The MIC called for a level playing field for domestic and foreign companies. Vietnam's Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) is seeking Government approval for a proposal to regulate over-the-top (OTT) interpersonal communication, which would bring popular messaging apps such as Zalo, Viber, and Telegram under the Telecommunications Law. The ministry believes that over-the-top service platforms such as Zalo, Viber, Telegram, and WhatsApp are replacing mobile phone services. However, there are currently no legal provisions governing these platforms, and there is no way to protect users and information security, the MIC stressed. Over-the-top media services, like Zalo, Viber, and Telegram, are displayed on a smartphone. Photo: Anh Quan Some world governments (in Europe, China, and South Korea) have classified this service as a telecom service and regulated it in accordance with the Telecommunications Law, it added. The ministry also called … [Read more...] about MIC to regulate OTT communication in Vietnam
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Vietnam to raise air ticket price cap
The maximum airfare on four out of five flight distances will rise in the second or third quarter, according to a recent price report of the Ministry of Finance. The biggest increase will be 6.67% (to VND4 million or $170) for one-way tickets on flights of 1,280 kilometers (Hanoi to Phu Quoc Island) and longer. Flights between 1,000 and 1,280 kilometers will see their ticket cap price rise 6.25% to VND3.4 million. Flights of smaller distances will see their maximum price rise by between 2.27% and 3.58%. Flights under 500 kilometers will see no ceiling change. Their prices will remain at a maximum of VND1.7 million per one-way ticket. The cap price increase will likely bring Vietnam’s 2023 Consumer Price Index up by 0.07% points. Earlier this year, Vietnam Airlines and Bamboo Airways proposed increasing the cap ticket price to take into account rising in costs. The airfare price cap was last increased in 2015. By November last year, fuel costs had surged more than 80% … [Read more...] about Vietnam to raise air ticket price cap
Vietnam to block payment for unlicensed games
There are hundreds of thousands of unauthorized games, card games, and gambling games which cause insecurity and disorder as well as bad consequences for the society, the ministry’s Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information said at a meeting on Thursday. The unauthorized games, mainly released on the App Store, Google Play, and online gaming platform Valse Stream, are estimated to generate an annual revenue of nearly VND5 trillion ($211.86 million), accounting for 30% of the total revenue of the game industry in Vietnam. The ministry is requiring organizations and businesses that provide intermediary payment services not to allow payment for unauthorized games through their systems. In the case of payments via IAP (in-app purchases), they should ask Apple and Google to provide sufficient information about the transaction to block the payment. Every month, the Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information will update the list of licensed and unlicensed games … [Read more...] about Vietnam to block payment for unlicensed games
The Ascott Vietnam unveils “hotter than the sun” offers
Travellers ride Citadines bikes around Ha Long Bay. — Photo from the Ascott Vietnam. The Ascott Vietnam has launched lined-up offers up to 35 per cent off for all travellers this year. The Ascott Limited (Ascott), a wholly owned subsidiary of CapitaLand Investment Limited, with the mission of becoming the leading international lodging owner-operators in the serviced apartment and hospitality industry, is offering promotions at most of its serviced apartments - hotels, from Ha Noi, Hai Phong, to Nha Trang, HCM City, and Binh Duong. It says guests can celebrate the glorious echoes of April - the month of the National Holidays while unwinding in comfort at Ascott’s properties across the country. They can explore Viet Nam’s glorious history on inclusive day-tour to top historic attractions in Ha Noi and HCM City and enjoy up to 40 per cent off. It also introduces a Sunny Side-up offer with up to 25 per cent off at seven premier hotels and serviced residences including scrumptious … [Read more...] about The Ascott Vietnam unveils “hotter than the sun” offers
Malaysia launches Halal Industry Master Plan 2030
Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (Source: malaysia kini.com) Jakarta (VNA) – Malaysia launched its Halal Industry Master Plan 2030 (HIMP 2030) on March 23, aiming to become a key player in the global halal market. Speaking at the launch, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi , who is also Chairman of the Malaysian Halal Development Council, said the plan’s theme of “Prominent, Visible and Globalised Halal Malaysia” represents the country’s target of promoting comprehensive growth and developing a robust halal industry ecosystem with more products and services to support future growth. He said one of the priorities for 2023 of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), the strategic driver for the HIMP 2030, is to expand trade for which halal goods and services could play a more prominent role. The official noted via the HIMP 2030, Malaysia expects its halal industry will reach 113.2 billion USD by 2030 and contribute … [Read more...] about Malaysia launches Halal Industry Master Plan 2030
Indonesia, Papua New Guinea strengthen tourism cooperation
Hanoi (VNA) – Indonesian Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno said his ministry will collaborate with Skouw Cross-Border Post (PLBN), Jayapura, Papua, Chief Administrator Yan Numberi, for tourism and creative economy development in Indonesia-Papua New Guinea (PNG) border. The official was quoted by local media as saying that the ministry will carry out two agendas to revive the tourism sector and the creative economy in border areas. The agenda for tourism and creative economy development in the border region aims to restore the condition of the Skouw PLBN to what it was before the COVID-19 pandemic when 1,500 foreign tourists had entered Indonesia, he stated. The first agenda is the improvement of tourism infrastructure and the creative economy within the framework of the Special Allocation Fund (DAK) that will be proposed in collaboration with the Jayapura City Tourism Service, Uno said. Moreover, he plans to hold the cross border festival in 2023 that … [Read more...] about Indonesia, Papua New Guinea strengthen tourism cooperation
Vietnam National University, Hanoi maintains position in world rankings
The Vietnam National University (VNU), Hanoi continues to maintain its position in key subjects with six ranked in the QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) World University Rankings by Subject 2023 (Photo: chinhphu.vn) Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnam National University (VNU), Hanoi continues to maintain its position in key subjects with six ranked in the QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) World University Rankings by Subject 2023 freshly released by the world's leading provider of services, analytics, and insight to the global higher education sector, according to the university. Specifically, in the broad subject area of “Engineering and Technology”, the VNU Hanoi has three subjects rated, including Computer Science and Information Systems (501 – 550), Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing Engineering (501-520), Electrical and Electronic Engineering (501-520). In the subject area of “Natural Sciences”, two subjects rated are Mathematics (351-400), and Physics & Astronomy (551-600). … [Read more...] about Vietnam National University, Hanoi maintains position in world rankings
Hanoi exerts efforts to boost tourism development
Foreign tourists join a double-decker bus tour around Hanoi (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The tourism sector of Hanoi has worked hard to step up linkages with other localities nationwide to diversify products and improve the quality of tourism services, toward attracting more holidaymakers to the capital city. Since the beginning of 2023, Vietnam has seen a significant rise in the number of tourists. Hanoi alone welcomed more than 3 million visitors in January and February, an increase of 2.8% compared to 2022. The figure included 535,000 foreign tourists. In February, hotel occupancy in Hanoi was about 56.2%, up by 39.5% over the same period in 2022. The total revenue from tourists reached 13.2 trillion VND, 3.6% higher than that last year. Tours featuring destinations in Hanoi are always connected with other tourist attractions such as Ha Long (Quang Ninh), Sa Pa (Lao Cai), Trang An (Ninh Binh), and Moc Chau (Son La). Such tours are suitable for tourists nationwide, … [Read more...] about Hanoi exerts efforts to boost tourism development