Dao Van Chieu, from the north-central province of Thanh Hoa, said that he received a call on Monday, his first day back in the city after a visit to his hometown for Tet . "They offered me a job listening to music and liking songs on an online music site for VND10,000 (43 cents) per song," Chieu said. Despite having previously read warnings about online tricksters, he still tried out the gig as a way to investigate and possibly warn other people of the scam. "They actually paid me VND10,000," Chieu said, "then they tempted me to send in money for high commission. The online group they established had attracted nearly 4,000 members." As soon as he joined the group, his phone began receiving a relentless flow of chat notifications. Every time someone completed a task, they would send a message to the group. "Receiving hundreds of messages means hundreds of people believed in the system and had completed the tasks," Chieu said. "Among them, many might have been deceived." … [Read more...] about Hundreds fall for post-Tet online scams
Confirmed transfers 2018 19
Hong Kong offers free flights after Covid isolation
The government's rebranding campaign, "Hello, Hong Kong", bills itself as an effort to tell "good stories" about the southern Chinese city. Promising "no isolation, no quarantine and no restrictions" during a speech to business and tourism heavyweights, Chief Executive John Lee announced 500,000 free air tickets for visitors to experience the city's "hustle and bustle." The giveaway will open in March, with another 80,000 tickets up for grabs to residents in the summer. "This, ladies and gentlemen, is probably the world's biggest welcome ever," Lee said. Adherence to Beijing's zero-Covid doctrine of quarantine, closed borders and face masks kept Hong Kong largely virus-free until a deadly Omicron outbreak at the start of 2022. But it also contributed to an economic recession and the exodus of more than 2.5% of the population. Even as business leaders warned Hong Kong would need a full Covid exit plan before any meaningful reboot, officials insisted on gradually rolling back … [Read more...] about Hong Kong offers free flights after Covid isolation
Vietnam publishes book on Communist Party chief’s anti-corruption
The book shows the Party Chief’s comprehensive direction in the graft fight drawn from practice and foresight on issues of Party building, anti-corruption, and the country’s development. Vietnam today [February 2] introduced the launch of a 600-book on the corruption fight by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Nguyen Phu Trong. The book on Anti-corruption was written by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Nguyen Phu Trong. Photo: NLD Titled “Persistently determined to prevent and fight against corruption and negative phenomena, contributing to building an increasingly transparent and strong Party and State”, the book summarizes the anti-corruption direction of the General Secretary, who is also head of the Central Steering Committee on Anti-corruption. The book, published by the National Political Publishing House, will be released in print and online. The online version is available for free on stbook.vn . … [Read more...] about Vietnam publishes book on Communist Party chief’s anti-corruption
Party chief’s book on fight against corruption and negative phenomena released
Participants at the ceremony (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – A ceremony was held in Hanoi on February 2 to release the book entitled “Resolutely, persistently fighting corruption and negative phenomena to contribute to building more transparent and stronger Party and State” by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Nguyen Phu Trong. The release of the book is part of activities to celebrate the 93rd founding anniversary of the CPV (February 3) and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Central Steering Committee for Prevention and Control of Corruption and Negative Phenomena (February 1). Jointly published by the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for Internal Affairs and the Su That (Truth) National Political Publishing House, the book presents directions of comrade Nguyen Phu Trong as the Party leader and head of the steering committee in a systematic manner, and demonstrates the Party’s consistent ideology on the prevention and control of … [Read more...] about Party chief’s book on fight against corruption and negative phenomena released
Vietnam develops green agriculture to increase exports to E.U.
Last year, Vietnam’s export revenue of agro-fishery-forestry products set a record high of 53.22 billion USD, up 9.3% year-on-year. However, Europe accounted for only 11.3% of its market share. This is a modest number, although the agricultural sector has optimized many advantages of the E.U. - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). One of the main reasons is said to be the union’s high requirements on farm imports, while Vietnam’s agricultural production has yet to meet green growth requirements. According to the World Bank’s report, agriculture is the second highest emitter, accounting for 19% of the nation’s total gas emissions in 2020. About 48% of the sector’s emissions and more than 75% of methane emissions are from rice production. Therefore, to boost farm exports to the E.U., the sector is advised to pay more attention to green growth indicators through making policies and roadmaps to reduce greenhouse gas and methane emissions in accordance with international … [Read more...] about Vietnam develops green agriculture to increase exports to E.U.
Vietnam Airlines once again threatened with delisting
By the end of December 31 the national flag carrier alone (not including its subsidiaries) was recording an accumulated loss of VND34.2 trillion ($1.46 billion). Its equity was a negative VND10.2 trillion. Vietnam Airlines still needs to publish its consolidated financial statement, which would include the earnings of its subsidiaries. If the report shows an accumulated loss, 2022 would be the third straight year the airline has posted a loss and its shares will be delisted from the HoSE. Under the current regulation, a company will have its ticker delisted if it reports losses for three consecutive years, its accumulated losses exceed the charter capital, or its equity is negative. The last time Vietnam Airlines received this warning was in September last year when it reported an accumulated loss of over VND5.1 trillion. The two years of Covid-19 created major difficulties for Vietnam Airlines and its subsidiaries Pacific Airlines and Vietnam Air Services Company (VASCO). … [Read more...] about Vietnam Airlines once again threatened with delisting
Vietnamese woman hospitalized after swallowing toothpick
Doctors at a hospital in Quang Ninh Province, northern Vietnam have successfully removed a sharp bamboo toothpick from the duodenum of a female patient. The patient, 56-year-old N.T.H., had suffered stomach pain since January 21 but she did not see a doctor because it was the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday. As the pain escalated, H. was taken to a local medical center where she was diagnosed with foreign bodies in the digestive tract, and was later transferred to Quang Ninh General Hospital. Her CT scan result showed a sharp rod-shaped foreign body about three centimeters long in the second part of the duodenum. Doctors later performed a gastroscopy to remove the object. During the procedure, doctors discovered that the foreign body was a sharp bamboo toothpick, with one end piercing through the intestinal mucosa. Despite difficulties, doctors were able to remove the toothpick from the patient’s duodenum after nearly an hour. The patient is now in a stable condition and is … [Read more...] about Vietnamese woman hospitalized after swallowing toothpick
Vietnam collects $78 million in tax from foreign tech giants in 2022
Vietnam collects $78 million in tax from cross-border platforms in 2022 According to the department, in March 2022, it launched the information portal for foreign service providers. As of the end of October last year, over 40 foreign service providers had registered and declared tax on the information portal for foreign service providers. Meta, Google, Microsoft, TikTok, Netflix, and Apple, which account for 90 per cent of revenue from e-commerce services on cross-border digital platforms , have declared and paid taxes in Vietnam, totalling tens of millions of dollars. For example, Google paid $28.8 million, Meta (Facebook) $34.5 million, and Apple with $7.56 million. These cross-border platforms, which account for 90 per cent of revenue from e-commerce services on cross-border digital platforms, have declared and paid tax in Vietnam, totalling tens of millions of dollars. Tax revenue collected from cross-border platforms has increased thanks to the launch of the electronic … [Read more...] about Vietnam collects $78 million in tax from foreign tech giants in 2022
Party chief receives 55-year Party membership badge
At the award ceremony (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong was awarded the 55-year Party membership badge at a ceremony in Hanoi on February 2. The event took place on the occasion of the 93rd founding anniversary of the CPV (February 3, 1930-2023). In his remarks, the Party leader called the badge a noble prize, saying it was his honour to receive it. Trong recalled that he was admitted to the Party on December 19, 1967 when he was a 23-year-old student. He expressed his great thanks to the Party, the State and people for their support over the past 55 years. The leader pledged absolute loyal to the Party’s revolutionary ideal and cause, and that he would continue to study and follow President Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, morality and lifestyle./. VNA … [Read more...] about Party chief receives 55-year Party membership badge
IFC appoints new regional Asia-Pacific VP
Riccardo Puliti, IFC’s new regional vice president for Asia and the Pacific. — Photo courtesy of IFC Riccardo Puliti, who was on Wednesday appointed IFC’s new regional Vice President for Asia and the Pacific, will focus on addressing multiple crises amid global economic slowdown. An Italian national, Puliti will oversee IFC’s regional efforts in spurring private sector growth and identifying impactful collaborations for a green, resilient, and inclusive recovery in response to multiple crises and a deteriorating global economic outlook. Economies in the Asia and Pacific region continue to suffer from COVID-19 disruptions. At the same time, Russia’s war in Ukraine, tightening global financial conditions, weaker global growth, and more frequent disruptive weather events linked to climate change threaten to dampen the region’s growth trajectory, according to the World Bank’s latest Global Economic Prospects report. In taking on the role of IFC’s Vice President for Asia and the … [Read more...] about IFC appoints new regional Asia-Pacific VP