Vietnam News Highlights for July 10, 2023

Prime Minister orders trial of criminal record certification on VNeID app

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh issued a directive on July 9 asking the Ministry of Justice to test criminal record certification on the VNeID app to reduce workload and costs for Government agencies and people.

The ministry will report to the Government on the results of the tests, which have been conducted in Hanoi and the central province of Nghe An.

European businesses slightly more positive about Vietnam's prospects

According to EuroCham Vietnam’s latest Business Confidence Index (BCI), European companies' confidence in Vietnam declined by 4.5 points to 43.5 points in the second quarter of this year. The index indicates that the number of firms optimistic about Vietnam's economic improvement increased marginally by 2%, with the main drivers being regulatory reforms and skilled labor.

However, negative responses increased by 10%, with concerns about the business situation and major challenges, including visas and work permits for foreign workers, power shortages, and inadequate infrastructure development.

Vietnamese Golden Bridge named among world's most iconic bridges

The Golden Bridge in the central coastal city of Danang. Photo: The Hanoi Times

The Golden Bridge in Vietnam's central city of Danang has been ranked sixth among the 10 most iconic bridges in the world by LuxeBook, an Indian monthly magazine.

Since its opening in June 2018, the striking bridge has been hailed as a new symbol of tourism in Danang. "Strolling on the bridge is like walking on clouds over the hand of the God of Mountain," the Indian magazine said.

Netflix, FPT Play asked to remove Chinese series over nine-dash line scenes

On July 9, Vietnam's Department of Cinema ruled that streaming platforms Netflix and FPT Play must remove the Chinese series "Flight to you" from their catalogs because it features scenes with the nine-dash line map, a drawing used by China to unjustifiably claim ownership of the East Sea (South China Sea).

The two companies have 24 hours from 0 a.m. on July 10 to comply with the ruling and submit a report to the Department of Cinema on July 11.

Vietnamese military medical personnel return from South Sudan

The Vietnam Peacekeeping Operations Department on July 9 welcomed 51 military medical officials to return from South Sudan after working on the fourth tier-2 field hospital operation for a year. The team also includes 12 others, who will travel home after completing their duties at the fifth tier-2 field hospital operation.

The officials treated more than 1,400 patients, provided traditional therapy for 150 people, and cured many serious cases. They also set up an herb garden and produced 680 liters of compressed oxygen for tier-1 hospitals.

Binh Dinh to host Vietnam's first international motorboat race

Authorities in the central coastal province of Binh Dinh announced on July 9 that the province will host Vietnam's first international professional motorboat race in Quy Nhon City at the end of March 2024. The 2024 Grand Prix of Binh Dinh race will be held on Thi Nai Lagoon to create a professional sport for local motorboat racers and promote the growth of tourism, sports and cultural exchanges.

The first race will gather about 70 experienced boat drivers from around the world, promising an unforgettable event for the people.

Bac Ninh kicks off work on US$169.3 million industrial park

The northern province of Bac Ninh inaugurated the construction of Gia Binh 2 Industrial Park on July 9, covering an area of 250 hectares with a total investment of nearly VND4 trillion (US$169.3 million).

The industrial park will drive socio-economic growth for the province and the southern area of the Duong River, and will be home to electronics manufacturers and producers, as well as information and technology developers. The first factories are expected to be operational in Q1/2024.

Vietnam expects EU to lift seafood export restrictions in October

Vietnam aims to have the "yellow card" imposed by the European Union on Vietnamese seafood exports removed at the meeting with the European Union in October. The sanction was issued in 2017 due to Vietnam's failure to comply with rules on illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

To meet expectations, the Government has asked coastal authorities, Government agencies, and fishermen to avoid fishing in other territorial waters, deploy anti-illegal fishing in all areas, and comply with rules on product traceability.

Hydropower output soars in northern Vietnam

Vietnam's National Load Dispatch Center has announced that more electricity will be produced from hydropower plants in the north as water levels in reservoirs have risen.

Water levels are 13 to 23 meters higher than the minimum required for safe power generation, the center said, adding that power output at some hydropower plants has now doubled or tripled. "There will be no more blackouts in the north in the next few months," the center assured.