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Hoping to generate an Olympic buzz at home and overseas, Tokyo’s 2020 organizers kicked off the countdown to the games on Monday — exactly three years before the opening ceremony — by releasing the lyrics for a promotional theme song and summer dance.

But the preparations for the Tokyo Olympics are not all fun and games because delays in construction and other problems are threatening the quadrennial event.

On Monday morning, Tokyo 2020 Olympic Organizing Committee President Yoshiro Mori appeared on stage at the Toranomon Hills complex in Minato Ward to express his hopes for a successful Olympics.

Wearing a yukata (summer kimono) printed with the Olympic logo, Mori was accompanied by Olympics minister Tamayo Marukawa and a bevy of Olympians, including former soccer player Homare Sawa, who won a silver medal at the 2012 London Games.

The song, with which the organizer is aiming to promote the Japanese summer festivals, turned out to be a new version of “Tokyo Gorin Ondo,” the theme song for the 1964 Summer Olympics, with lyrics updated to include the Paralympians. The official version, which was not played, will be performed by singers Sayuri Ishikawa, Yuzo Kayama and Pistol Takehara.

At a meeting later in the day, Mori urged the games organizers to speed up their preparations to meet the tight schedule. “The problems with Loop Road No. 2 have been lingering” Mori said in his opening remarks. “We need to team up with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and proceed as quickly as possible.”

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is rushing to complete a new section of the thoroughfare that will connect the athletes’ village in the Harumi district in Chuo Ward with the center of the city.

Japan gears up to welcome inbound tourists between now and the Tokyo Olympics. The number of tourists visiting Japan hit a record high of 7.2m in the second quarter of 2017, with the booming tourism industry buoyed by a jump in visitors from neighbouring Asian nations.

Tourist numbers in the three months from April to July were up 21.1 per cent compared with the same period a year ago, according to the Japan Tourism Agency. Tourist spending during the period rose 13 per cent year-on-year to a record ¥1.8tn ($15.8bn).

The figures suggest that inbound tourism — one of the main engines for Japan’s economic growth in recent years — continues to grow strongly, fuelled by recent yen weakness.

“Spending by tourists from Korea, Hong Kong and other countries was higher than last year, pushing up the total,” said the JTA. The yen is trading at about ¥112 per dollar, having been closer to ¥100 a year ago.

The number of tourists in the quarter from South Korea rose 68 per cent year-on-year to 1.7m, from Hong Kong 38 per cent to 593,000 and Taiwan 8 per cent to 1.3m.

However, visitor numbers from China, the mainstay of Japan’s tourism boom, rose just 1.8 per cent to 1.6m, while there was robust growth in visitors from the US, up 15 per cent to 404,000.

Source: The Japan Times , The Financial Times‎

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to announce that CNN Travel readers list seven Thai dishes among World’s 50 Best Foods on its Facebook poll. The list is a reformatted and republished version of the original article published in 2011.

Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor said, “We’re thankful for all the votes – a testament to the already solid reputation of the Amazing Thai Taste, which is part of our foodie tourism initiative to motivate tourists and foodies to embark on a culinary journey to taste signature Thai dishes in renowned venues across Thailand as the way to explore Thainess through food.”

The latest CNN Travel World’s 50 Best Foods list was compiled based on the votes of 35,000 readers via a Facebook poll. The seven Thai dishes in the list are Tom Yum Kung in fourth place, Phat Thai (fifth), Som Tam Papaya Salad (sixth), Massaman Curry (10^th), Green Curry (19th), Chicken Fried Rice (24^th) and Mu Nam Tok or spicy minced pork salad (36^th).

According to CNN Travel writer, Tim Cheung, the original World’s 50 Best Foods article, which was released in 2011 “stimulate some impassioned debate about the conspicuous lack of French dishes and the merits of ketchup over mayonnaise” and so the online publication “threw it open to a vote on a Facebook poll.”

Mr. Yuthasak said, “With seven Thai dishes voted into this influential list shows how Thai Cuisine is increasingly perceived as a world-class culinary experience and Thailand a great destination for foodie tourism.

TAT plays a large role in promoting Thai Cuisine through several initiatives, including launching the Amazing Thai Taste campaign in 2016, publishing several publications about Thai dishes and ingredients and the best places to find them, and sponsoring a large number of food based events around the world.

This year, TAT has entered into a partnership with Michelin Travel Partner to publish a Michelin Guide Bangkok as well as with Gault & Millau to publish a bilingual Thailand guidebook in the Gault & Millau Belux 2018 edition. In May 2018, Thailand will host the UNWTO Conference on Gastronomy Tourism.

source: TAT NEWS

ANY gains in Thailand’s competitiveness ranking next year will hinge on how well the government and the private sector execute their economic and business strategies, says IMD.

The government says it will evaluate the implementation of its strategies every three months.

There is a chance that Thailand’s ranking will edge up again next year, Arturo Bris, director of the IMD World Competitiveness Centre told The Nation yesterday on the sidelines of “Thailand Competiveness Conference 2017”, hosted by the Thailand Management Association.

The International Institute for Management Development’s (IMD)’s World Competitiveness Centre this year raised Thailand’s ranking from 28 to 27, among 63 economies assessed. “Thailand’s competitiveness ranking improved marginally this year,” Bris said.

He said that he was happy that Thailand has a clear economic agenda and strategies after listening to Finance Minister Apisak Tantivorawong, who made a keynote speech at the conference. The execution of those strategies will determine the pace of the country’s competitiveness ranking, and there are promising signs, he said. “Thai economic recovery is gaining momentum and government efficiency has improved,” Bris said.

However, Thailand’s score will also depend on how other countries make progress on improving their competitiveness. Thailand suffers from a lack of investment in science and technology infrastructure, compared with the massive investment made by mainland China and others, he said.

Thailand’s digital competitiveness ranking dropped to 41 this year from 39 last year. Thailand was rated poorly in e-governance, IT education and training, and digital and technological skills. IMD identified two key issues. Thailand lacks investment in information technology, such as broadband Internet and Big Data technology. And ordinary Thais have not adapted their mindset to embrace information technology, Bris noted.

Meanwhile, Apisak said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had demanded state agencies report on the progress of their work related to the ease of doing business in order to facilitate private investment and improve the country’s competitiveness ranking.

He said government plans to invest about Bt1.7 trillion in infrastructure projects , helping to raise the investment to GDP ratio from the current 7-8 per cent to 15 per cent – at Malaysia’s level.

Source: THE NATION

A little market, tucked away in a corner of Ha Noi, may be the best choice when it comes to buying gemstones and jewellery. Sellers and buyers can meet and talk about the different stones, and all items are checked for quality.

If you are interested in buying gemstones or jewellery, you naturally think about visiting a jeweller’s shop or a luxury store. But now you can buy quality gemstones at this nondescript market in Ha Noi. It resembles a traditional market that sells vegetables; however, this particular market attracts dozens of small gemstone traders and gemstone lovers.

The neat little market, which is some 500sq.m, is in Alley 456 on Hoang Hoa Tham Street in Cau Giay District. The market opens once a week, every Sunday, from 8am to 2pm.

There are nearly 20 stores in the market selling artificial and natural gemstones, necklaces, bracelets and decorative stones. Most of the gemstones are exploited from Luc Yen District in the northern province of Yen Bai and from Quy Hop District in the central province of Nghe An.

Sellers at the market need only a table and chair to set up a stall. The gemstones are displayed on plastic trays or on a piece of card board so that buyers can select and inspect the products thoroughly. Buyers are free to carefully examine the gemstones. Prices vary depending on the material, quality and size of a gem.

Nguyen Ngoc Tu, a small trader from Yen Bai, said the most expensive gemstone is ruby and the cheapest is black stone. The harder the stone, the more expensive it is, Tu added. A rough ruby of about 160 carats could be sold for as much as VND100 million (US$4,400).

“A gem is suited to a person according to his fate. Suitable gems are believed to bring luck, good health and prosperity, while unsuitable gems can affect people’s health and luck,” Tu said.
“Buyers should consult with experienced sellers in the market about gems that are right for them,” he said.

Nguyen Thi Nhung, another small trader from Nghe An, said she used to sell ruby for VND400-500 million ($17,700-22,200). However, Nhung also sells gemstones for some VND50,000 ($2.2) for those who cannot afford the expensive variety. At the market, necklaces for VND100,000-200,000 ($4.4-8.8) are also available.

Many buyers who visit the market are gems sellers with small shops in Ha Noi or experts in the field of precious stones. Nhung said the simplest way to classify the different kinds of gems is under a certain light. Natural precious stones have more sparkle than artificial ones. Under the light, the good stones are illuminated with shapes of stars; they are pure and do not have cracks.

“Each seller here has one or two most favourite items which are only displayed if the customer is genuinely interested,” she said.

Le Tuan Anh, deputy chairman of the Ha Noi Gemstones Club that founded the market, said the market opened at the end of 2015 with the expectation that it would become a must-visit destination for domestic and international tourists to Ha Noi. It was also expected to spread the image of Viet Nam as a gems market.

“In the market, small traders and gem lovers can meet, exchange information and introduce unique gemstones from different places,” he said.

“All items for sale in the market have clear origin and are carefully checked,” he said.

To instill confidence in the quality of the gems, the organisers, who are members of the Ha Noi Gemstones Club, carefully check all products and reject substandard stones, besides strictly penalising sellers who intentionally try and cheat buyers.

The market’s organisers would soon ask gemstone sellers to donate a portion of their sales to set up a fund, which would be used for charity purposes and other social work to help the community, Anh said.

Nguyen Manh Hung, a customer living in Ha Noi, said, “I like gemstones but do not understand much about them. I often go to the market to study and learn from the experiences of sellers here.”

“One of the most unique factors of the market is that all clients, including those who do not know anything about gemstones, can select and buy precious stones suited to their demand thanks to the enthusiastic guidance from the sellers,” Hung said.

Source: VietNamNet

Retail service industry of Vietnam have been benefitted by the strength of domestic economy as well as tourism.

International arrivals to Hanoi reached a record 4 million last year, an increase of 21 per cent compared to 2015. Around 3,000 rooms in 12 hotels are due to open in the capital, with most of this new supply in the upscale segment, which will support increasing corporate demand, according to the Spotlight on the Accommodation & Tourism Industry report from JLL.

International operators IHG, Pan Pacific, Accor, Hilton, and Marriott currently have their hotel brands in the city.

In contrast to Ho Chi Minh City, there are very few domestically-operated hotels in the upscale and luxury segments, with the Apricot Hotel, a boutique luxury hotel located just to the west of Hoan Kiem Lake one of only a few to compete with international brands on average room rates. The majority of locally-operated hotels cater to the midscale and budget segments, especially in the popular Old Quarter, which is dominated by low cost and backpacker accommodation.

International fashion brands target Vietnamese market

International brand names are starting to grab the attention of Ho Chi Minh City’s fashion-conscious people, clearing the way for more ready-to-wear clothing stores in Vietnam. More than 50 well-known brand names, such as Giordano, Mango, Zara, Topshop, Gap and Old Navy, have opened stores in HCM City.

While Old Navy opened its first store last month, H&M launched its brand name last weekend with a fashion show at a leading shopping centre in the city.

Other fashion companies, including Pull&Bear, Uniqlo and F21, will also enter the market this year with their own stores scheduled to open in Hanoi shopping centres.

“Before launching our designs in Vietnam, we spent time researching the country’s economic development, culture and living conditions,” said a representative of Zara, who noted that the country would become one of the most important markets for the popular fashion brand from Spain.

Although their prices are higher than local products, ranging from 300,000 VND (15 USD) to over 1.5 million VND (70 USD) with accessories sell for an average of 100,000 VND (4 USD) per item yet customers, particularly young people, are thrilled they are here.

Vietnam to lead Asia for growth in convenience stores

Vietnam is forecast to be the fastest growing convenience store market in Asia by 2021, according to the Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD).

By 2021, the growth of the convenience channel in Vietnam will increase by more than 37 percent, followed by the Philippines at 24 percent and Indonesia on 16 percent. The retail market in Vietnam is shifting from traditional to modern trade, said the IGD.

Vietnamese goods make up more than 80 percent of goods in the retail distribution system.

In recent years, Vietnam convenience stores have become popular destinations, especially for young consumers. Savvy operators, like Circle K and Family Mart, have recognised local demand for the stores as a place to not only shop but to hang out as well, providing an air-conditioned area to consume freshly-served convenience foods and snacks, modern merchandising systems, a mix of imported and local goods and in some stores free wifi.

Source: VietNamNet , Vietnam+ , VietNamNet