Q: As we celebrate this important year, it's also time to look ahead for the next 20 years. What do you think are the most important facets of our relations?A: Our plans for this year are very ambitious. We will have a big celebration on July 2 but that's only one of the events that we are holding in the course of all 12 months of this year to celebrate the 20th anniversary. We are engaged in 20th anniversary events in all of 63 provinces of Vietnam this year. Even more important than the events is what our two countries are accomplishing together. In 2013, our two presidents declared a comprehensive partnership with 9 pillars where we could emphasise collaborations. We are making progresses in every single one of the areas outlined in the joint statement between our two presidents. The US supports a strong, prosperous and independent Vietnam that respects human rights and the rule of law. As long as I'm ambassador, we will work in as many areas as possible to support Vietnam's … [Read more...] about First US visit by Party leader marks progress in bilateral ties – Viet Nam – News
Progressive 12 month policy
Social Headlines December 12
Police rewarded after arresting drug trafficking ring leader Police from Hai Phong City were rewarded yesterday after nabbing a drug trafficking ring leader and his accomplice last Thursday, seizing 500 grams of methamphetamine and nearly 200 ecstasy pills. According to police, Van Hieu Dung, 33, the ring leader, from the city's Ngo Quyen District, was a gambler living in a rented house after mortgaging his own property. However, Dung disguised himself as a worker at Hoang Dieu Port where he and an accomplice, Tran Thi Thu Huong, were arrested while picking up the methamphetamine and ecstasy pills. Following Dung's directions, money was always deposited via banks during each drug transaction and places where Dung delivered drug for his clients were constantly changed, according to officials. More Vietnamese nurses, orderlies to work in Japan An additional 180 Vietnamese nurses and orderlies will be able to work in Japan in 2015, according to officials at the Department of Overseas … [Read more...] about Social Headlines December 12
BUSINESS IN BRIEF 22/12
5-star tourism complex for Phu Quoc Island Hoa Binh Real Estate Company started construction of Star Bay Tourism Complex in Phu Quoc Island in Kien Giang Province earlier this week. The complex is to have a 250-room hotel and 50 bungalows, built at a five-star standard. This is the first project in which the company took charge of both design and building construction. This arrangement is expected to bring convenience to investors and contractors. The company also started construction of JW Marriott on the island earlier this month. This project has a total investment worth VND72 billion. FLC Group acquires The Lavender project FLC Group has acquired The Lavender project at a favourable location in the capital Ha Dong District centre, and renamed it FLC Star Tower. Le Thanh Vinh, a member of FLC's management board, said that the details of the acquisition have not been revealed. However, the group will buy projects with attractive market and development costs. In addition, the … [Read more...] about BUSINESS IN BRIEF 22/12
Social News 22/12
Truck crash kills one student, injures three others A truck killed a student and severely injured three others today in an accident in Bau Lam Commune, Xuyen Moc District in southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province. The truck reportedly went over to the opposite lane and hit a group of four students from the local Hoa Binh High School, who were on the way to school. The truck's driver and another man who was in the truck were also slightly injured when it fell off the side of the road. The case is under further investigation. Vietnam drink maker hit by boycott, quality inspection after winning fly-in-bottle lawsuit Tan Hiep Phat Group, the maker of several popular drinks in Vietnam, is being boycotted on the Internet and scrutinized by the country’s consumer association, only days after winning a lawsuit that sent one of its consumers to prison. The Vietnamese Consumer Protection Association has received complaints from local residents and authorities in the southern … [Read more...] about Social News 22/12
30 years of foreign investment policy improvement
Significant progress of laws on investment Vietnam’s Law on Foreign Investment 1987 has been evaluated as an open and attractive law, heralding an era of FDI inflows and promoting economic growth and improving the efficiency of the country’s international integration. The law was subsequently amended in 1990 and 1992 to create a better legal environment. In the first three years (1988-1990), FDI inflows remained limited. However, investors’ appetite quickly picked up, bringing the first FDI wave in 1991-1997 with 2,230 projects and the total registered capital of $16.244 billion, of which $12.98 billion was disbursed. “While FDI capital had a positive impacting on economic growth, the Law on Foreign Investment was amended in 1996 to cut and decrease incentives for FDI enterprises. In particular, it removed import tax exemption for some materials, equipment, and transportation vehicles, among others, in the process of business establishment. In the … [Read more...] about 30 years of foreign investment policy improvement