Smuggled cigarettes in Binh Phuoc province are destroyed (Photo: sggp.org.vn) HCM City (VNS/VNA) - Prevention of smuggling of goods across the country’s borders is becoming more difficult as the New Year season approaches, according to border authorities. Three districts in Binh Phuoc province (Bu Gia Map, Bu Dop and Loc Ninh) which border Cambodia have seen an increase in smuggled goods. For the first nine months of the year, authorities detected 2,659 smuggling cases. Smuggled goods were mostly cigarettes, sugar and clothing. The amount of issued fines and back taxes totalled over 37 billion VND (1.6 million USD). The smuggling cases are usually carried out by small groups of individuals in a number of ways that have become more sophisticated. Many smugglers use shortcuts through the rocky terrain and rivers that help them elude capture by authorities. Smugglers travel to Cambodia to purchase goods, split up the goods in smaller portions, and then smuggle them into … [Read more...] about Smuggling up as New Year approaches
Vrishabhavathi river pollution
Xôi trám, a specialty of Cao Bằng
Sticky rice mixed with trám đen is a speciality of Cao Bắng. Photos baocaobang.vn Viet Nam News By Thanh Hà Cao Bằng is not only well known for its natural beauty at sites such as Bản Giốc Waterfall, Pác Bó Caves and Thang Hen Lake, but also its trám đen, a wild fruit that the Tày and Nùng ethnic groups pick in the forest to cook into many tasty dishes like trám kho (braised with pork rinds) and xôi trám, a favourite dish of guests and travellers. When I was a little girl, each time my grandmother cooked braised trám đen with pork rinds, my sisters and brothers would crowd around the tray, mouths watering as they waited for the dish. It was so tasty that each of us could eat four or five bowls. My grandmother had to prevent my young brothers from eating too much because she was afraid they would suffer from indigestion. Boiled trám đen and … [Read more...] about Xôi trám, a specialty of Cao Bằng
Zeitgeist metro city to add more green space
First phase of metro city project in HCMC to be completed by Q3 2021. Zeitgeist, the largest metro city in Saigon South and developed by Vietnam GS Industry (VGSI) - a subsidiary of the prestigious GS E&C in South Korea - will add more green space in Nha Be district as per the company’s commitment to incorporating nature as the new standard of living. With a total area of 349 ha, divided into five development stages, and with an expected population of up to 68,000 citizens, Zeitgeist is one of the largest projects in the South Saigon area. Phase 1.1 of the project, called “Zeit River County 1”, will cover 17.9 ha and comprise 359 villas, townhouses, and shophouses. Built to be a modern urban area, 70 per cent of Zeitgeist is green with ample public space and relaxing facilities. The project incorporates solar panels to ensure sustainable energy sources while designing homes to have airy views, optimized for fresh air and natural light. “We believe … [Read more...] about Zeitgeist metro city to add more green space
Vietnam fine-tunes maritime laws
With a coastline of more than 3,200 km and thousands of islands including the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos, Vietnam has benefited much from the sea. Vietnam participated in building the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and was one of the first countries to sign and approve the Convention. The 1994 adoption reflects Vietnam’s determination to work with other countries to build an equal order to promote development and cooperation at sea. National maritime policies Its Sea and islands are part of Vietnam’s sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction, and are a living space and a gateway to other countries. Being aware of the importance of sea and islands in national construction and defense, Vietnam has managed fishery exploitation in parallel with defending national sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction at sea in order to build a strong, prosperous country. The Communist Party of Vietnam has created a vision and issued … [Read more...] about Vietnam fine-tunes maritime laws