Ho Chi Minh City reports first Digital Transformation Index results

HCMC skyline from the bank of Saigon River. Photo: Tieu Thuy/The Hanoi Times

On March 7, Ho Chi Minh City announced its first citywide Digital Transformation Index (DTI), which was conducted in 2023 to assess the digital transformation progress of government agencies and local authorities. Government agencies were evaluated on six key indicators on a scale of 330 points, while local authorities were measured on nine key indicators on a scale of 660 points.

According to the report, 35% of all local governments and municipal bodies have reached the advanced level of digital transformation, 58% have reached the standard level, and 6% are in the early stages.

Visa free for Vietnamese travelers in Mongolia

On March 7, Vietnamese tourists started to enjoy the visa-free policy when traveling to Mongolia for 30 days. With the new policy, Vietnamese people will save more money when traveling in Mongolia. It had cost them US$25 to get a visa or e-visa to travel to Mongolia.

In November 2023, Vietnam and Mongolia signed an agreement to remove visa requirements for people from both countries.

Two foreign experts receive honorary citizenship

Two foreigners received the title of honorary citizen of Thua Thien Hue Province on March 7. The two foreigners are Andrea Teufel, chief representative of the German Association for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage, and Kazuyo Watanabe, executive director of the Asian Children's Care League.

The two specialists have made great contributions to Thua Thien Hue Province's efforts in preserving cultural heritage and providing care, education and training for homeless and cancer-stricken children in the province.

Food Safety Management System Launched in Vietnam

The Food Safety Management System Launch Ceremony, jointly organized by the Vietnam Food Administration and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of South Korea (MFDS), was held in Hanoi on March 7.

The system, part of the Official Development Assistance (ODA) project to strengthen and establish the food safety management system in Vietnam, aims to unify food safety information nationwide. It will manage centralized and real-time updated data, classify and disclose food safety information, and make it easier for people to access information on the origin and safety of products. The project has completed its implementation phase from 2020 to 2023.

Nearly 3,000 social housing units to be built by 2025

The Vietnam General Confederation of Labor plans to invest in the construction of nearly 3,000 social housing units by 2025, and 10,000 to 15,000 units in the period 2026-2030. This indicator is expected to be reviewed by the Presidium and Party Committee of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor in April, Vice Chairman Ngo Duy Hieu said at a recent conference in Hanoi on March 7.

Quang Ngai Cultural Promotion Festival to be held in Hanoi

The Quang Ngai Festival will be held on March 17 at the Vietnam Exhibition Center for Culture and Arts, No.2 Hoa Lu Street, Hanoi. It will feature a cultural and artistic space showcasing the unique identity of the central province of Quang Ngai with a rural market model.

Visitors can try on traditional costumes of Hre, Co and Ca Dong ethnic groups from the central province, take souvenir photos at tourism promotion booths and enjoy cuisine prepared by Quang Ngai chefs.