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This is a surge from 2020 when only 9% of respondents used the internet for more than nine hours a day, according to the Vietnam Ecommerce 2022 report by the Vietnam e-Commerce and Digital Economy Agency (iDEA). However, there were declines in internet usage time in other segments. As many as 27% say they use the internet from three to five hours a day, compared to 31% in 2020. Besides, 23% log five to seven hours, against 27% in 2020. Most respondents access the internet on their smartphones. The main reason Vietnamese people use the internet are studying, watching movies or listening to music, and online shopping, said the report, which surveyed 4,584 respondents nationwide. Nearly 75% of respondents say they shop online, while 91% use their smartphones. The top sales categories are "clothes, footwear and cosmetics," "household appliances", and "electronic devices". Cash remains king as 73% pay cash on delivery. But there is a rise in e-wallet usage, from 23% … [Read more...] about One in five Vietnamese spend 9 hours a day online

It has submitted the options to the National Assembly Standing Committee for consideration and passage by the legislature, with the cuts expected to last six months. Under one option, the special consumption tax on petrol, including E5 and E10 biofuels, will be reduced by 50%, and VAT on petrol, jet fuel, diesel, kerosene, mazut, lubricating oil, and grease will be lowered by 20%. Under a second option, the special consumption tax will again halve while VAT will be cut by 50%, and the loss of revenue is estimated at VND12.19 trillion (US$518.55 million). Over six months, the treasury is expected to lose VND7.43 trillion (US$316.17 million) if these cuts are effected. The ministry said global oil prices would continue to be volatile, and many countries are dealing with high inflation and fear a recession is imminent. So it is necessary to reduce taxes on petrol and oil in a timely manner to curb inflation and spur the economy. … [Read more...] about Vietnam to cut fuel taxes to curb inflation

Nguyen Thai Hiep, who acted suspiciously while carrying the suitcase on Chu Van An Street in Binh Thanh District on Friday, was stopped by police. When inspecting his suitcase, authorities found 42 new iPhone 14s with original labels in foreign languages and no sub-labels in Vietnamese. He also failed to show the necessary papers to prove their origin. Authorities suspect him of smuggling the iPhones 14s, which were seized to aid the investigation. Earlier, many Vietnamese flocked to Singapore and Thailand, queuing in front of Apple Stores to buy the new iPhones. In Vietnam, iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus can be ordered via some Apple's official distribution channels at the price of VND24.99 million ($1,054) and VND27.99 million, respectively, for the 128GB version. … [Read more...] about Saigon man suspected of smuggling 42 iPhones 14

VinES Energy Solutions Joint Stock Company, a member of Vingroup - Vietnam’s biggest private conglomerate, has received the green light from provincial authorities to build the battery plant in Vung Ang Economic Zone in Ky Anh Town, Ha Tinh Economic Zone Management Board, which manages Vung Ang Economic Zone, said Saturday. Covering an area of over 14 hectares, the plant will produce lithium ferro phosphate (LFP) battery cells used in electric automobiles and energy storage systems. The plant’s design capacity of 5 GWh a year means that it can annually churn out 30 million LFP battery cells. The plant’s construction is expected to complete in the fourth quarter of 2023 or the first quarter of 2024, to commence mass production in the third quarter of 2024. In December 2021, VinES Energy Solutions Joint Stock Company started construction of a battery factory with total investment of over VND4 trillion in Ky Anh Town. Construction of the factory’s workshops has already been … [Read more...] about Vingroup to build $255-mln battery plant

Amaya Retreat covers 10 hectares in the outlying district of Soc Son, around 10 kilometers from downtown Hanoi. It has 12 bungalows with 16 bedrooms and a wooden suite villa with a private swimming pool. A night's stay costs from VND2.5 million ($105.61) on weekdays and VND2.9 million on weekends. The resort offers meditation and yoga classes. Bungalows here are mainly made of eco-friendly materials and designed in European style that offer forest views. If you are lucky, you can see squirrels right from your bedroom. Located in Sa Pa Town in the northern province of Lao Cai, Villa de Mont Mountain Resort has 39 villas lying at a height of 1,555 meters above sea level. All villas here are built from stone, indigenous wood in combination with handmade ethnic brocade. The resort was named … [Read more...] about 3 Vietnam resorts nestled in pine forests

Two roads leading to the An Phu Islet in the middle of Tra Khuc River, home to around 350 families, have been flooded by rising waters. During dry seasons, residents often use these roads to travel back and forth between the islet and the surrounding land. But heavy rains over the past two days have flooded one road, and strong water flow caused erosion on the other road, leaving behind a chasm as of Saturday noon. With roads rendered inaccessible, residents on the islet, including dozens of students, have to resort to boats to travel around. The majority of them do not have life vests with them. For residents who were stuck on the mainland, many decided to stay now that the roads have become unusable. "I was bringing my grandchild back home from school, but upon seeing the rising water and hearing news about an incoming storm, I decided to let my grandchild stay with an acquaintance on the mainland," said Bui Thanh Binh. A house in An Phu Islet, Quang Ngai Province is … [Read more...] about 1,300 isolated as heavy rains flood central province

Spread over more than 80,000 hectares in the provinces of Dong Nai, Lam Dong and Binh Phuoc, the park is home to around 1,500 species of animals, including endangered ones such as red-faced monkeys, pig-tailed monkeys, black-shanked douc langur, yellow-cheeked gibbons, and lorises, all of which are listed in the Red Data Book. The best time to visit is between December and May when there is little rain and trekking across the dense forest is easier. Entry costs VND60,000 ($2.60) for adults and VND10,000 for children aged 6-16. It is free for younger children. The ticket includes a boat ride in the Dong Nai River. An old Chinese banyan tree that is around 400 years old and over eight meters tall. The park also has more than 1,600 species of flora in a pristine forest and a trekking tour allows visitors to explore its immense biodiversity. Trekkers have to stoop low in some … [Read more...] about Trekking in dense forest in national park

The limited ownership duration only meets the needs of a small percentage of customers, including young people, the Ho Chi Minh City Real Estate Association (HoREA) said in a comment on the Ministry of Construction’s proposal to limit apartment ownership duration. In proposing amendments to the Housing Law, the ministry said it wants to limit ownership to 50-70 years in line with apartments’ lifespans. There should be no limit on ownership as Vietnamese people prefer to own a home permanently, the association said. Apartments with limited ownership duration began to surface in HCMC 14 years ago. The Manor II in Binh Thanh District is one of the early projects that limit ownership of an apartment to 50 years. The Twin Tower project in Binh Tan District in 2011-2013 has apartments with an ownership duration of 49 years. From 2016, officetels (residential and commercial purposes combined) with limited ownership duration started to boom in Districts 4 and 7. They are priced … [Read more...] about Limited ownership term apartments cost less, but attract few buyers

In a directive released by the Government Office Saturday, the Deputy PM said Thanh Son Airport in Ninh Thuan Province, Bien Hoa Airport in Dong Nai Province and Gia Lam Airport in Hanoi "should be considered" for both military and civilian purposes. He urged the Ministry of Transport to work with the Ministry of National Defense and local officials to study the possibility of using these airports for commercial purposes and adding them into the 2021-2030 national aviation development plan. Thanh Son and Bien Hoa, built before 1975, are used by the military, while Dong Nai and Ninh Thuan provinces do not have a civilian airport. The first phase of the Long Thanh International Airport under construction in Dong Nai is set to be completed in 2025. Gia Lam Airport in Hanoi was built by the French in 1935 and inaugurated a year later. Initially, it served both civil and military purposes. In October 1954, Vietnam took over the airport. Today, it is a military facility. Vietnam … [Read more...] about Government eyes commercial use of three military airports

At a high-level joint discussion session of the 77th UN General Assembly in New York, Minh said the world was at a "historic turning point" with confrontation, conflict and violations of international law increasing, reflecting unilateralism and competition between major powers. He stressed the importance of abiding by international laws and the Charter of the United Nations, especially respecting independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and settling disputes by peaceful means and building an effective multilateral institution, the Vietnam News Agency reported. Commenting on the regional situation, the Deputy PM emphasized that Southeast Asian countries were making efforts to build a strong and united ASEAN Community that plays a central role in the regional security architecture. He also praised ASEAN's efforts to find comprehensive solutions to regional problems, including the situation in Myanmar. Minh stressed the need for maintaining peace, stability, security … [Read more...] about Respect int’l law, settle disputes peacefully: Deputy PM