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Fuel prices were reduced in the latest review on August 11 by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Finance, the fifth consecutive time and the fourth significant drop. Petrolimex gas station prepares for the listing of new petrol prices. (Photo: VNA) Starting from 3:00pm, the retail price of E5RON92 bio-fuel slid by 904 VND to a maximum of 23,725 VND per litre, while that of RON95-III was cut by 939 VND to 24,669 VND per litre. Diesel fetched 22,908 VND per litre, a decline of 1,000 VND; and kerosene, 23,320 VND per litre, down 1,213 VND. The price of Mazut 180CST 3.5S remains unchanged at no more than 16,548 VND per kg. The two ministries also determined to extract 350 – 750 VND per litre from fuel prices for the petrol price stabilisation fund. They review fuel prices every 15 days to adjust the prices in accordance with fluctuations on the world market. … [Read more...] about Petrol prices further down

The Embassy of Finland in Hanoi announced on August 11 that it has decided to stop recognising the new-style Vietnamese passports due to the lack of information regarding the place of birth of the holder. In a statement released on its Facebook page, the Embassy noted that the new passport “does not contain information of the place of birth of the passport holder, which is a requirement for personal identification and also for processing of Finnish visa/residence permit applications.” “The Embassy of Finland will not receive applications for visa/residence permit of holders of the new passport until further notice from competent authorities of Finland. The Embassy will provide information in case of any changes,” the announcement concluded. The Scandinavian country will actively work alongside EU member states in the Schengen area and Vietnam in order to devise solutions to the matter, the Embassy concluded. Finland has become the latest country to reject the new Vietnamese … [Read more...] about Finland temporarily refuses new Vietnamese passports

With the peak summer travel season drawing to a close, Vietnam’s international tourism segment still faces bottlenecks on its route to full recovery. Within the framework of a program early this week to discuss the current state of the Vietnamese tourism sector, representatives from businesses and organizations across the country voiced doubts that Vietnam will meet its goal of welcoming five million foreign tourists by the end of the year if regulations governing visa policies, infrastructure, and personnel are not relaxed. Incomplete recovery According to Cao Thi Tuyet Lan, sales manager at Viettours Incentives & Events Co. Ltd., foreign tourists still find it difficult to enter the country despite Vietnam having fully reopened its borders. “What's more, it is hard to apply for visas for business travelers who work with domestic enterprises," Lan said. “[The domestic partner] first has to register [the foreign partner] with the Immigration Department, then wait for a … [Read more...] about Vietnam still struggles to welcome back int’l tourists

Five hundred staff members from six departments under the Hanoi People’s Committee will be sent abroad for training courses from now until 2025 as part of an overseas upskilling project recently launched by city authorities. The Hanoi People’s Committee has announced an overseas training project focused on refreshing and enhancing professional knowledge and skills for cadres, civil servants, and public employees from the city’s six departments during the 2022-25 period with a total budget of around VND91 billion (US$3.9 million). These departments are required to make detailed plans for their qualified employees to take such refresher courses in foreign countries, including the U.S., Australia, Germany, France, Japan, New Zealand, and Singapore, among others, the municipal administration said. These training courses are expected help upskill city government employees, thereby enhancing their work effectiveness and contributing to the capital’s management efficiency, the Hanoi … [Read more...] about Hanoi to spend $3.9mn on overseas refresher training for state employees by 2025

The Institute for Studies of Society, Economy, and Environment (iSEE), in collaboration with Vietnam-based LGBT+ rights group ICS Center, re-launched the LGBTI+ campaign Toi Dong Y (I Do) 2022 in Ho Chi Minh City on Wednesday in the hope of garnering social support for same-sex marriage in Vietnam. Under the theme Hon nhan khong khuon mau (Marriage without model), the campaign will host activities from August to September with the aim of boosting public support for same-sex marriage in Vietnam. The first iteration of the campaign was held in 2013 and was considered a resounding success, culminating in the abolishment of Vietnam’s ban on same-sex marriage in 2014 – a landmark event owed, in part, to a 12,000-signature petition submitted by Toi Dong Y to Vietnam’s National Assembly. Vietnam neither prohibits nor recognizes same-sex marriage now. In addition to hosting discussions at ten universities across the country about gender equality, publishing the first book … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s LGBTI+ campaign to support same-sex marriage reboots after nearly a decade

Hanoi (VNA) – The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency on August 11. - A Government to Business (G2B) conference was opened on August 11, providing a platform where the Government can explore the private sector’s opinions and proposals. Presided over by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, the hybrid event brought together cabinet members, representatives from Party and National Assembly’s committees, local administrations, industry leaders, and businesses. Read full story - National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue has sent a congratulatory letter to the newly-elected Japanese President of the House of Councillors Hidehisa Otsuji. In the letter, the Vietnamese top legislator showed delight at the progress of the Japan-Vietnam Extensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia, including the ties between the two legislatures. Read full story - The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee looked into the … [Read more...] about ☕ Afternoon briefing on August 11