Your say (28-07-2008) This week: The Vietnamese Government has just decided to increase the petrol price by 30 per cent. This was the highest so far, which surprised many people. Many say that the Government should not have made the decision in such a sudden way and that the price should have been raised gradually. They complain that the unexpected oil and petrol price surge will lead to the increase of other commodities' prices, which negatively affects their lives. Along with the decision, the Government also called on people to conserve fuel. … [Read more...] about Your say (28-07-2008)
Your say
Your say: Proliferation of golf courses in Viet Nam should come to an end
Do we need more golf courses? we asked last week. In a country where agriculture is crucial and those who can afford to play golf are few, do golf courses benefit the economy and the people? And what about those who can afford to play? Do you think farmland should be sacrificed for pleasure? This is what our readers think: Dr Walter Molt, Ha Noi. Japan has one golf course for 52,000 people; Germany one for 121,000. Ha Noi with 18 golf courses will have one for 335,000. The agricultural land of Viet Nam's two deltas are definitely among the world's most heavily populated and one must wonder about the priorities. The number of well-to-do people is certainly much, much smaller in Viet Nam than in Germany or Japan. Perhaps the golf investors obtained the land too cheap? Perhaps their appetite for land among the population is bigger than the enthusiasm for golf? There appears to be an imbalance between the needs of the poor and the desires of the rich. Douglas Toidy, Malaysian, Vung Tau I … [Read more...] about Your say: Proliferation of golf courses in Viet Nam should come to an end
Your say : Parents are vital in ensuring kids survive cyberbullying
This Week: Should the country impose a luxury tax on soft drinks? The Viet Nam Beer, Alcohol and Beverage Association (VBA) recently proposed that the State administration impose a 10 percent-tax on carbonated beverages, otherwise known as soft drinks. In a proposal sent to the National Assembly, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Finance, the VBA said carbonated beverages contain a level of acidity that is 100,000 times higher than normal water, which can lead to obesity. According to the document, a reaction between the drinks' saturated carbon dioxide (CO2) with acid in the body creates pressure on the stomach and intestines; and is especially harmful to those who suffer from ulcers. Currently, domestic beverage companies have chosen to focus on non-carbonated drink products, leaving the carbonated drinks to the production of foreign giants. Viet Nam's annual per capita consumption of soft drinks rose sharply in recent years, from three litres in 2007 to … [Read more...] about Your say : Parents are vital in ensuring kids survive cyberbullying
Your say (15-02-2008)
Your say (15-02-2008) The spring festival is the most important celebration of the year in Viet Nam. Expatriates and visitors share with Viet Nam News their Lunar New Year experiences. David Frogier, Germany This is the second time I have had the chance to celebrate Tet in Viet Nam. This year I was fortunate enough to be able to spend the holiday with a Vietnamese family – so I experienced Tet first hand. Although spending time with the family is central to the celebrations, I had the impression that for most Vietnamese families it's not a relaxing time at all. From dawn till dusk they are taking care of visitors, serving them all kinds of food and drink. I was quite impressed with the way people had managed to buy enough food and drink to last the whole week. In Europe, Christmas celebrations only last three days, but that is enough to fill up people's fridges. … [Read more...] about Your say (15-02-2008)
Your say
Your say (10-05-2008) Blame and solutions for rising food costs Sunil B., Indian tourist In India we still talk proudly about our Green Revolution. In the 1960s, India could scarcely feed itself. Then our farmers were given varieties of basic grains that had much higher yields, developed by international scientists, including the famous "Miracle Rice." India went from importing rice and wheat to being a major exporter, and the price of these staples kept dropping. Now India has the same jitters you're talking about here – we imported wheat this year for the first time in decades. Prices are rising again, even, as you said, in places like Viet Nam where there are no shortages because we're in a globalised economy. … [Read more...] about Your say