A deserted area in a real estate hotspot in HCM City’s District 9. — Photo cafeland.vn HCM CITY — Property speculation and a lack of roads and facilities such as hospitals, schools and shopping malls have led to a number of so-called “deserted towns” in real estate hotspots in HCM City. In recent years, a number of huge residential and urban projects have attracted investment in districts 9, 2, 12 and Cần Giờ District. However, most of the areas, located in spots where so-called land fever has occurred, are empty or unfinished, especially in District 9. In 2005, District 9 in the eastern part of the city had hundreds of projects attracting many investors, most of whom were land speculators. However, many of the projects remain unfinished or those that have been completed have few occupants. The Đông Tăng Long Urban Area project in District 9 was one of the most promising projects for speculators … [Read more...] about Major projects languish as speculators abandon land plots
Lands used trucks
Vietnam introduces meth de-addiction regimen as use becomes widespread
Thus, the patients’ willingness to escape from their addictions plays a vital role in the new regimen’s effectiveness. Doctors will use behavioral and psychological intervention and counseling along with support from the patient’s family, according to the plan devised by the Ministry of Health. Criminal cases involving the use of drugs, specifically methamphetamine, have been prominently featured on local media recently. On Monday, a 26-year-old man murdered his parents and paternal grandmother in Saigon’s Hoc Mon District under the influence of methamphetamine, believing that his family was against his love for a woman. He has been arrested. Earlier this year, 8 people were killed and 8 others were injured in the northern province of Hai Duong when a truck driver rammed into a group of pedestrians walking along the National Highway 5. The driver was later found to be high on meth. Drug use is not rare among Vietnamese truck drivers with heavy workloads, people … [Read more...] about Vietnam introduces meth de-addiction regimen as use becomes widespread
Illegal sand exploitation causes land erosion along Hồng River
Removal of sand has allegedly caused land along the Hồng river to fall into the water. — Photo vov.vnViet Nam News It is alleged that the erosion has been caused by illegal sand exploitation on the river over many years. Sand mining usually takes place at night to avoid detection by authorities. One illegal sand business had 10 barges with a capacity of 50 tonnes each, said the paper. The barges deposit the sand along the riverbank for sale, turning the area into a small construction site with trucks arriving and departing all day. Cao Xuân Tiến, a local resident, said: “Every night we suffer the terrible noise from machines collecting sand.” “Removing sand from the river erodes the land we use for cultivation,” he said. Residents have complained to district authorities a number of times, but the problem persists. In response, authorities confirmed the riverside in Mai Châu Village was falling away, but not because of illegal … [Read more...] about Illegal sand exploitation causes land erosion along Hồng River
HCM City seeks ways to curb CO2 emissions from vehicles
Viet Nam News HCM CITY — Air pollution in HCM City caused by vehicles has become even more serious than the level of pollution emitted by industrial zones, environmental experts say. The amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the city is estimated to be 38.5 million tonnes per year, making up about 16 per cent of the country’s total. Of the amount, CO2 emissions from automotive exhaust account for 45 per cent. With such alarming figures, the city is seeking ways to urgently reduce CO2 emissions, particularly from automobiles and motorbikes. In 2010, the city had 4.5 million motorbikes and 420,000 cars, but last year, the figure was 7.5 million motorbikes and 790,000 cars. By 2020, the number of vehicles is expected tol surge by 30 per cent, with nearly nine million motorbikes and 800,000 cars. Both cars and motorbikes discharge carbon monoxide (CO), CO2, nitrogen oxide (NOx) and sulphur oxide (SOx) into the atmosphere through exhaust pipes, flue gas stacks, and … [Read more...] about HCM City seeks ways to curb CO2 emissions from vehicles
BUSINESS NEWS IN BRIEF 31/8
Mitsubishi plans to make electric cars in Viet Nam Japan’s Mitsubishi Corporation plans to invest in an electric automobile manufacturing factory in Viet Nam, said Executive Vice President Hiroshi Sakuma during a meeting with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue in Ha Noi on Wednesday. At the meeting, Sakuma said his firm was evaluating the feasibility of the project and look forward to new regulations on environmental protection taxes to promote investment in the country. Hue said Viet Nam’s National Assembly would soon discuss and pass the Law on Environmental Protection Tax. There would be incentives commensurate with environmentally friendly products. The Mitsubishi Corporation is currently investing in two BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) projects in Viet Nam, namely the Vung Ang 2 Thermal Power Plant (1,200 MW) and Vinh Tan 3 (1,980 MW) Power Plant. The corporation and Viet Nam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade signed an investment … [Read more...] about BUSINESS NEWS IN BRIEF 31/8