Vietnam news in brief - February 3

Remittances to Vietnam reach US$16 billion in 2023

Delegates attend the ceremony to honor exemplary overseas Vietnamese individuals and groups. Photo: Tan Tien/The Hanoi Times

Vietnam received US$16 billion in remittances in 2023, up 32% from 2022, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced at a ceremony to honor exemplary overseas Vietnamese individuals and groups in Ho Chi Minh City on February 2. Remittances to Ho Chi Minh City reached nearly $9.5 billion, up 43.3% year-on-year, the highest growth rate in the past decade.

Vietnam's public workforce reduced in eight years

From 2015 to December 15, 2023, a total of 84,140 civil servants were streamlined, including 5,740 at the central level and 78,400 at the local level. This was reported at the 7th meeting of the Government's Administrative Reform Steering Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on February 2. The Prime Minister stressed the need to rearrange internal organizational structures, streamline the workforce, and improve the quality of officials and civil servants to increase operational efficiency.

Hanoi firm participates in Hue city tour market

Hue sightseeing coach. Photo: Hanoimoi newspaper

From February 4, the Hanoi Passenger Transport Joint Stock Company will operate a bus service for visitors to explore famous tourist attractions in Hue City. The company is planning another bus tour in the future.

Nha Trang Bay to host high-tech aquaculture on Tri Nguyen Island

The Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee has submitted a proposal to the Prime Minister for approval of a high-tech marine aquaculture pilot project involving a 13-hectare farming area on the western part of Tri Nguyen Island in Nha Trang Bay, the central province of Khanh Hoa. The project might cost VND1 trillion (US$41 million) until 2029, from the provincial budget, fish farmers, and credit institutions.

Vietnamese gold consumption down in 2023

Vietnam's gold consumption fell 6% in 2023, according to the World Gold Council, consuming 55.5 tons in 2023 compared to 59.1 tons in 2022. Both gold bars and coins saw a slight decrease of 2% year-on-year.

However, gold investment in Vietnam increased significantly in Q4/2023 due to rising prices, while demand for gold jewelry fell sharply by 16%, the fourth consecutive quarter of year-on-year declines, influenced by slower economic growth and relatively high inflation in the region.

15,500 people found jobs in Hanoi in January

In Hanoi, 15,511 workers found jobs in January, up 12.6% year-on-year, according to the Hanoi Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs. Of these, 6,349 jobs were created with the city's support, 1,290 workers found jobs through interviews, and 7,872 workers secured jobs through the export of labor and other channels. Hanoi aims to employ 165,000 workers by 2024.