Earn 30k a year

Thu, 61, is a housewife and completely dependent on her husband. He is 66 and works as a construction worker. They struggle to make ends meet and their healthcare expenses take up much of their income. Thu says: "My daughter has no problem giving us money, but her husband does not seem too pleased to support us. So I don’t feel happy taking it. Sometimes my son-in-law asks my daughter behind our back why we keep borrowing money from them." In order not to bother their daughter and her family, the old couple ask other people in their circle. But who can lend them money constantly? Growing up during the war, Thu used to be a farmer and then ran a small business. Neither she nor her husband has pensions, and their savings are not enough for retirement. "When I was in my 30s, I saved hundreds of millions of dong. But suddenly I became sick and my situation became serious. I spent most of my savings at that time. Now I have less than 20 million left. Our life is so unstable now." … [Read more...] about Seniors’ struggle to cope without pension or savings

The Tan Cang Cat Lai Port. The port is the first in Viet Nam to be recognised as a green port by the APEC Port Services Network. — Photo vneconomy.vn The Viet Nam Maritime Administration is gathering comments on a proposed set of criteria for recognising green ports. The criteria are expected to push port-managing firms to embrace green development, improving their competitiveness and ensuring sustainability. A green assessment will be carried out every three years. The first criterion is that the firms strictly comply with environmental regulations specified in Viet Nam's legal documents and international agreements of which Viet Nam is a member. Additionally, the firms must closely monitor their port construction and operation and make frequent reports on their environmental impacts. The second criterion comprises three sub-criteria with specific max points assigned to each. Under the Commitment sub-criterion, port-managing firms get 0.75 points once they have a … [Read more...] about Vietnam Maritime Administration formulates green ports criteria

Vinh Hoan Corporation (VHC), one of the top producers and exporters of basa fish in the country, raked in more than $34.2 million in the second quarter of this year, triple compared to one year ago, setting a record since the company came on the bourse in the fourth quarter of 2007. This means VHC has fulfilled nearly 84 per cent of the year's profit plan just after six months. Similarly, Sao Ta Food JSC also eyed a record quarterly profit since going on the bourse in the fourth quarter of 2006. Along with this, the company counted more than $5.13 million in post-tax profit in Q2, showing a 30 per cent jump on-year. The seafood sector reaped $6.7 billion in total export value in the first seven months, showing a 35 per cent jump on-year IDI Development and Investment Corporation reaped nearly $100 million in Q2, up 8.5-fold on-year, reaching its highest profit level since its first disclosure of information to the public in the first quarter of 2010. Nam Viet … [Read more...] about Seafood producers eye record profit yet face mounting challenges