Vietnam’s manufacturing sector hit by wave of COVID-19 infections
An auto component production line of Keihin Vietnam Co Ltd. Rising shipping and raw material prices were also cited.In turn, manufacturers raised their selling prices at an accelerated pace. This was primarily due to labour shortages, as so many workers were off with infections that factories were unable to maintain production volumes. Input costs increased at the sharpest pace in almost 11 years on the back of higher costs for oil and gas following the outbreak of war. This has dashed any hopes that inflationary pressures might be set to ease over the months ahead.
Source:Viet Nam News
April 07, 2022 20:47 UTC
Vietnam urges prompt investigation into Vietnamese woman’s death in Japan
Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang (Photo: VNA)– The Vietnamese Consulate General in Osaka Japan , has requested a prompt investigation into the death of a Vietnamese woman in Osaka city's Yodogawa district, said Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang at the ministry's regular press briefing on April 7.Hang said that on April 4, local police found a body allegedly of a Vietnamese woman at an apartment in Yodogawa. Forensic results showed that the victim was killed at about 9 am on April 3.The Consulate General in Osaka is also in contact with the Vietnamese community in Osaka to gather information about the case, said Hang, adding that the body has been handed over to the victim’s family.Hang said that following directions from the Foreign Ministry, the Consulate General in Osaka is keeping a close watch on the investigation and taking measures to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Vietnamese citizens, while coordinating with authorised agencies at home and in Japan to organise a funeral for the victim following her family’s wish.Hang also extended condolences to the victim’s family.Initial information from Japanese police showed that the victim, identified as Vo Thi Le Q., born in 1991, worked part-time in a shop in the first floor of the apartment building.Police have arrested a Japanese man who owns the apartment where the woman's body was found. According to local media, the man has confessed to murdering the victim in order to steal her property./.
Source:Viet Nam News
April 07, 2022 18:42 UTC
Vietnam Days in UK come to successful end
Ambassador Nguyen Hoang Long (first, left) visits an exhibition of paintings by young artist Xeo Chu as part of the Vietnam Days in the UK 2022. (Photo: VNA)– The Vietnam Days in the UK 2022 recently wrapped up, leaving a good impression about the Southeast Asian country on British and international friends.The programme, organised by the Vietnamese Embassy, started on March 28 and featured a variety of events on culture, sports, trade - investment - tourism promotion, educational cooperation, green transition, renewable energy, fintech, startup, and innovation.It took place on the occasion of the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II and marked the resumption of people-to-people exchange between the two countries after an over-two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ambassador Nguyen Hoang Long said as Vietnam has reopened the economy and international tourism, the programme with a diversity of activities created a major opportunity for foreign friends to come to know images of Vietnam, along with its economy and tourism attractiveness. Vietnam is one of the first countries to hold cultural and trade exchanges in the European nation over the last two years, he highlighted.British investors spoke highly of Vietnam’s investment climate with an open and consistent policy, a transparent business environment, and high political stability.While Vietnam is viewed as a promising country for the development of tech startups thanks to an open market and a young and dynamic population, it is also believed to be a potential partner for educational cooperation because of the high demand for tertiary and high school education, Long said.Cultural activities such as painting exhibitions and concerts also grabbed public attention, and Vietnamese artists were received by British Minister of State at the Cabinet Office Nigel Adams and Secretary of State for Education Nadhim Zahawi.This helped strengthen the friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, the ambassador said.He added in the time ahead, the Vietnamese Embassy will organise more activities to popularise images of the country and reinforce bilateral relations./.
Source:Viet Nam News
April 07, 2022 06:41 UTC
Ministry seeks GWEC’s support for realisation of 2050 net zero target
Wind turbines of a plant in the coastal area of Vinh Chau town, Soc Trang province. (Photo: VNA)The Ministry of Industry and Trade has asked for assistance from the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) to help Vietnam realise its net zero emissions target by 2050, especially regarding offshore wind power development, said Minister Nguyen Hong Dien at a working session with Mark Hutchinson , chair of GWEC ’s Southeast Asia Task Force.Dien suggested the council provide advice on financial sources with long-term incentives; technology support and human resources training; and investment and cooperation in offshore wind power production, including building smart grids and producing clean energy.The official said Vietnam’s strong statements at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) showed the determination of the Party and State in converting traditional energy sources into green and clean energy.However, changing from coal to wind or gas power was a long process with many difficulties and challenges, he added.Lauding Vietnam’s efforts and commitments at COP26, Hutchinson affirmed that the GWEC is willing to cooperate with the ministry to organise renewable energy seminars, and share experience regarding the sustainable operation, management and development of renewable energy.The GEWC will provide supply chain support as well as human resources training for Vietnam's offshore wind power industry, he noted.Its working group will explore what Vietnam needs to do to attract domestic and foreign preferential financing and work with financial institutions and banks to remove the country’s problems with capital sources for offshore wind power development, said Hutchinson.Vietnam’s renewable energy sources have reached about 20.7 GW, accounting for more than 27 percent of its total power capacity. In 2021, electricity output from renewable energy sources hit 30 billion kWh./.
Source:Viet Nam News
April 06, 2022 17:37 UTC
Measures sought to support businesses in expanding foreign trade
In the first quarter of this year, Vietnam’s total import-export value hit 176.35 billion USD, up 14.4 percent year on year(Photo: vietnamnet.vn)MoIT Deputy Minister Do Thang Hai addresses the conference (Source: MoIT)– The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) on April 5 held a conference to evaluate trade promotion activities in the first quarter of this year and seek ways to help localities, economic sectors and businesses surmount difficulties and build strategies to expand international trade activities in the new situation.Addressing the event, MoIT Deputy Minister Do Thang Hai highlighted positive signs in foreign trade so far this year, noting that in the first quarter of this year, Vietnam’s total import-export value hit 176.35 billion USD, up 14.4 percent year on year, with exports rising 12.9 percent and trade surplus reaching 809 million USD.However, he noted that domestic enterprises are under a double impact of continued complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia - Ukraine tension, which have caused disruption in supply chains including energy and pushed transport costs up. Meanwhile, the Vietnamese economy depends greatly on foreign trade.Therefore, the conference was held with the aim of assisting localities, economic sectors and businesses in building their strategies and applying suitable measures to expand import-export activities in such a situation, Deputy Minister Hai said.Ngo Sy Hoai, Vice Chairman and General Secretary of the Vietnam Timber and Forest Product Association (VIFORES) said he hopes Vietnamese Trade Offices abroad will help promote the image of Vietnam as a world leading hub of wood processing and export with resolute determination to develop the wood sector sustainably using green and legal material sources. He asked the Vietnamese Trade Office in the US to give early alert on trade remedies in this market, so that domestic firm can prepare response measures.Meanwhile, Dinh Quoc Thai, General Secretary of the Vietnam Steel Association suggested that the MoIT provide information of import countries’ trade defence investigations against steel products.At the event, representatives from trade associations proposed that the MoIT conduct more activities to connect domestic firms with their peers in foreign markets, and strengthen support to enterprises in joining trade fairs abroad.Le Hoang Tai, Vice Director of the MoIT’s Trade Promotion Agency said that this year, the agency will continue to organise many activities to support the export of Vietnamese products to foreign markets. This year, the national programme on trade promotion will spend 80.41 percent of its budget for export promotion.He said that the agency hopes for closer coordination from Vietnamese Trade Offices abroad in providing updated information on foreign market as well as technical barriers and risks of anti-dumping lawsuits and preferential policies given by foreign countries to Vietnam.The trade offices abroad were also urged to assist with the popularisation of trade promotion events held in Vietnam and programmes to introduce national trademark, and help invite foreign firms to join trade connectivity events online./.
Source:Viet Nam News
April 06, 2022 09:50 UTC
Vietnam, Panama seek to deepen all-round partnership
– Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son held talks with his Panamanian counterpart Érika Mouynes in Hanoi on April 5 to discuss ways to strengthen partnership between the two countries across all fields including politics, diplomacy, economy, trade and agriculture as well as bilateral coordination at international and multilateral forums.The two FMs expressed their wish to promote bilateral cooperation in promosing areas such as maritime transport, climate change response, and renewable energy.They agreed on the viewpoint of settling international disputes through peaceful measures on the basis of international law.They shared their delight at the growing ties between Vietnam and Panama, especially through the implementation of cooperation mechanisms. They concurred to continue to effectively promote the deputy ministeral level political consultation and Joint Committee on economic, trade and investment cooperation mechanisms, as well as face-to-face and online meetings between the two countries.Vietnam and Panama have seen positive results in economic partnership, with Panama always being among Vietnam's 10 biggest trading partners in Latin America. Two-way trade between the two countries has risen from 250 million USD in 2014 to 467 million USD in 2021. Particularly, trade between the two countries surged 45.5 percent year on year in 2021 despite COVID-19 impacts.FM Son proposed that Panama support the protection of the interests of Vietnamese citizens living, studying and working in Panama, and effectively coordinate to make the country a transit place for Vietnamese products in the Latin American region. Vietnam will acts as a bridge for Panamanian products to enter the Southeast Asian market, he added.Son affirmed that Vietnam is keen on bolstering the traditional friendship and all-round cooperation with Panama in a substantive and effective manner.For her part, Minister Mouynes spoke highly of Vietnam’s achievements in implementing the “Doi moi” (Renewal) process, saying that the Panamanian Government always treasures and hopes to strengthen ties with Vietnam.She agreed that the two countries continue to work closely together to reinforce bilateral cooperation in both bilateral and multilateral aspects, for benefits of the two countries' people, and for peace, stability and development in the two regions and the world as a whole.Within the framework of her visit to Vietnam from April 5-6, the Panamanian FM paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum in Hanoi, met Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and had a working session with Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien./.
Source:Viet Nam News
April 06, 2022 00:07 UTC
Vietnam’s industrial production flourishes in Q1
Bikes are produced at Thong Nhat JSC in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)- The index of industrial production (IIP) in the first quarter continued to flourish with a year-on-year increase of 7.07 percent, the General Statistics Office said.The positive rise, much higher than the 6.44 percent seen in Q1/2021, contributed 2.42 percentage points to the economy's growth in Q1 /2022.The processing and manufacturing industry had a yearly IIP rise of 7.79 percent.Meanwhile, the IIP growth of the electricity production and distribution industry stood at 7.42 percent, and water supply and waste and wastewater treatment and the mining industry reached 6.54 and 5 percent, respectively.Key industries that recorded high increases in Q1 include clothing (up 24.1 percent); machinery and equipment (16.2 percent); metal production (10.1 percent); electronics, computers and optical products (9.4 percent) and other non-metallic mineral products (8 percent).On the contrary, several industries saw a decline in industrial production, such as rubber and plastic products, down 15.5 percent; repair, maintenance and installation of machinery and equipment (12 percent); coke and refined petroleum products (11.7 percent) and crude oil and natural gas (2.2 percent).Among industrial products with strong IIP increases were telephone components with 19 percent, automobiles (13.4 percent), aluminium (12.6 percent), and steel (11 percent).Some products decreased compared to the previous year, including televisions (23.3 percent); gasoline and oil (12.5 percent); aquatic feed (11.7 percent); mobile phones (9.3 percent); NPK fertiliser (6.6 percent) and paint (5.7 percent).The GSO also said the consumption index of the processing and manufacturing industry in Q1 rose 6.6 percent compared to last year's corresponding period. In March, the index increased 19.1 percent month-on-month and 11.2 percent year-on-year.The average inventory rate of the processing and manufacturing industry in the first three months was 79.9 percent, higher than the 75.1 percent recorded last year.As of March 1, the number of employees working in industrial enterprises rose 2 percent month-on-month and 3 percent year-on-year.Labourers in State-owned enterprises decreased 3.3 percent year-on-year, while those in non-State firms slumped 3 percent, and foreign-invested businesses increased 4.3 percent.The Ministry of Industry and Trade said it was necessary to ensure an adequate supply of raw materials for energy production, business recovery, and socio-economic development in the coming months.The ministry recommended removing obstacles to important industrial projects and maximum support for factories to maintain production, keep orders, and maintain the supply chain.The industry and trade sector would also effectively implement the Government's solutions to remove difficulties for businesses and help them restore financial and labour resources.The ministry said it would speed-up large public investment projects, especially projects on energy and infrastructure for industrial development, developing markets for several key manufacturing industries such as steel, engineering, construction materials and automobiles./.
Source:Viet Nam News
April 05, 2022 22:10 UTC
Algeria to host Vietnamese Traditional Martial Arts World Championship 2022
Representatives of the martial arts tournament's organising board during a training for referees (Photo: VNA)Algiers (VNA) – The Vietnamese Traditional Martial Arts World Championship 2022 is set to take place in Algiers capital of Algeria from July 16-21. Nearly 20 teams across the world have signed up for the competition, including those from France, Germany, Switzerland, Cameroon and Senegal. The host - the Federation of Vietnamese Traditional Martial Arts in Algeria - and relevant agencies in the African nation have exerted efforts to prepare for the tournament, particularly training for referees. Vietnamese Ambassador to Algeria Nguyen Thanh Vinh underlined that the martial arts event, viewed as a major one of Algeria and the World Federation of Vietnamese Martial Arts, was initially planned to take place two years ago but had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Embassy of Vietnam has actively joined in preparing for the tournament and will organise activities on the sidelines of the event that promote Vietnamese cultural and cuisine, he added./.
Source:Viet Nam News
April 05, 2022 10:06 UTC
Vietnam shares experience in post-war landmine clearing
Besides practical measures to deal with the consequences of landmines in the country, Vietnam actively participates in international joint efforts on this work. He thanked international partners and friends for their valuable support and assistance for Vietnam in this work. Delegates emphasised that terrible impacts of landmines and UXO are still a burning problem in many countries and regions around the world. In recent years, besides practical measures to deal with the consequences of landmines in the country, Vietnam has actively participated in international joint efforts on this work. It also aims to review achievements by UN member states since the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention took effect in 1999./.
Source:Viet Nam News
April 05, 2022 04:47 UTC
Quang Ninh sets up “green zones” for smoother border trade
Vehicles transporting goods throigh Mong Cai border gate (Photo: VNA)At Mong Cai border gate in Quang Ninh (Photo: VNA)– The northeastern border province of Quang Ninh is setting up “green zones” and increasing discussion with the Chinese side to stabilise import-export activities through border gates , amid different COVID-19 prevention and control measures between the two sides.The zones, closed to ensure its safety against COVID-19, are located inside the border gates for customs clearance activities, to which entries will be limited. All the transport and goods handling activities will be implemented by drivers and workers inside them.Since the end of 2021, Vietnam has switched the country’s COVID-19 control to safely and flexibly adapting to the pandemic, while China has maintained its “Zero COVID” policy. The difference has led to difficulties in customs clearances at border gates between the two countries.Particularly, since February, complicated COVID-19 situation in China has prompted the country to apply stricter measures, including the closure of border gates. Since the pandemic broke out, the Chinese side has temporally closed border gates with Quang Ninh 20 times.Congestions at the border gates have become more serious. Since February 2, over 1,100 containers with about 36,000 tonnes of goods have been stuck in the border.
Source:Viet Nam News
April 04, 2022 09:31 UTC
Great progress reported in settlement of suspected cashew nut scam in Italy
In addition, Vietnamese businesses have also paid a guarantee for a shipping company to bring three other containers back to Vietnam. Another good news in the case is that so far, Vietnamese businesses have managed to re-export 18 containers to the Netherlands and Turkey. The lawyers has cooperated with the Vietnam Trade Office in Italy to connect with reputable overseas Vietnamese businesses in Italy, Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, Belgium, and Hungary to help find new buyers in Europe. It is noteworthy that those banks neither specified how they had sent back the documents nor provided Vietnamese banks with bills of lading. Anyone with the original documents can present them to the transporters for the release of the goods./.
Source:Viet Nam News
April 04, 2022 04:22 UTC
Festival held in response to blood donation day
Blood donators at the festival in Hanoi's Thanh Tri district on April 3. (Photo: VNA)– A blood donation festival was held in Thanh Tri district, Hanoi, on April 3 in celebration of the All People’s Voluntary Blood Donation Day (April 7).Dao Ngoc Trieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Red Cross Society chapter in Hanoi and Standing Vice Chairman of the city’s steering committee for blood donation promotion, said this is an occasion to call for authorities and people’s support for the blood donation movement, and also to disseminate the significance of the deed and raise public awareness of health protection The festival attracted more than 500 participants and looked to receive over 200 blood units.Despite lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the city saw 43,131 blood units donated in the first quarter of 2022, with pandemic safety ensured./.
Source:Viet Nam News
April 03, 2022 16:47 UTC
PM stresses urgent need for keeping power supply, demand balanced
– Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a meeting in Hanoi on April 3 to look into the electricity supply and the provision of coal and gas for power generation.Pointing out a soaring power demand as a result of the socio-economic development and post-pandemic recovery, the Government leader said ministries, sectors, and agencies have yet to act drastically enough to carry out his official dispatch, issued on December 24 last year, on economical and efficient power use and power supply in 2022 and beyond.He said in 2021 and the first quarter of 2022, electricity supply and demand have been guaranteed, but power shortages occurred in some places and at certain points of time.PM Chinh underlined the critical importance of keeping the power supply-demand balance in the time ahead, given complicated external factors and the economy’s demand.He asked all-level authorities, sectors, and relevant agencies to improve their sense of responsibility, proactively take measures for ensuring the power supply with reasonable prices for economic and daily activities, and easing dependence on foreign electricity sources.In the long run, it is necessary to boost sustainable energy development and power generation, step up power saving solutions, encourage domestic electricity production, facilitate innovation to achieve low-cost, safe, and effective power generation , and properly handle the relationship between input materials and power prices.The PM also demanded authorities and businesses to continue a close watch on the market to make appropriate adjustments, work closely together to ensure effective power generation and supply, and overhaul mechanisms and policies on power, coal, and gas production to safeguard energy security.At the meeting, the Vietnam Electricity (EVN) group said power supply will be basically ensured for the southern and central regions from now to 2025. Meanwhile, demand in the northern region, which accounts for nearly 50 percent of the country’s total, will rise faster than the national average.However, the new generation sources that are set to be operational each year during 2022 - 2025 will continually be lower than the growth in power demand, which may lead to electricity shortages during May - July, the peak period of hot weather and also the dry season - when hydropower plants’ capacity may decline, the firm added./.
Source:Viet Nam News
April 03, 2022 16:45 UTC
VIETNAM NEWS HEADLINES APRIL 2
Vietnam will also promote people’s rights to decent work to complete the Agenda 2030, and education on human rights. The dosage will be 0.25ml, or half of the dosage for adults, according to the Drug Administration of Vietnam. The Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO was tasked with being in charge of the submission and working with the ministry to complete all necessary procedures for sending the dossier to UNESCO prior to March 31. According to the latest rankings, Vietnam still stay atop Southeast Asia, trailing behind archrivals Thailand that climbed one spot to 111th. Entries should be submitted to the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists no later than August 30.
Source:Viet Nam News
April 03, 2022 11:04 UTC
Vietnamese, Indian field hospitals in South Sudan share peacekeeping experience
During the visit, members of Vietnam's level-2 field hospital No. 3 learned about SOP standard procedures in hospital operation, which been painstakingly developed and updated by Indian colleagues during the Indian field hospital's 12 years of operation. The Vietnamese delegation also visited and presented gifts to the Cambodian Military Police unit and the level-1 field hospital of the Bangladeshi navy. Although their term at the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan is about to finish, members of the level-2 field hospital No. Previously, Colonel Rishi Raj, Commander of the level-2 field hospital of India led a delegation to visit the Vietnamese field hospital, during which Vietnamese military doctors shared hands-on experience.
Source:Viet Nam News
April 02, 2022 19:16 UTC