Drug trafficking detected in Quang Binh Border guards in the central Quang Binh Province, in co-operation with the Laos' Khammouane Province Public Security Department, have discovered a trafficking operation of 22,000 ecstasy tablets running from Laos to Viet Nam. A semi-truck, two motorbikes, three mobile phones and 1 million Lao Kip (US$127) were confiscated together with the pills. The three traffickers apprehended are of Lao nationality. The case has been under the two countries' supervision since July last year. HCM City launches campaign "For the poor 2013" The Ho Chi Minh City chapter of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) on April 2 launched a campaign "For the Poor 2013", encouraging more people to join hands in caring for the poor. In 2012, the city's Fund for the Poor mobilised US$6 million, helping build, repair nearly 2,000 houses, providing 126 scholarships and 130 means of transport, and offering low-interest loans to the poor. In addition, member … [Read more...] about SOCIETY IN BRIEF 3/4
Truong cao dang nghe da nang
BUSINESS IN BRIEF 23/3
Dialogue discusses PPP projects in Vietnam The first high-level dialogue to accelerate Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects in Vietnam was held in Hanoi on March 21. The event was co-chaired by Minister of Planning and Investment (MPI) Bui Quang Vinh and Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) General Director, Hiroshi Wantanabe, along with related representatives. Addressing the dialogue, Minister Bui Quang Vinh emphasised that the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Japan has developed well and seen remarkable milestones across many fields. He highlighted Japan's support, especially in strengthening cooperation between the private sector and the State sector to develop Vietnam's infrastructure. Japan is now Vietnam's largest Official Development Assistance (ODA) provider and the biggest national investor. Vinh also spoke highly of JBIC's contribution to infrastructure projects with the involvement of a number of international partners. JBIC has been a … [Read more...] about BUSINESS IN BRIEF 23/3
BUSINESS IN BRIEF 8/3
Sales make Women's Day special Shops, supermarkets and even amusement parks in HCM City have announced promotions to mark International Women's Day, which falls next Friday. The Co.op Mart supermarket is offering discounts of up to 45 per cent on more than 4,000 products such as garments, beauty care products and household appliances. HTV Co.op, its television shopping channel that airs on HCM City Television will slash prices on certain items by up to 37 per cent until March 31. The channel will present vouchers worth VND50,000 for every order on Women's Day. French supermarket chain Big C is offering discounts of between 5 and 50 per cent on 2,000 cosmetic and fashion products until April 1 under its Ton vinh ve dep Viet ('to honour Vietnamese beauty') programme. Female customers will be offered free consultancy on skin and body care. Big C is also offering discounts of up to 50 per cent on 800 essential goods such as household items, food and confectionery until April … [Read more...] about BUSINESS IN BRIEF 8/3
SOCIETY IN BRIEF 16/12
Official calls for crackdown on fuel fraud A top HCM City official has asked the Department of Science and Technology to punish 11 fuel wholesalers who were caught selling substandard gasoline. At a meeting on Wednesday, Le Manh Ha, deputy chairman of the People's Committee, suggested slapping them with the highest prescribed fine for palming off what were actually A82 to A90 petroleum products as A92. The numbers refer to the octane count in petroleum, with higher numbers indicating higher performance. He also said their licences should be withdrawn for 12 months and they should be made to make good the loss they caused consumers since selling sub-standard fuel was tantamount to selling fake products. Department officials concurred saying the fine of VND20 million to VND50 million (US$2,400) prescribed under Decree No. 71 was too little for the dishonest dealers. The profits they would have made by cheating was much bigger than the fine, they pointed out. Ha … [Read more...] about SOCIETY IN BRIEF 16/12
SOCIETY IN BRIEF 4/11
Island divers lack proper treatment for 'the bends' Decompression sickness, or " the ben ds", was a common and dangerous condition among Vietnamese fishermen who relied on deep sea diving to make their living but few hospitals had the ability to treat it effectively, health experts have said. Decompression sickness occurred following a sudden drop in the surrounding pressure when deep-sea divers ascended too quickly from a dive, said Dr Khuong Van Chu, deputy director of the Naval Medical Institute, which is located in northern Hai Phong port city. As they ascended to the surface and the pressure decreased, nitrogen formed bubbles in the blood and tissues which caused severe pain and possibly paralysis or even death, he said. A survey conducted on the Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago showed that six out of every 33 divers suffered from decompression sickness but few received proper first aid and treatment. Bui Van Van, a deep sea diver on Con Dao Island in southern Ba Ria-Vung … [Read more...] about SOCIETY IN BRIEF 4/11