Fact-finding trip to newly-discovered tunnel in Quang Tri Inside the tunnel Authorities of the central province of Quang Tri on March 11 made a fact-finding trip to a tunnel which was recently unearthed at Cua Tung border station. With two gates to the north and the south, the Y-shaped tunnel stretches 200m in length, 1.8m in width and 1.8m in height. It also connects with another which was also dug by the armed police force over four years starting from 1962. Several artefacts were found inside the tunnel. According to witnesses, the two tunnels were filled up during a bomb attack in 1968. Three guerilla soldiers were buried alive in the tunnels. The body of one soldier was discovered and buried. The remaining are still inside the tunnel. Vice Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Mai Thuc suggested devising a plan to develop spiritual tourism at the site. Vietnamese films to be screened for free A series of seven Vietnamese films will be screened for free at the National … [Read more...] about Social News 12/3
Multi state workers compensation insurance
Social News 25/9
National Highway 5 to have more bus stops The Directorate for Roads of Việt Nam (DRVN) has asked provinces and cities of Hưng Yên, Hải Dương, Hải Phòng and and Hà Nội to set up more bus stops along National Highway 5. The purpose is to make travel more comfortable for passengers and restore traffic order. National Highway 5 is a major road in northern Việt Nam connecting Hà Nội to the port city of Hải Phòng. Coaches operating along the Hà Nội-Hải Phòng route transport some 10,000 travellers per day. However, the lack of bus stops and frequent violations by transport firms while picking and dropping passengers have resulted in disorder and threatened traffic safety along the road. Following an on-site inspection, the DRVN asked transport departments to set up 11 more bus stops in Hưng Yên Province, 16 more in Hải Dương Province and with more in Hải Phòng City, along with clear signs on the stops. In Hà Nội, the inspection revealed that the bus stops were small and too narrow, not … [Read more...] about Social News 25/9
Social News 28/3
Work starts on ASEAN Culture House in Busan, Korea Construction on an ASEAN Culture House recently started in Busan city, in the Republic of Korea (RoK) as part of efforts to promote mutual understanding and cultural exchanges with ASEAN member states. The four-storey ASEAN House will be built in Busan's Haeundea district, and is scheduled to be open for visitors in late 2017. Addressing the groundbreaking ceremony, First Vice Foreign Minister Lim Sung-nam recalled that since the establishment of a bilateral dialogue partnership in 1989, ASEAN and the RoK have developed friendly and trustful ties. ASEAN has become the second largest trade partner and the most popular tourist destination of the RoK, with two-way trade surging 20-fold and civil exchanges increasing 24-fold, he said. On the back of such momentum, Lim believed that the cultural initiative, which was reached at a commemorative summit held in December 2014 to mark 25 years of bilateral partnership, will contribute to … [Read more...] about Social News 28/3
Social News 23/5
Health officials find no addictive substance in street food Head of the Department of Food Administration of Vietnam under the Ministry of Health Dr. Nguyen Thanh Phong yesterday said that no addictive substances have been found in street food in Hanoi. After receiving the information of street food in Hanoi containing addictive substances, the Food Administration of Vietnam asked its sub-division, the National Institute of Food Control, to take samples for testing to update the information for consumers. Following the direction, medical workers from the National Institute of Food Control have taken 15 food samples from street eateries including 5 samples of sausages, 5 samples of steak and 5 fermented pork rolls. Test result showed that no addictive substances was found in most of food samples Dr. Nguyen Thanh Phong said that next time his Department would keep an eye on the matter especially health authorities in big cities to continue supervising food safety and hygiene in … [Read more...] about Social News 23/5
BUSINESS IN BRIEF 21/6
PM requires careful monetary policies On June 18, PM Nguyen Tan Dung issued Instruction No. 19 on the socio-economic development plan and budget estimates for 2013, and State budget investment plan from 2013-2015. In the Instruction, the PM set targets for 2013, including economic development targets related to economic restructuring. The main tasks in developing the economy during the next year include monetary polices, credit, tax, land, administrative innovation, and improved economic growth to reach GDP growth of 6-6.5%. Restructuring the economy will focus on three main fields, including investment, the financial markets, and enterprises. The PM also urged the restructuring of State-owned enterprises, improved competitiveness and better operational effectiveness of state economic groups. Serious and explicit sanctions need to be applied to raise the effectiveness of state-owned capital and assets. Monetary policies will favour private enterprises to help them access … [Read more...] about BUSINESS IN BRIEF 21/6
BUSINESS IN BRIEF 4/1
VN targets $11 bln in FDI disbursement Vietnam will focus less on the amount of foreign direct investment (FDI) registered capital, but more on FDI disbursement next year, expecting to dole out US$10-11 billion, said an official. The country sets a target of attracting $15-16 billion of FDI registered capital in 2012, with a focus placed on improving the projects' quality and efficiency, and enhancing the State's management, said Do Nhat Hoang, Head of the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment at a press briefing in Hanoi on December 30. Areas for investment will also be carefully selected, with priorities to infrastructure, "green" industries that are friendly to the environment, supporting industries, and high-tech industries of highly global competitiveness. Meanwhile, limit will be in non-production areas that may increase the imports or pollution. In 2011, Vietnam attracted $14.7 billion in FDI, down 26 percent from the previous year, but … [Read more...] about BUSINESS IN BRIEF 4/1
BUSINESS IN BRIEF 4/3
VN targets $11 bln in FDI disbursement Vietnam will focus less on the amount of foreign direct investment (FDI) registered capital, but more on FDI disbursement next year, expecting to dole out US$10-11 billion, said an official. The country sets a target of attracting $15-16 billion of FDI registered capital in 2012, with a focus placed on improving the projects' quality and efficiency, and enhancing the State's management, said Do Nhat Hoang, Head of the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment at a press briefing in Hanoi on December 30. Areas for investment will also be carefully selected, with priorities to infrastructure, "green" industries that are friendly to the environment, supporting industries, and high-tech industries of highly global competitiveness. Meanwhile, limit will be in non-production areas that may increase the imports or pollution. In 2011, Vietnam attracted $14.7 billion in FDI, down 26 percent from the previous year, but … [Read more...] about BUSINESS IN BRIEF 4/3
Social Highlights for October 26
All cosmetic surgery centers in country under inspection Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Xuyen in coordination with related agencies sent a document to municipal and provincial administrators in the country to conduct thorough inspections on all plastic surgery centers. Inspections should focus on skills, treatment methodologies, surgery procedures, rights and responsibilities of client and cosmetic surgeons, and operation license as per the country's law. Inspectors must issue proper penalties on centers which offer illegal cosmetic surgery services to earn profits. The Department of Health in Hanoi has publicized list of 33 beauty parlors and three hospitals that are licensed legally to offer cosmetic surgery services. However, the department noticed that beauty parlors can only provide simple cosmetic surgery services such as 'double eyelid' surgery or eyebrow tattoo, while complicated surgeries such as abdominal liposuction and breast lift surgery must be performed in … [Read more...] about Social Highlights for October 26
BUSINESS IN BRIEF 22/3
Developers boosting sluggish apartment sales Struggling with poor sales, a number of property developers have launched programs in which their customers can choose to pay by installment. What property firms did in the old days was to name the banks that were providing home loans accounting for up to 70% of the value of an apartment. However, this practice is not working at the moment since extremely high interest rates prevent home buyers from taking out a bank loan. Certain developers now allow home buyers to make a down payment equivalent to 50% of the value of an apartment and pay the rest by installment with a preferential interest rate or even have the payment term rescheduled if needed. They said they are willing to arrange loans for home buyers at interest rates lower than those at banks. Le Thanh Co. is keeping a close watch on market movements as it is preparing to put up for sale 100 apartments in Le Thanh Twin Tower project in Binh Tan District. The project … [Read more...] about BUSINESS IN BRIEF 22/3
Social News 9/10
VWS proposes taking less waste for treatment Vietnam Waste Solutions (VWS), facing strong public criticisms over a foul smell from its waste management facility in southern HCMC, has written to the HCMC government proposing taking less waste for treatment from next week. The company said in a document sent to the city government on Wednesday that from October 10, it would scale down the daily volume of garbage it receives from the current 5,000 tons to 3,000 tons, which was exactly the amount its Da Phuoc integrated waste management facility handled a day before the city government allowed it to manage an additional 2,000 tons in November 2014. This 2,000-ton volume was transferred from Phuoc Hiep waste treatment complex in the outlying district of Cu Chi. According to VWS, this is a necessary step to reduce the volume of waste it treats amid public criticisms over the spread of the odor from Da Phuoc. The recent heavy downpours, especially on September 26 and 27, have caused leachate … [Read more...] about Social News 9/10