A top world rice exporter, the country scored an overall 64.6 out of 100 points, higher than the 62.9 average among 113 countries and territories. Compared to Southeast Asia peers, Vietnam lags behind Singapore (1st place), Malaysia (28th) and Thailand (52th), though ranking above Indonesia (62th), the Philippines (64th), Myanmar (77th), Cambodia (90th) and Laos (92th). Vietnam did well in eight indicators - presence and quality of food safety net programs, access to financing for farmers, change in average food costs, proportion of population under global poverty line, food safety, volatility of agricultural production, urban absorption capacity and food loss - with a score above 75. However, it struggled in public expenditure on agricultural research and development with 1.7 points, and affordability of food with 5.3 points, which fall below the world average of 5.0 and 17.8 respectively. Singapore topped the global index ranking with an 87.4 overall score, making it the only country … [Read more...] about Vietnam scoops fourth in Southeast Asia food security ranking
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Vietnam forgoes US$536.83 million tax under FTA commitments
The contribution of import duty to customs revenue has been declining over the past few years, from 21.85% in 2017 to 17.4% in 2018 and 16.7% in 2019. Vietnam’s tax foregone under commitments to free trade agreements (FTAs) hit VND13 trillion (US$536.83 million) in the first 11 months of 2019, according to Le Manh Hung, deputy head of the Import – Export Tax Department of the General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC). In the first 11 months of 2019, Vietnam imported 110,000 cars, nearly doubling the amount recorded in the same period last year. The amount of tax forgone under FTA commitments to date is estimated at VND29 trillion (US$1.25 billion), Hung said at a press conference held by the Ministry of Finance (MoF) on December 12. The amount was due to a reduction of import tariffs for goods, Hung explained, saying the contribution of import duty to customs revenue has been declining over the past few years, from 21.85% in 2017 to 17.4% in 2018 and … [Read more...] about Vietnam forgoes US$536.83 million tax under FTA commitments
Thais, Cambodians caught smuggling diesel oil in Vietnam’s waters
Coast guard officials in southern Vietnam have seized more than 1.2 million liters of diesel oil that three foreign boats with Thais and Cambodians crews were smuggling into Vietnam, the coast guard force said. The boats carrying 18 Cambodians and eight Thai nationals were caught transferring the fuel to a Vietnamese fishing boat around 80 nautical miles southeast of Vietnam’s Ca Mau last Friday. They tried to flee after spotting the coast guards but were captured after several hours of chase. None of them could produce legal documents for the fuel. The crews are still under arrest and subject to cash fines. Thais, Cambodians caught smuggling diesel oil in Vietnam's waters Vietnam coast guards seize illegal diesel from foreign boats According to Vietnamese coast guards, the country's police force in charge of sea patrol, fuel smuggling has been rife in Vietnam’s southwestern waters bordering Thailand since 2015, due in part to a gap between selling prices in … [Read more...] about Thais, Cambodians caught smuggling diesel oil in Vietnam’s waters
75th anniversary of Vietnam’s People Army marked in Laos
An art performance at the event (Photo: VNA) Vientiane (VNA) – The Vietnamese Embassy and Defence Attaché Agency in Laos held a ceremony in Vientiane on December 13 to celebrate the 75th founding anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) and the 30th All-People’s Defence Festival (December 22). Colonel Tao Van Thai, Vietnamese Defence Attaché to Laos, reviewed the history of the VPA and said Vietnam’s defence diplomacy has been constantly developed and expanded, notably the country’s participation in ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM) Plus meetings. Vietnam has also actively contributed to promoting international cooperation in addressing regional security challenges for peace, stability and development, he added. From 2014, Vietnam has sent forces to join the United Nations peacekeeping activities in South Sudan and the Central African Republic. Since October 2018, the country has twice dispatched second field … [Read more...] about 75th anniversary of Vietnam’s People Army marked in Laos
More volumes of Ho Chi Minh complete works translated into Lao
At the launching ceremony (Photo: VNA) Vientiane (VNA) – The Lao translations of the second, fourth, and sixth volumes of the Complete Works of Ho Chi Minh were introduced at a ceremony in Vientiane on July 24. Attending the launching ceremony were Vo Van Thuong (Politburo member, Secretary of the CPV Central Committee, and head of the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for Information and Education), Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune (Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee, and head of the LPRP Central Committee’s Commission for Propaganda and Training), among others. The Complete Works of Ho Chi Minh feature the journey of late President Ho Chi Minh to save the country and lead the Vietnamese revolution from victory to victory. The translation project was jointly carried out by the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and the Lao National Academy of Politics and Public Administration as part of the 2014 cooperation agreement on … [Read more...] about More volumes of Ho Chi Minh complete works translated into Lao