Ministry proposes steeper excise tax on tobacco, alcohol
HCMC – The Ministry of Finance has proposed slapping higher excise tax on unhealthy products such as cigarettes, beers and alcoholic beverages, and adding sugary drinks to the list as well. The ministry is seeking feedback on the proposal to work out the revised law on excise tax to stimulate
Health Ministry proposes addressing medical device shortage
HCMC – The Ministry of Health has reported to the Government many regulatory bottlenecks in purchasing medical devices and suggested ways to resolve the matter. This follows the severe shortage of medical materials and devices plaguing many hospitals nationwide, said the ministry today, February
HCMC finds jobs for PouYuen’s laid-off employees
HCMC – The local authority has contacted 15 different businesses to find jobs for some 2,500 workers about to be laid off by PouYuen Vietnam this month, according to the HCMC Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs. Some 15 businesses are prepared to offer around 3,200 similar jobs for
Cat Bi Airport pilots facial recognition tech
HCMC – The Cat Bi International Airport in Haiphong City has arranged a single line equipped with biometric authentication technology for travelers having chip-based citizen identity (ID) cards. Passengers are required to go through a facial recognition system at the security checkpoint, where a
Industry ministry wants power supply secured
HCMC – Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade has requested three major State companies to ensure stable electricity supplies to facilitate socio-economic development and meet people’s needs. At a meeting held on February 21, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien told the ministry’s
Gas sale for O Mon II power plant agreed upon today
HCMC – PetroVietnam (PVN) and a consortium comprising Trading Construction Works Organization (WTO) and Marubeni Corporation signed a gas sale heads of agreement for the O Mon II Thermal Power Plant this morning, February 22, in Hanoi. As per the heads of agreement, which is normally a non-binding
Vietnam Railway proposes removing regulations on train service life
HCMC – Vietnam Railway (VNR) has proposed not applying service life regulations on locomotives and train cars. According to statistics of VNR, the railway sector had had 258 locomotives, 980 train cars and 4,318 wagons by end-2022. The service life of locomotives and train cars pursuant to Decree
Vietnam Register proposes additional manpower
HCMC – The Ministry of Transport has proposed the Ministry of Home Affairs allow Vietnam Register to use contract workers to cope with severe labor shortages at some vehicle registration and testing facilities under the department. The current labor shortages result from many senior officials and
Quang Ninh, Lai Chau reopen border gates
HCMC – After a three-year Covid-19 hiatus, all immigration and freight services between Vietnam and China have been restored at the Mong Cai and Ma Lu Thang northern border gates in Quang Ninh and Lai Chau provinces, respectively. Chinese authorities required individuals entering China via the Bac
Finance Ministry wants insurance sales inspected
HCMC – Finance Minister Ho Duc Phoc today, February 20, ordered authorities to inspect insurance sales in the wake of bank tellers being found to force clients to buy life insurance policies. In September last year, Phoc told the Insurance Supervisory Authority to strengthen supervision over
Fruit price fall hits local farmers
HCMC – Fruit prices in southern Vietnamese provinces have dropped by half since the beginning of February, as the demand has been in decline.
Special consumption tax on gasoline still in place
HCMC – The Ministry of Finance refused to lift the special consumption tax on gasoline at the second extraordinary meeting as the country fights climate change and commits to net zero emissions by 2050. The special consumption or excise tax is a government levy on specific goods and services whose