The Ministry of Finance was asked to work with the Ministry of Justice and other relevant ministries and agencies on the drafting of the resolution, and report to the Government before April 25. Under the proposal, the ministry suggested a VAT reduction from 10% to 8% for a number of goods and services, along with a 20% cut in the percentage of goods for VAT calculation for business establishments, including business households and individuals. The ministry suggested that the policy, which is expected to boost the economy, should be applied until December 31. It estimated that the policy will result in a reduction of nearly 247 million USD monthly for the State budget's revenue. Besides, the MoF also proposed a reduction on about 35 kinds on fees and charges from July 1 to December 31./.

They will also become the mentors of the final five during the filmmaking process to ensure that the films meet qualifications for international film festivals. The CJ Short Film Making Project was initiated by the CJ Cultural Foundation and CJ CGV Vietnam in 2018, aiming to bring works by Vietnamese filmmakers to top international film festivals. The show featured four parts with 160 designs performed by 66 models, including famous ones from Vietnam and others from three Australian-based model agencies. The short film will also be submitted to other international film festivals in the hope of spreading its powerful message. During the week from April 16 – 22, Vietnam counted 12,700 new cases, the highest weekly number since the beginning of the year.

Videos Ninh Binh among 23 best places to travel in 2023: Forbes The northern province of Ninh Binh has been selected by US magazine Forbes as one of the 23 best places to travel around the world in 2023. Videos Young Thai ethnic minorities join hands to preserve “xoe” dance “Xoe” dance has long been an indispensable part of the spiritual lives of the Thai ethnic minority in Vietnam’s northwestern region. Together with elder artisans, the younger generations are working together to keep the UNESCO-recognised intangible heritage alive. Videos Chol Chnam Thmay - biggest festival of Khmer people Chol Chnam Thmay New Year is the biggest festival on the Khmer calendar, which takes place around mid-April of the solar calendar every year. The festival expresses the wish for a new year of favourable rain and wind, and bountiful crops.

Despite her young age, Lo Thi Huyen from Chao Ha village in Nghia Loi commune, Nghia Lo town, in Yen Bai province is excellent at “xoe” dance. "We have practiced traditional “xoe” dance and delivered stellar performances at local tourism sites. Nghia Lo town is home to nearly 200 art groups, whose members are young and have a passion for “xoe” dance. Aritan Hoang Thi Van from Tong Co 3 Group, Tan An Ward, Nghia Lo Town, Yen Bai Province, said: "I love “xoe” dance since my early childhood. Nghia Lo town will work to complete its plans to preserve six types of “xoe” dance.

Business Infographic GDP inches up 3.32% in Q1 Vietnam’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew some 3.32% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2023, according to the General Statistics Office. Business Infographic Trade cooperation: Bright spot in Vietnam-US relations Trade between Vietnam and the US increased to 123.86 billion USD in 2022 from 6.78 billion USD in 2005. In particular, last year, Vietnam's exports to the US surpassed 100 billion USD for the first time.

Argentinian Ambassador to Vietnam Luis Pablo Maria Beltramino (Photo: VNA)Argentinian Ambassador to Vietnam Luis Pablo Maria Beltramino says that the Vietnamese top legislator’s visit will reflect existing areas of cooperation that both sides are striving to strengthen. Vietnam ranked between 5th to 8th in the list of trading partners of Argentina, which was the third biggest trade partner of Vietnam in Latin America. Two-way trade has hit 5 billion USD and will continue to grow.Explaining the complementary economic relationship between Argentina and Vietnam, Luis Pablo said about 90% of Argentina's exports to Vietnam are agricultural and industrial products, noting that this shows the importance of the agricultural and industrial cooperation strategy between the two nations.Vietnam also imports other products from Argentina, including beef and wine. Meanwhile, the Southeast Asian nation mainly exports electronics, mobile phones, and other products that the Argentinian market requires.Regarding the legislative cooperation, the diplomat emphasised the tradition of cooperation and dialogue between the Vietnamese and Argentinian legislatures, saying that they have maintained meetings and delegation exchanges in recent times.During the visit, NA Chairman Hue will have meetings with the Presidents of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate of Argentina, and sign a cooperation agreement to establish a legal framework for cooperation between the two parliaments, he said.According to the diplomat, Argentina has cooperated with the Vietnamese NA in law-making. Highlighting the importance of technical cooperation, the diplomat said that the two sides will continue to work closely in the coming time, especially industry and agriculture./.

Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo (Photo: jakartaglobe.id)Jakarta (VNA) - The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) has nominated Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo as the party's candidate for the 2024 presidential election. To nominate a presidential candidate, a party must obtain at least 20% of the total seats in parliament or 25% of votes in the previous legislative election. Other parties must form a coalition if they want to nominate a presidential candidate. Observers acknowledged that the nomination of Ganjar Pranowo as the PDI-P candidate will affect Indonesian politics in the coming time. The Governor of Central Java has also received positive public assessments through recent surveys.

Vietnam, Venezuela enhance people-to-people exchangesA cultural and sports exchange programme between Vietnam and Venezuela was opened in Caracas on April 19. This is closely related to marine spatial planning, especially identifying potential water areas and reasonable zoning for offshore wind power development, he added. Delegates shared international experiences and next steps in developing marine spatial planning and offshore wind power in Vietnam. Ramla Khalidi, UNDP Resident Representative in Vietnam, said that accelerating marine spatial planning is essential to unlocking the great potential of offshore wind power development in Vietnam, contributing to implementing sustainable development goals and climate change response goals. Norwegian Ambassador to Vietnam Hilde Solbakken affirmed that her country is committed to working with partners in Vietnam to promote sustainable green growth, protect the marine environment and support energy transition in Vietnam.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (first left) addresses the Vietnam - Czech Business Forum on April 21. (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam's Government always creates favourable conditions for Vietnam and Czech businesses to strengthen cooperation in trade and investment. In his remarks, the PM highlighted the friendship and traditional cooperation between Vietnam and the Czech Republic over the past 70 years. The Czech Republic is now one of the most important trading partners of Vietnam in Central and Eastern Europe. (Photo: VNA)For his part, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala stated that Vietnam is an important partner of the Czech Republic in Southeast Asia.

Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)Jointly hosted by Giao thong (Transport) Newspaper and Green Innovation and Development Centre (GreenID), the event focused on roadmaps for developing the domestic carbon market , and policy recommendations and solutions to the scheme.With the commitments of parties at COP26 to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and neutralising carbon, the global carbon market is forecast to continue to grow strongly. However, in Vietnam, the carbon market is still quite new in terms of knowledge and legal corridors.According to the Department of Climate Change under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE), Vietnam plans to pilot a carbon trade exchange from 2025, which will be officially operated by 2028.Participants heard that by the end of 2021, the price of carbon emission credits in Europe was over 80 EUR (87.77 USD) per tonne, double that at the end of 2020, as demand from investors surged and the EU tightened its climate policies to meet the target of reducing emissions by 55% by 2030.According to Pham Hong Luong, Chief of the Office of the Vietnam Administration of Forestry (VAF) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), the forestry sector owns a huge amount of carbon credits.Vietnam has a relatively high forest coverage rate compared to the world, about 42%, while the global average is about 31%, Luong said.With that potential, the MARD has recently coordinated with relevant ministries and sectors, with the support of international organisations such as GIZ, to advise and propose the Government to include regulations on carbon capture and storage in the Law on Forestry, aiming to promoting the exchange of carbon credits and emissions reduction results, he noted.In the future, the Government, the MoNRE, and relevant ministries and sectors, will actively work with other countries that are interested in buying carbon credit s such as the Republic of Korea (RoK) and Singapore, or private partners who want to invest in this field in order to realise emissions reduction commitments in their countries, he added.Nguyen Thanh Cong, from the MoNRE’s Department of Climate Change, said currently, there are many units interested in carbon credit trading, adding that in the future, the orientation of carbon credits will mainly focus more on renewable energy sources, especially solar energy, offshore wind power and biomass energy; and energy saving projects. Vietnam needs to develop appropriate legal corridors and mechanisms to promote the development of the carbon credit market, and ensure the harmonisation of benefits and revenue for carbon credit investors and stakeholders, particpants said.

Under the plan, Vietnam is set to become a developing nation with modern industry, high average income, and economic growth based on science, technology, innovation and digital transformation by 2030. By 2050, Vietnam is expected to be a developed nation with high income and a fair, democratic, and civilized society. The country will strive to achieve net-zero emissions, and the average economic growth during 2031-2050 will reach about 6.5-7.5% annually. Speaking at the event, PM Chinh urged ministries and agencies to adopt concerted and effective measures to launch the national master plan, with priority to allocating capital for projects and programs of national significance. To effectively implement the national master plan, the PM asked relevant quarters to effectively perform tasks and fulfill goals outlined in the National Assembly’s resolution on the matter./.

For his part, Sinyavsky, who is on a working visit to Vietnam at the invitation of Minister of Public Security Gen. To Lam, said that Belarus always treasures its traditional friendship and cooperation with Vietnam. Welcoming the guests, Lam underscored that Vietnam always values its traditional friendship and cooperation with Belarus. They also include documents preserved by the Vietnam National Museum of History and the Institute of Monuments Conservation. The celebration was attended by the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Vietnam, Kees van Baar, representatives of ministries, sectors, management agencies, research and training institutions, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations, and Dutch businesses in Vietnam. Italy helps Vietnam improve statistical capacityThe project "Vietnam – Improvement of National Statistical System”, funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), was completed with all project targets achieved since its launch nearly five years ago.

Politburo member and Minister of Public Security Gen. To Lam (R) and Belarusian Minister of Emergencies Vadim Sinyavsky review the honour guard of the Vietnamese people's public security force. (Photo: VNA)– Politburo member and Minister of Public Security To Lam on April 19 held talks with a visiting high-level delegation from the Belarusian Ministry of Emergencies led by Minister Vadim Sinyavsky.Welcoming the guests, Lam underscored that Vietnam always values its traditional friendship and cooperation with Belarus. In recent years, the countries’ collaboration in politics, economy, culture, society, defence, and security have been increasingly fortified, contributing to their stable and sustainable development, he said.Praising Belarus’s progress in socio-economic growth and political stability, the minister expressed his confidence in the Eastern European nation’s further development across all aspects.Being well aware of unpredicted and severe damage caused by natural disasters and climate change, the Vietnamese Party and Government have issued many policies in natural disaster prevention and control, as well as intensified police’s participation in related search and rescue activities, Lam noted.The official informed his guests that the Vietnamese people’s police force has therefore actively improved its capacity and learned from foreign partners, with its cooperation with the Belarusian ministry obtaining many important results.At their talks, the two ministries agreed that immediately after their signing of a cooperation pact, they will build specific plans to implement it. The sides are set to enhance their exchange of delegations at all levels for cooperation and experience sharing on emergencies warning, prevention, and response; exchange experience in building a center for early warning of fire and natural disasters; and introduce, share, transfer technology, and link their production of modern firefighting and rescue means./.

A performance of Hue court music, a UNESCO-recognised world intangible cultural heritage (Photo: thethaovanhoa.vn)Chief of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Section of UNESCO and Secretary of the 2003 Convention Tim Curtis (Photo: VNA)– Vietnam has played an active role in implementing the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage ( 2003 Convention ) in both international and national scales, stated Chief of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Section of UNESCO and Secretary of the 2003 Convention Tim Curtis In an interview granted to Vietnam News Agency's correspondent in Paris, Curtis said that Vietnam is currently home to 15 recognised intangible heritages and the first country to switch some heritages from the list of urgent protection to the list of the common heritage of the humanity.The country has also showed its active role through its engagement in the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage twice.Vietnam has supplemented the Cultural Heritage Law 2009 with a number of new cultural policies, including the recognition of intangible cultural heritage.Currently in Vietnam, intangible cultural heritages are recognised not only in national policies but also by all regions, all localities and all ethnic groups, he said, hailing Vietnam’s strong efforts in the work.Vietnam has been aware of the role of culture in the sustainable development and has put culture at a high position in its national development policy, he stated, underlining that this is an important message that the country is spreading.According to Curtis, the 2003 Convention, which has taken effect for 20 years, has been ratified by 181 UNESCO member countries, showing that the convention is meaningful for all.Regarding measures that Vietnam should take to protect its intangible cultural heritages, Curtis said that the protection of intangible cultural heritage takes place through the transfer between generations which must ensure its continuity.It is necessary to design new mechanism, while working with communities and integrating knowledge on heritage into education and paying more attention to young people, as they are the person who will transfer the knowledge to future generations, he said.Overall, the protection of intangible cultural heritage should aim at achieving sustainable development goals either in agriculture, education or poverty reduction, he said, adding that intangible cultural heritage matters should also be integrated into development policies. Vietnam has so far shown strong performance in the work and should continue to follow this direction, he stated./.

The defendants stand accused of causing more than VNĐ53.6 billion (US$2.2 million) in damages to Hà Nội Heart Hospital and the Social Insurance Fund. Afterwards, the defendants at Hà Nội Heart Hospital colluded with the defendants at AIC Company to issue appraisal certificates at the request and a fixed price of Hà Nội Heart Hospital, which Nguyễn Quang Tuấn approved. The UK and the EU are ready to support Vietnam in technical expertise, technology as well as methods of mobilising necessary resources from global partner countries, he added. It was ranked by the Vietnam Tourism Association as one of the four most attractive community-based tourist attractions in Vietnam in 2020. HCM City to name part of Hà Nội Highway Võ Nguyên Giáp StreetAuthorities have proposed to name part of Hà Nội Highway, from the Sài Gòn Bridge to Thủ Đức intersection, Võ Nguyên Giáp Street.