The Vietnamese government has requested the National Assembly to postpone passing a draft law on Special Economic Zones (SEZs) saying it needed more time to ensure that it meets the aspirations of both legislators and the public. One of the most controversial provisions of the current draft was the leasing of land in three strategic locations to foreign investors for 99 years. A government statement released Saturday early morning said the deferment request was made after “listening to enthusiastic and responsible contributions of members of parliament, scientists, economists, experts, voters and the people.” The postponement until the next parliament session in October would give the government time to research and improve the bill so that it meets the aspirations of the legislators and the public in successfully establishing the three SEZs while protecting national security and sovereignty, the statement said. The government also proposed that the controversial 99-year … [Read more...] about Vietnam government wants SEZ bill deferred
Vietnam government
Government News 12/2
Party leader plans to consolidate public trust General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam Nguyễn Phú Trọng pays a visit to Tây An Village in Thái Bình Province’s Tiền Hải District as the Lunar New Year festival approaches. The General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam (CPV), Nguyễn Phú Trọng, has emphasised the need to consolidate public trust to enable the country to push forward.In an exclusive interview with the Vietnam News Agency on the threshold of the Lunar New Year, Year of the Dog, the Party leader highlighted the country’s outstanding achievements in 2017 and outlined the main tasks for 2018.He said the fight against corruption had made marked progress thanks to drastic measures in making deeds match words.Trọng said that last year, many serious cases of corruption and economic crimes involving senior party and goverment officials were discovered and … [Read more...] about Government News 12/2
Airport operators defy Vietnam government inspectorate conclusion to collect road fee
Road tolls are still being collected at Vietnamese airports although the Government Inspectorate has previously concluded that the fee is against the law. In an announcement made three months ago, the Government Inspectorate stated that road tolls at airports across the country are not legal. However, Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporters noticed that the fee is still being collected at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. All automobiles entering the airdrome are required to pay from VND10,000 (US$0.44) to VND40,000 ($1.76) regardless of how long they stay inside the venue. Nguyen Quang Linh, an Uber car driver, recounted his trip with a foreign passenger who booked a ride from the airport to downtown areas. Linh had to pay the VND10,000 toll despite only entering the facility for a few minutes to pick up his customer. Many passengers refused to pay the additional charge, the driver stated, adding that it is difficult to explain it to them. Four-wheeled vehicles are … [Read more...] about Airport operators defy Vietnam government inspectorate conclusion to collect road fee
Vietnam to send 100,000 workers abroad annually
Vietnam plans each year to send 100,000 to 120,000 labourers to other countries by 2020, according to Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs. Vietnam plans to send 100,000 to 120,000 labourers to other countries each year through 2020. Source www.molisa.gov.vn Of this number, 80 per cent will be trained.In last year’s first 11 months, 118,859 labourers, including 44,702 females, worked abroad, according to Tống Hải Nam, deputy head of the Department of Overseas Labour under the ministry.Last year was the fourth consecutive year the number of labourers working abroad exceeds 100,000, Nam said.Vietnam has averaged 87,500 labourers working abroad every year during the period 2006 - 2016, an increase of nearly 4.2 per cent each year, according to Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.In 2016, 126,000 Vietnamese labourers went to other countries to work, an increase of 8.9 per cent compared to 2015.Of this amount, more than 30 per cent were … [Read more...] about Vietnam to send 100,000 workers abroad annually
Vietnam government seeks to cut half of business rules in 2018
The government will strive to reduce and simplify half its of current existing conditional business requirements in 2018 in an effort to improve Vietnam’s business climate to boost growth.It is part of a string of measures outlined in a resolution signed by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on January 1.The government is aiming for growth of 6.7% in 2018 after the Vietnamese economy performed better than expected last year, expanding by 6.81%.In addition to streamlining the business rules, the government also aims to halve the roster of goods subject to inspection and simplify the checking procedures to bring Vietnam to the group of the four most business-friendly countries in ASEAN.Under the resolution, the government will strengthen macroeconomic stability, take bold administrative reforms, step up the fight against corruption and wastefulness and cut recurrent spending from the central budget.In 2018, the government seeks to curb the budget deficit at 3.7% of GDP and public debt … [Read more...] about Vietnam government seeks to cut half of business rules in 2018
Asia Coffee-Demand falls in holiday week, Vietnam’s 2017 exports down
Major Asian coffee markets were quiet on low demand during the Christmas holiday, traders said, while Vietnam's total coffee exports were estimated to fall this year.The Vietnam government said on Wednesday coffee exports were likely to drop 20.1 percent from a year earlier to 1.4 million tonnes."Heavy rain last December damaged 15 to 20 percent coffee beans which were reserved for shipment in 2017. That explains the drop in coffee exports," independent analyst Nguyen Quang Binh told Reuters on Thursday.The government, however, said that shipment of beans this month would rise from November, with traders' forecasts also in line with the government estimate.Harvesting in Vietnam's Central Highlands coffee belt has almost been completed on supportive weather, but trading has slowed during the Christmas break, traders said."There was some demand from buyers who were short on stock. But roasters were not looking to buy," a trader in Ho Chi Minh City said.Coffee roasters are the main buyers … [Read more...] about Asia Coffee-Demand falls in holiday week, Vietnam’s 2017 exports down
Vietnam Economic Prospect: Brighter but Riskier
Stronger domestic demand, services sectors and robust export-oriented manufacturing are driving Vietnam’s economy, with GDP growth expected to increase to 6.7 per cent in 2017, said Taking Stock, the World Bank’s bi-annual economic report on Vietnam released recently. Stronger domestic demand, robust export-oriented manufacturing, and a gradual recovery of the agriculture sector, are driving Vietnam’s economy, which expanded by 6.4 percent during the first nine months of the year compared to the same period last year, says a new World Bank report. The manufacturing and services sector respectively grew by 12.8 percent and 7.3 percent during the same period. Over the medium term, growth is projected to stabilise at around 6.5 percent, and inflation is projected to remain low. “Growth momentum picked up across major economies and global trade recovered in 2017,” said Mr Ousmane Dione, the World Bank Country Director for Vietnam. “With incomes … [Read more...] about Vietnam Economic Prospect: Brighter but Riskier
Stories about the seal of Vietnam’s last king
After Queen Nam Phuong passed away in 1963, the national seal was kept by prince Bao Long. In 1982, Bao Dai received the seal from his son, after marrying a French woman named Monique Baudot. Since then, the seal has never been mentioned.National seal – the king’s lifeKing Bao Dai was born on October 22, 1913 in the old capital city of Hue. Using the national seal called Hoang De Chi Buu, the last king of the Nguyen Dynasty issued many royal decrees on administrative reform. In 1926, after acceding to the throne, King Bao Dai abrogated rites established by previous kings. For example, people didn’t have to kowtow and could look at the King when he came; foreign mandarins didn’t have to put their hands together to bow the King but could shake his hand; Vietnamese mandarins didn’t have to kowtow as well.In 1932, also using the seal, the King issued a decree on cabinet reform. Accordingly, the King assumed power and conferred titles on ministers himself. He … [Read more...] about Stories about the seal of Vietnam’s last king
Canon Vietnam brings warmer winter to border students
The ceremony was successfully with the attendance of representatives of People’s Committee of the district, Department of Education and Training in Quan Ba district, Ta Van commune People's Committee as well as all the teachers and pupils.The core purpose of “Canon Friendship School Chain” is to improve studying environment for the pupils – the future master of the country then to make step to nurture human resources for developing nation.Since 2007, Canon Vietnam has been supporting 99 friendship schools, bringing many new and spacious classrooms for unprivileged pupils in Vietnam. Moreover, every year we also visit, upgrade these schools if necessary and present equipment such as cameras, printers, computers, Canon bookcases, bunk beds for schools in the project. Delegates cutting the ribbon to inaugurate the project This school point locates at Ta Van – a poor & border regional commune of Quan Ba District, the pupils have to cross … [Read more...] about Canon Vietnam brings warmer winter to border students
Tuscany looks to boost trade relations with Vietnam
By Thai Hang - The Saigon Times Daily HCMC - Enterprises and officials from Italy’s Tuscany region will work to improve trade relations and cooperation with Vietnam in the future, as more Italian companies invest in key sectors in the Vietnamese market. Ambrogio Brenna, Tuscany’s Minister of Economic Development, said many Italian companies were interested in investing in important export industries like leather shoes, garments and apparel, handicraft and indoor furniture.Ambrogio told reporters at a HCMC Handicraft and Wood Industry Association (HAWA) conference on Tuesday that he would visit Hanoi on March 18 to sign cooperation deals with the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade. “We’re determined to build up detailed cooperation plans on specific sectors with the Vietnam government this time, including wood and handicraft manufacture as they are among the region’s key industries,” he said. He added … [Read more...] about Tuscany looks to boost trade relations with Vietnam