Vietnam news in brief - May 28

New border crossings and customs checkpoints on Vietnam-China border

Authorities on May 27 inaugurated three border crossings and customs checkpoints at the Huu Nghi (Vietnam) - Youyi Guan (China) international border gate in the northern province of Lang Son.

The new border crossings are expected to facilitate tourism and trade, and improve customs clearance capacity at the Huu Nghi - Youyi Guan International Border Gate.

Vietnam Airlines becomes first Vietnamese carrier to use clean fuel

Vietnam Airlines made its first flight using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) on May 27, flying an Airbus A321 from Singapore to Hanoi. It is the first Vietnamese carrier to use SAF.

Produced from renewable and sustainably sourced raw materials such as waste oils and fats, green municipal waste and non-food crops, SAF can help reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80%. This is why Vietnam Airlines is committed to using SAF despite its high cost. Currently, the price of this fuel is 2-3 times higher than traditional fossil fuels.

Aircraft operated by Vietnam Airlines.  Photo: The Hanoi Times

Vietnam ranks 4th in world motorcycle consumption

Vietnam ranks fourth among countries with the largest motorcycle fleet (McD). Some 660,459 units were sold in the first quarter of 2024, according to statistics from Motorcycles Data.

However, the organization reported that Vietnam's overall motorcycle market was in decline in the first quarter of 2024, with scooter usage down 5.8% and manual and manual transmission  down 16.1% compared to the same period last year.

India is currently the world's largest motorcycle market, with sales of more than 4.5 million units in the first quarter, up 20.6% year-on-year.

FDI capital increase up in May

The Ministry of Planning and Investment's Foreign Investment Agency reported that the capital increase of foreign direct investment in May was the highest in the first months of 2024, reaching over US$800 million.

This is an impressive figure compared to previous months. The realized capital for FDI projects in January-May continued to send a positive signal, with an increase of 7.8% compared to the same period last year, equivalent to around $8.25 billion. This suggests that despite the current difficulties, foreign investors remain confident in Vietnam's long and medium-term growth prospects.

Hanoi issues over 10,000 work permits for foreign workers

The Hanoi Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs issues over 10,000 work permits for foreign workers every year, including new issuance, renewal and confirmation of non-permit requirements. From June 1 to December 31, 2024, people's committees of districts, towns and cities will be authorized to handle some procedures related to work permits for foreigners.

Hanoi to limit apartment occupants to about four people

Hanoi will limit the number of occupants living in an apartment to about four people or based on the corresponding room structure and area, according to the latest requirements of the Hanoi People's Committee.

The Municipal Department of Planning and Architecture is required to report to the People's Committee on how to apply this regulation.

New Ha Long Bay cruise tour launched in June
The northern province of Quang Ninh will launch a new cruise tour in June that will take tourists through the four main natural heritage areas of Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay. With a three-day and two-night trip, travelers will, for the first time, enjoy the best scenery in the two bays and visit five out of seven ancient fishing villages.

The tour is among the 62 tourism products that Quang Ninh offers this Summer.

Five-year-olds to enjoy free education this year
Five-year-old children will enjoy free tuition if they attend public kindergartens in the 2024-2025 academic year, according to a recent directive issued by the Ministry of Education and Training. The decision is in line with the government decree published in August 2021, which regulates tuition fees for all levels of education for 2021-2026.