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
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MoMo among Top 10 global financial service platforms
MoMo is the only Vietnamese representative in the list of Top 10 Global Platforms 2023. (Photo courtesy of MoMo) HCM City (VNA) - MoMo, Vietnam’s leading super app, has been named among the Top 10 Global Platforms by TABInsights, the research arm of The Asian Banker magazine. MoMo also won the award for “Best Platform for Financial Services in Vietnam” at the Excellence in Retail Financial Services Awards from The Asian Banker on March 16. The only Vietnamese representative in the list of Top 10 Global Platforms 2023 ranks seventh in the list that includes behemoths like Alipay, Apple Pay and Paypal. TABInsights assessed the leading 20 global platforms and ranked them based on a six-dimensional balanced scorecard covering capabilities across six key dimensions: customer, coverage and service scope, usage and engagement, financial performance, strategy, and leadership. “The best platform demonstrates exceptional efforts to bring together a wide variety of integrated … [Read more...] about MoMo among Top 10 global financial service platforms
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
Fulbright University chief named to Tasco management board
She had announced she would leave her post as Fulbright president this summer after an eight-year stint. Thuy, 62, has master’s degrees in management from Harvard University and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in the U.S. She has also been general director of ANZ Vietnam and the Vietnam International Commercial Joint Stock Bank (VIB). Tasco was known as a major toll booth operator with projects spread throughout the country. After its founder, Phan Quang Dung, quit as president, the firm restructured with three different businesses: infrastructure-car service, real estate and insurance. This year Tasco targets revenues of VND22.5 trillion (US$957.6 million) and a profit of VND600 billion. … [Read more...] about Fulbright University chief named to Tasco management board
‘Bread King’ turns his sights to gelato
For the last few weeks GoGelato in Binh Tan District has been offering ice cream for free to gather feedback for the new products. Luc, an ethnic Chinese entrepreneur who became famous in 2020 for introducing dragon fruit bread , wants to use domestic fruits as the main ingredients to make ice cream. "I started learning how to make fruit ice-cream two years ago when I saw lots of fruits remaining unsold due to oversupply." While people are tightening their purse strings now due to inflation, Luc said the food business is recession-proof and consumption would recover soon. Luc started doing business in Vietnam in 1979 and has won many international awards for his breads. His chain supplies to major brands such as Starbucks, KFC, Lotteria, Jollibee and Domino’s Pizza. The Vietnamese ice cream market grew by 7% last year to VND4.3 trillion (US$182.94 million), with the three top players, Kido Group, Unilever Vietnam and Vinamilk, dominating with a combined 64% market share, … [Read more...] about ‘Bread King’ turns his sights to gelato
New regulation in place to boost Vietnam’s real estate market
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
Van Don Airport to pilot facial recognition tech for passengers
The high-tech measure is expected to improve the airport's operational efficiency and the detection of aviation violations. Van Don International Airport in the northern province of Quang Ninh is to pilot facial recognition (biometric authentication) for passengers at the check-in counter, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV). After Cat Bi International Airport in the northern city of Haiphong, this is the second airport in the country to pilot this advanced facial recognition technology. Travelers using chip-based citizen ID cards must go through a facial recognition system at the security check. The screening system uses VeriPAX software developed by the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV). VeriPAX software displays all information read from ID cards and itinerary information associated with the passenger list to verify information on ID cards and boarding passes. Aviation officers will allow passengers into the screening area if the … [Read more...] about Van Don Airport to pilot facial recognition tech for passengers
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
Vietnam electronic firm Asanzo not committed trade fraud
The fact that Asanzo only assembled products with components made by other companies but then labeled them as “Made-in Vietnam” is not an offense. The lack of specific criteria for “Made-in-Vietnam” products as well as for products assembled and then sold domestically means electronic firm Asanzo has not committed trade fraud, according to the conclusion the Anti-corruption, Economic crimes and Smuggling Department, aka C03, under the Ministry of Public Security. Electronic firm Asanzo is concluded not to commit trade fraud. As a result, the fact that Asanzo only assembled products with components made by other companies but then labeled them as “Made-in Vietnam”, “Manufactured in Vietnam”, or “Origin from Vietnam”, is not an offense, said C03. C03 requested the General Department of Vietnam Customs to check components and parts imported by Asanzo after they had been cleared by the customs authorities to ensure the firm’s compliance with laws on … [Read more...] about Vietnam electronic firm Asanzo not committed trade fraud
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