A strong business community will build an independent and highly resilient economy. Localities are expected to further create a favorable environment for business operation, especially in simplifying administrative formalities and avoiding petty corruption. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the conference. Photos: Nhat Bac Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed the view during a conference between the Government’s leader and business community on August 11, which drew the participation of 1,200 delegates from a business association and local companies. According to Chinh, more than two years since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnam has now put the situation under control and maintained positive growth. Vietnam’s GDP during the six months expanded by 6.42%, higher than the 5.74% rate in the same period last year, and equivalent to the growth rate recorded in the pre-pandemic period 2016-2019 (6.38%). In addition, Chinh also pointed out high … [Read more...] about PM urges favorable environment for businesses
Non performing loans its causes
Going green gives businesses a competitive advantage
Delegates discuss issues related to sustainable development at the ‘Good for Business, Good for Planet’ seminar held in HCM City on Wednesday. — VNS Photo Shifting to green growth would help businesses increase their competitiveness and catch up with trends in the domestic and foreign markets, delegates told a seminar in HCM City on Wednesday. As one of the world's most vulnerable countries to climate change, Viet Nam has made multi-dimensional efforts to drive the whole nation towards its collective goal of reaching net zero greenhouse gasses emissions targets, achieving sustainable development, and contributing to tackle the global climate change crisis, they said. Speaking at the ‘Good for Business, Good for Planet’ seminar held by Nhip Cau Dau Tu magazine, Tim Evans, CEO of HSBC Vietnam, said, “The green journey that Viet Nam has embarked on is bringing both opportunities and challenges. Those businesses who get onboard early can capture major opportunities and build a … [Read more...] about Going green gives businesses a competitive advantage
Ministry proposes keeping Covid-19 in Group A of infectious diseases
Ministry proposes keeping Covid-19 in Group A of infectious diseases Regarding the reason why Covid- 19 has not been considered an endemic disease in Vietnam yet, the Ministry of Health said that most countries in the world are in a state of unstable cases and deaths, with an erratic increase and decrease trend when new variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus appear. At the same time, acquired immunity (due to vaccines and infection) has not been stable for a long time and decreases over time. In Vietnam, more than 9 million new cases were reported in the first seven months of this year, with over 33,000 cases in July alone, up 22.4 percent from June. Cases of sub variants BA.4, BA.5 have been recorded and began to account for a large proportion in southern provinces. Meanwhile, the rates of booster shot vaccination and vaccination among children were low in some localities. The rise in new cases could cause overload of the health system, particularly in the context of other diseases … [Read more...] about Ministry proposes keeping Covid-19 in Group A of infectious diseases
MND reviews implementation of Fatherland protection strategy’s resolution in Thanh Hoa
Major General Nguyen Van Gau, Deputy Director of the General Department of Political Affairs of the Vietnam People’s Army and head of the delegation, together with Secretary of the Thanh Hoa Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People’s Council Do Trong Hung co-chaired the session. Reportedly, the resolution has been comprehensively implemented with significant results over the past 10 years. The Party committees and authorities at all levels have built plans, assigned tasks to each agencies, and concretized the resolution to appropriate measures, contributing to maintaining security and social order and safety in the locality. The socio-economic situation of the province has been stable while the people’s living conditions have increasingly improving and the whole-people great unity bloc has been reinforced. These results have created combined strength to firmly build the whole-people’s defense posture in line with the people's security posture, contributing … [Read more...] about MND reviews implementation of Fatherland protection strategy’s resolution in Thanh Hoa
Three dead, eight missing in northern Vietnam flooding
The northern highlands province of Hoa Binh reported three deaths: Dinh Thi Nguyet, 35, Ha Tam Uyen, 4, and Nguyen Minh Hieu, 10, were swept away by floodwaters and their bodies found later. Of the eight people listed missing, also swept away by floods, two were from Hoa Binh, one from Phu Tho, two in Lao Cai and four in Nam Dinh Province. The four Nam Dinh victims are a 35-year-old woman, her 8-year-old daughter and her two nieces, aged 11 and 12. They went to a river at around 6:30 p.m. Thursday. When the three children entered the river to swim, they were swept away. The woman tried to jump in to save them, only to be swept away as well. Storm Mulan weakened into a tropical depression on Thursday morning. It then made landfall onto Quang Ninh and Hai Phong. It caused heavy rains in northern Vietnam regions, along with two central Vietnam provinces Thanh Hoa and Nghe An from Thursday to Friday. From 7 p.m. Thursday to 8 a.m. Friday, several northern Vietnam localities … [Read more...] about Three dead, eight missing in northern Vietnam flooding
Vietnam participates more deeply in UN peacekeeping operations
The nation will play a more extensive role in future UN peacekeeping operations, including expanding the number of missions conducted by Vietnamese peacekeeping forces through forms of deployment. At the reception (Image source: qdnd.vn) Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien made the statement during a reception held on August 12 in Hanoi for Pauline Tamesis resident coordinator of the UN in Vietnam. Deputy Minister Chien emphasised that this year is of great significance as it will mark the 45th anniversary of the country’s participation in the UN. History shows that Vietnam has closely co-ordinated with international organisations, especially the UN, in order to carry out a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation, diversification, and being a responsible member of the wider international community. The Deputy Minister also acknowledged the goodwill and co-operation of the UN and their competent … [Read more...] about Vietnam participates more deeply in UN peacekeeping operations
Votive paper burnt in Hanoi’s Old Quarter
Many people in Hanoi's Old Quarter area have burnt votive paper on local streets on the Ghost Festival which traditionally falls on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month. It is common to see smoke from the votive burning on streets such as Hang Ngang, Hang Dao, Hang Buom and Hang Bong. Vietnamese people use lots of votive paper on the Ghost Day, the annual Wandering Souls Day, or Ghost Festival, when it is believed the gates to the afterlife are opened and spirits enter the real world. To mark the occasion people also burn gifts to offer to the dead in the hope they will use their powers to rid people of their sins and bad fortune. Many people even burn votive paper on the road. \ Excessive votive paper burning not only causes smoke but also the risk of fire and pollution as well as waste. … [Read more...] about Votive paper burnt in Hanoi’s Old Quarter
Transport ministry clamps down on taxi drivers overcharging at Tân Sơn Nhất Airport
The Ministry of Transport has announced a plan to strengthen inspection and crack down on taxi drivers' illegal practices, such as enticing passengers, overcharging or refusing to take passengers at the country's busiest airport, Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport in HCM City. Taxis enter to pick up passengers at HCM City's Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport. Deputy Minister Lê Anh Tuấn has urged inspectors from the city's Department of Transport, in cooperation with leaders of the Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport and the Southern Airport Authority, to punish taxi drivers who refuse to take passengers, as well as those who impose unreasonably high extra charges. Tuấn has also asked units to arrange pick-up and drop-off areas, creating favourable conditions for buses, taxis, and app-based vehicles to park, pick up and drop off passengers. This is among measures taken to solve the recent overcrowding at the country's busiest airport, with … [Read more...] about Transport ministry clamps down on taxi drivers overcharging at Tân Sơn Nhất Airport
Chut ethnic minority celebrate “Filling the Holes” ritual
The ritual is held every year on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month, when the Chut people finish sowing seeds in holes on their land. They perform the ritual to tell genies and their ancestors about their work. They also pray for lush fields, fruitful orchards, good health, and good fortune. The holding of the “Filling the Holes” ritual aims to preserve, promote, and pass on folkloric customs and traditional rituals. At the same time, it contributes to preserving and promoting the traditional cultural values of the Chut ethnic minority group, towards them becoming typical cultural tourism products. On the occasion, presented 46 gift sets (including gifts and cash) were presented to Chut ethnic minority households./. VNA … [Read more...] about Chut ethnic minority celebrate “Filling the Holes” ritual
Vietnam to engage in UN peacekeeping operations more extensively: official
Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien (R) and UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Pauline Tamesis at the meeting in Hanoi on August 12 (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien received UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Pauline Tamesis in Hanoi on August 12, saying that Vietnam will take part in UN peacekeeping operations more extensively in the time ahead. Chien appreciated the cooperation and assistance from the UN and its agencies in Vietnam, especially the UN Resident Coordinator Office, when the country served as the ASEAN Chair in 2020 and a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council during 2020 - 2021. He thanked the UN and relevant agencies for working closely with Vietnam to successfully carry out many war aftermath settlement activities, particularly the programmes and projects on addressing war-left unexploded ordnances and toxic chemicals, resulting in positive outcomes. The … [Read more...] about Vietnam to engage in UN peacekeeping operations more extensively: official