Hue ambitious to be Vietnam’s gastronomy capital

Local authorities in Hue have the ambitious plan of developing the city into the gastronomy capital of Vietnam to boost tourism.

Italy wins Da Nang International Fireworks Festival

Italy might not be playing in the World Cup but at the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival on Saturday they were champions.

National exam, moments to remember

 Nearly one million pupils across Vietnam have finished the most important test of their lives so far, the national exam, which will decide whether they are admitted to their dream university.

HCMC's Cho Ray Hospital controls widespread of swine flu

 Chợ Rẫy Hospital in HCM City has brought the outbreak of swine flu (A/H1N1) under control, quarantining and treating those who tested positive and placing those suspected of being infected under close supervision.

Overloaded central hospitals in need of support

 Local-level health care facilities are expected to increase their capacity and provide better services to help reduce pressure at central hospitals by “gaining public trust”.

HCM City plans to create special mechanism to resolve vexatious land issues

 The HCM City People’s Committee plans to create a special mechanism for payment of land compensation and resettlement to implement a city Party Committee directive that calls for strengthening the role and efficiency of authorities in these tasks.

Government News 1/7

 PM recommends three pillars for Thai Nguyen's economy, HCM City Party Secretary receives Saint Petersburg officials, Int’l seminar highlights Party building experience of Vietnam, China

Exhibition raises public awareness of bear protection

 A bear protection exhibition was kicked off in Hanoi on June 30, in the presence of the World Animal Protection (WAP) Ambassador - Thai singer and actor Tono Pakin Kumwilaisuk, to raise public awareness of the importance of bear protection.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 1/7

Australia kicks off direct aid programme for 2018-2019, US to early recognise Vietnam’s rules on catfish management, Vietcombank’s pre-tax profit up 52 percent in six months, Cement exports record strong growth in first half

Social News 1/7

Electricity supply resumes on Cô Tô Island, Vietnamese students graduate from agricultural programme in Israel, Northern mountainous provinces seek to improve PCI, Vietnam, RoK intensify IT cooperation

Transport Ministry speeds up North-South expressway

Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The has ordered relevant agencies to quickly complete necessary documents so that the ministry can approve 10 sub-projects that are part of the North-South Expressway in July as scheduled.

Nostalgic photos captures Vietnamese families past and present

 Moments in the life of Vietnamese families were captured in photos taken by Vietnam News Agency photo journalists.

Vietnam's agro-forestry-fishery posts highest GDP growth in decade

 The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said the GDP of agriculture, forestry and fishery is likely to expand to over 4 percent in the first six months of this year, the highest level in the past decade.

Nearly 90,000 people learn Japanese in Vietnam

There are nearly 90,000 Japanese language learners in Vietnam, up from 37.8 percent compared with the figure recorded in 2015, heard an exchange programme held by the Japan Foundation in Tokyo on June 28. 

Deputy PM speaks of Vietnam’s policies in US

 Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue spoke of Vietnam’s socio-economic development and policies during discussions within the Vietnam Executive Leadership Programme (VELP) in Massachusetts, the US, on June 28-29. 

VinFast to distribute Chevrolets in Vietnam

 Vingroup subsidiary VinFast has won exclusive rights to distribute Chevrolet vehicles in Vietnam.

More than 1,000 entrepreneurs to meet in Hai Phong

 More than 1,000 domestic and foreign businessmen will get together at the 2018 meeting of the Business Network International in Vietnam (BNI Vietnam) in the northern province of Hai Phong on July 12 – 13.

National census slated for April 2019

 The fifth national population and housing census in Vietnam will be conducted in April 2019, according to a decision issued by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. 

VAT increase not promote economic growth: report

 Increasing value-added tax (VAT) does not help boost economic growth, but it can increase the poverty rate, said a report announced by the Vietnam Institute for Economic and Policy Research.

EVFTA offers ‘golden’ opportunities for businesses

 The tax incentive mechanism of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) will bring great benefits to Vietnamese industries and products, according to Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh.

Visa exemption extended for Western European visitors

 Tourists from the UK, France, Germany, Spain and Italy will enjoy visa exemptions for the next three years until June 30, 2021, from July 1, 2018, when travelling to Vietnam.

Remittances to HCM City hit nearly $2.5 bln in first half of 2018

 Remittance inflows to the southern largest economic hub of Ho Chi Minh City in the first six months of 2018 was estimated to reach 2.45 billion USD, up nearly 20 percent from the., Sai Gon Giai phong reported.

81.7 percent of VN population covered by health insurance

 Some 81.3 million people across Vietnam have been covered by health insurance by the end of May, up nearly 21 million people from 2012 or 35.6 percent and representing 81.7 percent of the population. 

Vietnamese children join FIFA football festival in Moscow

A delegation of four Vietnamese children arrived in Moscow, Russia, on June 26 to attend the “Football for Hope” festival – the official event of the FIFA World Cup 2018 to honour the power of football in making positive changes in society.

First-half GDP expands 7.08 percent, hitting 8-year high

 Vietnam’s GDP expanded 7.08 percent in the first half of the year, marking the highest rate since 2010, fueled by robust expansion of the industrial and construction sector and service sector.