It has also become the fifth largest economic community in the world, a reliable and important partner of countries, and played a central role in dialogues, important cooperation and connectivity in the region. In an article in celebration of ASEAN’s 55th birth anniversary (August 8, 1967 - 2022), Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son recalled that the birth of ASEAN on August 8, 1967 was the start of the process of an intensive connectivity for peace, stability, and development in Southeast Asia and the region. Building an ASEAN Community with common vision and identities The grouping gathered countries divided by war. Its inception reflected the common aspirations of many countries in the region for peace, stability, friendship, and win-win cooperation. According to FM Son, Vietnam’s admission to ASEAN in 1995 paved the way for the building of an ASEAN common house connecting 10 Southeast Asian countries. In 1997, ASEAN, for the first time, approved the ASEAN Vision … [Read more...] about 55 years of ASEAN – One vision, One identity, One community
Missed period with tubes tied
Vietnam’s investment in education accounts 18% of total state expenditure
The cost of tutoring high school students is the largest amount for family spending at 43%. Vietnam's investment in education has steadily increased over the past 10 years, accounting for 18% of total state expenditure. Le Anh Vinh, Director of the Vietnam National Institute of Educational Sciences speaks at the event. Photo: VNIES The information was revealed by Le Anh Vinh, Director of the Vietnam National Institute of Educational Sciences (VNIES) under the Ministry of Education and Training at the conference announcing the analysis report on Vietnam's education sector in the 2011 - 2020 period, which was organized by the Vietnam National Institute of Educational Sciences and UNESCO on August 8. Investment in education over the past 10 years was still lower than the targeted 20%. It was equivalent to 4.9% of the country's GDP, higher than many nations in the region, according to the report. The Ministry of Education and Training is facing many challenges … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s investment in education accounts 18% of total state expenditure
People and businesses urged to take part in the digitalization: PM
Digitalization is seen as a major instrument for Vietnam to promote an independent and self-reliant economy. Businesses and people should be the main beneficiaries and the driving force for the national digital transformation, so the Government encourages them to take an active part in this process. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the meeting. Source: VGP Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed the goal during a meeting of the National Committee on Digitalization today [August 8]. According to Chinh, efforts from Government agencies and localities have been translated into strong progress in Vietnam’s digitalization and contributed to the socio-economic recovery. The prime minister, however, pointed to the incompleted legal environment as the reason hampering the digitalization process, while a lack of investment in digital infrastructure, including the mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds behind the world average, means it has failed to create … [Read more...] about People and businesses urged to take part in the digitalization: PM
Kien Giang Province invests more than VND17 trillion to prevent erosion
Sea dyke erosion always happens in An Minh District in Kien Giang Province. (Photo: SGGP) Mr. Le Quoc Anh, Vice Chairman of Kien Giang Provincial People's Committee, on August 8, said that he had signed and promulgated a project to prevent coastal and riverine erosion in the area from now to 2025 and orientation to 2030. Accordingly, the prevention of coastal and riverbank erosion should be carried out synchronously for both immediate treatment and long-term radical solutions associated with ecological environment protection, coastal mangrove forest protection and development, and creating livelihoods for local people. Kien Giang is a province with more than 200 kilometers of coastline, running through many districts and cities, such as Kien Luong, Hon Dat, An Bien, An Minh, and Rach Gia City. The coastal protection forest belt is extremely crucial as it is a green shield against natural disasters, protecting sea dykes from erosion and landslides caused by waves. In the plan of … [Read more...] about Kien Giang Province invests more than VND17 trillion to prevent erosion
Hanoi adopts five-year public investment plan
According to the municipal People’s Committee, the disbursement of public capital of a number of projects has lagged behind schedule, with some stagnant projects in the 2016-2020 period cancelled. Meanwhile, the demand for middle-term public investment remains huge. In March, the committee asked local departments, districts and investors to make updates and adjustments to the city's plan. Along with requesting local authorities to apply measures to speed up the progress of projects from all stages, municipal authorities have asked for the allocation of enough capital for underway projects, the adjustments of stagnant projects and the careful consideration of new projects to match the city’s capacity in resource balancing. In order to effectively implement the plan, the city asked local sectors, departments and localities to work closely together to deal with difficulties in the disbursement of public investment capital, while speeding up the progress of new projects. The … [Read more...] about Hanoi adopts five-year public investment plan
Huge transport investment expected to vitalise central regions
For over a month now, relevant personnel at the Ministry of Transport is busy with the final preparations to soon hand over Khanh Hoa-Buon Ma Thuot Expressway to the people’s committees of Khanh Hoa and Dak Lak provinces. In light of Decision No.17/QD-TTg dated July 28, two out of three components under Khanh Hoa-Buon Ma Thuot Expressway will be assigned to two localities having the road passage for management. The 32km-long first component with an estimated investment value of $244.8 million will be assigned to Khanh Hoa's People’s Committee while the 48km-long third component valued at around $282 million will be assigned to Dak Lak's People’s Committee. The 37.5km second component with a value reaching $426.8 million will be managed by the Ministry of Transport (MoT) as the road section lies in both localities and features complex terrain. Building a comprehensive highway network is one of the government priorities With more than 117.8km of total length, … [Read more...] about Huge transport investment expected to vitalise central regions
Spain accepts new Vietnamese passports
Spain has finally accepted Vietnam’s new-style passports after rejection due to their missing place-of-birth information. A new Vietnamese passport The Spanish Embassy in Vietnam on August 8 issued a notice saying that they would officially recognise Vietnam’s new-style passports after finalising mandatory technical consultations with competent central agencies in Spain. "From August 8, the embassy will accept applications for visas from holders of Vietnamese new passports," the embassy said in the notice. "However, since stating the information about the place of birth is a mandatory requirement to obtain a Schengen visa, applicants holding the new passports must submit a valid National Identity Card/ID to prove their place of birth." The embassy also noted that older passports would continue to be processed normally without being impacted by similar territorial restrictions. Earlier, Spain, Germany, and the Czech Republic announced that they wouldn't … [Read more...] about Spain accepts new Vietnamese passports
☕ Afternoon briefing on August 8
Hanoi (VNA) - The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency on August 8. - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 described digital transformation as an important tool for the building of an independent and self-reliant economy and the extensive and effective integration into the world. He made the remark while chairing the third meeting of the National Committee on Digital Transformation in Hanoi. Read full story - Issues in the areas of public security and culture, sports and tourism will be the focus of the upcoming question-and-answer session of the 15th National Assembly (NA)’s 14th session on August 10, according to a freshly-released plan of the NA Standing Committee. Read full story - A delegation of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) led by Lt. Gen. Hun Manet, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the RCAF and Commander of the Royal Cambodian Army, is making an official visit to Vietnam. Following an official welcome … [Read more...] about ☕ Afternoon briefing on August 8
Four subsidiaries of PetroVietnam named in Forbes Vietnam’s list of top 50 listed firms
Representative from PetroVietnam Camau Fertilizer JSC receives insignia as one of top 50 listed firms in Vietnam in 2022. Hanoi (VNA) – Four member companies of the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) have been named in the list of the top 50 listed firms in Vietnam in 2022 compiled by Forbes Vietnam . They are Petrovietnam Gas Corporation (PV Gas), PetroVietnam General Service Joint Stock Corporation (Petrosetco), PetroVietnam Fertilizer and Chemicals Joint Stock Corporation (PVFCCo), and PetroVietnam Camau Fertilizer JSC. PV Gas is at the ninth place in the list this year. This is the 10th consecutive year that the company has been honoured in the list. The company posted record revenue and profit in the first six months this year, with net turnover at 54.342 trillion VND (2.32 billion USD at current exchange rate), up 35% year on year and after-tax profit at 8.637 trillion VND, up 98% year on year. In the period, PV Gas produced and supplied more than 1 billion … [Read more...] about Four subsidiaries of PetroVietnam named in Forbes Vietnam’s list of top 50 listed firms
Myanmar issues new guidelines for tourist visa application
Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Myanmar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced new terms and conditions for tourist visa application given a low number of COVID-19 infections in the Southeast Asian country. Myanmar resumed its commercial flight services in April after more than two years of suspension due to the pandemic. Under the new guidelines, tourists are required to provide proof of full vaccinations , a colour photo that was taken within three months and a passport that is valid for six months to their visa application. As per the new terms and conditions, a visa applicant, who has children aged under 7 on the same passport, is required to put the child's name and birth date in the minor section of the application form. Only passport holders are eligible for the visa application, and all applicants should abide by Myanmar's laws and not interfere in the internal affairs of Myanmar, the ministry's statement said. Currently, tourist … [Read more...] about Myanmar issues new guidelines for tourist visa application