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Transport Ministry insists on managing Grab as traditional taxi firmThe Saigon Times Daily A GrabBike driver transports a passenger in downtown HCMC. The Ministry of Transport insists on managing Grab as a traditional taxi firm - PHOTO: THANH HOA HCMC – The Ministry of Transport still maintains its position that ride-hailing firms such as Grab should be treated as traditional transport service providers even though most Cabinet members agree that Grab is a tech firm, according to a report in Thanh Nien Online newspaper. The ministry has sent the prime minister a report on the Cabinet members’ comments on a draft Government decree replacing Decree 86 on transport business and its conditions. Accordingly, the ministry prepared the draft decree with two solutions: treating Grab as a tech firm or as a transport firm. Up to 15 out of 26 Cabinet members chose the first while eight others chose the second; the remaining three members proposed the Government issue … [Read more...] about Transport Ministry insists on managing Grab as traditional taxi firm

Major govt-private sector dialogue in the offingThe Saigon Times Daily Delegates at a dialogue of the Vietnam Economic Forum last year - PHOTO: VNEXPRESS HCMC - The Government's Private Economic Development Research Board and VnExpress news website will jointly organize the Vietnam Economic Forum (ViEF) on March 19 and 20, which includes the largest dialogue ever between the Government and the private sector, with some 3,000-5,000 participants, VnExpress reported. Participants in the forum will be representatives of the Government, private enterprises, business associations and domestic and foreign experts. At the forum, representatives of the private sector will present their difficulties and propose coping solutions, especially policy recommendations. Specifically, in the finance and banking sector, solutions to successfully set up voluntary pension funds and to develop digital banking services in Vietnam will be discussed. Further, opportunities and challenges ushered in … [Read more...] about Major govt-private sector dialogue in the offing

HCMC taxman looks to prop up e-invoice useThe Saigon Times Daily Market surveillance officers check paper invoices at a store. A Government decree aims to make e-invoices compulsory for all enterprises from November 2020 – PHOTO: VNA HCMC – Business households in HCMC might be forced to categorize taxable and nontaxable items sold in their stores to facilitate the use of e-invoices, according to a planned proposal from the municipal taxman. Last year, the Government issued Decree 119/2018 on the use of electronic invoices for sale of goods and services, which took effect on November 2018. The decree aims to make e-invoices compulsory for all enterprises from November 2020. Business households involved in the agriculture, forestry, fishery, industry and construction sectors employing more than 10 laborers and earning annual revenue of over VND3 billion in the preceding year must use e-invoices with verification codes. In the trade and services sectors, if business … [Read more...] about HCMC taxman looks to prop up e-invoice use

Transparency, connection between enterprises crucial for tra fish development By Trung Chanh Workers process tra fish at a factory in the Mekong Delta region - PHOTO: TRUNG CHANH CAN THO – Information transparency and strong connections between enterprises will significantly contribute to the sustainable development of Vietnam’s tra fish sector, said Le Minh Hoan, Party Secretary of Dong Thap Province. Speaking at a conference, titled “Deploying the plan to develop the tra fish sector in 2019,” in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang today, February 18, Hoan said that Dong Thap Province accounted for 33% of the total area under tra fish farming in the Mekong Delta at 5,400 hectares and earned some US$1 billion out of a total of US$2.3 billion from tra fish exports in 2018. Hoan voiced concern over the lack of information, which could hamper growth in the tra fish sector. He added that participants in the value chain of the tra fish sector had provided … [Read more...] about Transparency, connection between enterprises crucial for tra fish development

Residents advised to avoid direct sunlightThe Saigon Times Daily HCMC residents are seen traveling on Truong Son Street, Tan Binh District in the heat on February 18 - PHOTO: THANH HA HCMC – Residents should avoid travelling in the heat from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on scorching days as ultraviolet radiation emitted from the sun may damage DNA in human skin cells or cause sunburn, Thanh Nien newspaper reported, citing Dr Nguyen Trieu Vu, head of the Thu Duc Hospital’s oncology department. Vu on February 17 suggested some ways for coping with sizzling weather, including reducing outdoor activities, especially during the hottest part of the day; wearing long-sleeved clothes and long pants to cover the skin; putting on a hat and sunglasses; and using sunscreen to protect the skin from the harmful effects of the sun. Further, Vu recommended using a strong sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 30. … [Read more...] about Residents advised to avoid direct sunlight

HCMC to invite tenders for bus advertisingThe Saigon Times Daily Commuters disembark from a bus in HCMC - PHOTO: LE ANH HCMC - The HCMC Public Passenger Transport Management and Operation Center has announced the fourth bidding for bus advertising, which is expected to take place on March 8, after the previous tenders failed to attract participants, Thanh Nien Online newspaper reported. The center will divide the bidding into 11 packages and set the flexible contract period for one to three years, instead of a fixed period of three years, as in previous tenders. Those winning the bidding will have the right to advertise on 50% of the surface of buses, except for the front, back and areas of bus identification. The tender will be held at the HCMC Property Auction Service Center on Hoang Viet Street in Tan Binh District. The HCMC Department of Transport, on September 12, 2018, announced the first auction for bus advertising, which was divided into four packages on 2,082 buses. … [Read more...] about HCMC to invite tenders for bus advertising

Ministry seeks to lower taxable prices of domestic carsThe Saigon Times Daily Cars and other vehicles are held up in a heavy traffic jam near downtown HCMC – PHOTO: TL HCMC – The Ministry of Finance is studying a plan to cut the prices for the calculation of special consumption tax on locally made cars with nine seats or below. However, this may raise the risk of violating international commitments, according to a report from the ministry to the prime minister. The report responds to the opinions of cabinet members on a draft Government decree that amends and supplements a number of articles of Decree 108/2015 on the Law on Special Consumption Tax. The ministry said in the report that special consumption tax on domestically produced commodities, including cars, are based on the selling prices of producers. To raise the ratio of local contents, lower product prices and enhance competitiveness among locally made and imported cars, the ministry has put forward a tax … [Read more...] about Ministry seeks to lower taxable prices of domestic cars

Many rush to buy gold on God of Wealth DayThe Saigon Times Daily Many customers buy gold at a Mi Hong gold shop in HCMC's Binh Thanh District - PHOTO: THANH HA HCMC - Numerous residents in Hanoi City have queued up in front of gold shops since early this morning, February 14, to buy gold to seek prosperity on God of Wealth Day, the 10th day of the Lunar New Year, the local media reported. Most of the gold shops on Tran Nhan Tong Street in Hanoi open at 6 a.m., but hundreds of local residents have lined up in front of these shops since 4 or 5 a.m., or even 1 a.m. Nguyen Van Hung, a resident of Hanoi, said he came to a gold shop on Tran Nhan Tong Street at 1 a.m. to be the first one to buy gold today. He had bought a golden ring believing it would bring him good luck and prosperity. Dinh Thi Ngoc Quyen, another gold buyer, noted it was her family’s annual practice to buy gold on God of Wealth Day. Despite having to queue in long lines, gold buyers were still happy to wait … [Read more...] about Many rush to buy gold on God of Wealth Day

Nearly 100,000 mobile subscribers register for MNP serviceBy Van Ly Almost 100,000 mobile subscribers registered for the MNP service from November 16, 2018, to February 13 this year. In this file photo, two people are looking at a smartphone - PHOTO: THANH HOA HANOI – Some 100,000 subscribers of different mobile carriers have registered for the mobile number portability (MNP) service as of today, February 13, since the service took effect on November 16 last year, according to data from the Vietnam Telecommunications Authority at the Ministry of Information and Communications. MNP allows mobile subscribers to retain their phone numbers when switching to another carrier. During the given period, MobiFone saw its over 25,000 mobile subscribers registering for the MNP service, with nearly 7,000 successful cases (accounting for over 23%), while some 19,000 mobile subscribers out of over 28,000 VinaPhone subscribers registered successfully. Also, over 83% of Viettel mobile … [Read more...] about Nearly 100,000 mobile subscribers register for MNP service

Interior lifestyle expo slated for May in HCMCBy Hung Le Nguyen Chanh Phuong (L), HAWA vice chairman, and Nguyen Quoc Khanh (C), HAWA chairman, talk about preparations for an upcoming interior lifestyle expo, Vifa Gu, with local firms and the media on February 12 in HCMC – PHOTO: LE HOANG HCMC – Vifa Gu 2019, an exhibition on interior lifestyle, is scheduled to take place in May in HCMC, displaying the latest interior lifestyle trends and solutions for developing interior businesses in the local market. The Handicraft and Wood Industry Association of HCMC (HAWA) yesterday, February 12, held a meeting to announce the upcoming event, following the success of previous expos on furniture and home accessories, Vifa Expo and Vifa Home. Vifa Gu is expected to gather many interior stylists across the country to demonstrate the latest trends in interior design, Nguyen Chanh Phuong, vice chairman and general secretary of HAWA, told the meeting. In addition, it will attract … [Read more...] about Interior lifestyle expo slated for May in HCMC