Hanoi is scheduled to hold an appeal trial over corruption convictions against former PetroVietnam executives including a notorious runaway bigwig on May 7. Hanoi Superior People's Court, an appellate jurisdiction, is going to spend 10 days hearing the appeals of Trinh Xuan Thanh, former chairman of PetroVietnam Construction JSC (PVC), Dinh La Thang, former chief of PetroVietnam, and 13 others convicted for million-dollar losses at the state oil giant at a trial in January. Thanh, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for embezzlement and economic management violations, said he did not commit the crimes. Thang, who received a 13-year sentence for economic management violations, said his punishment was "too harsh" and has appealed to have it commuted. The verdict was not fair or objective in assessing his role in the case, the fallen political star said in his appeal letter. Most of the other defendants, who received up to 22 years in prison, are also seeking commuted sentences. Thang, … [Read more...] about Vietnam to hear appeal of runaway oil bigwig in landmark corruption case next month
Vietnam january
US aircraft carrier to visit Vietnam in post-war first
In a post-war first, the United States will send an aircraft carrier to Vietnam, Hanoi’s defense ministry said on Thursday, dramatic evidence of deepening military ties between the former enemies more than four decades after the Vietnam War. The announcement came during a two-day visit to Hanoi by U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis that had been expected to focus on shared concerns about China. The proposed visit is set for March at the central port of Da Nang, Vietnam’s defense ministry said in a statement. Such a visit by a U.S. aircraft carrier could bring the most U.S. forces to Vietnam since the conflict ended in 1975. “From post-war legacy issues to what Minister Lich called the positive trajectory of our military-to-military relations, I‘m confident we’re on the right path,” Mattis told Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang after meeting Defense Minister Ngo Xuan Lich. Captain Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman, confirmed the carrier visit was … [Read more...] about US aircraft carrier to visit Vietnam in post-war first
Vietnam`s policies to be valid since January 2018
The Hanoitimes - A series of new policies on regional minimum wage, preferential import tariff, land use fees shall be valid since January 2018. Ten laws coming into force since January 1, 2018 include: (1) the Criminal Code No. 100/2015/QH13; (2) the Criminal Procedure Code; (3) the Law on Temporary Detention and Custody; (4) the Law on Organization of Criminal Investigation Bodies; (5) the Law on Legal Aid; (6) the Law on Religion and Folk Blief; (7) the Law on Support for Small and Medium-sized enterprises; (8) the Law on Foreign Trade Management; (9) the Law on Public Asset Management and Usage; and (10) the Law on Tourism. Regional minimum wage increase Under Decree No. 141/2017/ND-CP, dated December 7, 2017, the regional minimum wages will increase by VND180,000-230,000 ($7.91-10.11), depending on the region, since January 1. (See the table below). Region Minimum wage in 2017 (million VND) Minimum wage from early 2018 (million VND) Region I 3.75 3.98 … [Read more...] about Vietnam`s policies to be valid since January 2018
Brace yourself as Vietnam’s 2 internet cables will hit pause this weekend
Internet users in Vietnam should expect slow days ahead as one major submarine cable will be reestablished and another moved for airport construction during the weekend. A service provider in Vietnam said that part of the Asia Pacific Gateway (APG) in Singapore will be moved for expansion of Changi Airport over the weekend, while the Asia America Gateway (AAG) will be reset between Sunday and Tuesday. The work has been planned well ahead and internet companies in Vietnam should already have prepared backup supply by now, the provider said. But as AAG and APG are two major internet routes in Vietnam, there can still be hiccups with international connections in the coming days, it said. The 'good news' is that many users in the internet-savvy Vietnam have been accustomed to once in a while sluggish connections. The APG was launched in January last year and has broken at least twice. The new system was built in four years, running for 10,400 kilometers (6,460 miles) under the Pacific … [Read more...] about Brace yourself as Vietnam’s 2 internet cables will hit pause this weekend
Internet service in Vietnam to be disrupted this weekend
According to internet service providers, the APG submarine cable system would be moved from its current position to another place because of the Singapore government’s plan to expand Changi Airport. As scheduled, the shift would happen between 12am on Saturday and 10pm on Sunday, the Vietnamplus online newspaper reported.Meanwhile, the AAG submarine cable system’s operator also intends to conduct a reconfiguration of its cable system on Saturday. The reconfiguration is scheduled to be completed on January 9.In response to the situation, a representative of VNPT Telecom – an internet service provider – said it had already prepared plans to ensure the quality of internet service for customers would not be severely affected this weekend.However, these submarine cable systems are the two main cable systems connecting Viet Nam with other countries, therefore, a disruption in service was unavoidable, according to the VNPT Telecome representative.“We hope our … [Read more...] about Internet service in Vietnam to be disrupted this weekend
Authorities powerless to supervise explosives in northern Vietnam ‘scrap village’
While the risk of explosion at a ‘scrap village’ in the northern Vietnamese province of Bac Ninh where a fatal blast occurred this week has loomed for years, local authorities are still working out a feasible way to mitigate the situation. The blast at around 4:10 am on Wednesday at a scarp warehouse in Quan Do Village, Van Mon Commune, Yen Phong District, killed two children and injured seven people. Seven nearby houses were also leveled by the explosion. Nguyen Van Tien, the owner of the facility who was arrested later the same day, claimed the explosion was caused by the seven metric tons of old bullets he had recently bought to extract scrap metal. The bullets were being stored in the warehouse yard when they triggered the blast. Quan Do has long been a notorious ‘scrap village,’ with many residents earning small fortunes from buying and reselling metal. Unfortunately, the quest for riches has led these entrepreneurs to make several questionable scrap … [Read more...] about Authorities powerless to supervise explosives in northern Vietnam ‘scrap village’
Vietnam Đà Lạt Coffee returns to Starbucks
US coffee chain Starbucks on Thursday announced that it would again sell Vietnamese Đà Lạt coffee at its stores starting from Saturday, January 6. Vietnam Đà Lạt Coffee at Starbucks store The Vietnamese Đà Lạt whole bean first made an appearance at Starbucks stores in the country in early 2016 and became popular.Patricia Marques, general manager, Starbucks Vietnam, said: “Vietnam Đà Lạt is a popular coffee among partners and customers and is versatile in many brewing applications. Great as a brewed coffee in the morning or a delicious espresso option for your favorite espresso beverage, we are excited by its return.”It is available in all Starbucks stores across Vietnam from January 6, she said.The company said the brew is available at its two reserve stores in HCM City and Hanoi, while the other stores just sell coffee powder.To mark the return, the company is presenting a gift set of Vietnam … [Read more...] about Vietnam Đà Lạt Coffee returns to Starbucks
Vietnam News Agency signs cooperation agreement with telecom group
At the signing ceremony (Photo VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam News Agency (VNA) and the Vietnam Postsand Telecommunications Group (VNPT) have signed an agreement to reinforce theircooperation and look towards building a strategic partnership in fields oftheir strengths.Speaking at the signing ceremony in Hanoi on January 4, VNA GeneralDirector Nguyen Duc Loi expressed his pleasure to establish cooperative tieswith VNPT, one of the leading telecom companies and economic groups in Vietnam.He said VNA is a governmental agency and the official State newsprovider of Vietnam. It is responsible for publishing official information anddocuments of the Party and State, providing information in service of the Partyleadership and State management and collecting and providing news throughvarious forms to mass media agencies, the public and readers at home andabroad.VNA boasts a network of 63 representative offices in all cities and provincesnationwide, and 30 overseas representative offices.With … [Read more...] about Vietnam News Agency signs cooperation agreement with telecom group
Breakfast @ Tuoi Tre News – January 5
Check out the news you should not miss today: Politics -- During her reception for Chief Justice of the Lao Supreme People’s Court Khamphanh Sithidampha in Hanoi on Thursday, chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan urged deeper cooperation between the judicial systems of Vietnam and Laos. Society -- The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training has proposed the municipal People’s Committee encourage private kindergartens to install surveillance cameras with the consent of parents in order to prevent child abuse.-- Market watchdogs in the southern province of Binh Duong on Thursday detected 300kg of expired frozen buffalo meat and chicken as well as more than two tons of frozen meats of unknown origin at a company supplying meals to workers at many other firms.-- The People's Procuracy of the south-central province of Khanh Hoa on Thursday said it had approved a decision to prosecute Dinh Tien Su, general manager of … [Read more...] about Breakfast @ Tuoi Tre News – January 5
Vietnam tie with Palestine in friendly match
The match was a warm-up for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-23 Championship finals. Vietnam opened the scoring in the 49th minute thanks to striker Ha Duc Chinh. However, Palestine levelled the score in the 67th minute. Vietnam are in Group D of the AFC event alongside Syria, Australia, and the Republic of Korea (RoK). The tournament will kick off on January 9, with Vietnam’s first game against the RoK taking place two days later before they will meet Australia on January 14 and Syria on January 17. … [Read more...] about Vietnam tie with Palestine in friendly match