a spot bitcoin ETF might have increased to 100% as the industry will be forced to follow the rules that TradFi firms must follow,” wrote Markus Thielen, head of research at Matrixport, referring to traditional finance.
