Suspensions zero tolerance policies

Under the "dynamic Covid zero" policy that aims at quickly stopping each outbreak from spreading, local governments have imposed shorter lockdowns where people were barred from unnecessary movements for a few days or weeks until clusters were contained within narrower areas. Such lockdowns were less painful than the two-month virus battle fought by Shanghai in the spring, but the growing spread of Omicron across China may lead to more cities made subject to such measures along with the potential disruption to local businesses. In the southern province of Hainan, currently the worst-hit Chinese region, two cities, Dongfang and Chengmai, with a total population of around 900,000, said on Friday they would add days to the lockdowns on their residents, prolonging what were previously scheduled for three to four days to around a week. Hainan's provincial capital Haikou on Friday put its 2.9 million population in a lockdown between 0700-1800 local time, following similar restrictions … [Read more...] about Parts of China’s Hainan extend Covid lockdown, Lhasa in Tibet tightens curbs

Illustrative image (Photo: ledgerinsights.com) Bangkok (VNA ) – The Bank of Thailand (BOT) on August 10 raised its key policy rate by 25 basis points (0.25%) to 0.75%, aiming to keep the country's increasing inflationary pressures in check. The BOT forecast that Thailand's economic growth this year will be 3.3%, up 0.1% from its previous projection. For 2023, it predicted growth of 4.2%, down 0.2%. The central bank also maintained its forecast that the annual inflation stays at 6.2%. Raising the interest rate signaled that the BOT was shifting its focus by tightening monetary policy in order to prevent spiraling inflation that could weigh on economic growth . The BOT also noted that the Thai economy is recovering after the COVID pandemic was controlled./. VNA … [Read more...] about Thailand’s central bank hikes rate for first time in four years

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

The company surpassed the evaluation of the exclusive Total Engagement Assessment Model (TEAM) from the HR Asia organization by prioritizing the human element and focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion within the work environment. Based on valid information gained through an in-depth analysis, unique 360-degree insights into employees' engagement, motivation, expectations as well as comparative data against industry and market averages, DKSH Vietnam has maintained its top position for another year. In addition, DKSH Vietnam has also been certified as a Great Place to Work, based entirely on the employees’ voice through the Trust Index© survey, a research-backed employee survey proven to help companies quantify their organizational culture, measure employee engagement, and drive meaningful impact with business and people. These recognitions demonstrate DKSH’s commitment to its values and culture that the company has consistently built for over 30 years in Vietnam. To … [Read more...] about DKSH Vietnam receives “Great Place to Work” award for the first time

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

The virtual conference takes place in all cities and provinces According to the Ministry of Education and Training, the average teacher/class ratio has not met the requirements under the new education program initiated in 2018. Currently, the education sector still lacks teachers of English and Informatics for primary schools and Music and Fine Arts subjects for high schools when applying for the General Education Program 2018 from the school year 2022 - 2023. At the conference, leaders of the education sector in cities and provinces continued moaning about the problem of teacher shortage. Mr. Tran The Cuong, Director of the Hanoi Department of Education and Training in the capital city of Hanoi proposed that the Government should allow schools with large numbers of students to have three vice principals. He recommended that the government should allow schools to sign working contracts with professional teaching as well as to allow schools in Hanoi to raise the building block … [Read more...] about Places short of teachers due to low wages

The Customs Department of Ho Chi Minh City (Illustrative photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh has signed a decision approving a plan to improve people’s law accessibility. The overall goal of this plan, to be carried out nationwide from 2023 to 2030, is to roll out and implement measures and tasks in a timely, effective, and comprehensive manner to improve people’s accessibility to law , as well as agencies and organisations’ sense of responsibility towards assisting people in this regard, thereby helping promote the public’s understanding of, adherence to, and use of law to protect their rights and legitimate interests. Among its targets, the plan looks to review and propose all-round, effective and feasible policies and regulations on law access that are appropriate to each period, while raising the awareness, sense of responsibility, and habit of learning about and complying with law among the community, especially children, poor … [Read more...] about Plan approved to promote people’s law accessibility

Accordingly, the organizing panel presented 1,000 Uncle Ho’s portraits and 4,000 national flags, gave 10 medical cabinets and granted 120 gifts to needy fishermen, policy beneficiaries, and disadvantaged students in Rach Goc townlet and Tan An commune, Ngoc Hien district. Meanwhile, troops from Flotilla 42 distributed leaflets to disseminate information about the Vietnamese Coast Guard force and Law on Vietnam Coast Guard approved in 2018, and legal documents related to sea and islands, measures to prevent and combat IUU fishing and drugs, among others. According to Colonel Duong Xuan Duong, Political Commissar of Flotilla 42, the program contributed to tightening the military-civilian solidarity and raising fishermen’s awareness of legal fishing activities and heighten their responsibilities in safeguarding national sovereignty over sea and islands. On the occasion, the Coast Guard Region 4 Command coordinated with local authorities to clean up the beach, planted 50 trees and … [Read more...] about Coast guards stand side by side with fishermen

Cao Son Coal, the company with the largest mining output in Vietnam, on July 19 announced to improve and expand the capacity of the Cao Son coal mine in Cam Pha in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh, to meet high production requirements. Coal mining companies are increasing output to deal with power generation shortages, Le Toan The mine has total reserves of almost 52 million tonnes, with a designed capacity of about 4.5 million tonnes per year. By upgrading the reserves, Cao Son’s coal mine is expected to complete a record high mining output of 6.78 million tonnes in 2022. Phan Quoc Viet, director of Cao Son Coal, said, “We have mobilised equipment to maximise the exploitation of raw coal at the Cao Son mine. In 2021, we achieved a mining output of over 6.4 million tonnes.” Many miners feel that Cao Son Coal’s plan to increase output faces many challenges, especially considering the increasingly difficult and complex open-pit mining conditions. Similar to … [Read more...] about Power shortage worries increase hunger for coal

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