After Vietnam's tax authorities enhanced the collection of taxes from traders on digital platforms, including social networks and e-commerce sites, many traders are seeking ways to avoid paying them or pass the buck to buyers. Shopping on websites, e-commerce platforms, and social networks is a national trend. E-commerce has boomed in Vietnam with revenue of some US$13.7 billion in 2021. The figure is forecast to reach $39 billion by 2025. However, the tax revenue from this sector has not risen commensurately its growth. Multiple tricks to avoid taxes Minh Thu, living in Thu Duc City, a district-level city in Ho Chi Minh City, said after ordering a pair of shoes from an online trader on Facebook, she was surprised as the trader announced that from August 1, customers must make payments in advance and the trader will not offer the cash-on-delivery (COD) service as earlier. Money transfer descriptions must not include the words 'buy' or 'sell,' but Facebook or Zalo … [Read more...] about In Vietnam, online vendors seek ways to avoid taxes
Best way to line new kitchen cabinets
Spain accepts Vietnamese new passports
After conducting compulsory technical consultations, authorised agencies of Spain decided to accept the new-style passport (dark blue cover) of Vietnam as it includes necessary information in line with international regulations. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The Spanish Embassy in Vietnam has released a notice affirming that from August 8, it accepts visa applications of holders of the Vietnamese new passports again, requesting applicants to submit their valid ID cards together with the passports. According to the notice, after conducting compulsory technical consultations, authorised agencies of Spain decided to accept the new-style passport (dark blue cover) of Vietnam as it includes necessary information in line with international regulations. However, as the place of birth is a compulsory information for applicants of Schengen visas, holders of the new passports must include their valid ID cards in their applications to show this information, it said. It reminded … [Read more...] about Spain accepts Vietnamese new passports
55 years of ASEAN: One Vision, One Identity, One Community
Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son wrote an article entitled ’55 years of ASEAN: One Vision, One Identity, One Community’ on the 55th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (August 8, 1967-2022). Following is the full text of the article: “On August 8, 1967, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established, initiating the process of extensive integration for the sake of peace, stability, and development in Southeast Asia and the region. From a group of Southeast Asian nations divided by wars, after 55 years of growth, ASEAN is today one of the most important, reputable, and successful regional organisations in the world, a ‘common home’ for 650 million people in 10 Southeast Asian countries with diverse culture, the fifth largest economic community in the world, and an important and reliable partner of many countries in the world, and an organisation that … [Read more...] about 55 years of ASEAN: One Vision, One Identity, One Community
55 years of ASEAN – One vision, One identity, One community
It has also become the fifth largest economic community in the world, a reliable and important partner of countries, and played a central role in dialogues, important cooperation and connectivity in the region. In an article in celebration of ASEAN’s 55th birth anniversary (August 8, 1967 - 2022), Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son recalled that the birth of ASEAN on August 8, 1967 was the start of the process of an intensive connectivity for peace, stability, and development in Southeast Asia and the region. Building an ASEAN Community with common vision and identities The grouping gathered countries divided by war. Its inception reflected the common aspirations of many countries in the region for peace, stability, friendship, and win-win cooperation. According to FM Son, Vietnam’s admission to ASEAN in 1995 paved the way for the building of an ASEAN common house connecting 10 Southeast Asian countries. In 1997, ASEAN, for the first time, approved the ASEAN Vision … [Read more...] about 55 years of ASEAN – One vision, One identity, One community
Sacombank wins 5 JCB card awards
Sacombank wins five awards from Japanese international card organisation JCB. — Photo courtesy of the bank Sacombank has won five awards from Japanese international card organisation JCB for 2021 for Leading Licensee in New Products and Solution, Leading Licensee in Merchant Sales Growth, Leading Licensee in Merchant Sales, Leading Licensee in Balance of Credit Card, and Leading Licensee in Credit Card Retail Spending Volume. It is for the sixth year in a row the bank has been honoured with these awards. It is highly appreciated for its continuous implementation of new business initiatives, launching impressive card payment products, staying ahead of technology trends, and improving the customer experience. The bank has in collaboration with JCB launched Sacombank JCB Platinum Debit card, the Japanese company’s most advanced payment card line in Viet Nam with outstanding privileges and incentives. Cardholders are entitled to free use of VIP lounge services at more than 60 … [Read more...] about Sacombank wins 5 JCB card awards
Huge transport investment expected to vitalise central regions
For over a month now, relevant personnel at the Ministry of Transport is busy with the final preparations to soon hand over Khanh Hoa-Buon Ma Thuot Expressway to the people’s committees of Khanh Hoa and Dak Lak provinces. In light of Decision No.17/QD-TTg dated July 28, two out of three components under Khanh Hoa-Buon Ma Thuot Expressway will be assigned to two localities having the road passage for management. The 32km-long first component with an estimated investment value of $244.8 million will be assigned to Khanh Hoa's People’s Committee while the 48km-long third component valued at around $282 million will be assigned to Dak Lak's People’s Committee. The 37.5km second component with a value reaching $426.8 million will be managed by the Ministry of Transport (MoT) as the road section lies in both localities and features complex terrain. Building a comprehensive highway network is one of the government priorities With more than 117.8km of total length, … [Read more...] about Huge transport investment expected to vitalise central regions
THACO determined to turn Emart into leading supermarket chain in Viet Nam
Emart Go Vap in HCM City. THACO wants to turn Emart into a leading supermarket chain in Viet Nam. — Photo courtesy of THACO Emart Vietnam plans to open two hypermarkets in HCM City this year, one in Thu Duc City’s Thu Thiem area in October and the other in Go Vap District in December. Chun Byung Ki, general director of THISO Retail, revealed this information at the 2022 Emart Partners Day in HCM City on August 5, which was attended by more than 500 suppliers, saying the chain aims to have 20 stores across the country and revenues of US$1 billion by 2026 to become the hypermarket chain with a largest market share. Emart Sala Thu Thiem will spread over an area of more than 6,000sq.m inside THISO Mall in Thu Duc City. With its outstanding facilities, Emart Sala Thu Thiem will seek to provide modern and differentiated shopping experiences to customers living in high-end residential areas and their neighbourhoods. Emart Phan Huy Ich in Go Vap District will be located at the … [Read more...] about THACO determined to turn Emart into leading supermarket chain in Viet Nam
UKVFTA to accelerate Viet Nam’s institutional reform
Inside a clean clam processing line of Lenger Seafoods Vietnam. The company exports products to markets in the EU, the UK, Japan, the US, and South Korea. — Photo courtesy of Lenger Seafoods Vietnam To provide a more favourable playground for enterprises to strengthen and access international markets, Viet Nam is on a path to boost institutional improvement. And it is believed that the United Kingdom-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) is accelerating the process, said experts. As Viet Nam has signed many new free trade agreements (FTAs) with countries or regions that require more stringent standards not only on quality but also on production processes, it is crucial for local enterprises to quickly adapt to new rules. Therefore, the Government has to make changes to relevant policies to support them. The reform is building a favourable business environment, reducing transaction expenses for enterprises, especially small and medium enterprises, and attracting quality … [Read more...] about UKVFTA to accelerate Viet Nam’s institutional reform
Monetary stance points to only mildly higher interest rates in VN: Fitch Ratings
A customer at an HDBank transaction office. Vietnam’s policy rate is expected to rise 50 basis points to 4.5 per cent by end-2023. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Capital account restrictions largely insulate interest rates in Vietnam from global monetary tightening and the country’s policy rate is expected to increase 50 basis points to 4.5% by end-2023, according to Fitch Ratings. Under a report on the impact of rising interest rates on Asia-Pacific (APAC) banks released this week, Fitch said annual credit targeting remains a centrepiece of the State Bank of Vietnam's (SBV) monetary policy framework, and the refinancing rate is not a primary policy lever. Moreover, strong foreign investment inflows underpin the dong's resilience, which has depreciated by only 2% year-to-date by end-July 2022, making it the second-best performing currency in APAC behind only the Hong Kong dollar. According to Fitch, Vietnam’s rates are driven chiefly by economic activity and inflation. … [Read more...] about Monetary stance points to only mildly higher interest rates in VN: Fitch Ratings
Programme links strength of Vietnam’s tourism
An overview of the programme (Photo: VNA) HCM City (VNA) – A programme linking the strength of Vietnam’s tourism opened in Ho Chi Minh City on August 8, seeking ways to gain international tourism growth and comprehensive recovery of Vietnam’s tourism. The two-day event is jointly held by the Vietnam Tourism Association, the Tourism Association of Ho Chi Minh City, and the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism. Nguyen Thi Khanh, President of Ho Chi Minh City ’s Tourism Association, said that at present, domestic tourism is gradually recovering with positive results, but international tourism, both inbound and outbound, has not recovered as expected. Therefore, in addition to trading activities between units in the tourism industry, the programme also has activities to introduce new products and services of localities and businesses around the country. Organisers said that they will organise tours to destinations in Ho Chi Minh City and other southern localities … [Read more...] about Programme links strength of Vietnam’s tourism