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• Vietnam wrestles with contraband cigarettes

  The tug-of-war between tobacco smugglers and anti-smuggling forces in border localities in Vietnam remains tough despite local authorities’ ceaseless efforts. While cigarette smuggling remains rife in provinces bordering Cambodia to the detriment of the state budget as well as people’s health, local cigarette producers are concerned that contraband tobacco may get officially circulated in a controversial move proposed by the government. Despite heavier traffic in Chau Doc City in the Mekong Delta of An Giang as the locality has entered its peak tourism season, tobacco smugglers are often spotted carrying their illicit goods and driving their motorcycles with no license…... [read more]

• Measures applied in climate change impacts have been discussed​

  The Hanoitimes - Measures to mitigate impacts of natural disasters and climate change on children were discussed at a conference jointly held by the Central Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Hanoi on May 18. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong Participants also shared knowledge and experience in children-oriented disaster risk mitigation, while seeking ways to intensify cooperation in this field. Based on the outcomes of a national conference on children-oriented disaster risk mitigation held in the central province of Ninh Thuan in December 2016, this conference continued…... [read more]

• HCMC faces power shortage risks

  HCMC faces power shortage risks Van Nam HCMC - The Steering Committee for Power Supply and Conservation of HCMC has forecast that in 2017, especially in the dry season, drought and high temperatures will lead to high demand for electricity and thus power shortages. Data of the HCMC Power Corporation (EVN HCMC) showed that at the moment, the city's daily electricity consumption amounts to 76.5 million kWh, 5% higher than the same period last year, and is forecast to rise in the coming time. To ensure sufficient power supply for production, business and household activities, the steering committee has called…... [read more]

• Four car makers settle claims over Takata inflators for $553 million

  Four automakers agreed to a $553 million settlement to address class-action economic loss claims covering owners of nearly 16 million recalled vehicles with potentially defective Takata airbag inflators, court documents filed on Thursday showed. Toyota Motor Corp's (7203.T) share of the settlement costs is $278.5 million, followed by BMW AG (BMWG.DE) at $131 million, Mazda Motor Co (7261.T) at $76 million and Subaru Corp (7270.T) at $68 million. While the settlement does not mean an end to legal headaches faced by Takata Corp (7312.T) or its car maker clients, the resolution could help the embattled Japanese air bag maker's efforts…... [read more]

• Measures mitigating climate change impacts on children sought

  Based on the outcomes of a national conference on children-oriented disaster risk mitigation held in the central province of Ninh Thuan in December 2016, this conference continued promoting cooperation within the framework of the Law on Disaster Prevention and Control, Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Mitigation and sustainable development goals. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong, head of the central steering committee, said that Vietnam annually suffers a variety of natural disasters which cause huge asset and human losses. In 2016, disasters left 264 people dead or missing, and 431 others injured, causing an economic loss of…... [read more]

• Prime Minister vows to create level playing field for firms

  The Government has pledged to take stronger measures to create a level playing field for businesses and to improve the competitiveness of local enterprises. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc made the commitment after hearing recommendations from entrepreneurs and associations at a conference in Ha Noi yesterday. The conference themed “Siding with Business”, the second of its kind since Phuc took office as Prime Minister, aimed to build breakthrough policies to better serve business development. Over the past year since Resolution 35 on supporting and developing businesses was issued, Viet Nam has gained some achievements, such as a record 110,000 new…... [read more]

• Further investment needed to reduce children’s vulnerability to impacts of climate change

  Addressing the event, Nguyen Xuan Cuong, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and Head of Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, said that powerful and complex natural disasters have occurred frequently and on a large scale in Vietnam in recent years, causing great losses in human, economic and infrastructure terms. The situation has serious impacts on people’s lives and production activities as well as on the country’s sustainable development, he added. According to a report by the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, in 2016 alone 264 people were killed and missing, 431 injured…... [read more]

• What some business leaders at the meeting had to say

  Viet Nam News Thái Hương, Chairwoman of TH Group: "I am grateful to the Government for issuing a set of standards for school milk. However, we are still lacking a School Milk Steering Committee. Milk consumed in schools today has still not met the standards of school milk as set by the Government. I also suggest that the Government promulgate standards for milk in general, as it not only involves children's health but also the health of all people. To date, a set of standards for fluid milk is still absent, despite the fact that the Ministry of Health have…... [read more]

• SOM 2 discusses APEC priorities

  Hanoi, May 17 (VNA) – The APEC 2017 Second Senior Officials Meeting (SOM2) in Hanoi has focused on discussing APEC priorities adopted at the SOM1 held in Nha Trang city, the south central province of Khanh Hoa in March, according to Do Hong Viet, Assistant to the APEC 2017 SOM Chair. They include priorities on growth, regional connectivity, promoting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as well as food security and sustainable agriculture development, he told reporters at a press briefing on May 17. In the May 17 morning session, the APEC senior officials heard reports submitted by the Economic…... [read more]

• Vietnam, China cement ties through President’s visit

  Vietnam and China have reached important common awareness on major directions and measures to enhance mutual political trust, friendship, and cooperation as well as maintain peace and stable and healthy development of bilateral relations. The talks between China’s Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping and President Tran Dai Quang Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung highlighted the significant outcomes of the recent State visit to China by President Tran Dai Quang from May 11-15 in an interview with Vietnam News Agency. Firstly, the two sides agreed to maintain the tradition of close contact between Party and State…... [read more]