Thoi bao kinh te sai gon

Wrong side of the right wayBy Son Nguyen Criticisms and skepticisms are overwhelming following a decision by Can Tho City’s government this week to slap a heavy fine on a resident for exchanging a US$100 bill at an unauthorized money changer although all related sides agree that the punishment is in strict compliance with prevailing regulations. Calls for amendments to the rule are surfacing like ripple effects across the society, as people from all walks of life are of a consensus that legal provisions contained therein are unenforceable. Simply put, it is wrong. The news broke when it was learned this Tuesday that Can Tho City had issued a decision imposing a fine as much as VND90 million, or roughly US$4,000, on a local resident identified as Nguyen Ca Re for selling the U.S. banknote at Nhan Dat Jewelry Thao Luc Shop in Ninh Kieu District. The gold trader itself was also imposed a fine of VND180 million for the illegal act, plus nearly VND90 million on other business … [Read more...] about Wrong side of the right way

Towards a dog meat banBy Son Nguyen The controversy gets heated following instructions by the Hanoi City government to restrict the consumption of dog meat in the city, with the two aims to safeguard public health and enhance the city’s image as a civilized urban center where cruelty towards animals should not be tolerated. The public is divided over the restriction, with proponents outnumbering opponents. As covered in local media, the city government this Monday issued Document No. 4170 instructing relevant departments and agencies in the city to step up their management over the rearing, trading, slaughtering and consumption of dog and cat meat in the city. The primary aim is to prevent diseases from transmitting from dogs and cats to humans, especially rabies. The city government also highlights the need to boost media campaigns against consumption of dog meat so as to change the public perception on the unpopularity of this practice in line with the global trend, and to … [Read more...] about Towards a dog meat ban