This information was unveiled by the Japanese official on the sidelines of a trade exchange event held on March 14 in Ho Chi Minh City.

He emphasized that over recent years, the number of Japanese restaurants has been increasing in the nation, thereby showing that Vietnamese people favour Japanese food, including dishes with raw foods, also known as sashimi.

This trend has opened up plenty of opportunities for Japanese seafood to penetrate more deeply into the Vietnamese culinary market.

In particularly, Vietnam is home to many experienced seafood processing facilities, including scallops processing, he noted. Earlier in January, the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) launched a tour for 12 enterprises from Japan’s Hokkaido Prefecture to Vietnamese seafood processing facilities as part of efforts to ramp up co-operation and find partners for scallops processing.

Vietnam represents a promising destination due to low labour costs and extensive experience in processing aquatic products, he added.

The MAFF representative also informed that Japan has also sent an additional delegation to help Vietnamese businesses to seek seafood sources in the time to come.

FPT opens new branch in Chinese city of Dalian

Leading Vietnamese IT service provider FPT Software announced on March 13 the inauguration of its latest office in Dalian, China, as part of efforts to better serve the billion-people market.

Taking the advantages of its highly-skilled workforce which has diverse language proficiencies, the new office aims to provide high-quality information technology (IT) services to customers in Japan and China, with a specific target of extending its global customer base.

The opening of new branch will allow FPT to gain greater access to a high-quality talent pool of over 200,000 Japanese-proficient IT engineers locally, thereby serving its initial focus of supporting Japanese customers.

It can also help FPT to expand new business development opportunities, not only with Chinese businesses but also with thousands of Japanese businesses operating in Dalian.

Addressing the office opening ceremony, Chu Thi Thanh Ha, chairwoman of FPT Software, a subsidiary of FPT, stressed that as a leading IT firm in Vietnam, FPT aims to serve as a bridge for economic corporations among China, Japan, and Vietnam.

She expressed her belief that FPT Dalian can actively help to strengthen these relationships whilst promoting cross-border cooperation among companies there.

FPT Dalian will become FPT’s third office in China, following Shanghai and Nanning offices launched in 2017 and 2023 respectively.

Quang Ninh province to attract 7 FDI projects in March

The northern coastal province of Quang Ninh expects to receive an additional seven foreign direct investment (FDI) projects from the US, China and Taiwan (China) in March.

The province aims to attract 3 billion USD worth of FDI this year.

According to Chairman the provincial People’s Committee Cao Tuong Huy, Quang Ninh prioritises attracting investment from multinational conglomerates and projects in key sectors.

The official affirmed that the province always pays attention to protecting the legitimate rights of investors and business, ensuring the harmony of interests between the State, investors, workers and local residents.

Quang Ninh has so far this year logged eight FDI projects valued at 478 million USD, ranking second in terms of FDI attraction among localities in the country. Notably, a project on building a photovoltaic cell technology complex invested by Gokin Solar of Hong Kong (China) has the highest capital investment, amounting to 274.8 million USD.

The province is home to nearly 200 foreign-invested businesses from 20 countries and territories with a total capital of nearly 14 billion USD.

Controlling shipping line surcharge increases for market stability

Port authorities and maritime inspectorates are ordered to examine the fares charged by shipping companies and scrutinise surcharges to prevent any violations amidst the surge in additional fees for container transportation services in import and export shipping.

The operational fees imposed by foreign shipping companies have risen by 10-22 per cent, three times higher than the adjusted fees for container handling at Vietnamese seaports.

The gains are attributed to global tensions and pricing management, according to the shipping companies.

The shipping companies charge US$140-200 from the cargo owners but only reimburse the ports with $36-66, which accounts for merely one-third of the total amount.

The Vietnam Maritime Administration is concerned that there is a possibility of shipping companies intentionally exploiting global market fluctuations to increase service prices.

As a result, measures will be implemented to monitor and control this situation.

Nguyễn Thị Thương, Deputy Head of the Shipping and Maritime Services Department at the Vietnam Maritime Administration, said that the agency will enforce prescribed penalties and issue directives to port authorities to strengthen inspections and oversight of price hikes by shipping lines.

It will also work closely with relevant state management agencies, such as the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) and the Ministry of Finance (MoF), to control the activities of shipping companies regarding freight rates and surcharges, ensuring transparent and publicly disclosed pricing.

Previously, the implementation of Circular No.39 issued by the Ministry of Transport led to a 10 per cent in the charges for loading and unloading services at seaports, causing several shipping lines to raise cargo handling surcharges at ports.

This has caused significant dissatisfaction among Vietnamese cargo owners, who have been the most heavily impacted by these cost hikes. 

Investment support fund aims to create stability, encourage capital flow into prioritised sectors

The investment support fund will foster the stability of the investment environment and promote the capital flow into prioritised sectors, according to Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyễn Thị Bích Ngọc.

Ngọc said this while hearing contributions from major investors and foreign business associations to the draft decree on the investment support fund as a solution to attract investment in the context of Việt Nam starting to adopt OECD’s global minimum tax rate starting from 2024.

According to Virginia B. Foote, Deputy Chairwoman of the American Chamber of Commerce, the US companies which are affected by the global minimum tax operate in various sectors, not only the high technology industry.

If the fund only provides support to investors in the high-tech sector, it is too narrow, she was quoted by Đầu Tư (Investment) online newspaper as saying.

It is necessary to clarify the regulations on the criteria for enterprises with investment projects in research and development (R&D) centres because there are enterprises that invest in R&D but do not build a separate R&D centre. In this case, would investors be provided with support or not, she questioned.

Hong Sun, Chairman of Korean Business Association in Việt Nam (Korcham), said that the support policies are not clear enough. Criteria to be eligible for the support remain high and should be expanded so that more firms can receive the support.

The support should be also provided to enterprises of smaller scale but contributing significantly to the supply chain as well as high-tech development in Việt Nam, Nakajima Takeo, chief presentative of the Hà Nội Office of the Japan Trade Promotion Organisation said.

Phạm Minh Cao from Hyosung Việt Nam said that the criteria for the support raised in the draft that at least VNĐ12 trillion worth (US$485.7 million) of investment must be disbursed within the first three years might cause difficulties for investors. For example, Hyosung invest in biotechnology, in which it is difficult to finish disbursement within three years, even 10 years, because the investment must be carried out along with R&D.

Cao added that the support should be based on the total investment of a corporation in Việt Nam rather than a single project or a member company.

In response, Ngọc said that the investment support fund should not aim to only support investors which are affected by the global minimum tax.

There will be no discriminations, regardless of domestic or foreign enterprises, existing enterprises or new investment, Ngọc said, adding that any firm meeting the set criteria will be eligible for the support.

The support fund will first focus resources on the high-tech sector, Ngọc said, adding that these policies are stable in the long term.

Besides, Việt Nam is reviewing investment incentives to develop a comprehensive policy framework to ensure the consistency and integrity, Ngọc said.

Under the draft decree, the fund will provide support to investments in high technology and R&D centres. In addition, investors must meet criteria, including investment from VNĐ12 trillion, revenue from VNĐ20 trillion per year, and complete the disbursement of at least VNĐ12 trillion within three years. 

Second Vietnam int’l logistics expo to open in HCM City

The second Việt Nam International Logistics Exhibition (VILOG) 2024 will be held in HCM City from August 1 to 3, said the Việt Nam Logistics Business Association (VLA).

The exhibition will be co-organised by the VLA and VINEXAD Company and will bring together domestic and international logistics firms, representatives from government agencies, and other stakeholders, while displaying the most cutting-edge technologies and trends in the sector.

It will focus on transport and forwarding, warehouse systems, cold chain, packaging, logistics IT and relevant services.

The Việt Nam Medi-Pharm Expo will be held simultaneously with VILOG 2024, and is expected to attract the participation of more than 450 businesses from 35 countries and territories.

Organisers said VILOG 2023 lured 256 firms with 354 booths from 22 countries and territories, and more than 25,000 visitors.

Logistics is one of the fastest growing and most stable industries in Việt Nam, with an average growth rate of 14–16 per cent a year and a scale of $40-42 billion per year. According to Agility's assessment in 2022. Việt Nam is ranked 11th in the group of 50 global emerging logistics markets. 

Sustainable supply chains to help reinforce foothold of Vietnamese goods

Sustainable domestic supply chains help businesses improve competitiveness against foreign rivals and retain consumer trust, thus sustaining growth in domestic and foreign trade of Vietnamese goods.

Vu Van Phuong, a representative of the organising board of the high-quality Vietnamese goods survey 2024, said survey results show that traditional retail channels, especially specialised shops, groceries, and authorised stores, still dominate the supply of most consumer products. Distribution channels are flexible to new selling methods like via social media as well as to non-cash payment via e-wallet or online money transfer.

Online shopping has continued to grow strongly in Vietnam’s retail market, he said, noting that to meet demand, sellers have boosted livestream selling – a method expected to boom in the time ahead.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade reported that with a growth rate of 37% in e-commerce revenue, this city boasts the largest and fastest-growing e-commerce market in Vietnam.

In 2023, HCM City posted the biggest e-commerce sales – 6.2 billion USD, equivalent to 29% of the total nationwide. Meanwhile, the sales as calculated according to stores’ locations reached 4.7 billion USD to account for 23% of the total, statistics show.

E-commerce revenue increased, but the number of online sellers declined 18.52%, indicating that the e-commerce market is becoming more selective and witnesses fiercer competition as consumers prioritise reputable sellers. Therefore, it will be hard for those without appropriate strategies to survive in the market, the department said.

Tran Kim Yen, President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of HCM City and deputy head of the local steering board for the “Vietnamese people prioritise Vietnamese goods” campaign, said that one of the focal measures the steering board is promoting is to develop sustainable Vietnamese goods supply chains that must be truly modern, transparent, safe, and efficient.

The businesses involved in those supply chains must uphold the spirit of transparency, responsibility, honest production, and honest distribution, she noted.

The formation of such supply chains for Vietnamese goods will provide a prerequisite for building proper production orientations and improving goods quality so that made-in-Vietnam products will become able to compete with imports and enter demanding foreign markets.

VinFast announces partnership with first EV distributor in Africa

VinFast Auto, a member of Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup  announced on March 15 that it has signed a distribution agreement with the Jospong Group of Companies, a leading multi-industry enterprise in Ghana to distribute its electric vehicles in the market and the West African region.

Accordingly, Jospong will distribute VinFast's entire range of vehicles, including electric cars, e-scooters, e-bikes, and electric buses, throughout Ghana and West Africa. Jospong will also plan to deploy public charging infrastructure across the country to support EV penetration.

This collaboration with one of West Africa's leading firms strengthens VinFast's commitment to delivering green and smart transportation solutions to customers worldwide, while also allowing the company to tap into the promising potential of the African electric vehicle market.

Meanwhile, the Jospong Group operates across 14 different sectors with a network of over 60 companies. The group has a strong presence in industries like automobile, waste management, ICT, and banking.

The two sides also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the establishment of a prioritised partnership. Under the MoU, they will work together to to identify and pursue business opportunities in areas of mutual interest, such as electric vehicles, taxi operations, public transportation solutions, education, hospitality, and real estate development.

Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group Joseph Agyepong said that his company has been impressed by VinGrop’s contribution to the green revolution which is taking place across the globe, through the electric vehicle ecosystem and VinFast’s diverse offerings.

Describing Ghana and West Africa as a potential market for electric vehicles, Tran Viet Anh, a representative of VinFast Global said VinFast commits to building a sustainable future for Ghana by providing a comprehensive electric transportation ecosystem, from bicycles and cars to buses with flexible sales, ensuring everyone can join the clean transportation revolution.

According to VinFast, electric vehicle market in Ghana and West Africa boasts significant development potential due to ample room for growth and minimal competition. Fueled by government support for achieving net-zero emissions in transportation, demand is forecast to surge rapidly. Ghana envisions a future by 2040 where a significant portion of gas stations will be repurposed to serve sustainable transportation options, like electric vehicles.

Land Law boosts Vietnam’s investment appeal: Japanese expert

Koizumi Kenichi, a Japanese real estate investment expert, has praised the amended Land Law that was passed by the Vietnamese National Assembly earlier this year, believing that one specific amendment will be very welcome to foreign companies.

Talking with Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Tokyo, Koizumi highlighted the ambition of numerous companies from Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Taiwan (China) seeking to expand operations in Vietnam. They are mostly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in the apparel and footwear industries that often face difficulties in securing long-term leases for land and factories due to high rental costs.

He said the changes to land ownership rights in Vietnam's Land Law will incentivise more companies to explore purchasing land and building their own facilities instead of incurring rental expenses.

According to him, they will change the way foreign investors view land use rights in Vietnam. If global developers and investors in the US, Europe and Southeast Asia incorporate Vietnamese real estate into their property portfolios, it could lead to a revival in property sales across the country. Additionally, allowing individual and high-net-worth investors to purchase land could spark interest in acquiring property in Vietnamese resort areas, such as those on Phu Quoc island.

As a long-time investor in stocks and other assets in Vietnam, he said the amended law will significantly improve Vietnam's investment environment and expand the foothold of foreign investors.

The Japanese investors may consider purchasing land directly as corporate entities in the future to ensure their long-term operations, he said.

Mini Thailand Week to take place in Quang Ninh this month

High-quality products of Thailand will be showcased at Mini Thailand Week 2024 in the northern province of Quang Ninh from March 28 to 31.

The fair, following the previous events in 2022 and 2023, will be organised at the Quang Ninh Exhibition of Planning and Expo Centre by the Department of International Trade Promotion under the Thai Ministry of Commerce, the Trade Office at the Thai Embassy in Vietnam, and the Vietnam National Trade Fair and Advertising Company (VINEXAD)

With 74 booths, the fair will display a wide range of products, including food and beverages, health and beauty care products, apparel, household appliances, gifts and decorations, pet food, and tourism services.

It will also feature booths of the Thai Embassy, the Thai Investment Promotion Agency’s Hanoi office, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Ho Chi Minh City office, which will also introduce the Thai culture to visitors.

Visitors to the event will have a chance to learn about the Thai culture, try the country’s typical dishes made by the restaurants granted the Thai SELECT certificate, and receive gifts.

Apart from promoting business-to-consumer sale, the Mini Thailand Week 2024 also aims to boost business-to-business partnerships to develop trade and investment ties between Thailand and Quang Ninh as well as Vietnam at large.

VinFast to participate in Bangkok Int’l Motor Show 2024

VinFast Auto announced on March 15 that it will take part in the 45th Bangkok International Motor Show (BIMS 2024) in Thailand.

At BIMS 2024, the Vietnamese electric automaker will introduce its complete range of electric vehicles for the first time in Southeast Asia, including the mini-SUV VF 3; VF 5, VF e34, VF 6, VF 7, VF 8, and VF 9, covering the A-SUV to E-SUV segments.

Notably, the VF 5, VF e34, VF 6, VF 7, VF 8, and VF 9 on display will be right-hand drive versions, specifically tailored for the Thai market. This marks the second time VinFast has introduced right-hand drive electric vehicles, following their debut at the Indonesia International Motor Show (IIMS) 2024 in February.

Thailand is the leading electric vehicle market in Southeast Asia, with rapidly growing demand driven by a series of government support policies. According to the Thai Electric Vehicle Association, electric vehicle sales in this market are forecast to double this year.

Capitalising on this rapid transition, VinFast aims to expand quickly in the Thai market and solidify its position as a pioneer in the development of green and sustainable mobility globally.

Vu Dang Yen Hang, CEO of VinFast Thailand, said the launch of its brand in Thailand marks a major milestone in VinFasts global expansion strategy, strengthening its presence in the most vibrant automotive hub in Southeast Asia. 

Positive signs ahead for Vietnamese seafood exports to US

Vietnamese seafood exports to the United States during the opening two-month period of the year surged by 22.1% to US$188.5 million against the same period from last year, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs.       

As a result, the US currently represents Vietnam's second largest seafood export market behind Japan with US$196 million, accounting for 15% of the nation's total seafood export turnover during the reviewed period.

According to Do Ngoc Hung, Vietnamese Trade Counselor to the US, besides the challenges facing Vietnamese seafood exports to the US due to a general decline in purchasing power coupled with rising transportation costs, the country's aquatic products have great advantages in this North American market.

Specifically, Vietnamese shrimp is still popular in the US market thanks to its high processing content, focusing on value-added products.

Furthermore, the US Department of Commerce (DOC) has recently issued preliminary conclusions of the 19th review (POR19) for Vietnamese frozen tra fish (pangasius) fillet exports during the period from August 1, 2021,to July 31, 2022.

According to the review, Vinh Hoan Joint Stock Company is entitled to enjoy a tax rate of US$0.00 per kilo, while five other enterprises are all subject to a lower anti-dumping tax rate of US$0.18 per kilo

In fact, the general anti-dumping tax duties that DOC has imposed on Vietnamese pangasius during the review stands at US$2.39 per kilo.

Do Ngoc Hung said these moves have opened up bright prospects ahead for pangasius exports in the highly lucrative market with export volume expected to rise due to the overall cost reduction. 

Moreover, pangasius enterprises have proved their capacity and experience in thoroughly preparing documents during PORs launched by the DOC, Hung added. 

Binh Duong aims to attract investments for new-generation industrial parks

This year, Binh Duong province plans to attract 130-140 investment projects to industrial parks (IP), securing 1.2-1.3 billion USD from foreign capital and 1.1-1.2 trillion VND (about 48.535 million USD) from domestic investors.

The plan includes a total construction investment capital of 5.7 trillion VND, with the provision of leasing or subleasing 100-150 hectares of land. The objective is to attract 15,000 workers and achieve a total revenue of 35-40 billion USD.

The management board of Binh Duong province's industrial parks reported that there are currently 28 operational IPs in this area, with an impressive occupancy rate of over 93%.

This makes Binh Duong the locality with the highest IP occupancy rate in the entire country.

To date, Binh Duong's IPs have attracted 3,080 active projects. Among them are 2,400 foreign-invested projects with a registered capital of nearly 29 billion USD and 680 domestic projects with a registered capital of nearly 93.6 trillion VND.

For 2026-2030, the plan expands to 19 IPs, with a total land area of around 5,537 hectares. This includes the completion of the ongoing development of the IPs from the 2023-2025 period, covering an area of about 2,063 hectares, and the addition of nine new IPs, spanning 3,474 hectares.

These IPs will follow the "3-in-1" model, combining IPs, urban areas, and service areas. They will feature comprehensive and modern technical and social infrastructure.

The investment attraction for these IPs will be more focused and selective, emphasising specialisation, ecological considerations and smart developments./.

Japanese retailer AEON to join Vietnam International Sourcing 2024

As the demand for Vietnamese agricultural products and processed foods is rising, Japan’s retailer AEON TopValu will seek suppliers for its supermarket chain Aeon at the Vietnam International Sourcing 2024, which is slated for June 6-8 in Ho Chi Minh City.

In a working session with the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s European – American Market Department, General Director of Aeon TopValu Vietnam Shiotani Yuichiro said that he has a great expectation when joining the sourcing fair.

There is a great demand for Vietnamese agricultural products and processed products in the markets where Aeon is present, he said, adding through last year's event, Aeon TopValu found suppliers for its supermarket chain in China, Thailand, and Malaysia.

Along with persuading its purchasers from China, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam to engage in the event, Aeon TopValu will continue joining hands with the MoIT to organise the Vietnamese Products Week in Japan in 2024, providing more chances for Vietnamese goods to break into Japan – the No.1 fastidious market in Asia, he said.

The purchasers want to seek Vietnamese producers who are able to meet Aeon’s criteria and standards to become the retailer’s sustainable suppliers not only for its supermarkets in Vietnam but also its system across the globe, according to the Aeon representative.

By 2030, AEON plans to own 30 shopping malls, department stores, and supermarkets, with the majority located in big cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Da Nang, Hai Phong, and other provinces nationwide.

The event aims to promote direct linkages between Vietnamese manufacturing and exporting enterprises with foreign retail distribution networks and importers. It includes a series of workshops, seminars, business matching activities, and an exhibition called “Vietnam International Sourcing Expo”.

This is annual premier sourcing fair in Vietnam, bringing together the leading manufacturers and exporters in the country. Details on the event and activities to be held on its framework are available at vietnamsourcingexpo.vn./.

Wood, furniture firms advised to take advantage of e-commerce

To increase brand recognition and to access more customers, Vietnamese wood, furniture, and handicraft businesses need to consider and invest systematically in online sales activities, diversifying sales channels in their business strategies, Vice Chairwoman of the Handicraft and Wood Industry Association of Ho Chi Minh City (HAWA) Duong Minh Tue has said.

Speaking at a recent workshop themed “Cross-border e-commerce – global growth opportunity for Vietnam's furniture export” in Ho Chi Minh City, Tue said that as one of the leading wood exporting countries globally, Vietnam's wood industry has expanded its market, penetrating deeper into key ones such as the US, the European Union (EU), the Republic of Korea (RoK), and Japan; and increasing its presence in emerging markets such as the UAE and India, he said.

With strengths in forestry development, incentives for businesses, and free trade agreements signed with foreign partners, Vietnam's wood and wooden product exports have recorded great success in the international market.

However, over recent times, the traditional export market segment has faced numerous challenges due to weak global consumption demand, increasing protectionist barriers, and countries continuing to maintain tight monetary policies, Hue said.

Meanwhile, the sales of furniture and handicrafts through e-commerce have continued to experience remarkable growth, she said, noting that participating in e-commerce platforms is a new direction for Vietnamese wood businesses.

To increase brand recognition and access more customers, businesses need to consider and invest systematically in online sales activities, diversifying sales channels in their business strategies, she said.

Senior Account Manager of Amazon Global Selling Vietnam Nguyen Thanh Yen My said that although global trade has not fully recovered, global e-commerce continues to grow steadily.

Cross-border e-commerce is a trend and a new form of export, which helps small- and medium-sized enterprises achieve strong growth, she added.

According to My, in the US - Vietnam's largest export market, e-commerce in the furniture industry is projected to grow strongly over the next four years and could reach 118.6 billion USD by 2027.

Wayfair Supplier Acquisition Senior Manager Jimmy Wang noted that through e-commerce platforms, Vietnamese businesses can directly access a wide range of customers from all over the world.

Recently, many Chinese suppliers have bought Vietnamese furniture and resold it globally through cross-border e-commerce. The question is why Vietnamese manufacturers don’t take advantage of cross-border e-commerce to sell their products.

Wang said that online shoppers usually hesitate to buy goods online as they cannot touch the products physically. Therefore, to sell online effectively, sellers must prioritise comfort and actively convince customers about the products they want to buy.

In addition, customer service and delivery are also issues of concern to buyers. Understanding the above reasons, e-commerce platforms currently provide many business support services from posting products online, packaging, shipping, and returning goods to bring the best shopping experience for customers./.

Transport Ministry pushes for railway links to Long Thanh airport

The Ministry of Transport has urged the Railway Project Management Board, the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), and Transport Engineering Design Incorporated (TEDI) to prepare plans for developing rail links to the under-construction Long Thanh International Airport.

Long Thanh airport, currently in its initial construction phase, is expected to become a pivotal international air transit hub in the region, according to the ministry.

The North-South express railway and the Thu Thiem – Long Thanh light rail are progressing in their pre-feasibility study stages, with plans for underground stations at Long Thanh airport.

The Thu Thiem – Long Thanh light rail line, which is 37 kilometers long and has 20 stations, will link Thu Thiem Station in Thu Duc City of HCMC, and Long Thanh International Airport Station.

With a 1,435-mm double track, the 1,545-kilometer North-South high-speed railway will extend from Ngoc Hoi Station in Hanoi City to Thu Thiem Station in HCMC.

HCMC accelerates work on Beltway 3 project

The government of HCMC is pushing for stronger coordination with three neighboring provinces to expedite work on the HCMC Beltway 3 project in the 2024-2025 period.

During the fourth conference on cooperation between the provinces in the southeastern region held in Dong Nai on March 15, the People’s Committee of HCMC said the city had been working with Binh Duong, Dong Nai and Long An provinces since work began on Beltway 3 last year.

With the proposal to maintain coordination with the southeast provinces from 2024 to 2025, the city aims to overcome obstacles and accelerate progress towards achieving the fundamental completion of the Beltway 3 project by 2025.

This effort is geared towards ensuring the operational launch of the beltway by 2026, a significant milestone for socio-economic development not only in HCMC but also neighboring southeastern provinces.

HCMC Beltway 3 is 76 kilometers long and requires a total of VND75,378 billion.

Hanoi promotes legal awareness and consumer rights protection initiatives

 The Green Goods for Consumers Fair will be held from 24 to 28 April at La Ma Square - An Binh City, 234 Pham Van Dong Street, Bac Tu Liem District, Hanoi.

The event, one of the largest of its kind, will be hosted by the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade to celebrate Vietnam's Consumer Rights Day 2024.

The fair will feature around 160 booths from companies and organizations distributing consumer goods and products in various fields, such as home appliances, fashion, food, and essential consumer goods.

Further activities include the promotion of legal awareness through media channels, training courses, seminars and advice on the protection of consumer rights through the counseling hotline.

On  March 14, the launch of the "Action for Consumer Rights in 2024" program was held in Hanoi to disseminate legal knowledge to local consumers. It aimed to promote economic development, production, business and consumer rights protection policies to stimulate consumption and business growth.

In 2023, Hanoi resolved 29 consumer complaints through the hotline and dealt with 12,453 calls on the rights and obligations of consumers.

To ensure consistent and continuous protection of consumer rights, the Municipal Department of Industry and Trade has asked relevant agencies, district and township People's Committees and related units to strengthen state management of consumer rights protection.

Source: VNA/SGT/VNS/VOV/Dtinews/SGGP/VGP/Hanoitimes