“Thanks to the effective pandemic response and guided by the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework (ACRF) and its Implementation Plan, we have emerged safer, stronger, and more resilient as a community,” he said at the event, held by the ASEAN Secretariat at its headquarters in Jakarta to mark ASEAN’s 55th founding anniversary. ASEAN trade volumes have returned to pre-pandemic levels and the association’s economy is forecast to grow by 4.9% this year and 5.2% next year. “The entry into force of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) earlier this year demonstrates ASEAN’s pivotal role in contributing to regional peace and growth, bettering the life of our people, and providing opportunities for all.” According to the Secretary General, in spite of these achievements, ASEAN must remain vigilant against the ever present risks to its recovery, including disruptions to the supply of key commodities, rising costs in food and logistics, and the economic slowdown in … [Read more...] about 55th ASEAN Day Celebration solemnly held
Ideas 30th birthday celebration
Hanoi celebrates ASEAN’s 55th founding anniversary
The ceremony was chaired by Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, and attended by Ambassadors of ASEAN countries and ASEAN partners. Minister Son said the foundation of ASEAN 55 years ago created the precedence for regional countries to realise their aspiration for a peaceful, stable region with sustainable and inclusive development. The annual ASEAN flag hoisting ceremony is held in each ASEAN member state to honour their common values and express the determination to promote solidarity and cooperation. This year’s event is of greater significance since the region is working towards the establishment of the ASEAN Community at the end of 2015 and Vietnam is marking its 20th year of ASEAN membership. ASEAN flag’s colours – blue, red, white and yellow – represent the main colours of the member countries’ flags. It symbolises unity and support for the bloc’s principles and mission, and represents a stable, peaceful, united and dynamic ASEAN./. VNA … [Read more...] about Hanoi celebrates ASEAN’s 55th founding anniversary
Exhibition highlighting ASEAN’s cultural colours opens in Hanoi
The event, held at the Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum on Hanoi’s Nguyen Thai Hoc street, is showcasing traditional costumes of ASEAN countries, as well as photos featuring their landscapes, cultures, and peoples, with a hope to popularise a diverse and rich ASEAN culture. In his opening remarks, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ta Quang Dong affirmed that the exhibition is an important artistic and cultural event in celebration of ASEAN’s 55th founding anniversary. It will help enhance mutual understanding among the peoples, and contribute to the expansion of economic and investment cooperation, tourism development, as well as the improvement of connectivity, solidarity and friendship among the ASEAN member states, Dong affirmed. The exhibition will remain open to visitors until August 12. Source: VNA … [Read more...] about Exhibition highlighting ASEAN’s cultural colours opens in Hanoi
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
☕ Afternoon briefing on August 8
Hanoi (VNA) - The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency on August 8. - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 described digital transformation as an important tool for the building of an independent and self-reliant economy and the extensive and effective integration into the world. He made the remark while chairing the third meeting of the National Committee on Digital Transformation in Hanoi. Read full story - Issues in the areas of public security and culture, sports and tourism will be the focus of the upcoming question-and-answer session of the 15th National Assembly (NA)’s 14th session on August 10, according to a freshly-released plan of the NA Standing Committee. Read full story - A delegation of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) led by Lt. Gen. Hun Manet, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the RCAF and Commander of the Royal Cambodian Army, is making an official visit to Vietnam. Following an official welcome … [Read more...] about ☕ Afternoon briefing on August 8
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
In Vietnam, online vendors seek ways to avoid taxes
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