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A showroom displays and sells products under the country’s One Commune-One Product (OCOP) programme and other products in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Tra Vinh. (Photo: VNA) HCM City (VNS/VNA) - The Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta’s 12 provinces and the city of Can Tho are developing more products under the country’s “One Commune-One Product” programme. Launched in 2018, the OCOP programme focuses on developing specialty products and high-quality products in rural areas to increase incomes for locals and boost the sustainability of economic development in rural areas. OCOP products are commercial products and services such as food and beverages, handicrafts and rural tourism services. They are classified as having one to five stars. Under the programme, the Cuu Long delta, which is the country’s largest rice, seafood and fruit producer, has developed more OCOP products and increased their value. Can Tho recognised 18 new OCOP products last year, including 10 three-star … [Read more...] about Mekong Delta develops more OCOP products

Foreign investors poured nearly US$1.7 billion into Vietnam as of January 20. In the first month of 2023, newly-registered capital is estimated to have increased 3.1 times over the same period last year, showing that foreign investors still maintain confidence in Vietnam's investment environment. Hanoi ranks among the top localities in foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2022. Photo: Thang Long Industrial Park The Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment reported that there were 801 newly-registered projects totaling $1.2 billion and 89 projects increasing capital with a combined amount of $306.3 million. In addition, 204 transactions of share purchases by foreign investors were worth $174 million, representing a year-on-year decline of 60.7%. Meanwhile, the disbursement of foreign investments dropped by 16.3% to $1.35 billion. The agency attributed the decrease in registered and disbursed FDI to the national holiday (the … [Read more...] about Foreign investors remain confident about Vietnam’s business environment

A grade-9 schoolgirl in Yen Bai Province, northern Vietnam has succumbed to her critical condition after drinking liquor at a party during the past Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday, local authorities reported on Saturday. The girl, identified only as M., died on Thursday, the last day of the seven-day Tet break, after she attended a drinking party at her friend’s house two days earlier in Ban Cong Commune of the province’s Tram Tau District. As the party was taking place, M. stepped out of the house and then fell down, Hang A Hanh, deputy chairman of the Ban Cong administration, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper. The girl was unconscious when being found by her friends and was taken to a local hospital immediately for emergency treatment, but she died two days later at the age of 15, Hanh said. Local police are investigating the actual cause of the death, the official said. “M. drank alcohol at the party, and police officers are probing how much alcohol she had drunk,” Hanh … [Read more...] about 15-year-old Vietnamese girl dies after drinking alcohol at Tet party

Gia Lai is an ideal destination for travelers wanting to explore the wild nature and the unique culture of the Central Hughlands ethnic groups who are known for their gong heritage. When visiting Gia Lai, you do not need to go far to find beautiful scenery. Right in its provincial capital, Pleiku, you can find scenic Bien Ho (Sea Lake), Bien Ho Che (Tea Sea Lake), Chu Dang Ya and Ham Rong volcanoes and Chu mountain. All you need is a motorbike to drive around in Pleiku in the sun and wind of the Central Highlands to reach the best sightseeing places in town. You can enjoy the gorgeous view of Bien Ho with its cool and clear air or wander in immense green tea hills in Bien Ho Che. You can also see beautiful wild sunflowers dyeing yellow the sides of old volcanoes which have slept for millions of years, or enjoy the wild and dreamy beauty of rubber forests in their season of changing leaves. For those who love adventurous trips, Kon Chu Rang and Kon Ka Kinh (an ASEAN heritage park) … [Read more...] about Gia Lai – Ideal place for travelers wanting to explore wild nature

My son is doing well. He and his wife have stable incomes, they get along well, and have a son together. My daughter is not doing so well. She and her husband rent a home near ours, but they are struggling. Last year, her husband informed us that he was VND200 million ($8,533) in debt because his business was not doing well. He also owes my son VND30 million and owes my younger brother VND40 million. He sold his family’s land in the countryside to pay the debt, but could only pay VND100 million because market prices are low. He asked me to borrow money from my relatives on his behalf. I asked my daughter what kind of business her husband was doing that led to this situation. It turns out that he borrowed money online to gamble. I feel sorry for my daughter since she married a terrible husband. She does not want to divorce him because she wants her kids to have both a mom and dad. My daughter is now on maternity leave. Her husband only gives her VND2 million a month to pay for … [Read more...] about I am disappointed in my daughter-in-law

The Ministry of Finance's main office in downtown Ha Noi. — VNA/VNS Photo The Ministry of Finance (MoF) said tax support policies and land-use fee reductions for businesses should be continued throughout 2023 despite shortfalls in state budget collection. However, the ministry's proposal did not include a value-added tax (VAT) reduction of 2 per cent, which it said has been challenging and complicated to implement. In the MoF's latest proposal to the government, businesses, household businesses and individuals were to continue to enjoy a 30 per cent cut in land-use fees in 2023, on top of an extension on their tax duties. "The ministry supports the government's policy to give businesses more time to meet their financial duties and a 30 per cent reduction in land-use fees as parts of an effort to support businesses," said Ho Duc Phoc, Ministry of Finance. Phoc said key priorities for the central government this year include speeding up the disbursement of public investment … [Read more...] about Tax and land-use fee reductions should continue in 2023: MoF

Nguyen Thanh Tam from the northern city of Hai Phong was browsing Facebook last month when she came across a post seeking child models to promote a "major fashion brand’s" spring 2023 collection. Her daughter, who is almost 4 four years old, loves having her photo taken. She often strikes poses when her mother brings out her camera phone. Meanwhile, the single mom is too busy with work and has little time to spend with her child. So, she’s been wanting to find an extracurricular activity for her child. After signing her daughter up for the modeling gig, Tam was added to a private chat group on the messaging app Telegram where a fake talent scout asked for the baby's age, height and weight. This person later instructed her to contact a male coworker in a different chat group who would help her complete her daughter's application. The admin of the second chat group said the models could make VND7-15 million ($298-640) a month if the outfits used by the child commercial photo … [Read more...] about Parents fall for child modeling scams on social media

Vietnam’s four biggest State-owned banks have an urgent need for capital increase in 2023 as their charter capital is too low, with some unable to ensure the regulated minimum capital adequacy ratio (CAR), according to industry insiders. A customer at a Vietcombank office in Hanoi. Though the four biggest State-owned banks, including Vietcombank, have been a key force in supporting the economy to overcome difficulties, their charter capital is too low. Photo thoibaonganhang.vn Currently, the big four, including BIDV, Vietcombank, Agribank and VietinBank, only hold more than 40 per cent of the credit market share of the country’s banking system, but over the years, especially in the past three years, the banks have been a key force in supporting the economy to overcome the difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and global economic uncertainties. State-owned banks always take the lead in implementing incentive policies of the National Assembly, the … [Read more...] about State-owned banks under capital increase pressure