Local vendor fairs

Hanoi (VNA) – An initiative to form a supermarket coalition is being developed with the support of the EU and the German Government, aiming to reduce the use of plastic shopping bags and protect the environment. According to Fanny Quertamp from Expertise France, the project is a chance for Vietnam to take specific action to cut plastic waste, and she expressed her hope that the project will receive the active engagement of supermarkets around the country. As part of efforts to implement the initiative, Hanoi is working with relevant agencies towards the formation of the coalition. The city has received support from local supermarkets. A representative from Lotte Mart Ba Dinh said that foreign customers strongly support the scheme and are willing to pay for environmentally-friendly shopping bags. Many Vietnamese customers, however, are not happy, so stronger communication campaigns are needed to raise public awareness. A BigC representative said the scheme should be introduced … [Read more...] about Supermarket coalition expected to help cut use of plastic bags

The conclusion of the draft of the Eighth National Power Master Plan to be submitted soon by the Ministry of Industry and Trade to the Prime Minister includes notable points. They are bigger scale of wind and solar power development, no new coal-fired plants during 2026-2030, elimination of 9.5GW generated from imported coal-fired power plants and delay of 7.6GW of coal-fired power until after 2030-2035, including Quynh Lap 1 and 2 projects whose total capacity is 2,400MW. The southern and central regions will focus on renewable energy and liquefied natural gas (LNG) while imported coal-fired power will be developed mostly in the north. After 2025, power transmission lines from the south central region to the north region will be installed and the transition to sustainable energy will be encouraged. … [Read more...] about Vietnam makes a big push into renewable energy

"Among those missing, six are my siblings," said Ho Van De, a villager. Two days before the disaster, he had gone to their farm with his wife and stayed in the hut there. On Thursday, when they returned, tons of rocks and soil had buried their neighborhood, including their son. … [Read more...] about Unbearable grief grips landslide survivors in central Vietnam

An official from the provincial Department of Police told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Saturday that officers had searched the house of Tran Thi Dam, 75, in Quang Trung Ward, Thai Binh City, which is the capital of the namesake province. … [Read more...] about Police break up drug ring run by septuagenarian woman in northern Vietnam

Supporting industries have not yet caught up with the growth and demand of FDI; the protection of the environment from the impact of investment and production activities by FDI enterprises is still under threat and faces insecurity; national defense, economic security and social order are facing negative foreign investment activities; hi-tech attraction is not yet successful; cooperation and alliance between local and FDI enterprises are not close, and possibly non-existent, so to say; and the legal system and policies for investment, business, land and construction are asynchronous and constantly amended and supplemented, eroding the competitiveness of the investment environment. … [Read more...] about Private sector development to enhance FDI efficiency