Chief Justice of the Supreme People’s Court Nguyen Hoa Binh speaks at the meeting. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Chief Justice of the Supreme People’s Court Nguyen Hoa Binh and Minister of Justice Le Thanh Long cleared up questions regarding asset recovery in corruption cases , at a Q&A session in Hanoi on March 20 as part of the 21st meeting of the National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee. Binh admitted that the work has yet to be done strictly although 40% of the assets were recovered over the past decade. The roadblock lies with the process to prove that the assets are acquired from corruption cases, he said, stressing the need to raise the efficiency of investigations and quickly seal off the assets to speed up the work. For his part, Long reported that as from October 2022, competent forces recovered 17 trillion VND (720.87 million USD), up nearly 12 trillion VND year-on-year. He, however, pointed to a host of obstacles such as the assets in major … [Read more...] about Legislators scrutinise corrupt asset recovery
Legislation for record keeping
Railway sector sets plans to avoid losses this year
A train of Viet Nam Railways. — Photo courtesy of VNR The railway sector is striving to escape losses and divest capital in many companies in 2023, the Committee for Management of State Capital at Enterprises said about the Project on Restructuring Viet Nam Railways (VNR) from 2021 to 2025. The project has identified and evaluated the achievements and limitations on the basis of a comprehensive assessment. The restructuring of VNR in 2016-2020 includes the production and business performance, the level of safety, security and defence, development and investment, science and technology and digital transformation. It also sets out goals and plans for the restructuring of the corporation in 2021-2025, aiming at innovation, improved corporate governance, effective exploitation of resources, and enhanced labour productivity. Additionally, VNR tries to achieve and exceed the targets assigned by competent authorities, fulfil the obligation to pay the State budget, ensure enough … [Read more...] about Railway sector sets plans to avoid losses this year
Dengue fever hits before rains this year
Vietnam has recorded around 13,000 cases of dengue fever so far this year, about 2.3 times higher than the same period in 2022, according to the Ministry of Health. The rising numbers of cases have been recorded in mainly in central and southern localities, the General Department of Preventive Medicine reported. However, Hanoi has also not been spared. The capital’s Center for Disease Control (CDC) has recorded 172 dengue fever cases in 23 of 30 districts, a 20-fold increase from the same period last year. The health ministry said abnormal weather conditions have contributed to the rise in the number of cases. Normally dengue does not hit in such numbers until the rainy season. A surge in cases is expected soon as the country enters the rainy season, it added. On Monday, the ministry asked localities to ramp up environmental cleanup efforts to curb the spread of outbreaks. Medical facilities must ensure enough medicine and equipment to treat patients, it added. Vietnam … [Read more...] about Dengue fever hits before rains this year
Technology improvements at heart of Lazada’s legacy
Lazada continues to offer new promotions to entice its customer base As one of the early e-commerce players in Vietnam, Lazada is at the forefront of technology to meet customers’ evolving demand. During the Birthday Sale Boom shopping festival in March, the company increased its investments in two new shopping channels, LazLook and LazBeauty, bringing a unique and sophisticated shopping experience to users. There are also myriad promotions for refunds and free shopping. At the same time, the Lazada Super Show virtual music festival has also been held. By integrating 360-degree AR technology, viewers were immersed in unique spaces at home. Meanwhile, the company also applies realistic AI and AR-powered Virtual Try-On to shoppers, enabling beauty lovers to instantly sample products with pictures or live videos of themselves before making a purchase. The moves are all part of attempts to be ahead of the e-commerce game in expectation of an explosion in growth. According to a … [Read more...] about Technology improvements at heart of Lazada’s legacy
NA Standing Committee holds Q&A session on judicial issues
The Q&A session of the NA Standing Committee on March 20 (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee held a question-and-answer (Q&A) session about judicial issues on March 20 as part of its 21st meeting. NA deputies’ delegations of localities nationwide also joined the Q&A session via videoconference, which was broadcast live on national radio and television. In his opening remarks, NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue said the court and procuracy sectors have a very important role to play in ensuring the strict enforcement of legal documents to help with the fight against corruption and negative phenomena. Courts are judging bodies that exercise judicial rights and protect justice, human rights, citizens’ rights, the socialist regime, interests of the State, and rights and legitimate interests of organiations and individuals. With a high sense of responsibility, courts have improved the quality and effectiveness of judging activities. … [Read more...] about NA Standing Committee holds Q&A session on judicial issues
Hazardous rat poison flooding Vietnamese market
Many hazardous types of rodenticides that were prohibited several years ago are now widely sold at pesticide shops, hawker stalls, and grocery stores, posing a threat to residents’ health and lives in Vietnam. In Hanoi, several types of rat poison, without labels or clear origin, are sold everywhere, from hawker stalls to convenience stores. At a grocer's at Thanh Cong B Wet Market, at least three types of rat poison are on sale at a price ranging from VND20,000 (US$0.85) to VND300,000 ($1.27). “Rodenticides mixed with unhusked rice were less effective to kill rats, while rats die immediately eating the poison with red liquid inside,” said the owner of the grocer's. The poisonous drug originates in China, said the owner. “I do not know the ingredients of this type, but the rat poison works well. Rats die right after eating a piece of cake and food mixed with a few droplets of the liquid drug,” stressed the owner. A search for rodenticides with keywords 'Rat poison' on … [Read more...] about Hazardous rat poison flooding Vietnamese market
Prime Minister pledges to further support enterprises at Vietnam Business Forum 2023
Reviewing the country’s socio-economic recovery and development achievements in 2022, the PM said the macro economy remained stable, major economic balances were ensured, and notably the domestic investment and business environment was improved significantly. During the post-COVID-19 period, the foreign investment disbursement went up 13.5% as compared with 2021, which reflected Vietnam’s attractiveness in the regional and global investment maps, he said. Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the Vietnamese Party and State advocate green growth in order to ensure rapid, effective and sustainable economic development, contributing to implementing the 2021-2030 socio-economic development strategy. However, green growth needs a suitable roadmap, with conditions and capacity of each region, locality and business taken into consideration, he noted, encouraging the engagement of all, particularly businesses and people, in this regard. The Government will work to consolidate institutions, … [Read more...] about Prime Minister pledges to further support enterprises at Vietnam Business Forum 2023
Partnership forum discusses digital transformation in justice sector
Addressing the event, Nguyen Thanh Tinh said that digital transformation is a major policy of the Vietnamese Party and State in recent years. In that context, the Ministry of Justice identifies it as an important task that contributes to improving the validity and efficiency of its State management as well as the quality of public services. The ministry has issued digital transformation programs and set out goals to implement the government's relevant policies. To date, all administrative procedures under the management of the ministry have been connected to the National Public Service Portal. This helps to create favorable conditions for people and enterprises and improves the management and administration capacity of all-level authorities, thus contributing to promoting economic growth and increasing national competitiveness, he said. Ramla Khalidi stated that digital transformation can contribute to achieving the objectives of building a modern and professional justice system … [Read more...] about Partnership forum discusses digital transformation in justice sector
Naval unit offers fact-finding tour for students in Ho Chi Minh City
Participants to the tour offered incense at a memorial site for heroic martyrs who sacrificed themselves to protect the national sovereignty over the Fatherland’s Southwestern waters and islands in Vung Tau city, Ba Ria - Vung Tau province. They were also introduced to line-up regulations, forces of the Vietnam People’s Navy and Naval Region 2, and frigates of Brigade 167. They visited gardens and barracks of the brigade. They were given a brief introduction about the significance of Vietnam’s sea and islands to the Fatherland’s protection cause, and the Party’s guidelines in protecting the national sovereignty over sea and islands, and so on. Captain Le Ba Quan, Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of Naval Region 2, briefed participants about situations in the East Sea (South China Sea) recently, and achievements of troops of the naval region after its 14 years of construction and development. He hoped that the students will actively study to get good academic records, promote … [Read more...] about Naval unit offers fact-finding tour for students in Ho Chi Minh City
Pharmaceutical companies urged to invest in R&D, improve competitiveness
ADC Pharma in Can Tho Province. As the domestic pharmaceutical market holds a lot of potential, local producers are urged to improve their competitiveness for expansion. — VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Liem It is critical for pharmaceutical companies to improve competitiveness with a focus on research and development (R&D), production technology and digitalisation. According to experts, this will help them expand their shares in the domestic market which remains being dominated by imported drugs and extend their international reach. Viet Nam’s pharmaceutical market has significant potential. The Ministry of Health estimated the market at US$6.9 billion in 2021 while BMI Research forecast the market to reach $16.1 billion in 2026 with a compound growth rate of up to 11 per cent. According to Nguyen Dieu Ha, general secretary and office chief of the Vietnam Pharmaceutical Companies Association (VNPCA), there are 55 foreign-invested pharmaceutical companies in Viet Nam as of the end of … [Read more...] about Pharmaceutical companies urged to invest in R&D, improve competitiveness