A cross-functional team will be set up to work on improving the prospects of the local real estate market. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has issued a document on solving real estate market problems and improving its prospects. An affordable housing project in Dong Anh District's Thang Long Industrial Park. Photo: Pham Hung/The Hanoi Times The document, numbered 178/TTg-CN, aligns with Resolution 33/NQ-CP dated March 11, 2023, which provides solutions to develop a healthy, transparent, and sustainable real estate sector. Under the latest document, the Ministry of Construction, the Ministry of Treasury, the State Bank of Vietnam, and related agencies will set up a working group and work with developers to resolve existing problems and increase confidence in the property market. The Prime Minister has asked the Ministry of Construction to finalize the plan to build one million affordable houses for low-income buyers and workers in industrial parks in … [Read more...] about New regulation in place to boost Vietnam’s real estate market
Adjustable fuel pressure regulator instructions
Lao Cai and Yunnan provinces agree to strengthen bilateral ties
In 2022, two-way trade between Yunnan (China) and the bordering provinces of Vietnam is expected to reach US$3.25 billion. The provincial authorities of Vietnam's Lao Cai and China's Yunnan agreed on March 28 to take necessary measures to lift their comprehensive ties, especially trade. A truck that links Lao Cai and Yunnan Province passes the Kim Thanh II International Border Gate. Photo: The Hanoi Times "The comprehensive partnership between Lao Cai and Yunnan has improved tremendously in recent years, but it has not reached its full potential," said Hoang Quoc Khanh, permanent vice chairman of the Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee. Khanh suggested that Yunnan authorities further relax regulations and facilitate cross-border trade and travel between the two nations to improve bilateral relations. The Lao Cai official said Chinese authorities should restore trade and travel activities to pre-pandemic levels. He also urged the Chinese government to … [Read more...] about Lao Cai and Yunnan provinces agree to strengthen bilateral ties
Business executives to face disciplinary action for failure to stop smuggling activities
Recent arrests of Vietnamese flight attendants for carrying undeclared goods and drugs require drastic action. Airline officials will face severe disciplinary action if illegal drug and merchandise trade is reported under their jurisdiction, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam. Passengers wait in line for registration and luggage check at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in HCM City. Photo: Huy Hung/The Hanoi Times The action is under the authority's Directive 1480/CT-CHK to prevent flight attendants and ground staff from illegally importing drugs and goods into the country, the authority said in a March 27 website notice. Aviation companies must improve education and training so that employees are aware of the harm and negative impact of smuggling on the nation and domestic economy, the authority added. "They also need to continue to screen those being employed. All those involved in flying must follow the rules," it said. All … [Read more...] about Business executives to face disciplinary action for failure to stop smuggling activities
Vietnam customs steps up fight against origin frauds in trade
In order to better combat trade fraud activities in the future, the Ministry of Finance is requesting related agencies to soon issue specific criteria for domestically-produced goods. Under Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s instruction in Directive No.824 on tightening state administration against trade frauds, the General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) has been working on perfecting the legal framework and identifying offenses in trading activities. The Ministry of Finance is requesting related agencies to soon issue specific criteria for domestically-produced goods. Photo: Hoai Nam. In terms of legislation, the GDVC has issued specific instructions for provincial customs in dealing with act of trade and origin frauds, illegal transshipment as well as violations of intellectual property rights. Additionally, the GDVC has given priority to training customs staff to ensure greater efficiency in determining cases of frauds in trade. Meanwhile, the … [Read more...] about Vietnam customs steps up fight against origin frauds in trade
Vietnam’s U23 footballers ready for last match at Doha Cup
U23 players of Vietnam in a training session (Source: Vietnam Football Federation) Hanoi (VNA) – Coach Philippe Troussier has encouraged the U23 team of Vietnam to show their best possible performance in the last match at Doha Cup 2023, against Kyrgyzstan, on early March 29 (Vietnam time). In the last training session ahead of the match, Troussier instructed his players to address the weaknesses revealed in the two previous games and gave them spiritual support. He admitted that the losses of 3-0 to Iraq and 4-0 to the UAE at the friendly tournament gave the team precious lessons during the preparation for the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), slated for this May in Cambodia. The French coach said the players have been training hard to gear up for the 32nd SEA Games , adding that they performed well in the first half of the game against UAE, one of the six strongest teams in Asia, on early March 26 (Vietnam time). Such matches showed that Vietnam’s U23 … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s U23 footballers ready for last match at Doha Cup
Magnitude 6.1 quake shakes northern Japan, no tsunami warning
The quake hit at 6:18 pm (0918 GMT) at a depth of 20 kilometres (12 miles), according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. Major Japanese media outlets carried no immediate reports of damage or injuries. The US Geological Survey put the magnitude of the quake at 6.2. Earthquakes are common in Japan, which sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", an arc of intense seismic activity that stretches through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin. The country has strict construction regulations intended to ensure buildings can withstand strong earthquakes, and emergency drills are routinely held to prepare for a major jolt. … [Read more...] about Magnitude 6.1 quake shakes northern Japan, no tsunami warning
Close supervision over VMS equipment needed to fight IUU fishing
Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Installing Vessel Monitoring System ( VMS ) equipment and supervising their operations play an important role in removing the European Commission (EC)’s “yellow card” warning on Vietnamese seafood. According to the Directorate of Fisheries under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the national fisheries database (Vnfishbase) shows that as many as 223 fishing boats in localities have yet to install the VMS equipment although their operating licences are still valid. Nguyen Quang Hung, deputy head of the Directorate of Fisheries, urged localities to work to ensure that all of the remaining fishing vessels are equipped with the device. The number of fishing boats that have been disconnected for more than one year reaches 2,335 to date, accounting for 8% of the vessels equipped with the device, he added. Such boasts should be monitored closely like those without the VMS equipment, he stressed. Hung pointed … [Read more...] about Close supervision over VMS equipment needed to fight IUU fishing
Prime Minister presides over Government’s March law-making session
In the immediate future, it is necessary to focus on building and completing law-making proposals to submit to the National Assembly (N.A.) for consideration and approval of the Law and Ordinance Building Program in 2024, as well as adjustments of the Law and Ordinance Building Program in 2023 for the N.A. Standing Committee and the N.A. for discussion; and draft laws and draft documents to submit to the legislature for consideration and approval at its fifth plenary session. Government members, ministries and sectors, especially their heads, need to do better in law-making; continue to direct and lead the building of and comment on draft legal documents; and allocate resources in terms of human and funding for the law-building work, the Prime Minister requested. During this meeting, the Government is expected to give opinions on the National Assembly's draft resolution on piloting a number of mechanisms and policies to remove difficulties and obstacles in the construction and … [Read more...] about Prime Minister presides over Government’s March law-making session
Car industry remains flat
Do Tien Dung, chairman of the Board of Directors at Hang Xanh Motors Service JSC (Haxaco), said that the company counted $3.04 million in profit in Q1 last year. However, they are just trying to break even in Q1 due to a sharp fall in the demand, and the situation may spread until the end of Q2. Most car dealers saw a flat business in the year to date Consumers have been cautious due to very high borrowing costs. In addition, the quiet stock market and real estate market have badly affected people’s purchasing power. A source from Huyndai Thanh Cong reported that for the year to date, auto dealers have launched diverse incentives to attract buyers, yet demand for autos has dwindled amid surging borrowing cost and lowered incomes. Saigon General Service Corporation (Savico) commented that the threat of global economic recession, high inflation and shortage of chipsets and semiconductors would result in auto supply volatilities. Stagnant auto registration … [Read more...] about Car industry remains flat
Vietnam struggles to auction outdated gasoline
To obtain more space and money for today’s most common and popular gasoline RON95, Vietnam needs to sell its reserves of the cheaper RON92 fuel, which were supposed to have been auctioned off last year. But Vietnamese ministries were unable to agree on a set starting price for the fuel so the auction never happened. RON 92 is a low-power fuel that is now mainly used to make biofuel. But the Ministry of Industry and Trade has reported that selling such a large volume of the gasoline is difficult because few local wholesalers need biofuel at the moment. Vietnam has not had to release fuels from the national reserve for emergencies in five years, but the Ministry of Industry has announced that bulking up the nation’s scant reserves is a must. According to the National Reserve Law, petroleum is a strategic reserve commodity. But the reality on the ground is that Vietnam’s average total reserves over the last five years has been just over 370,000 cubic meters a year, equivalent … [Read more...] about Vietnam struggles to auction outdated gasoline