Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue (R) and New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett (Source: VNA) Wellington (VNA) – Vietnam and New Zealand on July 27 affirmed their determination to raise two-way trade to 1.7 billion USD by 2020 during Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue’s working visit to New Zealand. While in Wellington, Hue paid a courtesy visit to Speaker of the House of Representatives David Carter, held talks with Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett, and worked with Minister of Foreign Affairs Gerry Brownlee and Minister Trade Todd McClay. The officials agreed to intensify investment in the fields Vietnam has demand and New Zealand has strength such as agriculture, renewable energy and infrastructure. Paula Bennett and Todd McClay confirmed to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese agricultural products to enter New Zealand, … [Read more...]

NDO/VNA – The fifth meeting of the Vietnam-Malaysia Joint Committee for Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation, in Hanoi on July 27, has decided on a range of measures necessary to increase bilateral and multilateral collaboration. Under the co-chair of Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Malaysia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Anifah Aman, the two sides stressed that they attach great importance to each other’s role and position within the region and share a common vision on intra-bloc and inter-regional cooperation. The two sides affirmed they will continue to work together to build a stronger ASEAN Community with solidarity and to maintain peace, stability, security and development in the region. Regarding political cooperation, Vietnam and Malaysia agreed to increase mutual visits across all levels between their Parties, Governments, States and parliaments, as well as promote … [Read more...]

NDO/VNA – The fifth meeting of the Vietnam-Malaysia Joint Committee for Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation, in Hanoi on July 27, has decided on a range of measures necessary to increase bilateral and multilateral collaboration. Under the co-chair of Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Malaysia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Anifah Aman, the two sides stressed that they attach great importance to each other’s role and position within the region and share a common vision on intra-bloc and inter-regional cooperation. The two sides affirmed they will continue to work together to build a stronger ASEAN Community with solidarity and to maintain peace, stability, security and development in the region. Regarding political cooperation, Vietnam and Malaysia agreed to increase mutual visits across all levels between their Parties, Governments, States and parliaments, as well as promote … [Read more...]

During a working session with New Zealand Finance Minister Steven Joyce in the afternoon, Hue said Vietnam is accelerating economic restructuring, including in credit organisations, commercial banks and State-owned enterprises, adding that the country is also working to refine market economy mechanisms, improve competitiveness and business climate. Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue (L) and New Zealand Finance Minister Steven Joyce   He asked New Zealand to share experience and encourage its enterprises to join the restructuring process in the country. Hue highly valued development support that New Zealand has provided for Vietnam and asked for the early signing of a bilateral financial deal. Joyce, for his part, hailed Vietnam as a significant partner of New Zealand in ASEAN and spoke highly of Vietnam’s successful hosting of important events in its capacity as Chair of ASEAN 2017. He affirmed that … [Read more...]

Particularly, on July 26, Politburo member and National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan visited and presented gifts to Vietnamese heroic mother Nguyen Thi Kich in Tan An Hoi commune, Ms. Khai Thi Roi, wife of martyr Bui Van Tha, in Tan Thong Hoi commune, and wounded soldier Tran Vay in Tan Thach Tay commune, Cu Chi district, Ho Chi Minh City. NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (1st from right) inquiring after a national contributor in HCM City Talking with the contributors, the NA leader affirmed that the Party, State and people always bare in mind the great contributions of wounded and sick soldiers, fallen soldiers’ families, national contributors and their families to the national independence and reunification. The NA Chairwoman also offered incense at Cu Chi District Martyrs’ Cemetery and Ben Duoc Memorial Temple in Cu Chi district. The same day, Politburo member and NA Permanent Vice Chairwoman … [Read more...]

The event was co-chaired by Vice Chairman of Thua Thien-Hue’s People’s Committee Nguyen Dung and Thavon Phommalaylun, Sekong’s Deputy Governor and Head of the provincial border work steering committee. Representatives of the two sides signing the minutes on border management. (Photo: thuathienhue.gov.vn) At the meeting, the two sides lauded the efforts of border security forces in border protection and management, safeguarding border markers and maintaining social order and political security along the shared border. They have also maintained visits of delegations to share border work experience, contributing to boosting people-to-people exchanges and cross-border trade. Thua Thien-Hue province has helped Lao residents in the border areas of Sekong province stabilise their lives by providing them plant and animal varieties and free healthcare. Meanwhile, the Sekong side supported Vietnam in … [Read more...]

Addressing the event, Ambassador Pham Quoc Tru highlighted the friendship between the two countries, affirming Vietnam’s interest in boosting bilateral trade and investment cooperation. Overview of the seminar  He held that in order to hit the target of 1 billion USD in two-way trade in 2020, the two sides should work together to remove obstacles hindering bilateral trade and investment ties, while creating favourable legal conditions for businesses of both sides. Vietnamese and Algerian enterprises should also seek business partnerships in each country, he added, pledging that the embassy will help connect the two business communities. Meanwhile, Trade Counselor Hoang Duc Nhuan detailed the economic development of Vietnam, as well as bilateral cooperation between the two countries and a handbook on Vietnam’s market. Djouadi Azzedine, a representative from the Annaba Chamber of Commerce and … [Read more...]

While in Wellington, Hue paid a courtesy visit to Speaker of the House of Representatives David Carter, held talks with Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett, and worked with Minister of Foreign Affairs Gerry Brownlee and Minister Trade Todd McClay. Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue (R) and Speaker of the House of Representatives David Carter    The officials agreed to intensify investment in the fields Vietnam has demand and New Zealand has strength such as agriculture, renewable energy and infrastructure. Paula Bennett and Todd McClay confirmed to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese agricultural products to enter New Zealand, and continue supporting the country in improving production, processing and preservation of farm produce to meet foreign markets’ high standards. The two sides reached a consensus on the early signing of the 2017-2020 Vietnam-New Zealand Action Programme in 2017 in … [Read more...]

Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has asked authorities to take more drastic measures to rectify the late disbursement of investment capital for public projects, given that less than one-fourth of the funds has been disbursed. Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has asked authorities to take more drastic measures to rectify the late disbursement of investment capital for public projects, given that less than one-fourth of the funds has been disbursed. - VNA/VNS Photo The PM said the heads of agencies and localities will have to take responsibility for such delays. Minister and Chairman of the Government Office Mai Tiến Dũng conveyed the PM’s directive at a meeting on Tuesday between the PM Working Group and leaders of 13 ministries and provinces reporting slow disbursement of public … [Read more...]

Vietnamese Ambassador to Argentina and Paraguay Dang Xuan Dung (R) presents a copy of his letter of credentials to Paraguayan Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Terumi Matsuo De Claverol (Photo: VNA) Buenos Aires (VNA) – Vietnam wants to promote relations with Paraguay in various fields, particularly trade and culture, based on the sound political relations between the two countries. Vietnamese Ambassador to Argentina and Paraguay Dang Xuan Dung made the confirmation while meeting with Paraguayan Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Terumi Matsuo De Claverol on July 24 after presenting a copy of President Tran Dai Quang’s letter of credentials. The ambassador conveyed an invitation to visit Vietnam from President Tran Dai Quang to Paraguayan President Horacio Cartes. Lauding Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements in the past years, De Claverol stressed that … [Read more...]

Two Vietnamese fishermen were flown to a hospital in Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday after being shot three days before in a high seas standoff. Doctors at Cho Ray Hospital in the city said the two men have regained consciousness but are being kept under surveillance. One of the fishermen who was shot on Saturday night. Photo by VnExpress/Thanh Nguyen Nguyen Thanh Ngoc, captain of the boat from the central province of Binh Dinh, said he and his five crew were fishing about 100 nautical miles southeast of Con Dao Island off Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province on Saturday night when a yet-to-be-identified foreign boat approached them. Ngoc, 34, said he saw around 30 people in military uniforms screaming before they opened fire. “All six of us hit the deck. I had to duck down while I was steering the boat away,” Ngoc said, still trembling as he recalled the incident. He said the foreign boat chased after them and continued shooting for more than two … [Read more...]

Two Vietnamese fishermen were flown to a hospital in Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday after being shot three days before in a high seas standoff. Doctors at Cho Ray Hospital in the city said the two men have regained consciousness but are being kept under surveillance. One of the fishermen who was shot on Saturday night. Photo by VnExpress/Thanh Nguyen Nguyen Thanh Ngoc, captain of the boat from the central province of Binh Dinh, said he and his five crew were fishing about 100 nautical miles southeast of Con Dao Island off Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province on Saturday night when a yet-to-be-identified foreign boat approached them. Ngoc, 34, said he saw around 30 people in military uniforms screaming before they opened fire. “All six of us hit the deck. I had to duck down while I was steering the boat away,” Ngoc said, still trembling as he recalled the incident. He said the foreign boat chased after them and continued shooting for more than two … [Read more...]

Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria, senior policy researcher from the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), said that under the institute’s latest survey about the ASEAN investment situation, Vietnam has been considered by ASEAN as “a regional special investment destination”. “Investment from ASEAN has been strongly flowing into Vietnam, focusing in many sectors, especially in the industrial manufacturing and processing sector,” Maria said at recent Hanoi-based conference on the 50-year anniversary of ASEAN, organised by Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and ERIA. ERIA statistics showed that by late 2016, the total registered investment capital inflows into Vietnam from ASEAN (Cambodia, Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand) reached almost US$60 billion for 3,127 valid investment … [Read more...]

Hanoi, July 25 (VNA) - The Ministry of Finance (MoF) is going ahead with its plan to increase environmental protection tax on petroleum from the current 1,000-4,000 VND to 3,000-8,000 VND per litre, despite objections from other ministries and the public.  In its second draft of the Law on Environmental Protection Taxes announced last week, the ministry proposed a tax hike on fuel consumption of 3,000-6,000 VND per litre for aviation fuel, 1,500-4,000 VND per litre for diesel, 300-2,000 VND per litre for kerosene, and 900-4,000 VND per kg for mazut.  If the new tax rate is applied, the price of gasoline at the pumps will rise to around 22,000 VND (roughly 1 USD) per litre from the average price at the pump of around 16,000-17,000 VND for petrol and 10,000-11,000 VND for diesel and mazut, respectively, analysts said.  The Ministry of Transport (MoT) told the Ministry of … [Read more...]

Customers purchase petrol at a station in Hanoi (Illustrative image. Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - The Ministry of Finance (MoF) is going ahead with its plan to increase environmental protection tax on petroleum from the current 1,000-4,000 VND to 3,000-8,000 VND per litre, despite objections from other ministries and the public. In its second draft of the Law on Environmental Protection Taxes announced last week, the ministry proposed a tax hike on fuel consumption of 3,000-6,000 VND per litre for aviation fuel, 1,500-4,000 VND per litre for diesel, 300-2,000 VND per litre for kerosene, and 900-4,000 VND per kg for mazut. If the new tax rate is applied, the price of gasoline at the pumps will rise to around 22,000 VND (roughly 1 USD) per litre from the average price at the pump of around 16,000-17,000 VND for petrol and 10,000-11,000 VND for diesel and … [Read more...]

At the meetings, the Australian officials lauded Vietnam’s active role in the Southeast Asian region, and affirmed Australia’s priority to the relations with Vietnam. They wished to bring the ties with Vietnam to a new height. Deputy PM Vuong Dinh Hue (R) and Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop The two sides shared delight at the strong growth of the Vietnam-Australia relations, especially since the two countries lift their ties to Comprehensive Partnership in 2009 and released a Joint Statement on Enhancing the Comprehensive Partnership in March 2015. They agreed to deepen the bilateral relationship and work closely to prepare for visits of senior leaders of both countries in late 2017 and early 2018 to mark the 45th anniversary of the Vietnam-Australia diplomatic relations. Both sides concurred on measures to reinforce their comprehensive partnership in politics, economy-trade, agriculture, … [Read more...]

NDO - Minister and Chairman of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung conveyed the Prime Minister's criticism of ministers and chairmen from People's Committees of 13 ministries and provinces in relation to the slow disbursement of public investment in 2017. Minister Dung, who led the PM Working Group to meet with heads of 13 ministries, provinces and cities on July 25, named the list of ministries and localities reporting slow disbursement including the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Health, and the cities of Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City, among others. The report showed that over VND357 trillion (US$15.71 billion) was to be allocated for development investment purposes in 2017 including VND307 trillion (US$13.5 billion) sourced from the State budget and VND50 trillion (US$2.2 billion) from Government bonds. However, only VND85 trillion (US$3.74 billion) had been disbursed by June 15, equivalent … [Read more...]

NDO - Thanh Hoa province needs to enhance communication and implementation of the Party’s guidelines and State’s policies related to caring for policy revolutionary contributors in the coming time. The statement was made by Politburo member, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh at a conference held on July 24 in Thanh Hoa province to honour revolutionary contributors on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Wounded and Fallen Soldiers’ Day (July 27, 1947-2017). On behalf of leaders of the Party and State, Deputy PM Minh extended his deep gratitude to revolutionary veterans, heroic Vietnamese mothers, sick and wounded soldiers, martyrs and the families of revolutionary contributors in the province. He affirmed that the Party and State always make significant efforts to care for sick and wounded soldiers, martyrs, heroic Vietnamese mothers and revolutionary contributors. During the two … [Read more...]

Customers purchase petrol at a station on Tran Quang Khai Street, Ha Noi. - VNS Photo Thai Ha The Ministry of Finance (MoF) is going ahead with its plan to increase environmental protection tax on petroleum from the current VND1,000-4,000 to VND3,000-8,000 per litre, despite objections from other ministries and the public. In its second draft of the Law on Environmental Protection Taxes announced last week, the ministry proposed a tax hike on fuel consumption of VND3,000-6,000 per litre for aviation fuel, VND1,500-4,000 per litre for diesel, VND300-2,000 per litre for kerosene, and VND900-4,000 per kg for mazut. If the new tax rate is applied, the price of gasoline at the pumps will rise to around VND22,000 (roughly US$1) per litre from the average price at the pump of around VND16,000 to VND17,000 for petrol and VND10,000 to VND11,000 for diesel and mazut, respectively, analysts said. The Ministry of Transport … [Read more...]

The Ministry of Finance (MoF) is going ahead with its plan to increase environmental protection tax on petroleum from the current VNĐ1,000-4,000 to VNĐ3,000-8,000 per litre, despite objections from other ministries and the public. Customers purchase petrol at a station on Trần Quang Khải Street, Hà Nội. - VNS Photo Thái Hà In its second draft of the Law on Environmental Protection Taxes announced last week, the ministry  proposed a tax hike on fuel consumption of VNĐ3,000-6,000 per litre for aviation fuel, VNĐ1,500-4,000 per litre for diesel, VNĐ300-2,000 per litre for kerosene, and VNĐ900-4,000 per kg for mazut. If the new tax rate is applied, the price of gasoline at the pumps will rise to around VNĐ22,000 (roughly US$1) per litre from the average price … [Read more...]