Vietnam news in brief - June 14

Vietnamese village in South Korea proposed to become a national project

South Korea's North Gyeongsang Province is proposing to promote the K-Vietnam Valley in Bonghwa District as a cultural cooperation project between the two countries. The project was conceived as a gathering place for overseas Vietnamese living in the district. The local authorities expect to expand it to the national level.

Bonghwa District is home to a community of the Ly Hoa Son (Lee Hwasan) clan. These people are descendants of Ly Long Tuong, a prince of the Ly Dynasty who ruled Vietnam between the 11th and 13th centuries.

Government calls for new policies to encourage use of electric vehicles

Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai has asked the Ministry of Transport to develop policies to enable transport companies to switch from using fossil fuels to clean energy. The move is part of the Vietnamese government's efforts to fulfill its commitment to reduce emissions and protect the environment.

According to business insiders, the use of electric vehicles helps reduce operating costs by 20-30% compared to the use of fossil fuels.

Ministry of Finance to raise tax on alcoholic beverages to 100% in 2030

The Ministry of Finance has proposed to increase the special consumption tax rates on alcoholic beverages to 100% in 2030. The tax rates are currently set at 65% for beer products and 35-65% for spirits.

In 2025, Vietnam's alcohol and beverage market output is expected to reach over 14 billion liters of beer, alcohol and beverages. Total exports are estimated at US$600 million.

Cashless Day Festival underway in Ho Chi Minh City

A customer in Ho Chi Minh City pays for her purchase with a credit card. Photo: tuoitre.vn

The 2024 Cashless Day Festival, themed "Promoting the Development of Safe Cashless Payments", will be held on June 14-16 on Nguyen Hue Walking Street in Ho Chi Minh City. Visitors and residents will have the opportunity to experience a technology exhibition on payment means and food stalls using cashless payments, as well as smart finance game shows. The promotional program for the 2024 shopping season, which will run from June 15 to September 15, will be announced at the festival's opening ceremony.

Stricter safety rules for mini-apartment buildings

Multi-storey buildings, apartments for sale or rent, or mini-apartment buildings must meet the same safety standards as apartment buildings, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha demanded at a meeting on June 13 to discuss a draft decree to guide certain provisions of the Housing Law. This regulation aims to address current shortcomings, including the recent increase in tenement fires that have caused multiple deaths and property damage, while still maintaining an adequate supply of housing through this residential type that meets the needs of millions.

Vietnam has over 300,000 people in need of corneal transplants

Vietnam currently has over 300,000 people blinded by corneal diseases and in need of corneal transplants, according to information released at the launch event of the Vietnam Tissue Bank and Tissue Donation Association on June 13. Since the first corneal donation in April 2007, the country has received 963 more in over 20 provinces and cities.

First hybrid taxi service launched in Vietnam

Toyota Motor Vietnam, Toyota Dong Sai Gon and Vietnamese taxi company Vinasun jointly launched the first hybrid taxi service in Vietnam on June 12. Under a strategic cooperation agreement aimed at achieving a cleaner and safer transportation system, the Vietnamese taxi company will purchase 806 hybrid vehicles from Toyota Dong Sai Gon dealers in 2024, increasing to 2,000 vehicles by 2025.

This makes Vinasun the first taxi company in Vietnam to use hybrid vehicles. Toyota has sold 10,000 hybrid cars in the Vietnamese market over the past four years.

EU food safety requirement on Vietnamese instant noodles lifted

Production of instant noodles in Vietnam.  Photo: The Hanoi Times

Vietnamese instant noodle exports will be removed from the European Union's food safety inspection program on July 2. The EU will continue to inspect a sample of 20% of instant noodle packages at its border gates.