The transport ministry asks carpooling service to stop as it might cause inconveniences to passengers. - Photo tuoitre.vn The Ministry of Transport has asked ride haling platforms Uber and Grab to stop providing carpooling services. The request also applies for all taxi companies participating in the pilot project of applying science and technology to support management and connect passenger services of contracted cars. A representative from the Ministry of Transport said that carpooling services might cause inconveniences to passengers, adding that for each car route, passengers book a whole car, not only some seat. The ministry said that the request was raised to ensure the rights of passengers and prevent any problems that might arise when using carpooling services. The ministry cited Circular 63/2014/TT-BGTVT, which claims that transport service providers can only sign one contract with one … [Read more...]

The VRC predicted that in the rest of the year, El Nino and Southern Oscillation will maintain at medium level.  There is a low possibility of El Nino while storms and tropical low pressures arising in the East Sea are likely to increase with less effects on the mainland, except the central region. Average temperature may be higher than that in the past years but hot weather will not last for long, according to the VRS. Participants at the event agreed on the need to equipped people in risky areas with necessary skills to cope with natural disasters, with strengthening popularisation on preventive measures to minimise impacts of natural disasters. At the conference, the VRC and the International Red Cross and Crescent Societies discussed and agreed on a cooperation framework for the 2017-2022 period, which aims to meet the requirements of affected people based … [Read more...]

Hanoi, June 28 (VNA) – The Vietnam Red Cross (VRC) held a conference in Hanoi on June 28 to publicise its natural disaster forecast in 2017 and evaluate its capacity and resources to respond to emergencies.  The VRC predicted that in the rest of the year, El Nino and Southern Oscillation will maintain at medium level. There is a low possibility of El Nino while storms and tropical low pressures arising in the East Sea are likely to increase with less effects on the mainland, except the central region.  Average temperature may be higher than that in the past years but hot weather will not last for long, according to the VRS.  Participants at the event agreed on the need to equipped people in risky areas with necessary skills to cope with natural disasters, with strengtheningpopularisation on preventive measures to minimise impacts of natural disasters.  At the conference, the VRC and the … [Read more...]

Pakistan's marginalised transgender community on Wednesday welcomed the government's decision to issue its first passport with a transgender category as an important milestone in the struggle against discrimination. The conservative South Asian nation, where homosexuality is a crime, last week issued a passport to prominent transgender activist Farzana Jan with an X to symbolise the third sex printed under the gender category of travel document. Jan, who is president of the charity Trans Action Pakistan, said the introduction of the X classification - along with M for Male and F for Female - was a significant step in the community's fight for legal recognition in Pakistan. "Men and women both have been given their identity, but we were deprived of this right. We are happy there is a growing realization that we should be given our identity," Jan said by phone from the northwest city of Peshawar. "We also want to see how the outside world is. But we have been facing many … [Read more...]

The Government will offer all possible support to businesses, start-ups and create jobs for workers, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has said. The Government will offer all possible support to businesses, start-ups and create jobs for workers, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has said. - VNA/VNS Photo He made the statement during a working session in Ha Noi yesterday with the Presidium of the Viet Nam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) to discuss work between the government and VGCL and set tasks for 2017-18. The PM hailed VGCL chapters for improving workers’ lives and dealing with workers’ complaints. The VGCL was asked to join the Government’s mechanism building, with a focus on ensuring rights and interests of workers in the process of building a transparent, constructive and action-oriented government in service of the people and businesses. The VGCL should step up campaigns to … [Read more...]

NDO - The Vietnam Bank for Social Policies (BVSP), in co-ordination with the Southwest Steering Committee (SSC), organised a conference to review the five-year implementation of the project on strengthening and improving the quality of the credit policy in the Southwest region. The conference was chaired by Vuong Dinh Hue, Politburo Member, Deputy Prime Minister, and Head of the SSC. As of December 31, 2016, the total loans under the programme reached VND27.8 trillion (approx. US$1.23 billion), an increase of VND10.9 trillion (nearly US$480 million) compared to the end of 2011. The average credit growth rate in the region, for the 2012-2016 period, is 10.5%, above the national average rate by 1.8%. Credit quality in the region also saw significant improvement. By the end of 2016, overdue debts stood at VND224.5 billion, or 0.81%. All of the 13 provinces in the region saw a reduction in overdue debt. Over the past few years, credit packages have been designed to help … [Read more...]

Workers handle handmade leather shoes in Hai Duong province (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - In order to transform household businesses into enterprises, it is necessary to use “economic levers” rather than “administrative orders”, deputy director of the Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM) Phan Duc Hieu said at a Hanoi-based conference on June 27. The conference, organised by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) in cooperation with the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV), drew the participation of nearly 100 representatives from State management agencies, banks, industry associations, household businesses and enterprises. It was designed to discuss the current situation and solutions for converting household businesses to firms. In the past few years, business households have grown significantly in … [Read more...]

In order to transform household businesses into enterprises, it is necessary to use “economic levers” rather than “administrative orders”, deputy director of the Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM) Phan Duc Hieu said in a Ha Noi-based conference on Tuesday. Workers handle handmade leather shoes in Hai Duong Province.  The conference, organised by Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) in cooperation with Bank for Investment and Development of Viet Nam (BIDV), drew the participation of nearly 100 representatives from State management agencies, banks, industry associations, households business and enterprises. It was designed to discuss the current situation and solutions for converting household businesses to firms. In the past few years, business households have grown significantly in volume, making tremendous contributions to job creation and service provision to the … [Read more...]

In order to transform household businesses into enterprises, it is necessary to use “economic levers” rather than “administrative orders”, deputy director of the Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM) Phan Duc Hieu said in a Ha Noi-based conference on Tuesday. Workers handle handmade leather shoes in Hai Duong Province.  The conference, organised by Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) in cooperation with Bank for Investment and Development of Viet Nam (BIDV), drew the participation of nearly 100 representatives from State management agencies, banks, industry associations, households business and enterprises. It was designed to discuss the current situation and solutions for converting household businesses to firms. In the past few years, business households have grown significantly in volume, making tremendous contributions to job creation and service provision to the … [Read more...]

The disease usually attacks kids from five to fifteen. In the South, it often occurs in the Mekong delta region. Head of Ho Chi Minh -based Children Hospital’s Infectious Ward Dr. Truong Huu Khanh  said that since the beginning of the year, the ward has admitted 24 cases of Japanese encephalitis accounting for 50 percent of total cases of meningitis and encephalitis . At this time, the ward is treating six child patients who are in critical condition and they had to put on ventilators. Sometimes the ward has no bed because so many kids are admitted and therefore, they are transferred to stay in intensive care unit, said Dr. Khanh.  Medical workers warned Japanese encephalitis is considered one of dangerous illness with high rate of mortality and complication ranging from 25 percent to 35 percent. Complications reduce patients communication ability or labor capability becoming a burden for the families and the society. The … [Read more...]

The disease usually attacks kids from five to fifteen. In the South, it often occurs in the Mekong delta region. Head of Ho Chi Minh -based Children Hospital’s Infectious Ward Dr. Truong Huu Khanh  said that since the beginning of the year, the ward has admitted 24 cases of Japanese encephalitis accounting for 50 percent of total cases of meningitis and encephalitis . At this time, the ward is treating six child patients who are in critical condition and they had to put on ventilators. Sometimes the ward has no bed because so many kids are admitted and therefore, they are transferred to stay in intensive care unit, said Dr. Khanh.  Medical workers warned Japanese encephalitis is considered one of dangerous illness with high rate of mortality and complication ranging from 25 percent to 35 percent. Complications reduce patients communication ability or labor capability becoming a burden for the families and the society. The … [Read more...]

On June 27, the Dow Chemical Company (NYSE:DOW) deploys resources to Hanoi, Vietnam through the 2017 Leadership In Action (LIA) program – reconfirming the Company’s long-term commitment to the country as a primary sustainable development partner. Dow is collaborating with six strategic non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and universities in Hanoi and Hai Phong in an effort to enhance Vietnam’s competitive advantage in market and address pressing local challenges for the betterment of the Vietnamese. These partnerships provide Dow a unique ability to further develop relationships with key stakeholders as the Company progresses its growth strategy in the Asia Pacific geographic area. Aligned to Dow’s long-term commitments to advance a sustainable planet and society, LIA intersects Dow’s investment to Global Citizenship; the Company’s focus on its 2025 … [Read more...]

NDO - Vietnam’s Ministry of Construction and the World Bank on June 28 signed a memorandum of understanding on establishing a partnership on urban development and infrastructure for the 2017-2021 period. Under the agreement, the two sides will foster cooperation activities, look for technical assistance opportunities, strengthen capacity and share experiences in a number of areas, such as fine-tuning legal documents and regulations. The World Bank will help Vietnam to formulate a national urban development programme and regional development planning initiatives, as well as building effective tools in preparation for urban development projects to address the challenges of urbanisation. Cooperation between the two sides also covers reforms in the water sector, including water prices, the participation of the private sector and learning from water supply models and service standards. As part of the partnership, the World Bank will also help Vietnam to incorporate … [Read more...]

Check out what is in the news today, June 28: Politics -- Vietnamese State President Tran Dai Quang pledged to elevate the ties between the Southeast Asian nation and Belarus to a new height for mutual benefit during a meeting held on Tuesday in the capital of Minsk with Belarusian President Aleksandr Grigoryevich Lukashenko as part of his official visits to Russia and Belarus, which run from June 26 to July 1. Society -- The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport will open two legs of Nguyen Van Cu Overpass connecting streets in District 1 and District 5 to traffic on Thursday in another bid to alleviate traffic congestion. -- More than 10 steel-clad fishing boats built under a governmental decree and owned by fishermen in the north-central province of Thanh Hoa have sustained extensive damage as of June 2017. Business -- Several experts warned at the 2017 Vietnam Economic Forum … [Read more...]

VietNamNet Bridge – After watching the staff work hard to transport materials and products to and from a coffee processing company, Vu Quang Tho asked them why they didn’t think of a way to save time and effort. Workers process frozen aquatic products at the Sai Gon Food Joint-stock Company in HCM City. In the past two decades, labour productivity in Viet Nam grew at 4.3 per cent on average, the highest increase among ASEAN countries.  The head of the Institute for Workers and Trade Unions was surprised at the answer he got. “They said, ‘Why do we need to change? In the end, the benefits will go to the boss’s pocket, not ours,” Tho told Viet Nam News. The lack of incentive, initiative and willingness to change is holding back the nation’s labour productivity, Tho said. According to the … [Read more...]

People who have children especially at the age of between 5 and 15 and in the Mekong Delta should take preventive measures against Japanese encephalitis, which breaks out between June and October every year, a doctor at the HCM City Paediatrics Hospital said. Children with Japanese encephalitis being treated at the neurology and infectious diseases department at the HCM City Paediatrics Hospital 1.-VNS Photo Hằng Đinh Trương Hữu Khanh, head of the hospital’s neurology and infectious diseases department, said the number of cases would increase soon since this is the breeding season of the culex mosquito, which transmits Japanese encephalitis. The mosquitoes breed mostly in paddy fields, he said. The disease is transmitted from pigs and birds to humans through mosquitoes, he … [Read more...]

EU antitrust regulators hit Google with a record 2.4-billion-euro (US$2.7 billion) fine for favouring its own shopping service, taking a tough line in the first of three probes of its dominance in searches and smartphone operating systems. A Google logo is seen in a store in Los Angeles, California. (photo source: REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/Files) BRUSSELS: EU antitrust regulators hit Google with a record 2.4-billion-euro (US$2.7 billion) fine for favouring its own shopping service, taking a tough line in the first of three probes of its dominance in searches and smartphone operating systems. It is the biggest fine the European Commission has ever imposed on a single company in an antitrust case, exceeding a 1.06-billion-euro sanction handed down against U.S. chipmaker Intel in 2009 and goes far beyond what U.S. regulators have ever fined a tech company. European Union competition chief Margrethe Vestager … [Read more...]

Visiting President of Vietnam Tran Dai Quang (R) and President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko (Source: VNA) Minsk (VNA) – Visiting President of Vietnam Tran Dai Quang and President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko held talks in Minsk on June 27, reiterating their determination to make greater efforts to bring bilateral ties to the next level. President Tran Dai Quang stated that Vietnam has always attached importance to cementing and stepping up the traditional friendship and multi-dimensional cooperation with Belarus. For his part, President Alexander Lukashenko affirmed that his country always considers Vietnam one of its important external priorities in Asia, hailing Vietnam’s efforts in undertaking the hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic (APEC) Forum in 2017 and wishing the country to hold the APEC Year successfully. The leaders showed their delight … [Read more...]

President Tran Dai Quang stated that Vietnam has always attached importance to cementing and stepping up the traditional friendship and multi-dimensional cooperation with Belarus. For his part, President Alexander Lukashenko affirmed that his country always considers Vietnam one of its important external priorities in Asia, hailing Vietnam’s efforts in undertaking the hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic (APEC) Forum in 2017 and wishing the country to hold the APEC Year successfully. The leaders showed their delight at positive developments in the countries’ cooperation across the board and asserted their resolve to strengthen and develop the bilateral traditional friendship and multi-faceted cooperation in a comprehensive, practical and efficient manner to serve the respective benefits. The two Presidents reviewing the guards-of-honor.  They agreed to maintain the regular exchange of all-level … [Read more...]

Phnom Penh (VNA) – Vietnamese Ambassador Thach Du and staff of Vietnamese representative offices in Cambodia on January 20 visited and presented gifts to a number of Vietnamese-Cambodian households in Phnom Penh on the threshold of the Lunar New Year (Tet). While extending his Tet greetings to the families who are policy beneficiaries, the ambassador affirmed that the Party and State always consider overseas Vietnamese, including those in Cambodia, an inseparable part of the Vietnamese nation. He highlighted the revolutionary tradition of the Vietnamese community in Cambodia as well as their contributions to the country’s resistance wars, adding that that the Party and State has designed a number of policies to help them overcome difficulties, stabilise their lives and contribute to the homeland. Representatives of the families thanked the ambassador and officials for their care and greetings, and pledged to exert more efforts in their lives and study, boost economic … [Read more...]