Vietnam News Highlights for July 15, 2023

In-app purchases hit US$100 million in January-May

Vietnamese people spent some VND2.3 trillion (US$100 million) on in-app purchases during January-May, according to the Ministry of Information and Communications. Of the figure, in-app purchases on iOS devices were 1.5 times higher than those conducted on Android devices.

According to data firm Statista, the in-app purchase market in Vietnam is estimated at US$865 million in 2022 and may reach $982 million in 2023. Most of the purchases and downloads are done in mobile games.

Prime Minister orders carbon credit rules soon completed

Cement production is among the most polluting industrial activities. Photo: Tran Dung/The Hanoi Times

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on July 14 asked the Finance Ministry to complete submitting a plan on the carbon credit market to the Government by the end of the month. He also asked the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to develop the rules on the carbon credit market and submit them to the Government for revision in Q2/2024.

The carbon market is where companies or individuals purchase carbon credits from entities that remove or reduce greenhouse gas emissions to compensate for their greenhouse gas emissions.

Four million computers at risk of cyberattacks: Bkav

Vietnamese cybersecurity firm Bkav on July 14 warned that some four million computers using Windows OS in Vietnam are vulnerable to attacks. Cyber breaches and virus-infected files may enable hackers to compromise the device from a distance, steal users’ data, and conduct other illegal activities.

The company advised computer users to get their devices updated with patches from Microsoft and avoid clicking on suspicious emails and links that may contain viruses.

Vietnam’s airport development master plan announced

The Transport Ministry on July 14 publicly announced the master plan for airport development, in which Vietnam will have a total of 30 airports in 2030 and three more in the following 20 years. By 2050, Vietnam will have 14 international airports built, while the number of domestic airports will increase to 16 in 2030 and 19 in 2050.

The ministry expects air transport will be accessible for 95% of the population that lives within a 100-kilometer radius of the airport.

Dong Nai Province agrees on new industrial park construction

The southern province of Dong Nai on July 14 decided to approve the construction and development of Long Duc 3 Industrial Park in Long Thanh District’s Long Duc Commune. The project will cover approximately 245 hectares and may cost a total of VND1.8 trillion (US$76 million).

Construction progress will last for 36 months and the project is valid for a maximum of 50 years starting on July 14.