Vietnam News Highlights for August 15, 2023

10-21% of fuel price is made up of taxes, fees: Ministry of Finance

A gas station on Thai Thinh Street, Hanoi. Photo: Hoai Nam/ The Hanoi Times

Taxes and fees account for only 10-21% of fuel prices in Vietnam, the Ministry of Finance said in response to Dong Nai voters' request to reduce fuel taxes and fees to lower selling prices and stabilize people's living costs. The ministry said the rate is lower than other countries, which range from 45% to 60%.

According to the Ministry of Finance, four taxes and fees are imposed on fuel products, including import tax, value-added tax, special consumption tax and environmental protection tax. A tax and fee cut will reduce the State budget revenue and could hamper the Government's programs on poverty reduction, economic recovery and social welfare.

HCMC builds a program of 1,000 OCOP product stories

The Ho Chi Minh City government plans to launch a program of 1,000 OCOP (One Commune One Product) product stories to help consumers understand the products and businesses grasp consumer needs.

This plan is included in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on August 14 between the city's Departments of Industry and Trade and Agriculture and Rural Development and Tiki Limited Liability Company. Companies, cooperatives, and OCOP units participating in the program will be assisted in promoting and distributing their products to consumers nationwide through e-commerce channels. In October, the city will host a week-long OCOP event at Le Thi Rieng Park in District 10, bringing together OCOP products from HCMC and nearly 40 other provinces and cities.

Hanoi targets 50% of offices and homes using rooftop solar power

Hanoi aims to have 50% of office buildings and 50% of households using self-generated rooftop solar power by 2030, and 100% of street lighting will use LED lights by 2025. 

These figures are released in a plan issued by the Hanoi People's Committee, aiming to increase electricity savings in the city during the period 2023-2025 and beyond, in line with the National Power Development Plan for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050 (PDP VIII).

The city also aims to save at least 2.2% of the total energy consumption annually. The municipality also requires government agencies, office buildings, schools, and hospitals to work with the power company to implement energy conservation plans for their respective units, ensuring a minimum annual energy savings of 5% of the total consumption.

India to boost wedding tourism in Vietnam

Wedding tourism, scenic spots and affordable tourism in Vietnam are the goals of 25 Indian travel companies participating in the Vietnam-India tourism cooperation event under the Namaste Vietnam Festival 2023 from August 12 to 17.

The Indian travel firms said wedding tourism has been popular in India for the past decade, and Indian people want to have weddings in other countries. Vietnam could be a choice for them due to its numerous scenic spots and affordability.

Thua Thien Hue aims to become first-tier city in 2025

The central province of Thua Thien Hue has set its sights on becoming a first-tier city in 2025 as one of the tasks to drive socio-economic growth in the whole province. The Standing Committee of the provincial Party Committee instructs authorities and government agencies to review major activities and solve existing problems to achieve the best results in the 2023 missions.

The province will also strive to implement national plans for developing new rural areas, sustainable poverty alleviation and socio-economic growth for ethnic minorities in 2021-2025. Local authorities are tasked with promoting Hue's cultural and human values, tourism sites and products.

Two new landslide sites found in Ho Chi Minh City in H1

Ho Chi Minh City has found two new landslide sites along local canals and rivers in the first half of 2023, according to the city's Department of Natural Resources and Environment. The two new landslides in Can Gio District's Binh Khanh Commune and Binh Thanh District's Ward 25 caused the loss of 24m2 of land in the city. There were no casualties, but the landslides damaged a temple and 13 houses.

In 2022, the southern hub city had 32 landslide sites, including eight extremely dangerous sites and 24 dangerous sites, affecting about 1,300 families.

SM Bike electric taxi service launched in Hanoi

A passenger transport service using VinFast electric motorcycles operates in Hanoi. Photo: Vingroup

The SM Bike electric motorcycle transport service was officially launched in Hanoi on August 14. It will expand to five provinces and cities with a fleet of 60,000 vehicles by the end of the year, according to Green and Smart Mobility JSC (GSM). This is a passenger transportation service using VinFast electric motorcycles, which is a step forward in promoting green and eco-friendly transportation in Vietnam.

In addition, there is also the Xanh 2 School service, which is dedicated to transporting students to school on a flexible schedule using SM Bike electric motorcycles or on fixed routes using SM Taxi electric cars and SM Luxury electric cars.

Companies seek to recruit over 28,500 electronics manufacturing workers

Nearly 190 companies are seeking to hire over 28,500 electronic production workers out of a total of 42,500 recruitment targets at an online job fair connecting 14 provinces and cities on August 14.

In addition, a large number of jobs are available in various industries, including 3,915 in garment manufacturing, 2,230 in plastic production, 1,411 in business and marketing, 1,230 in construction, and 1,218 in mechanical and welding engineering.

Hanoi relay runners set new national record

Hanoi runners broke their own record in the 4x400m mixed relay marathon at the National Athletics Championship 2023 on August 14. Hanoi runners finished the race in 8 minutes, 15.53 seconds, breaking the previous record of 8 minutes, 27.60 seconds set in 2022. In the 4x1,500m mixed relay, the Thai Binh team broke the 2022 record of 17 minutes and 52.30 seconds by finishing first in 17 minutes and 26.20 seconds.

The championship was held in the coastal city of Danang on August 14-15. Hanoi secured first place in the overall team standings with six gold, two silver and four bronze medals.