Vietnam News Highlighs for July 4, 2023
Have a look at the latest news and stories from around the country.
US movie banned in Vietnam for showing nine-dash line
The American live-action film Barbie, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, has been banned from screening in Vietnam because it depicts the illegal nine-dash line used by China to claim sovereignty over the East Sea (South China Sea). The film is scheduled to premiere on July 21, the same day as the US release.
Vietnam has banned several motion pictures in recent years for showing the nine-dash line, including Uncharted (starring "Spiderman" Tom Holland and "Transformer" hero Mark Wahlberg), the amination Abominable, and the Netflix series Pine Gap.
Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago complex seeks World Heritage status
| Ha Long Bay, UNESCO-listed World Heritage. Photo: VNA |
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha on July 3 urged the completion of the application for the inscription of the Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago complex on the World Heritage List. Local authorities are asked to seek the recommendations of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and submit the dossier to UNESCO for inscription.
Samsung Vietnam contributes 33% of the conglomerate's revenue
The operations of Samsung factories in Vietnam contributed nearly 33% of the South Korean conglomerate's total revenue, according to Samsung's Q1 financial report. Samsung's four factories in Vietnam generated nearly US$16 billion in revenue, down 22% from the same period last year. Their profit decreased by 31% year-on-year to $1.07 billion.
Samsung's global revenue for the first quarter of the year was over KRW63.7 trillion ($48.76 billion), down 18% year-on-year.
Winners of Artistic Photography Festival announced
Fifteen outstanding works were awarded at the 28th South Central Coast and Central Highlands Region Artistic Photography Festival. The organizers gave one gold medal to the photo series "Danang - The City of Bridges", three silver medals, four bronze medals, and seven consolation prizes.
South Korean companies prioritize hiring Vietnamese and Indian software talents
South Korean companies prioritize hiring software talent from Vietnam (31%) and India (36.4%), according to a recent survey by the Korean Federation of Small and Medium Businesses and Startups. It also found that 54.5% of South Korean companies are willing to hire foreign software professionals in the future.
The lack of mid-level programmers and intense competition with larger companies due to wage gaps were cited as the main reasons for the shortage of software talent in South Korea.
Two Vietnamese universities to compete in regional energy efficiency contest
Hanoi University of Industry and Lac Hong University will represent Vietnam in the final of the Shell Eco-Marathon 2023 for Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, to take place in Indonesia on July 4-9. The competition aims to find the best car design with maximum energy efficiency.
Many Vietnamese teams have achieved good results in the competition, such as Hanoi University of Science and Technology (2012 season), Lac Hong University (2015 season), and Hanoi University of Industry (2022 season).
About 170 people investigated for taking bribes during vehicle inspection in HCM City
Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City have arrested and charged nearly 170 people for bribery, production, trade and exchange of software for illegal use.
In total, more than 600 people have been arrested nationwide since police launched in December 2022 the investigation into bribery and corruption at the Vietnam Register, the government agency in charge of vehicle inspection and registration.
Retail gasoline prices go down in latest adjustment
Retail gasoline prices in Vietnam were cut by VND400-500 per liter in their latest adjustment on July 3. Specifically, the maximum price for E5 RON 92 gasoline is set at VND20,470 (US$0.86) per liter and that for RON 95 gasoline at VND21,428 (US$0.91) per liter.
Meanwhile, the price of 0.05S diesel dropped slightly to a maximum of VND18,169 per liter, and that of kerosene by VND30 to VND17,926 per liter. The two ministries also decided not to use the Price Stabilization Fund to subsidize the price.
ASEAN working group on chemicals and waste to meet in Hanoi
The 8th meeting of the ASEAN Working Group on Chemicals and Waste will be hosted in Vietnam from July 5 to 7. The event aims to assess waste and chemicals management among ASEAN member states and to draw up an action plan for the near future.
Established in late 2015, the working group provides a forum for regional countries to discuss issues and solutions related to chemicals and waste under multilateral agreements such as the Basel Convention, the Rotterdam Convention, and the Stockholm Convention.
Vietnam boosts science and technology cooperation with Luxembourg and Belgium
Vietnam strengthens science and technology cooperation with Luxembourg and Belgium by promoting projects with the two countries, especially in artificial intelligence, information communication, and automation. The cooperation is part of activities to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the two European nations.
