An art performance at the ceremony (Photo: VNA) HCM City (VNA) – The People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City organised a ceremony on March 23 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Italy (March 23, 1973-2023). In his remarks, Chairman of the People’s Committee Phan Van Mai highlighted the increasingly close ties between the two countries, saying over the past 50 years, the bilateral relationship has grown actively across spheres, both bilaterally and multilaterally. The good traditional friendship has also been consolidated and enhanced, the official added. Notably, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam presented Italy with more than 300,000 masks, while Italy donated 2.8 million doses of vaccines to the Southeast Asian nation. This vividly demonstrates the intensive and effective strategic partnership and friendship between the two countries, he said. HCM City, for its part, has actively worked to promote cooperation with … [Read more...] about 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Italy diplomatic ties celebrated in HCM City
Infectious canine hepatitis prevention
Serious air pollution forces many schools in Laos to close
Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Vientiane (VNA) – Many schools in Laos have been closed as the country is experiencing unprecedented high levels of PM2.5 - airborne particles less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter - due to wildfires and farmers burning scrubland in preparation for crop planting. All kindergartens in the northern provinces of Bokeo and Xayaboury have been forced to close, while the closure is imposed for all schools in Thaphabat district in the central province of Bolikhamxay from March 28-31. Air pollution has also impacted domestic tourism as a number of visitors have either cancelled their bookings or shortened their vacations. Some flights to northern Laos have also been delayed or cancelled due to the issue. Phu Chi Fa National Park in Thailand ’s Chiang Rai province has been closed to tourists after being ravaged by a forest fire that spread over the border from Laos. Earlier, the Thai province of Nong Khai which borders Vientiane also … [Read more...] about Serious air pollution forces many schools in Laos to close
Vietnamese, Chinese localities eye stronger border trade
Participants at the talks (Photo: VNA) Lang Son (VNA) – Secretary of the Party Committee of Lang Son province Nguyen Quoc Doan held talks with Liu Ning, Secretary of the Party Committee of China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, in Lang Son city on March 30, during which they discussed measures to further expand border trade cooperation. The two sides positively evaluated the close high-level relationship between the two Parties and States, as well as between Lang Son and Guangxi, which has been increasingly strengthened and nurtured. They also discussed measures to promote the potential and strengths, and step up cross-border trade. Liu said he hopes the two countries will continue to strengthen strategic development and connection and deepen practical cooperation in various fields, thus strongly promoting the partnership and comprehensive strategic cooperation in the new era. The Chinese official said Guangxi is currently implementing measures to promote the … [Read more...] about Vietnamese, Chinese localities eye stronger border trade
State budget revenue up 1.3% in Q1
At a press conference on March 30 to report the collection of State budget in the first quarter of 2023 (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - State budget revenue reached an estimated 491.5 trillion VND (over 20.9 billion USD) in the first quarter of 2023, equivalent to 30.3% of the estimate, and up 1.3% from the same period last year, the Ministry of Finance reported on March 30. Twenty-eight of the 63 provinces and centrally-run cities nationwide recorded state budget revenue hitting 28% of their yearly estimates. Twenty-three provinces and centrally-run cities saw the higher revenues than in the same period of 2022, while 40 others reported lower revenues. Meanwhile, the accumulated expenditure in the first quarter was equivalent to 17.5% of the yearly estimate. The Ministry of Finance said expenditures in the last three months were carried out as planned, meeting requirements for socio-economic development, defence, security safeguarding, state management, debt repayment, and … [Read more...] about State budget revenue up 1.3% in Q1
Trump’s Indonesia partner launches tourism complex on Java
JAKARTA -- Indonesian property firm PT MNC Land launched on Friday a 1,040 hectare (2,570 acre) tourism complex on Java island, where former U.S. President Donald Trump's company will operate a hotel and a golf course. Indonesian President Joko Widodo also inaugurated a special conomic zone within MNC's tourism project, which is called Lido City and located around 60 km (37 miles) south of the capital Jakarta in the Bogor area. MNC Land said the special economic zone status means investors or developers can benefit from corporate and luxury goods sales tax cuts and some leniency on permits, adding benefits included an 80-year building rights title and foreign ownership. It was not clear whether the Trump Organization would also benefit from tax breaks, which include a tax holiday for corporate tax for 10 to 20 years based on the investment value. During his presidency, Trump had kept ownership of his global business empire, but handed off control to his two oldest sons through … [Read more...] about Trump’s Indonesia partner launches tourism complex on Java