According to a scientific brief released by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March, the global prevalence of anxiety and depression significantly increased by 25 per cent in the first year of the pandemic. In pre-pandemic Vietnam, according to the statistics published by the Institute of Mental Health under the Hanoi-based Bach Mai Hospital, 30 per cent of the population was diagnosed with various mental health issues, while 25 per cent was related to depression and 15 per cent were caused by stress disorders. Despite close to one in three people being aware of their conditions, only a few sought medical attention. From the above statistics, the mental health of a large population has been heavily affected by the pandemic. Tran Thanh Phong, CMO at Prudential Vietnam said, “ We cannot talk about holistic wellness without considering mental health. The pandemic has clearly taken a toll on people’s mental health over the past two years, with uncertainties and anxiety … [Read more...] about Prudential Vietnam launches new AI-powered mental wellness tools
Launch credit union
MTA launches summer youth volunteer program
The program was held to promote the voluntary spirit of the academy’s youths to act for the community, contributing to social, economic, and cultural development of the country. In addition, the event offered participants an opportunity to pay gratitude to national heroes and fallen soldiers on the occasion of the Wounded and Fallen Soldiers' Day, to practice collaboration as a group, and self-improve their capabilities. The summer youth volunteer program includes numerous activities such as the social security and gratitude events, the support for freshmen, the voluntary blood donation, and so on. In order to complete the set targets, the academy has provided training courses on regulations and missions of the program and necessary skills for cadets and students. The academy’s leaderships and relevant agencies have also given adequate information and offered favorable conditions for students participating in the program. Translated by Trung Thanh … [Read more...] about MTA launches summer youth volunteer program
European businesses positive about Vietnam’s prospects for green growth
The Business Climate Index is the leading indicator of the European business and investment community in Vietnam. European businesses in Vietnam expressed their positiveness about Vietnam’s prospects for green growth, according to the latest Business Climate Index (BCI) released by the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) and YouGov Vietnam. CEOs of European businesses gather an event in Ho Chi Minh City last April. Photo: EuroCham According to the BCI, nearly 80% of participants said their assessment of Vietnam’s green development potential improved from the first quarter of this year. About 44% of the respondents have good and excellent outlook regarding the potential for Vietnam’s green and sustainable development. Regarding the link between green growth and foreign-direct investment (FDI), nearly 90% of the respondents believed Vietnam should accelerate green sector development to attract more foreign investment. EuroCham Chairman Alain … [Read more...] about European businesses positive about Vietnam’s prospects for green growth
Vietnam to solidify macro-economic stability: PM
Vietnam’s economy has performed well amid a difficult global environment in the first six months of the year. The Vietnamese Government would stay focused on stabilizing macro-economic conditions, containing inflation, and keeping all major balances intact. Overview of the meeting. Source: VGP Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh gave his conclusion at the monthly Government meeting held today [July 4]. According to Chinh, Vietnam’s economy has performed well amid a difficult global environment in the first six months of the year. Chinh highlighted the GDP growth of 7.72% in the second quarter, the highest second-quarter growth since 2011, and the six-month GDP growth of 6.42%. Such half-year growth rate is even higher than the pre-pandemic one. (6.38% in the 2016-2019 period). In this context, 44 out of 63 provinces/cities posted economic growth of over 6%, which showed a consistent recovery level among localities, he said. Other positive factors include … [Read more...] about Vietnam to solidify macro-economic stability: PM
Two Vietnamese tricked to work in Cambodia rescued
Puih Phu, 16, and Puih Thai, 28, were taken back home in La Grai District of Gia Lai Province in the Central Highlands on Sunday. Early this year, they got in touch with Tran Quang Quyet, 21, a native of the region’s Kon Tum Province, on Facebook. Quyet offered to help them get decent jobs with high salaries in Cambodia. However, once they arrived in Cambodia, they were forced to do all the hard work while their employers frequently beat them with rods and power cables. They were also threatened to be sold away or killed. Struggling to survive, Puih Thai asked to be sent home. The people who had tricked and sold him to Cambodia requested him to contact his family and pay bail of VND90 million ($3,854). Through his family, border guards in Gia Lai launched a special operation to track down the human trafficking ring, rescuing both Thai and Phu. Border guards have collaborated with police to expand the operation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced last week that … [Read more...] about Two Vietnamese tricked to work in Cambodia rescued
HCMC short of textiles, footwear labor
Thanh Cong Textile Garment - Investment – Trading JSC in Tan Phu District is in need of more than 1,000 workers. The employees are to make up for those that have already submitted their resignation and to serve the company’s plan to expand 20 of its branches in various cities and provinces. Yet the company has had trouble recruiting new employees unwilling to work on assembly lines and deal with the pressure of meeting product quality and quantity. Nguyen Huu Tuan, the firm’s human resource manager, said the textile-garment sector is no longer attractive to laborers. He said "a significant number" of staff at the company has either quit or is about to, without revealing the specific figure. In most cases, those employees switch to work in other industries that can guarantee them higher salaries or move back to their hometown now that the living cost in the city has grown increasingly expensive. "With a monthly income of VND8-9 million ($340-385), workers would not be able … [Read more...] about HCMC short of textiles, footwear labor
State Bank of Vietnam announces amendments to bank loans circular
Illegitimate land slots in Bao Loc City, Lam Dong Province. The draft bans bank loans to borrowers who use the loans to secure future transactions that are unqualified at the moment of the loans. — VNA/VNS Photo The State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV) has been developing a draft amending Circular 39 on bank loans, to keep credit risks in check. The draft bans bank loans to borrowers who use the loans to secure future transactions that are unqualified at the moment of the loans. The ban is expected to prevent the use of bank loans to purchase future real estate properties, which have not been given carte blanche from the authorities due to the lack of construction permits and proof of land use rights. The HCM City Real Estate Association (HoREA) believes that law-abiding real estate firms will remain unaffected by the ban since bank loans are still available to borrowers who aim for qualified real estate properties offered by the firms. "Unqualified realty properties include … [Read more...] about State Bank of Vietnam announces amendments to bank loans circular
All of administrative procedures in banking sector to be handled online
The headquarters of the State Bank of Vietnam (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The State Bank of Vietnam ( SBV ) has issued a decision on digital transformation plan in 2022, under which all of the administrative procedures are to be handled online. Under Decision No. 1097/QD-NHNN, about 65-70 percent of people from 15 years old will have accounts at banks or credit organisations. The sector will work to integrate all of its public services on the National Public Service Portal, and coordinate with ministries, agencies and localities to promote cashless payment. It will also step up data sharing with other State agencies through platforms, with contacts of officials in charge of the issue to be publicised, according to the document./. VNA … [Read more...] about All of administrative procedures in banking sector to be handled online
Friendship insignia bestowed upon Danish Ambassador
Danish Ambassador to Vietnam Kim Højlund Christensen (L) receives the insignia “For peace and friendship among nations” (Photo:VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Danish Ambassador to Vietnam Kim Højlund Christensen on July 4 was awarded the insignia “For peace and friendship among nations” for his contributions to promoting traditional friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Denmark. Speaking at the ceremony, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga highlighted the long-standing and traditional relations between Vietnam and Denmark. She said that during his term in Vietnam, the ambassador has contributed to the effective implementation of a transition programme to a low-carbon economy in Vietnam from 2017- 2022, and played an important role in promoting major Danish businesses to invest in Vietnam in 2022. The diplomat has made every effort to promote multifaceted relations between the two countries on the basis of mutual … [Read more...] about Friendship insignia bestowed upon Danish Ambassador
Malaysia witnesses strong economic recovery
On a street in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Photo:AFP/VNA) Kuala Lumpur (VNA) - Malaysia’s economic recovery remains in sight with a better trend as signalled by Malaysia's macroeconomic performance in April 2022 amid global uncertainty, said the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DoSM). Chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said in a statement that Malaysia is blessed with natural resources and commodities such as petroleum products and palm oil. As a net commodity exporter, Malaysia also benefits from higher commodity prices resulting in the country’s total trade chalking up a double-digit annual growth of 21.3% to 231.4 billion RM, he said. Exports rose 20.7% to 27.5 billion RM while imports went up 22% to 103.9 billion RM. The trade balance rose 15.7% and continued to remain in surplus at 23.5 billion RM. Malaysia's trade performance in May 2022 remained resilient, recording the fastest growth since November 2021, with total trade surpassing 1 … [Read more...] about Malaysia witnesses strong economic recovery