(VEN) - The industry and trade sector of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) has attained consistently high growth, contributing greatly to the city’s fast and sustainable economic development. Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh (first from left) shakes hands with HCMC People’s Committee Chairman Nguyen Thanh Phong in February 2018 Efficient solutions In 2017, the city’s index of industrial production (IIP) increased 8.48 percent, while retail sales and service revenues soared 10.89 percent over 2016. The HCMC industry and trade sector reached a value added of VND356 trillion plus in 2017, representing 33.62 percent of the city’s annual gross regional domestic product (GRDP). As of February, the city’s IIP grew 15.04 percent compared to the same time in 2017. Four key industries continued to grow thanks to the city’s efficient market expansion and technology and competitiveness improvement efforts. Specifically, the food, beverage and … [Read more...] about Industry and trade boost HCMC economic growth
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How two security guards saved over 30 residents from HCMC apartment blaze
Two security guards emerged as heroes for saving over 30 people form the apartment blaze in Ho Chi Minh City that killed 13 people early on Friday. “He helped each of us climb out of the burning building, including me, my son and around 30-40 others. By the time we landed safely, the fire truck arrived but we were still panicking. Since then I haven’t seen or heard from him,” survivor Nguyen Thi Thanh Lam, told VnExpress. The savior that Lam referred to has been identified as An. Along with another security guard named Sang, An struggled in the smoke, darkness and fire for more than half an hour to save dozens of residents from the fire at Carina Plaza in District 8. "We ran into the basement with fire extinguishers where motorbikes were on fire and exploding. All my life I have never seen such a terrible fire but at that time, I don't know why, I was not scared at all," An told VnExpress. Lam, 30, said she is one of the first lucky residents to get out of … [Read more...] about How two security guards saved over 30 residents from HCMC apartment blaze
Uber takes HCMC’s tax department to court over $2.3 mln bill
Ride-hailing firm Uber has filed a second lawsuit against Ho Chi Minh City's tax department in relation to back taxes the department claims the company owes. Representatives of the tax department and Uber Vietnam, a subsidiary of Uber International Services Holding B.V. based in the Netherlands, will meet in court next Monday, Nguyen Nam Binh, deputy head of the department, told VnExpress on Thursday. On January 4, the People's Court of HCMC dismissed the first suit filed by Uber against the city’s tax department regarding a million-dollar tax bill. The department had asked five local commercial banks to help it collect more than VND53 billion ($2.34 million) in back taxes Uber was asked to pay in January 2017, but the firm retaliated with the lawsuit. The court said it dropped the lawsuit because Uber Vietnam “did not have the required legal status to launch such a case” and needed an authorization from Uber B.V. The court ruled that Uber Vietnam will have … [Read more...] about Uber takes HCMC’s tax department to court over $2.3 mln bill
HCMC to resort to underground space to ease traffic congestion
The HCMC government is working on a plan to make use of underground space across the city to make room for vehicles, services and commercial activities to ease chronic traffic congestion and meet the needs for fast urbanization. An aerial view shows downtown HCMC has many high-rise buildings. The city will resort to underground space to cope with worsening traffic congestion Competent agencies and experts in urban planning will need two years to complete a comprehensive plan which is an important part of adjustments to the HCMC general planning approved by the Prime Minister in 2010. The general planning of HCMC passed in 2010 does not include two important contents, namely the use of underground space and climate change adaptation solutions. Nguyen Thanh Nha, director of the municipal Department of Zoning and Architecture, said the general planning needs adjusting to solve problems such as traffic congestion, flooding, urban cramming and climate change. Nha admitted previous urban … [Read more...] about HCMC to resort to underground space to ease traffic congestion
Prime Minister asks to probe cause of condominium fire in HCMC
In the dispatch, on behalf of the government, Prime Minister Phuc sent his condolences to relatives of fire victims. The PM also requested the city People’s Committee to visit and support dead and injured people’s families. Also, he asked the Ministry of Public Security along with related agencies to carry out investigation into the cause of the blaze and issue harsh punishment as per the law. In addition, firemen should organize drill and provide training of firefighting to residents. Moreover, firefighting police review all condominium complex, home of hundred of families to address violation of firefighting regulations. The Prime Minister pointed out severe violators will be prosecuted according to the present law. In related news, the Ministry of Construction also ordered the department of construction quality assessment, the Department of Construction in HCMC, and the Institute of Technology and Science to urgently take part in handling the incident for people’s … [Read more...] about Prime Minister asks to probe cause of condominium fire in HCMC