PM Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the meeting. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on June 3 asked ministries, agencies and localities to push the three engines of export, investment and consumption in order to spur the country's economic growth in the time ahead. Speaking at an online regular meeting between the Government and localities, the leader stressed the need to remove obstacles to production and business, and help enterprises in administrative procedures , interest rates and market expansion. He also urged localities to accelerate the disbursement of public investment capital and the implementation of the socio-economic recovery and development programme as well as national target programmes, and focus on site clearance and material preparations for key projects. Apart from promoting domestic consumption, it is necessary to expand export markets, the PM said, highlighting other tasks such as effectively optimising free trade … [Read more...] about Focusing on export, investment, consumption to boost growth: PM
New car tax rates
Vietnam emerges as a major motorcycle market and manufacturing hub
Currently, there are more than 70 million registered motorcycles in the Southeast Asian country with the figure projected to grow even larger in the future. In the first four months of 2023 alone, the country produced more than 1 million new motorcycles. Five major manufacturers: Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Piaggio, and SYM hold over 90% of the market share in Vietnam, manufacturers also export fully assembled models to international markets. VAMM said the stage has been set for Vietnam to become an attractive destination for motorcycle manufacturers in the Asia-Pacific region. Due to supply chain difficulties and rising trade tension between the U.S. and China, manufacturers have been shifting their investments to smaller markets in Asia to minimize risks. For example, the Japanese government has allocated a 2.2 billion USD fund in support of Japanese businesses relocating from China while the U.S. government has been calling for U.S. businesses to either return to the U.S. or … [Read more...] about Vietnam emerges as a major motorcycle market and manufacturing hub
National Power Development Plan VIII to ensure national energy security
The plan strives to increase the share of renewable energy in the country's power mix to between 67.5-71.5 % by 2050. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - The National Power Development Plan VIII , which has been recently approved by the Prime Minister, aims to ensure national energy security, thus satisfying the country's socio-economic requirements in the time ahead. GDP growth rate of about 7.0% during the 2021-2030 period, and 6.5-7.5% in 2031-2050. ASEAN in terms of power reliability. Additionally, half of the office buildings and homes in the country would be powered by rooftop solar panels by 2030. Illustrative image (Source: EVN) Greenhouse gas emissions from energy production would be cut to around 27-31 million tonnes by 2050 from about 204-254 million tonnes in 2030. VNA … [Read more...] about National Power Development Plan VIII to ensure national energy security
Vietnam Festival 2023 kicks off in Japan
Hosted by the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan, the event is one of the major celebrations for the 50th founding anniversary of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic ties. In his remarks at the opening ceremony, Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Yoshimasa Hayashi affirmed the effective cooperation between the two countries in recent years, reflected in regular exchanges at all levels. Of these, the most notable one was Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's attendance at the expanded G7 summit in May this year. Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang said that as the largest-ever of its kind, the Vietnam Festival 2023 shows the wishes of governments, localities and people of the two countries to join hands towards the future, entering a new stage of development. Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu said that the annual festival in Tokyo offers an opportunity for the Vietnamese community in Japan and Japanese friends to exchange and enjoy Vietnamese music, … [Read more...] about Vietnam Festival 2023 kicks off in Japan
How literature can benefit medical schools
There was this one comment I remember vividly: "It was such a pleasant surprise to learn that there were so many Covid-19 doctors who have a knack for writing." This reader articulated a sentiment I've held for a long time: many professionals in the medical field are adept writers and presenters. Thus, I am far from surprised, and indeed agree, with the fact that four of the 27 medical schools use national literature test results in their admissions processes. It is often overlooked, but the study of human nature is a common ground between the medical and literary fields. While medicine studies the human body in order to treat illnesses, literature describes and explains human behaviors in order to gain insight into the inner life. The medical field's goal is to prevent physical harm, but in many cases, the psyche and one's interpersonal relationships are often a source of that harm. And medicine, particularly psychiatry and psychology, plays a crucial role in providing people … [Read more...] about How literature can benefit medical schools
Ministry must ‘manage’ Zalo, Telegram to protect users
Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung presented draft amendments to the Law on Telecommunications before the National Assembly on Friday, arguing that the existence of OTT services in Vietnam means that there must be questions raised regarding their management in order to ensure service quality, safety and security. The draft therefore entails stipulations on the management of telecom services, including data centers, said Hung. The measures and forms of approval also aim to encourage new services to develop, according to the minister. Hung said the development of new satellite technologies has necessitated the completion of management policies regarding trans-national, satellite telecom services in Vietnam, "in order to ensure users’ interests in Vietnam." Le Quang Huy, head of the National Assembly’s Science, Technology and Environment Committee, said OTT services, in essence, use the Internet to provide applications like Zalo, Viber and Telegram. OTT … [Read more...] about Ministry must ‘manage’ Zalo, Telegram to protect users
Master plan must reflect Vietnam’s energy commitments: Deputy PM
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha speaks at the meeting. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has requested the national energy master plan for 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050 reflect and help implement Vietnam’s commitments on net zero emissions and in the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP). Ha made the request at a meeting with the national appraisal council for the draft national energy master plan in Hanoi on June 2. The Deputy PM said the plan should include some new viewpoints and specify important tasks in identifying the relationship and the mechanism for coordination among energy segments (coal, oil and gas, electricity, renewable energy, among others). It also needs to be consistent with other plans such as those on land use and sea space. The national energy master plan must show a consistent mindset and help implement Vietnam’s commitments on net zero emissions and in the JETP as well as the plans for energy … [Read more...] about Master plan must reflect Vietnam’s energy commitments: Deputy PM
Digital technologies prove effective in waste management
Illustrative photo (Photo: baotaiinguyenmoitruong.vn) HCM City (VNA) – As Ho Chi Minh City sees a huge volume of waste discharged daily, digital technologies are said to help solve the problem, and better connect households, authorities, and waste collectors. Many localities in the southern economic hub have applied digital technologies to better waste mangement. Districts 3, 4, Go Vap, Binh Thanh, Binh Chanh, and Tan Dinh ward in District 1 have used the app GRAC for waste management. The app, developed by GRAC Technology Joint Stock Company, with its web-based version, provides management tools for waste collection units and authorities such as waste collection contracts, employees, payment history, notices, and feedback from households. It also supports the management of garbage trucks to see if they travel the wrong routes or skip any stops. With the mobile phone-based version, the app GRAC has the main functions such as household/garbage truck management, monthly waste … [Read more...] about Digital technologies prove effective in waste management
Interesting experiences await visitors at Ninh Thuan grapevine trellis contest
The grape variety of NH01-152 grown in Ninh Thuan province (Photo: VNA) Ninh Thuan (VNA) – A contest of beautiful grapevine trellises will take place as part of the coming Ninh Thuan Grape - Wine Festival 2023 in the southern central province, promising interesting experiences for visitors. The Ninh Thuan Grape - Wine Festival 2023 is slated for June 13 - 18. Dang Kim Cuong, Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the first ever grapevine trellis contest , one of the main activities of the festival, will bring about numerous exciting experiences for grape farmers, local residents, and visitors. The department has coordinated with localities and farmers to select 13 sites, cooperatives, and farms with beautiful trellises for the contest, he said, adding that they prioritise the gardens growing new varieties and applying high technology. A farmer tends to his grape garden in Phuoc Thuan commune of Ninh Phuoc district, Ninh … [Read more...] about Interesting experiences await visitors at Ninh Thuan grapevine trellis contest
Indonesia promotes judicial reform
The Supreme Court in central Jakarta, Indonesia.(Courtesy of the Supreme Court) Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia ’s government has created a new team to formulate a plan to accelerate judicial reform efforts that the Supreme Court launched in the early 2000s, after the country’s top court was hit by a bribery case involving two of its justices, according to Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud MD. The team is tasked with reviewing the ongoing reforms and formulating new policies for speeding them up, without threatening the judiciary’s constitutionally guaranteed independence, he said in a statement released on May 27. The move follows President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo’s instruction on immediate judicial reform last September, when the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) opened a bribery investigation into Supreme Court Justice Sudrajad Dimyati. Comprising four working groups, the new team will not only focus on reforming the judiciary … [Read more...] about Indonesia promotes judicial reform