10:41' 28/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge - The Sao Khue Awards have been presented to 47 individuals, organisations and businesses, who have made a significant contribution to developing Vietnam’s software industry and information and communications technologies (ICT).
The fifth Sao Khue Awards ceremony took place in Hanoi on April 27 in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Thien Nhan as well as the wining individuals and businesses.
The Sao Khue Awards ceremony has been held by the Vietnam Software Association (VINASA) since 2003 to honour individuals, organisations and businesses who have promoted outstanding software products.
In his speech, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan praised the efforts made by the sector in producing advanced software programmes to serve the country’s socio-economic development needs.
Although the Vietnamese software industry’s earnings reached US$500 million in 2007, a four-fold increase over the 2003 level of US$120 million, the country is facing major opportunities and challenges in the international integration process. Therefore, the ICT sector needs to devise a long-term development strategy with a focus on developing human resources so that Vietnam will have approximately 1 million competent ICT employees by 2015, said Mr Nhan.
The 2008 Sao Khue Awards included 8 prizes for individuals, 8 prizes for outstanding software businesses, 17 prizes for commercial software products, 4 prizes for software services, 3 prizes for e-commerce products and 7 prizes for new software products.
Among the 47 Sao Khue Award winners, only one individual was honoured. He is Chu Hao, former Deputy Minister of Science and Technology and former Head of National Steering Committee for Information Technology (NSCIT).
A new feature of the Sao Khue Awards was that “The Golden partner of Vietnam’s software industry” title was presented for the first time to eight International ICT groups, including IBM, Oracle, Microsoft, Motorola, HitachiSoft, Canon IT Solutions, Harvey Nash and Agilis.
The businesses receiving the Sao Khue Awards will be supported by VINASA in order to develop their trademarks and expand their markets.
Monday 28 April 2008
Friday 25 April 2008
Local social networks and financial worries
09:36' 24/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge – Social networks are mushrooming in Vietnam and all of them are trying to lure members. They are ready to invest without profit for 1-2 years to earn millions of USD in the future.
Vietnamese websites which allow users to create their own contents like Ngoisaoblog.com, Clip.vn, Cyworld.vn, Yobanbe.vn, Cyvee.com, Phununet.com, Henantrua.com, etc. are being invested in by adventure investment funds, local firms or funds from groups of people sharing the same interests.
The first pressure for any social network is the number of members who join the site to share articles, music, video clips, pictures, etc. More access to the site means higher expenditures for hiring server (around $200 for 100GB per month), except for other expenditures for staff, office, telephone, Internet, equipment, etc.
“We have been operating for nearly two years as a free, attractive playground for the young, but it is time for us to seek ideas or advertisements to create revenues,” said a representative of Ngoisaoblog.
Two major money-making solutions used by social networks are online advertisement and selling accompanied services. Most social networks in Vietnam are selling advertisements, for example Clip.vn with banners on its page and inside video clips. Phununet.com, a social network for Vietnamese women, has signed tens of advertising contracts.
Cyworld, meanwhile, earns real money from selling online assets. Users can buy virtual assets on Cyworld by sending SMS to buy chestnuts, which is used as money to buy furniture, pets, landscapes and even friends to decorate their online houses.
Henantrua.com is a newcomer but to become a member, users have to send SMS to activate their membership. However, as users hope to have a lunch date with a girl or a boy through Henantrua, this social network may develop. To attend a Henantrua offline event, members have to pay VND100,000/event. This site also sells online assets like motorbikes, etc.
To earn high revenues, social networks in Vietnam will have to use both of the above models. “We have just signed a strategic partnership contract with AdMax, Asia’s top online advertising network, to launch an online advertising channel for Vietnamese women. We also have online services on PhunuNet.com and LopViet.com where transaction fees are calculated based on virtual currency MCoin,” said Harry Do, General Director of Vinalive, the owner of phununet.com.
“Members can do business and earn money through cookery or shopping guides, etc. We have accepted investing in the site for 1-2 years for big achievements in the future,” he added.
VietNamNet Bridge – Social networks are mushrooming in Vietnam and all of them are trying to lure members. They are ready to invest without profit for 1-2 years to earn millions of USD in the future.
Vietnamese websites which allow users to create their own contents like Ngoisaoblog.com, Clip.vn, Cyworld.vn, Yobanbe.vn, Cyvee.com, Phununet.com, Henantrua.com, etc. are being invested in by adventure investment funds, local firms or funds from groups of people sharing the same interests.
The first pressure for any social network is the number of members who join the site to share articles, music, video clips, pictures, etc. More access to the site means higher expenditures for hiring server (around $200 for 100GB per month), except for other expenditures for staff, office, telephone, Internet, equipment, etc.
“We have been operating for nearly two years as a free, attractive playground for the young, but it is time for us to seek ideas or advertisements to create revenues,” said a representative of Ngoisaoblog.
Two major money-making solutions used by social networks are online advertisement and selling accompanied services. Most social networks in Vietnam are selling advertisements, for example Clip.vn with banners on its page and inside video clips. Phununet.com, a social network for Vietnamese women, has signed tens of advertising contracts.
Cyworld, meanwhile, earns real money from selling online assets. Users can buy virtual assets on Cyworld by sending SMS to buy chestnuts, which is used as money to buy furniture, pets, landscapes and even friends to decorate their online houses.
Henantrua.com is a newcomer but to become a member, users have to send SMS to activate their membership. However, as users hope to have a lunch date with a girl or a boy through Henantrua, this social network may develop. To attend a Henantrua offline event, members have to pay VND100,000/event. This site also sells online assets like motorbikes, etc.
To earn high revenues, social networks in Vietnam will have to use both of the above models. “We have just signed a strategic partnership contract with AdMax, Asia’s top online advertising network, to launch an online advertising channel for Vietnamese women. We also have online services on PhunuNet.com and LopViet.com where transaction fees are calculated based on virtual currency MCoin,” said Harry Do, General Director of Vinalive, the owner of phununet.com.
“Members can do business and earn money through cookery or shopping guides, etc. We have accepted investing in the site for 1-2 years for big achievements in the future,” he added.
VTN opens ICT demonstration areas
15:53' 25/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam Telecom National Company (VTN) under the Vietnam Post and Telecommunication Group yesterday opened its information and communication technology (ICT) demonstration areas in Hanoi and HCMC on the Internet Protocol-Next Generation Network (IP-NGN) foundation.
Visitors, living in Hanoi and HCMC, are testing telepresence service of VTN which was launched in the two cities yesterday.
The service, conducted in collaboration with Hanoi City's Post and Telecommunication Department, is the first technology of its kind in the country.
Nguyen Thanh Khiet, deputy general director of VTN, said at the press meeting on Tuesday that with the latest technology, its demonstration areas will offer various added-value services on the basis of IP-NGN foundation for enterprises, organizations and individuals.
These services include internet Protocol IP Centrex (virtual exchange), telemeeting, telepresence, video conference, Internet Protocol Virtual Private Network (IP VPN) and other information technology applications.
The company offers various information technology solutions like Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Enterprises Resource Planning for enterprises. Additionally, it will supply Wifi Access, Voice over Internet Protocol, Internet Protocol and other solutions.
Khiet said that VTN is the first telecom company to offer telepresence service on IP-NGN advanced technology in the country.
He told the Daily that his company would focus on developing the telemeeting service as it promises high potential owing to the increasing demand for online meetings.
"We recognize an increasing demand among State agencies and enterprises for telemeeting and telepresence services that will help them reduce expenditures for organizing meetings and paperwork for business operations," he said.
According to Khiet, the Government Office now is its first client using telepresence. The Government will use the service for meetings to save on cost and time.
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung will chair the first telepresence meeting this Sunday to discuss inflation, micro-economic stabilization, social welfare and sustainable development.
The meeting will be conducted via nine telepresence locations in Hanoi, Hai Phong, Nghe An, Danang, Khanh Hoa, Daklak, HCMC and Can Tho.
Aside from State agencies, VTN will also target finance and insurance businesses and foreign-invested companies who have high demand for telepresence. Currently, these businesses account for 60% of VTN's turnover a year.
Khiet told the Daily that to expand its business VTN will move its demonstration area in HCMC's District 10 to District 1 in the city downtown to better serve enterprises and organizations.
"Now, the facility is located in District 10, which is far from the city's heart. Thus, it is difficult for us to operate business," he added.
Currently, VTN will offer telepresence meeting price at around VND10mil each hour.
Founded in 1990, VTN is a 100% state-owned subsidiary company of Vietnam Post and Telecommunications (VNPT). For more than a decade of development, VTN has become one of the leading companies in telecommunications networking in Vietnam with its four interprovincial exchanges in Hanoi, Danang, HCMC and Can Tho.
VTN has modern transmission networks, Synchronous Digital Hierachy (SDH) microwave links, and optical fiber cable network with backbone system capacity of up to 20 GB/s and a Next Generation Network (NGN).
VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam Telecom National Company (VTN) under the Vietnam Post and Telecommunication Group yesterday opened its information and communication technology (ICT) demonstration areas in Hanoi and HCMC on the Internet Protocol-Next Generation Network (IP-NGN) foundation.
Visitors, living in Hanoi and HCMC, are testing telepresence service of VTN which was launched in the two cities yesterday.
The service, conducted in collaboration with Hanoi City's Post and Telecommunication Department, is the first technology of its kind in the country.
Nguyen Thanh Khiet, deputy general director of VTN, said at the press meeting on Tuesday that with the latest technology, its demonstration areas will offer various added-value services on the basis of IP-NGN foundation for enterprises, organizations and individuals.
These services include internet Protocol IP Centrex (virtual exchange), telemeeting, telepresence, video conference, Internet Protocol Virtual Private Network (IP VPN) and other information technology applications.
The company offers various information technology solutions like Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Enterprises Resource Planning for enterprises. Additionally, it will supply Wifi Access, Voice over Internet Protocol, Internet Protocol and other solutions.
Khiet said that VTN is the first telecom company to offer telepresence service on IP-NGN advanced technology in the country.
He told the Daily that his company would focus on developing the telemeeting service as it promises high potential owing to the increasing demand for online meetings.
"We recognize an increasing demand among State agencies and enterprises for telemeeting and telepresence services that will help them reduce expenditures for organizing meetings and paperwork for business operations," he said.
According to Khiet, the Government Office now is its first client using telepresence. The Government will use the service for meetings to save on cost and time.
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung will chair the first telepresence meeting this Sunday to discuss inflation, micro-economic stabilization, social welfare and sustainable development.
The meeting will be conducted via nine telepresence locations in Hanoi, Hai Phong, Nghe An, Danang, Khanh Hoa, Daklak, HCMC and Can Tho.
Aside from State agencies, VTN will also target finance and insurance businesses and foreign-invested companies who have high demand for telepresence. Currently, these businesses account for 60% of VTN's turnover a year.
Khiet told the Daily that to expand its business VTN will move its demonstration area in HCMC's District 10 to District 1 in the city downtown to better serve enterprises and organizations.
"Now, the facility is located in District 10, which is far from the city's heart. Thus, it is difficult for us to operate business," he added.
Currently, VTN will offer telepresence meeting price at around VND10mil each hour.
Founded in 1990, VTN is a 100% state-owned subsidiary company of Vietnam Post and Telecommunications (VNPT). For more than a decade of development, VTN has become one of the leading companies in telecommunications networking in Vietnam with its four interprovincial exchanges in Hanoi, Danang, HCMC and Can Tho.
VTN has modern transmission networks, Synchronous Digital Hierachy (SDH) microwave links, and optical fiber cable network with backbone system capacity of up to 20 GB/s and a Next Generation Network (NGN).
Government puts its weight behind paying for copyrights
10:51' 25/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge – Lai Van Hoat, an expert from the National Copyright Office of Viet Nam under the Culture, Tourism and Sports Ministry, spoke to Viet Nam Investment Review about purchasing copyrights for State-owned companies.
Will you briefly explain the new document?
The document is included in a draft of the inter-ministerial circular between the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sports, the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance.
Under the document, the Government provides financial support to agencies (within central and local governments) seeking copyrights from other companies in order to air or distribute literary and artistic works, including performances, sound or visual recordings and broadcasts of scientific and artistic value to the general public. Any work in service of the country’s socio-economic development like information dissemination, diplomatic activities and global integration also applies.
The basic principle of the circular is to support only literary or artistic work that has not been granted financial support by any organisation or individual.
Organisations, individuals or entities operating under the mode of foreign investment will not be entitled to receive the support. Neither will private businesses that are engaged in the cultural field.
What are the steps involved?
Interested parties have to write an annual plan which must be approved by the head of the affiliated agency and submitted to the authorised government agency at the central or local level prior to October 31st every year.
Based on the plans, relevant government agencies in charge of copyrights will form advisory councils to consider the proposals and recommend funds before forwarding them to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sports or the Provincial/City People’s Committee for final approval.
What are the funding levels?
It depends.
If the project meets all the required criteria, it will receive full funding for the copyrights, including remuneration to pay the author and for translation into the Vietnamese language.
What happens if the cost projection is too low or exceeds estimates?
In their proposal, the agencies should list what literary or artistic works they are going to buy and anticipate how much money they will cost.
However, if the projection is insufficient, the agency has to use its own money to fill the gap. Compensation will not be granted for insufficient funds.
In cases where the projection is too high, during their review meeting, the advisory councils will cut it.
The draft document regulates that about 70% of the fund will be advanced and the remainder will be settled when the works are totally completed.
It is expected that the document will be issued in the last quarter of 2008.
VietNamNet Bridge – Lai Van Hoat, an expert from the National Copyright Office of Viet Nam under the Culture, Tourism and Sports Ministry, spoke to Viet Nam Investment Review about purchasing copyrights for State-owned companies.
Will you briefly explain the new document?
The document is included in a draft of the inter-ministerial circular between the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sports, the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance.
Under the document, the Government provides financial support to agencies (within central and local governments) seeking copyrights from other companies in order to air or distribute literary and artistic works, including performances, sound or visual recordings and broadcasts of scientific and artistic value to the general public. Any work in service of the country’s socio-economic development like information dissemination, diplomatic activities and global integration also applies.
The basic principle of the circular is to support only literary or artistic work that has not been granted financial support by any organisation or individual.
Organisations, individuals or entities operating under the mode of foreign investment will not be entitled to receive the support. Neither will private businesses that are engaged in the cultural field.
What are the steps involved?
Interested parties have to write an annual plan which must be approved by the head of the affiliated agency and submitted to the authorised government agency at the central or local level prior to October 31st every year.
Based on the plans, relevant government agencies in charge of copyrights will form advisory councils to consider the proposals and recommend funds before forwarding them to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sports or the Provincial/City People’s Committee for final approval.
What are the funding levels?
It depends.
If the project meets all the required criteria, it will receive full funding for the copyrights, including remuneration to pay the author and for translation into the Vietnamese language.
What happens if the cost projection is too low or exceeds estimates?
In their proposal, the agencies should list what literary or artistic works they are going to buy and anticipate how much money they will cost.
However, if the projection is insufficient, the agency has to use its own money to fill the gap. Compensation will not be granted for insufficient funds.
In cases where the projection is too high, during their review meeting, the advisory councils will cut it.
The draft document regulates that about 70% of the fund will be advanced and the remainder will be settled when the works are totally completed.
It is expected that the document will be issued in the last quarter of 2008.
Government puts its weight behind paying for copyrights
10:51' 25/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge – Lai Van Hoat, an expert from the National Copyright Office of Viet Nam under the Culture, Tourism and Sports Ministry, spoke to Viet Nam Investment Review about purchasing copyrights for State-owned companies.
Will you briefly explain the new document?
The document is included in a draft of the inter-ministerial circular between the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sports, the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance.
Under the document, the Government provides financial support to agencies (within central and local governments) seeking copyrights from other companies in order to air or distribute literary and artistic works, including performances, sound or visual recordings and broadcasts of scientific and artistic value to the general public. Any work in service of the country’s socio-economic development like information dissemination, diplomatic activities and global integration also applies.
The basic principle of the circular is to support only literary or artistic work that has not been granted financial support by any organisation or individual.
Organisations, individuals or entities operating under the mode of foreign investment will not be entitled to receive the support. Neither will private businesses that are engaged in the cultural field.
What are the steps involved?
Interested parties have to write an annual plan which must be approved by the head of the affiliated agency and submitted to the authorised government agency at the central or local level prior to October 31st every year.
Based on the plans, relevant government agencies in charge of copyrights will form advisory councils to consider the proposals and recommend funds before forwarding them to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sports or the Provincial/City People’s Committee for final approval.
What are the funding levels?
It depends.
If the project meets all the required criteria, it will receive full funding for the copyrights, including remuneration to pay the author and for translation into the Vietnamese language.
What happens if the cost projection is too low or exceeds estimates?
In their proposal, the agencies should list what literary or artistic works they are going to buy and anticipate how much money they will cost.
However, if the projection is insufficient, the agency has to use its own money to fill the gap. Compensation will not be granted for insufficient funds.
In cases where the projection is too high, during their review meeting, the advisory councils will cut it.
The draft document regulates that about 70% of the fund will be advanced and the remainder will be settled when the works are totally completed.
It is expected that the document will be issued in the last quarter of 2008.
VietNamNet Bridge – Lai Van Hoat, an expert from the National Copyright Office of Viet Nam under the Culture, Tourism and Sports Ministry, spoke to Viet Nam Investment Review about purchasing copyrights for State-owned companies.
Will you briefly explain the new document?
The document is included in a draft of the inter-ministerial circular between the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sports, the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance.
Under the document, the Government provides financial support to agencies (within central and local governments) seeking copyrights from other companies in order to air or distribute literary and artistic works, including performances, sound or visual recordings and broadcasts of scientific and artistic value to the general public. Any work in service of the country’s socio-economic development like information dissemination, diplomatic activities and global integration also applies.
The basic principle of the circular is to support only literary or artistic work that has not been granted financial support by any organisation or individual.
Organisations, individuals or entities operating under the mode of foreign investment will not be entitled to receive the support. Neither will private businesses that are engaged in the cultural field.
What are the steps involved?
Interested parties have to write an annual plan which must be approved by the head of the affiliated agency and submitted to the authorised government agency at the central or local level prior to October 31st every year.
Based on the plans, relevant government agencies in charge of copyrights will form advisory councils to consider the proposals and recommend funds before forwarding them to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sports or the Provincial/City People’s Committee for final approval.
What are the funding levels?
It depends.
If the project meets all the required criteria, it will receive full funding for the copyrights, including remuneration to pay the author and for translation into the Vietnamese language.
What happens if the cost projection is too low or exceeds estimates?
In their proposal, the agencies should list what literary or artistic works they are going to buy and anticipate how much money they will cost.
However, if the projection is insufficient, the agency has to use its own money to fill the gap. Compensation will not be granted for insufficient funds.
In cases where the projection is too high, during their review meeting, the advisory councils will cut it.
The draft document regulates that about 70% of the fund will be advanced and the remainder will be settled when the works are totally completed.
It is expected that the document will be issued in the last quarter of 2008.
Wednesday 23 April 2008
VND850 billion for aquaculture biotechnology
06:02' 23/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge - More than VND850 billion will be invested in a project to develop and apply biotechnology in the fisheries sector from now until 2020.
The project, presented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development at a conference in Hanoi on April 21, aims to create a breakthrough in aquaculture development and post-harvest technology.
The project will help ensure sustainable development of the fisheries sector and improve the competitive edge of Vietnam’s aquatic products.
The project will focus on preserving and developing gene sources alongside developing new varieties of aquatic products and support research on feed, disease prevention and treatment, and the management of aquaculture environments.
Control of processed product quality, development of an aquatic biotechnological industry, improving human resources and equipment, and promoting international cooperation are also earmarked for attention.
The sector has applied biotechnologies in production and processing, including traditional biotechnologies, however the fisheries still faced many difficulties such as the lack of staff, long-term strategies and the need for more investment.
VietNamNet Bridge - More than VND850 billion will be invested in a project to develop and apply biotechnology in the fisheries sector from now until 2020.
The project, presented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development at a conference in Hanoi on April 21, aims to create a breakthrough in aquaculture development and post-harvest technology.
The project will help ensure sustainable development of the fisheries sector and improve the competitive edge of Vietnam’s aquatic products.
The project will focus on preserving and developing gene sources alongside developing new varieties of aquatic products and support research on feed, disease prevention and treatment, and the management of aquaculture environments.
Control of processed product quality, development of an aquatic biotechnological industry, improving human resources and equipment, and promoting international cooperation are also earmarked for attention.
The sector has applied biotechnologies in production and processing, including traditional biotechnologies, however the fisheries still faced many difficulties such as the lack of staff, long-term strategies and the need for more investment.
Luxoft opens delivery centre in Vietnam
17:07' 23/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge – Luxoft, a Russian provider of high-end software and product development applications, announced it has opened a new delivery centre in HCM City, Vietnam.
The opening marks the first time an Eastern European software service provider has established a presence in Vietnam.
“Companies today are looking for effective ways to cut costs and improve their bottom lines without sacrificing quality. By enhancing our global footprint, we are proactively mitigating our clients’ cost pressures while preserving the culture of innovation, rock solid execution and engineering excellence that customers have come to expect from Luxoft,” said Dmitry Loschinin, CEO and President of Luxoft.
The Vietnam delivery centre is ideally positioned for clients looking to diversify their sourcing geography portfolio and lower their outsourcing costs. It will service both ISV and enterprise customers and will offer a comprehensive set of applications and product development services.
Luxoft’s clients will benefit from Vietnam’s relatively untapped skilled labour force, solid education system, high English proficiency, and competitive cost structure. NeoIT ranked Vietnam's HCM City as the top non-Indian city in its 2006 review of the most competitive cities for outsourcing, based on available labour pool and infrastructure.
“Vietnam’s economy is booming and we offer a skilled workforce, a fast-growing education system, political stability and lower costs. Luxoft is perfectly poised to take advantage of all we have to offer and deliver tangible benefits to its customers worldwide,” said Truong Gia Binh, head of the Vietnam Software Association.
VietNamNet Bridge – Luxoft, a Russian provider of high-end software and product development applications, announced it has opened a new delivery centre in HCM City, Vietnam.
The opening marks the first time an Eastern European software service provider has established a presence in Vietnam.
“Companies today are looking for effective ways to cut costs and improve their bottom lines without sacrificing quality. By enhancing our global footprint, we are proactively mitigating our clients’ cost pressures while preserving the culture of innovation, rock solid execution and engineering excellence that customers have come to expect from Luxoft,” said Dmitry Loschinin, CEO and President of Luxoft.
The Vietnam delivery centre is ideally positioned for clients looking to diversify their sourcing geography portfolio and lower their outsourcing costs. It will service both ISV and enterprise customers and will offer a comprehensive set of applications and product development services.
Luxoft’s clients will benefit from Vietnam’s relatively untapped skilled labour force, solid education system, high English proficiency, and competitive cost structure. NeoIT ranked Vietnam's HCM City as the top non-Indian city in its 2006 review of the most competitive cities for outsourcing, based on available labour pool and infrastructure.
“Vietnam’s economy is booming and we offer a skilled workforce, a fast-growing education system, political stability and lower costs. Luxoft is perfectly poised to take advantage of all we have to offer and deliver tangible benefits to its customers worldwide,” said Truong Gia Binh, head of the Vietnam Software Association.
Laptop gives Wifi market a kick
09:03' 23/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge – Around 320,000 laptops will be sold in Vietnam this year, doubling that of 2007, and along with this the wireless service market will boom, predicts a German market research group, GFK.
Investment wave in Wifi
The bright future for wireless services has urged many companies to invest heavily in this area. HCM City currently has around five providers of wireless services. FPT Telecom is the most outstanding player with a US$1.5 million project to develop a Wifi city initiated in June 2007.
FPT Telecom’s wireless Internet services now cover most banks, hotels and luxurious restaurants in inner HCM City and Hanoi, totalling nearly 5,000 points.
Viettel Mobile has begun testing wireless Internet services by providing free services in some districts in Hanoi and HCM City.
Two CDMA-based mobile networks, S-Fone and EVN Telecom, are implementing wireless Internet services.
No standard wireless model
Though Wifi is praised for its business potentials, telecom firms are hesitating to develop Wifi. Most of them are just testing services.
“After an experimental period, we see space barriers and we are seeking better solutions for these,” said Viettel’s Deputy Director in charge of technology, Hoang Son.
Truong Nguyen Thu Ha, Director of the FPT Telecom’s Added Value Service Development Centre, said a wireless transmitter can cover an area of 30-50m diameter and the coverage is less if there are more walls.
S-Fone’s wireless Internet service for mobile phone is praised for its good quality but the charges are still high. Users have to pay over VND1.5 million (nearly $100) to buy a USB Internet and monthly fees of between VND250,000 and VND400,000 ($15-25).
For EVN Telecom, though the service is wireless, users have to use a slow dial-up connection.
Security is also a problem for wireless Internet services as it is said that hackers can attack computers through Wifi system. Some service providers have warned that as wireless services in Vietnam are in a trial period and there is no standard security model users must protect themselves.
VietNamNet Bridge – Around 320,000 laptops will be sold in Vietnam this year, doubling that of 2007, and along with this the wireless service market will boom, predicts a German market research group, GFK.
Investment wave in Wifi
The bright future for wireless services has urged many companies to invest heavily in this area. HCM City currently has around five providers of wireless services. FPT Telecom is the most outstanding player with a US$1.5 million project to develop a Wifi city initiated in June 2007.
FPT Telecom’s wireless Internet services now cover most banks, hotels and luxurious restaurants in inner HCM City and Hanoi, totalling nearly 5,000 points.
Viettel Mobile has begun testing wireless Internet services by providing free services in some districts in Hanoi and HCM City.
Two CDMA-based mobile networks, S-Fone and EVN Telecom, are implementing wireless Internet services.
No standard wireless model
Though Wifi is praised for its business potentials, telecom firms are hesitating to develop Wifi. Most of them are just testing services.
“After an experimental period, we see space barriers and we are seeking better solutions for these,” said Viettel’s Deputy Director in charge of technology, Hoang Son.
Truong Nguyen Thu Ha, Director of the FPT Telecom’s Added Value Service Development Centre, said a wireless transmitter can cover an area of 30-50m diameter and the coverage is less if there are more walls.
S-Fone’s wireless Internet service for mobile phone is praised for its good quality but the charges are still high. Users have to pay over VND1.5 million (nearly $100) to buy a USB Internet and monthly fees of between VND250,000 and VND400,000 ($15-25).
For EVN Telecom, though the service is wireless, users have to use a slow dial-up connection.
Security is also a problem for wireless Internet services as it is said that hackers can attack computers through Wifi system. Some service providers have warned that as wireless services in Vietnam are in a trial period and there is no standard security model users must protect themselves.
HT Mobile begins shifting subscribers to S-Fone
15:54' 23/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge – As of April 22, HT Mobile, a joint venture between Hanoi Telecom and Hutchison (USA), commenced “sending” its subscribers to S-Fone. This task will last for two months and the firm will officially put an end to its CDMA network on June 21, 2008.
HT Mobile’s subscribers can choose one of two options. They can keep their numbers and phones and use S-Fone services, which employ CDMA technology. In this case, they would still be HT Mobile subscribers, but temporarily use services provided by S-Fone. After two months, they would return to HT Mobile, and at that time HT Mobile would give them new GSM-supported mobile phones which have the same value as their old CDMA-supported phones.
The second option is using services of other mobile networks which use GSM technology. In this case, HT Mobile would partly help its customers to buy new phones.
The shifting service is now being provided at 100 offices of HT Mobile throughout the country. Subscribers can also perform the shift by registering through hot line 123 or sending SMS to 121. In this case they will receive a VND50,000 bonus in their accounts.
HT Mobile joined the telecom market on January 15, 2007, using CDMA 850MHz technology. This company’s goal was to have one million subscribers in 2007 but only achieved half of that. In early January 2008, the network petitioned to change its technology from CDMA to GSM, and the government approved its request.
The firm received a licence to supply e-GSM based mobile services on March 15.
There are six mobile networks in Vietnam, three using GSM technology – VinaPhone, MobiFone and Viettel – and three applying CDMA technology – S-Fone, EVN Telecom and HT Mobile.
VietNamNet Bridge – As of April 22, HT Mobile, a joint venture between Hanoi Telecom and Hutchison (USA), commenced “sending” its subscribers to S-Fone. This task will last for two months and the firm will officially put an end to its CDMA network on June 21, 2008.
HT Mobile’s subscribers can choose one of two options. They can keep their numbers and phones and use S-Fone services, which employ CDMA technology. In this case, they would still be HT Mobile subscribers, but temporarily use services provided by S-Fone. After two months, they would return to HT Mobile, and at that time HT Mobile would give them new GSM-supported mobile phones which have the same value as their old CDMA-supported phones.
The second option is using services of other mobile networks which use GSM technology. In this case, HT Mobile would partly help its customers to buy new phones.
The shifting service is now being provided at 100 offices of HT Mobile throughout the country. Subscribers can also perform the shift by registering through hot line 123 or sending SMS to 121. In this case they will receive a VND50,000 bonus in their accounts.
HT Mobile joined the telecom market on January 15, 2007, using CDMA 850MHz technology. This company’s goal was to have one million subscribers in 2007 but only achieved half of that. In early January 2008, the network petitioned to change its technology from CDMA to GSM, and the government approved its request.
The firm received a licence to supply e-GSM based mobile services on March 15.
There are six mobile networks in Vietnam, three using GSM technology – VinaPhone, MobiFone and Viettel – and three applying CDMA technology – S-Fone, EVN Telecom and HT Mobile.
Tuesday 22 April 2008
VND850 billion for aquaculture biotechnology
06:02' 23/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge - More than VND850 billion will be invested in a project to develop and apply biotechnology in the fisheries sector from now until 2020.
The project, presented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development at a conference in Hanoi on April 21, aims to create a breakthrough in aquaculture development and post-harvest technology.
The project will help ensure sustainable development of the fisheries sector and improve the competitive edge of Vietnam’s aquatic products.
The project will focus on preserving and developing gene sources alongside developing new varieties of aquatic products and support research on feed, disease prevention and treatment, and the management of aquaculture environments.
Control of processed product quality, development of an aquatic biotechnological industry, improving human resources and equipment, and promoting international cooperation are also earmarked for attention.
The sector has applied biotechnologies in production and processing, including traditional biotechnologies, however the fisheries still faced many difficulties such as the lack of staff, long-term strategies and the need for more investment.
VietNamNet Bridge - More than VND850 billion will be invested in a project to develop and apply biotechnology in the fisheries sector from now until 2020.
The project, presented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development at a conference in Hanoi on April 21, aims to create a breakthrough in aquaculture development and post-harvest technology.
The project will help ensure sustainable development of the fisheries sector and improve the competitive edge of Vietnam’s aquatic products.
The project will focus on preserving and developing gene sources alongside developing new varieties of aquatic products and support research on feed, disease prevention and treatment, and the management of aquaculture environments.
Control of processed product quality, development of an aquatic biotechnological industry, improving human resources and equipment, and promoting international cooperation are also earmarked for attention.
The sector has applied biotechnologies in production and processing, including traditional biotechnologies, however the fisheries still faced many difficulties such as the lack of staff, long-term strategies and the need for more investment.
Monday 21 April 2008
Vietnam blasts into satellite age
13:59' 20/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam blasted into the satellite age on April 19 when a rocket launch from South America propelled its first orbiter into space, allowing it to beam home telecoms data and television signals.
The satellite was launched from French Guiana at about 7:15 p.m. local time yesterday (5:15 a.m. Vietnam time today). Vinasat-1, a 2.6-ton craft built by U.S. firm Lockheed Martin for the Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Group (VNPT), is the country’s first telecommunications satellite, providing radio, television and telephone services across the country.
From a command center outside Ha Noi, scientists tracked the Arianespace rocket as it propelled the Vinasat-1 on its path to hover 36,000 kilometers above the equator.
“This project is politically, economically and socially important,” said Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, soon after the launch, noting that it would help to raise Vietnam’s image on the international stage.
He appreciated cooperation from foreign partners in the project and appraised VNPT’s efforts to make the project a success. The PM also congratulated Brazil on the launch of Star One C2.
An Ariane 5 rocket successfully deployed the two satellites for Brazil and Vietnam.
Vietnam Television conducted a live broadcasting program to cover the historic event.
The blast-off represents one great leap for the developing country with patchy phone coverage that only introduced the Internet a decade ago.
The satellite project, worth around US$300 million dollars, “puts Vietnam on the map of the world for using satellite communications,” said Deputy Information and Communications Minister Tran Duc Lai.
“Demand for communications is now booming. Ten years ago we had only fixed telephones. Then we introduced mobiles. In 1997 we started to introduce the Internet,” he said.
“Now there is very high demand. We have around 23 percent of people who can access the Internet. By 2010 the target is to reach 40 percent.”
With the launch from South America, Vietnam blasted itself into the satellite age, putting into space its first orbiter that will beam home telecom data and TV signals.
The US$250 Vinasat-1 project will remove dependence on ground networks and allow 100 percent of the nation’s rural communities to be equipped with telephones and televisions, Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems said. Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. said in an April 17 report that it already rates Vietnam’s Internet development as higher than the average for developing countries, Bloomberg reported.
Vinasat, with a capacity equivalent to 120 television channels, could also bring long-distance learning and tele-medicine to the most isolated regions, said Jim Gribbon, Lockheed Martin’s vice president for Southeast Asia.
With Vinasat now orbiting high above the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea border –casting a “footprint” that spans parts of Japan, Australia and Myanmar – Vietnam hopes to sell excess capacity to its neighbors.
“Other countries, like Thailand and Singapore, have already contacted us," said Lam Hoang Vinh, vice chairman of the Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Group.
Bloomberg said Lockheed Martin was picked in 2006 over competitors including Japan’s Sumitomo Corp. to supply the satellite and control-station equipment. Vinasat-1 has a minimum service life of 15 years, according to Lockheed Martin.
VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam blasted into the satellite age on April 19 when a rocket launch from South America propelled its first orbiter into space, allowing it to beam home telecoms data and television signals.
The satellite was launched from French Guiana at about 7:15 p.m. local time yesterday (5:15 a.m. Vietnam time today). Vinasat-1, a 2.6-ton craft built by U.S. firm Lockheed Martin for the Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Group (VNPT), is the country’s first telecommunications satellite, providing radio, television and telephone services across the country.
From a command center outside Ha Noi, scientists tracked the Arianespace rocket as it propelled the Vinasat-1 on its path to hover 36,000 kilometers above the equator.
“This project is politically, economically and socially important,” said Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, soon after the launch, noting that it would help to raise Vietnam’s image on the international stage.
He appreciated cooperation from foreign partners in the project and appraised VNPT’s efforts to make the project a success. The PM also congratulated Brazil on the launch of Star One C2.
An Ariane 5 rocket successfully deployed the two satellites for Brazil and Vietnam.
Vietnam Television conducted a live broadcasting program to cover the historic event.
The blast-off represents one great leap for the developing country with patchy phone coverage that only introduced the Internet a decade ago.
The satellite project, worth around US$300 million dollars, “puts Vietnam on the map of the world for using satellite communications,” said Deputy Information and Communications Minister Tran Duc Lai.
“Demand for communications is now booming. Ten years ago we had only fixed telephones. Then we introduced mobiles. In 1997 we started to introduce the Internet,” he said.
“Now there is very high demand. We have around 23 percent of people who can access the Internet. By 2010 the target is to reach 40 percent.”
With the launch from South America, Vietnam blasted itself into the satellite age, putting into space its first orbiter that will beam home telecom data and TV signals.
The US$250 Vinasat-1 project will remove dependence on ground networks and allow 100 percent of the nation’s rural communities to be equipped with telephones and televisions, Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems said. Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. said in an April 17 report that it already rates Vietnam’s Internet development as higher than the average for developing countries, Bloomberg reported.
Vinasat, with a capacity equivalent to 120 television channels, could also bring long-distance learning and tele-medicine to the most isolated regions, said Jim Gribbon, Lockheed Martin’s vice president for Southeast Asia.
With Vinasat now orbiting high above the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea border –casting a “footprint” that spans parts of Japan, Australia and Myanmar – Vietnam hopes to sell excess capacity to its neighbors.
“Other countries, like Thailand and Singapore, have already contacted us," said Lam Hoang Vinh, vice chairman of the Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Group.
Bloomberg said Lockheed Martin was picked in 2006 over competitors including Japan’s Sumitomo Corp. to supply the satellite and control-station equipment. Vinasat-1 has a minimum service life of 15 years, according to Lockheed Martin.
Hackers home in on Internet sites
22:28' 20/04/2008 (GMT+7)
The Internet is now a primary conduit for attacks, overtaking general network attacks, and online users are finding it increasingly easy to become victims when visiting everyday web sites, according to the latest report released by Symantec.
The US-based Internet security provider said that the report was derived from data collected by millions of Internet sensors, first-hand research and an active monitoring of hacker communications, and it provided a global view of the state of Internet security.
In the past, users had to visit intentionally malicious sites or click on insidious email attachments to become a victim of a security threat.
"Today, hackers are compromising legitimate web sites and using them as a distribution medium to attack home and enterprise computers," said Stephen Trilling, Symantec’s vice president of Security Technology and Response.
Trilling noticed that attackers were particularly targeting sites that were likely to be trusted by most users, such as social networking sites.
According to the report, attackers were leveraging site-specific vulnerabilities that could then be used as a means to launch other harmful attacks.
During the last six months of 2007, there were 11,253 site-specific and cross-site scripting vulnerabilities reported on the Internet.
However, only 473 (about 4 per cent) of these had been patched by the administrator of the affected web site during the same period, representing an enormous window of opportunity for hackers wanting to launch attacks, the report said.
Phishing also continues to be a problem. In the last six months of 2007, Symantec observed 87,963 phishing hosts – computers that can host one or more phishing web sites.
This was an increase of 167 per cent from the first half of 2007. Eighty per cent of the brands targeted by phishing attacks during the study period were in the financial sector.
The report also found that attackers were seeking confidential end-user information that could be fraudulently used for financial gain, and were less focused on the computer or device containing the information.
In the last six months of 2007, 68 per cent of the most prevalent malicious threats reported to Symantec attempted to compromise confidential information.
Finally, attackers are leveraging a maturing underground economy to buy, sell and trade stolen information. This economy is now characterised by several traits common in traditional economies.
For example, market forces of supply and demand have a direct impact on pricing. Credit card information, which has become plentiful in this environment, accounted for 13 per cent of all advertised underground goods–down from 22 per cent in the previous period and sold for as low as $0.40.
The price of a credit card in this underground market is determined by factors such as the location of the issuing bank.
Credit cards from the European Union, for example, cost more than those from the US, which is most likely due to the smaller supply of cards circulating in the EU making them more valuable to a criminal.
Bank account credentials have become the most frequently advertised item, making up 22 per cent of all goods and selling for as little as $10, according to the report.
The Internet is now a primary conduit for attacks, overtaking general network attacks, and online users are finding it increasingly easy to become victims when visiting everyday web sites, according to the latest report released by Symantec.
The US-based Internet security provider said that the report was derived from data collected by millions of Internet sensors, first-hand research and an active monitoring of hacker communications, and it provided a global view of the state of Internet security.
In the past, users had to visit intentionally malicious sites or click on insidious email attachments to become a victim of a security threat.
"Today, hackers are compromising legitimate web sites and using them as a distribution medium to attack home and enterprise computers," said Stephen Trilling, Symantec’s vice president of Security Technology and Response.
Trilling noticed that attackers were particularly targeting sites that were likely to be trusted by most users, such as social networking sites.
According to the report, attackers were leveraging site-specific vulnerabilities that could then be used as a means to launch other harmful attacks.
During the last six months of 2007, there were 11,253 site-specific and cross-site scripting vulnerabilities reported on the Internet.
However, only 473 (about 4 per cent) of these had been patched by the administrator of the affected web site during the same period, representing an enormous window of opportunity for hackers wanting to launch attacks, the report said.
Phishing also continues to be a problem. In the last six months of 2007, Symantec observed 87,963 phishing hosts – computers that can host one or more phishing web sites.
This was an increase of 167 per cent from the first half of 2007. Eighty per cent of the brands targeted by phishing attacks during the study period were in the financial sector.
The report also found that attackers were seeking confidential end-user information that could be fraudulently used for financial gain, and were less focused on the computer or device containing the information.
In the last six months of 2007, 68 per cent of the most prevalent malicious threats reported to Symantec attempted to compromise confidential information.
Finally, attackers are leveraging a maturing underground economy to buy, sell and trade stolen information. This economy is now characterised by several traits common in traditional economies.
For example, market forces of supply and demand have a direct impact on pricing. Credit card information, which has become plentiful in this environment, accounted for 13 per cent of all advertised underground goods–down from 22 per cent in the previous period and sold for as low as $0.40.
The price of a credit card in this underground market is determined by factors such as the location of the issuing bank.
Credit cards from the European Union, for example, cost more than those from the US, which is most likely due to the smaller supply of cards circulating in the EU making them more valuable to a criminal.
Bank account credentials have become the most frequently advertised item, making up 22 per cent of all goods and selling for as little as $10, according to the report.
Wind could blow away Vietnam’s power shortage
13:28' 20/04/2008 (GMT+7)
Photo: aboutmyplanet.com
VietNamNet Bridge - Harnessing the power of the wind is the way to go, say experts, since it does not pollute or take away land from people or crops.
Vietnam, which is plagued by energy shortages, has great potential for developing wind energy, an expert has said.
Speaking at a recent conference in Ho Chi Minh City, Power Engineering Consulting Company No. 3’s Grid Department head Nguyen Hoang Dung said around 28,000 square kilometers of the country’s land had an average wind speed of over seven meters per second at the height of 65 meters above sea level.
This speed was considered suitable by international experts, and offered a potential of over 110,000 megawatts (MW), he said.
A survey by the World Bank has found Vietnam has greater wind energy potential than Thailand, Laos and Cambodia.
It can produce 513,360 MW annually, or 200 times the output of the Son La Hydroelectric Plant in the north – Southeast Asia’s largest power plant – and ten times the entire national capacity forecast for 2020.
Some coastal areas in the central and central highlands regions are considered good places to set up wind farms, thanks to high “wind power density” and wide open land.
The survey found Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan provinces to have the greatest potential for harnessing wind energy.
In addition to high average speed, local wind tends to be steady due to the small amounts of storms.
During the monsoon period, winds reach speeds of six to seven meters per second, which experts consider suitable for building electricity stations with a capacity of 3-3.5 MW.
Dung said the government had enlightened policies for harnessing wind energy.
It funds programs, surveys and experiments for the purpose, and allows tax-free import, production and transportation of equipment needed for developing renewable and new energy technologies.
Obstacles to overcome
But the development and exploitation of wind energy faces abarrier in the form of pricing.
State-owned monopoly power distributor Vietnam Electricity (EVN) only pays 4.5 cents for a kilowatt hour (kWh) of wind energy though the cost of generating it is not less than six cents.
Countries developing wind energy often provide subsidies since costs cannot yet compare with that of traditional electricity.
Dung said it was therefore necessary for the government to work on pricing.
According to some experts, another obstacle is the shortage of data.
There are around 100 hydrometeorology stations now that can only measure wind speeds at a height of 10 to 12 meters.
A beginning
The country has built a few wind farms with support from foreign investors.
The Phuong Mai 3 Wind Power Plant, which has an annual capacity of 55 MW – the country’s largest – was built in the central Binh Dinh Province last September.
Experts say wind energy has several advantages over other power sources it does not cause pollution, affect crops or displace people.
It also helps save on the cost of transmission since wind turbines can be set up near residential areas.
The total installed wind power capacity worldwide was 93,849 MW last year.
By 2010 the World Wind Energy Association expects it to go up to 160,000 MW.
Local and foreign experts say Vietnam also has potential for developing other renewable sources like biomass and solar energy.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade has said the country can achieve 200 to 250 MW of biomass capacity using sugarcane, betel, cassava, corn and other crops.
The country’s electricity demand is expected to rise to 80 billion kWh this year, 15.8 percent higher than in 2007.
But the supply will fall well short due to technical breakdowns at power plants and delayed projects, according to EVN.
Faced with this shortage, EVN is implementing a plan to encourage a 1.5 percent cut in electricity use this year.
Photo: aboutmyplanet.com
VietNamNet Bridge - Harnessing the power of the wind is the way to go, say experts, since it does not pollute or take away land from people or crops.
Vietnam, which is plagued by energy shortages, has great potential for developing wind energy, an expert has said.
Speaking at a recent conference in Ho Chi Minh City, Power Engineering Consulting Company No. 3’s Grid Department head Nguyen Hoang Dung said around 28,000 square kilometers of the country’s land had an average wind speed of over seven meters per second at the height of 65 meters above sea level.
This speed was considered suitable by international experts, and offered a potential of over 110,000 megawatts (MW), he said.
A survey by the World Bank has found Vietnam has greater wind energy potential than Thailand, Laos and Cambodia.
It can produce 513,360 MW annually, or 200 times the output of the Son La Hydroelectric Plant in the north – Southeast Asia’s largest power plant – and ten times the entire national capacity forecast for 2020.
Some coastal areas in the central and central highlands regions are considered good places to set up wind farms, thanks to high “wind power density” and wide open land.
The survey found Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan provinces to have the greatest potential for harnessing wind energy.
In addition to high average speed, local wind tends to be steady due to the small amounts of storms.
During the monsoon period, winds reach speeds of six to seven meters per second, which experts consider suitable for building electricity stations with a capacity of 3-3.5 MW.
Dung said the government had enlightened policies for harnessing wind energy.
It funds programs, surveys and experiments for the purpose, and allows tax-free import, production and transportation of equipment needed for developing renewable and new energy technologies.
Obstacles to overcome
But the development and exploitation of wind energy faces abarrier in the form of pricing.
State-owned monopoly power distributor Vietnam Electricity (EVN) only pays 4.5 cents for a kilowatt hour (kWh) of wind energy though the cost of generating it is not less than six cents.
Countries developing wind energy often provide subsidies since costs cannot yet compare with that of traditional electricity.
Dung said it was therefore necessary for the government to work on pricing.
According to some experts, another obstacle is the shortage of data.
There are around 100 hydrometeorology stations now that can only measure wind speeds at a height of 10 to 12 meters.
A beginning
The country has built a few wind farms with support from foreign investors.
The Phuong Mai 3 Wind Power Plant, which has an annual capacity of 55 MW – the country’s largest – was built in the central Binh Dinh Province last September.
Experts say wind energy has several advantages over other power sources it does not cause pollution, affect crops or displace people.
It also helps save on the cost of transmission since wind turbines can be set up near residential areas.
The total installed wind power capacity worldwide was 93,849 MW last year.
By 2010 the World Wind Energy Association expects it to go up to 160,000 MW.
Local and foreign experts say Vietnam also has potential for developing other renewable sources like biomass and solar energy.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade has said the country can achieve 200 to 250 MW of biomass capacity using sugarcane, betel, cassava, corn and other crops.
The country’s electricity demand is expected to rise to 80 billion kWh this year, 15.8 percent higher than in 2007.
But the supply will fall well short due to technical breakdowns at power plants and delayed projects, according to EVN.
Faced with this shortage, EVN is implementing a plan to encourage a 1.5 percent cut in electricity use this year.
Thursday 17 April 2008
Vinasat-1 satellite gets to launching pad
11:48' 17/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge – At 8pm today (Vietnam time), both Vietnam’s first telecom satellite Vinasat-1 and the missile, will be transported to the outdoor launching pad by special rail. The missile will be charged with fuel after that and launched on April 19.
According to latest news from the Kourou Space Centre in French Guyana, Vietnam’s Vinasat-1 and Brazil’s Star One C2 satellites have been fastened to the head of the Ariane 5 missile.
After the launching rehearsal on April 15, the Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Groups (VNPT), Lockheed Martin and Arianespace met on April 16 to discuss the readiness of the missile.
Of four VNPT’s experts who are cooperating with foreign experts, there are two who came from Vietnam to Kourou since Vinasat-1 was transported from the US to French Guyana. The two others escorted the satellite from the US to Kourou and one of them has returned to the US to supervise the control of Vinasat after the launch.
VNPT plans to supply Vinasat-1 based services as of June 2008. Two basic services include satellite frequency leasing and packaged services like leased line, mobile broadcast, DTH, video conferencing, banking data transmission, ISP line, etc.
Besides two land stations based in northern Ha Tay Province and southern Binh Duong Province, VNPT is building a commercial station named NOC in Ha Tay.
The idea to launch Vietnam’s own satellite initiated in 1995. In October 1998, the government approved the Vinasat pre-feasibility project. According to an initial plan, Vinasat would be launched in the second quarter of 2001 and be exploited in the fourth quarter of 2001. However, , bid invitation was not released till mid-2003. On May 12, 2006, VNPT signed a contract with the US’ Lockheed Martin Commercial Systems on the provision of satellite manufacture, launching service, etc.
The total value of Vinasat-1 is $200 million. VNPT plans to recoup its investment within 9-10 years.
VietNamNet Bridge – At 8pm today (Vietnam time), both Vietnam’s first telecom satellite Vinasat-1 and the missile, will be transported to the outdoor launching pad by special rail. The missile will be charged with fuel after that and launched on April 19.
According to latest news from the Kourou Space Centre in French Guyana, Vietnam’s Vinasat-1 and Brazil’s Star One C2 satellites have been fastened to the head of the Ariane 5 missile.
After the launching rehearsal on April 15, the Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Groups (VNPT), Lockheed Martin and Arianespace met on April 16 to discuss the readiness of the missile.
Of four VNPT’s experts who are cooperating with foreign experts, there are two who came from Vietnam to Kourou since Vinasat-1 was transported from the US to French Guyana. The two others escorted the satellite from the US to Kourou and one of them has returned to the US to supervise the control of Vinasat after the launch.
VNPT plans to supply Vinasat-1 based services as of June 2008. Two basic services include satellite frequency leasing and packaged services like leased line, mobile broadcast, DTH, video conferencing, banking data transmission, ISP line, etc.
Besides two land stations based in northern Ha Tay Province and southern Binh Duong Province, VNPT is building a commercial station named NOC in Ha Tay.
The idea to launch Vietnam’s own satellite initiated in 1995. In October 1998, the government approved the Vinasat pre-feasibility project. According to an initial plan, Vinasat would be launched in the second quarter of 2001 and be exploited in the fourth quarter of 2001. However, , bid invitation was not released till mid-2003. On May 12, 2006, VNPT signed a contract with the US’ Lockheed Martin Commercial Systems on the provision of satellite manufacture, launching service, etc.
The total value of Vinasat-1 is $200 million. VNPT plans to recoup its investment within 9-10 years.
Tuesday 15 April 2008
VinaPhone services provided at satellite lift-off site
21:14' 13/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnamese visitors to the lift-off site of the first Vietnamese telecoms satellite, Vinasat 1, in French Guyana will have full access to VinaPhone mobile services from April 10.
According to Vinaphone, a subsidiary of the Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Group (VNPT), the roaming services will also be provided to its subscribers in Guadeloupe, Martinique and Dominica through cooperation with France ’s Orange Caraibe mobile phone network.
Since 1999, the State-owned Vinaphone has coordinated with 180 partners to provide roaming services in nearly 80 countries worldwide.
The VNPT’s Vinasat 1 managing board announced the first satellite of Vietnam will be launched into the orbit at Kourou spaceport, French Guyana, on April 19.
The 200 million USD satellite is capable of handling more than 10,000 telephone, internet and data transmission channels or about 120 television channels with coverage reaching Vietnam , Laos , India , Australia and other countries in the Asia-Pacific region. It has a lifespan of 15 years.
The lift-off of Vinasat 1 will help improve the country’s telecom network and save around 15 million USD per year from hiring satellites.
VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnamese visitors to the lift-off site of the first Vietnamese telecoms satellite, Vinasat 1, in French Guyana will have full access to VinaPhone mobile services from April 10.
According to Vinaphone, a subsidiary of the Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Group (VNPT), the roaming services will also be provided to its subscribers in Guadeloupe, Martinique and Dominica through cooperation with France ’s Orange Caraibe mobile phone network.
Since 1999, the State-owned Vinaphone has coordinated with 180 partners to provide roaming services in nearly 80 countries worldwide.
The VNPT’s Vinasat 1 managing board announced the first satellite of Vietnam will be launched into the orbit at Kourou spaceport, French Guyana, on April 19.
The 200 million USD satellite is capable of handling more than 10,000 telephone, internet and data transmission channels or about 120 television channels with coverage reaching Vietnam , Laos , India , Australia and other countries in the Asia-Pacific region. It has a lifespan of 15 years.
The lift-off of Vinasat 1 will help improve the country’s telecom network and save around 15 million USD per year from hiring satellites.
Vietnam to build two nuclear power plants
16:00' 14/04/2008 (GMT+7)
Sketch of the nuclear power plant in Phuoc Vinh commune, Ninh Phuoc district, Ninh Thuan province
VietNamNet Bridge – The Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute is compiling investment reports on two nuclear power plants to submit to the State Evaluation Council and the National Assembly in May 2009.
The government has decided to double the capacity of the first nuclear power plant of Vietnam to 4,000MW, at a total cost of nearly US$6 billion.
Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Huu Hao said that the first nuclear power plant will have four turbines located in different sites. The construction of the two nuclear power plants will start in 2015 and be completed in 2020. Nuclear power will account for 20% of the total electricity output of Vietnam. Vietnam will build the two plants with soft loans and the contractor will have to contribute part of the capital.
Head of the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute, Vuong Huu Tan, said the two plants may be built in Phuoc Vinh commune in Ninh Phuoc district and Vinh Hai commune in Ninh Hai district, both in Ninh Thuan province, around 40km from each other.
Tan said these sites meet conditions for topography, geology and position, suitable for the transportation of materials. Moreover, the southern region’s need for electricity is higher than in the north so the construction of these plants in the south will facilitate power supply and reduce electricity losses from transmission.
Though Vietnam is facing a serious shortage of electricity, Vietnam can’t speed up nuclear power projects because it needs time to prepare sufficient facilities for these projects.
Sketch of the nuclear power plant in Phuoc Vinh commune, Ninh Phuoc district, Ninh Thuan province
VietNamNet Bridge – The Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute is compiling investment reports on two nuclear power plants to submit to the State Evaluation Council and the National Assembly in May 2009.
The government has decided to double the capacity of the first nuclear power plant of Vietnam to 4,000MW, at a total cost of nearly US$6 billion.
Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Huu Hao said that the first nuclear power plant will have four turbines located in different sites. The construction of the two nuclear power plants will start in 2015 and be completed in 2020. Nuclear power will account for 20% of the total electricity output of Vietnam. Vietnam will build the two plants with soft loans and the contractor will have to contribute part of the capital.
Head of the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute, Vuong Huu Tan, said the two plants may be built in Phuoc Vinh commune in Ninh Phuoc district and Vinh Hai commune in Ninh Hai district, both in Ninh Thuan province, around 40km from each other.
Tan said these sites meet conditions for topography, geology and position, suitable for the transportation of materials. Moreover, the southern region’s need for electricity is higher than in the north so the construction of these plants in the south will facilitate power supply and reduce electricity losses from transmission.
Though Vietnam is facing a serious shortage of electricity, Vietnam can’t speed up nuclear power projects because it needs time to prepare sufficient facilities for these projects.
Higher ’net, credit card use spurs e-commerce
20:16' 15/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge - The rising numbers of internet users makes e-commerce providers optimistic about the industry’s future despite high prices and late deliveries.
The Industry and Commerce Ministry’s E-commerce Department reports that the number of domestic consumers shopping on-line has increased rapidly during the past three years.
The increase coincides with growth in the number of internet and credit card users, especially among the young.
The number of internet subscribers totalled more than 18 million or more than 22 per cent of population last year and the figure is growing.
Fifty-two per cent of internet users are aged between 20 and 34.
Market research shows the most popular items for sale on the virtual market are books, films, music, games, plane tickets, clothes, shoes and electronic products.
Viet Nam has more than 100 web sites providing on-line shopping and services. About 150,000 businesses have posted their own web sites for trade promotion.
On-line prudence
To avoid loosing money when using credit cards to buy on-line: carefully check the e-commerce web site; carefully read the terms on offer especially for payment and delivery; and check the web site through Alexa.com and if it’s among the 200,000 most read pages you can feel more confident.
Some suggested on-line addresses are
www.golmart.vn,
muare6.vinahoo.com,
www.chodientu.com,
www.thegioimobi.com.vn,
www.camcanhbuoidien.com,
muasam.caigi.com,
and
www.sachviet.com.
Problems with e-payments
Web site camcanhbuoidien.com manager-sales person Nguyen Thanh Binh says the inconvenience of making payment and slow deliveries is hindering the growth of on-line shopping.
Vinagame Company e commerce overseer Nguyen Hoang Que Nga agrees and says that although on-line shopping has grown, it’s development is slow with many difficulties still to be overcome.
The company’s on-line supermarket site 123mua.com.vn draws from 70 suppliers with more than 10,000 products sold since it was posted in 2006.
But although about 50,000 people had opened virtual accounts and 4,000 had order forms only 2,000 had bought goods on line.
Still this was a vast improvement on 2006 when orders were no more than a trickle.
The e-commerce overseer concedes that the supermarket has not yet escaped the difficulties that were identified when the web site was posted.
These are the impossibility of bargaining or sampling and the inconvenience of payment.
The suppliers also tend to ignore updated information about the different categories of products sold on-line and complain that the range of their wares offered to buyers is too limited.
Worse still, buyers incur a double tax: One from the supplier and the other from the on-line supermarket. It means that electronic products that are available to regular shoppers, who can buy them immediately, are more expensive when bought on-line.
Swindle in the virtual market is also not uncommon.
The most popular scams are to deliver goods of lower quality than those ordered or not deliver goods to customers who have paid in advance.
Lawyer Minh Tam says most on-line shopping is based on trust and in Viet Nam customers do not trust the virtual market.
Sales through on-line supermarkets and other web sites are just 10 per cent of total revenue earned from commodity distribution.
Nevertheless, Nguyen Hoang Que Nga and her fellow on-line providers who attended a Industry and Commerce Ministry-sponsored e-commerce conference and trade fair in Ha Noi are confident of their industry’s growth.
The optimism is based on the increasing number of internet users; improvement in the electronic payment system and the competition that is assured between domestic and international sites after 2010 when the latter will be allowed to provide e-commerce in Viet Nam.
VietNamNet Bridge - The rising numbers of internet users makes e-commerce providers optimistic about the industry’s future despite high prices and late deliveries.
The Industry and Commerce Ministry’s E-commerce Department reports that the number of domestic consumers shopping on-line has increased rapidly during the past three years.
The increase coincides with growth in the number of internet and credit card users, especially among the young.
The number of internet subscribers totalled more than 18 million or more than 22 per cent of population last year and the figure is growing.
Fifty-two per cent of internet users are aged between 20 and 34.
Market research shows the most popular items for sale on the virtual market are books, films, music, games, plane tickets, clothes, shoes and electronic products.
Viet Nam has more than 100 web sites providing on-line shopping and services. About 150,000 businesses have posted their own web sites for trade promotion.
On-line prudence
To avoid loosing money when using credit cards to buy on-line: carefully check the e-commerce web site; carefully read the terms on offer especially for payment and delivery; and check the web site through Alexa.com and if it’s among the 200,000 most read pages you can feel more confident.
Some suggested on-line addresses are
www.golmart.vn,
muare6.vinahoo.com,
www.chodientu.com,
www.thegioimobi.com.vn,
www.camcanhbuoidien.com,
muasam.caigi.com,
and
www.sachviet.com.
Problems with e-payments
Web site camcanhbuoidien.com manager-sales person Nguyen Thanh Binh says the inconvenience of making payment and slow deliveries is hindering the growth of on-line shopping.
Vinagame Company e commerce overseer Nguyen Hoang Que Nga agrees and says that although on-line shopping has grown, it’s development is slow with many difficulties still to be overcome.
The company’s on-line supermarket site 123mua.com.vn draws from 70 suppliers with more than 10,000 products sold since it was posted in 2006.
But although about 50,000 people had opened virtual accounts and 4,000 had order forms only 2,000 had bought goods on line.
Still this was a vast improvement on 2006 when orders were no more than a trickle.
The e-commerce overseer concedes that the supermarket has not yet escaped the difficulties that were identified when the web site was posted.
These are the impossibility of bargaining or sampling and the inconvenience of payment.
The suppliers also tend to ignore updated information about the different categories of products sold on-line and complain that the range of their wares offered to buyers is too limited.
Worse still, buyers incur a double tax: One from the supplier and the other from the on-line supermarket. It means that electronic products that are available to regular shoppers, who can buy them immediately, are more expensive when bought on-line.
Swindle in the virtual market is also not uncommon.
The most popular scams are to deliver goods of lower quality than those ordered or not deliver goods to customers who have paid in advance.
Lawyer Minh Tam says most on-line shopping is based on trust and in Viet Nam customers do not trust the virtual market.
Sales through on-line supermarkets and other web sites are just 10 per cent of total revenue earned from commodity distribution.
Nevertheless, Nguyen Hoang Que Nga and her fellow on-line providers who attended a Industry and Commerce Ministry-sponsored e-commerce conference and trade fair in Ha Noi are confident of their industry’s growth.
The optimism is based on the increasing number of internet users; improvement in the electronic payment system and the competition that is assured between domestic and international sites after 2010 when the latter will be allowed to provide e-commerce in Viet Nam.
Friday 11 April 2008
40/2,000 students qualified to work for Intel
16:33' 11/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge – According to Intel Product Vietnam, after one year surveying nearly 2,000 last-year students at the five largest technology universities in Vietnam, they had found only 40 eligible students.
Intel Product Vietnam’s PR Manager Ho Thi Thu Uyen said only 90 students could answer 60/100 basic technical questions on electronics, electrics, etc. and English.
After that only 40 students passed an English interview to be sent to Intel’s factory in Malaysia for further studies. The Industrial University had the highest number of accepted students.
According to Uyen, this is the lowest level of recruitment among countries where Intel’s factories are based.
VietNamNet Bridge – According to Intel Product Vietnam, after one year surveying nearly 2,000 last-year students at the five largest technology universities in Vietnam, they had found only 40 eligible students.
Intel Product Vietnam’s PR Manager Ho Thi Thu Uyen said only 90 students could answer 60/100 basic technical questions on electronics, electrics, etc. and English.
After that only 40 students passed an English interview to be sent to Intel’s factory in Malaysia for further studies. The Industrial University had the highest number of accepted students.
According to Uyen, this is the lowest level of recruitment among countries where Intel’s factories are based.
HP to have computer assembly plant in Vietnam
16:35' 11/04/2008 (GMT+7)
Todd Bradley
VietNamNet Bridge – HP will cooperate with Taiwan’s Foxconn group to build a computer assembly factory in northern Vietnam, revealed HP Executive Vice Chairman Todd Bradley, who is in Hanoi.
Bradley said HP will be in charge of system design while Foxconn is responsible for production and technology transfer. This factory will supply computers for the local market and for export. However, he didn’t make clear whether this plant will be run by HP or simply be an outsource assembly line.
Bradley also said that the mini laptop named “Mini-Note”, the latest product of HP, will be distributed in Vietnam at the same time as the global market, in May 2008.
“We see big opportunities in Southeast Asia and we will continue investing in products, services and people here,” he said.
Todd Bradley
VietNamNet Bridge – HP will cooperate with Taiwan’s Foxconn group to build a computer assembly factory in northern Vietnam, revealed HP Executive Vice Chairman Todd Bradley, who is in Hanoi.
Bradley said HP will be in charge of system design while Foxconn is responsible for production and technology transfer. This factory will supply computers for the local market and for export. However, he didn’t make clear whether this plant will be run by HP or simply be an outsource assembly line.
Bradley also said that the mini laptop named “Mini-Note”, the latest product of HP, will be distributed in Vietnam at the same time as the global market, in May 2008.
“We see big opportunities in Southeast Asia and we will continue investing in products, services and people here,” he said.
Tuesday 8 April 2008
HCM City builds dykes against landslides
11:39' 08/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge – The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee has decided to revoke 23,990 sq.m of land in Binh Thanh District’s Ward 26 to build embankments that could prevent landslides in Thanh Da area.
The project will build a 705-m embankment from Kinh Bridge to Binh Trieu Bridge.
Construction of the project will begin in September and will be completed after one year.
The project, to cost about 49 billion VND (3 million USD), also includes building roads and a lighting system, as well as planting trees along the embankment.
(Source: VNA)
Hanoi hosts 4th global conference on oceans, coasts and islands
23:22' 08/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge - Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem: Choosing Vietnam as a destination to organise the conference demonstrates the international community’s high valuation of the country’s socio-economic achievements and environment protection in recent years.
The conference on the theme of advancing ecosystem management and integrated coastal and ocean management in the context of climate change takes place in Hanoi from April 7 to 11. The conference, which is co-organised by the Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts and Islands (GFOCI) and the Vietnamese Government, attracted nearly 500 delegates who are lawmakers, managers of oceans, coasts and islands and world leading scientists.
The conference will focus discussions on policies and opinions on the management of oceans, coasts and islands, experiences and lessons in ecosystem-based regional ocean governance, preparation of input information to develop a draft for the 21st agenda on oceans, which will be adopted in 2012. It will also discuss the issue of Vietnam and its oceans: sustainable economic development and environmental protection.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem affirmed that Vietnam’s maritime economy has become an indispensable factor in its national development strategy. Despite great effort to develop maritime economy and environment protection, Vietnam has only achieved limited results.
Biliana Cicin-Sain, GFOCI secretary general and chairwoman of the fourth conference emphasised the benefits from the maritime economy and stressed the importance of protecting ecosystem. She said that countries should closely coordinate with each other to fulfill the task.
The management board of Ha Long Bay in northern Quang Ninh province will have a space to introduce and encourage delegates to vote for the Bay as one of the seven world natural wonders.
(Source: VOV)
VietNamNet Bridge - Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem: Choosing Vietnam as a destination to organise the conference demonstrates the international community’s high valuation of the country’s socio-economic achievements and environment protection in recent years.
The conference on the theme of advancing ecosystem management and integrated coastal and ocean management in the context of climate change takes place in Hanoi from April 7 to 11. The conference, which is co-organised by the Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts and Islands (GFOCI) and the Vietnamese Government, attracted nearly 500 delegates who are lawmakers, managers of oceans, coasts and islands and world leading scientists.
The conference will focus discussions on policies and opinions on the management of oceans, coasts and islands, experiences and lessons in ecosystem-based regional ocean governance, preparation of input information to develop a draft for the 21st agenda on oceans, which will be adopted in 2012. It will also discuss the issue of Vietnam and its oceans: sustainable economic development and environmental protection.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem affirmed that Vietnam’s maritime economy has become an indispensable factor in its national development strategy. Despite great effort to develop maritime economy and environment protection, Vietnam has only achieved limited results.
Biliana Cicin-Sain, GFOCI secretary general and chairwoman of the fourth conference emphasised the benefits from the maritime economy and stressed the importance of protecting ecosystem. She said that countries should closely coordinate with each other to fulfill the task.
The management board of Ha Long Bay in northern Quang Ninh province will have a space to introduce and encourage delegates to vote for the Bay as one of the seven world natural wonders.
(Source: VOV)
Pediatrics Hospital conducts fifth successful liver transplant
23:35' 08/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge - The National Pediatrics Hospital announced that it has successfully conducted its fifth liver transplant, for a 16-year-old patient from the central province of Nghe An.
The patient received part of the liver from his uncle, 42.
According to PhD. Nguyen Ngoc Hung, doctors took around 50% of the donor’s liver for the patient.
The surgery lasted for over 15 hours with the coordination of Taiwanese transplant experts.
The patient’s family has previously seen one death from liver diseases.
The surgery was conducted at no charge.
Earlier, doctors at the National Pediatrics Hospital succeeded in other liver transplants. Presently, recipients of the earlier transplants remain healthy.
(Source: CPV)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)