HÀ NỘI — The Vietnam Banks Association (VNBA) has proposed a 2 per cent value-added tax (VAT) reduction for credit institutions because the institutions are currently facing difficulties, with their non-performing loans and potentially risky debts tending to increase significantly. The VNBA made the move last week as, under a draft policy on VAT reduction for the first six months of next year, the credit institutions do not feature in the list of commodities and services that will receive the benefit. According to the VNBA, it agrees with the content of the draft policy to reduce VAT by 2 per cent in the first half of 2024, but proposes credit institutions be added to the list of commodities and services that will receive the 2 per cent VAT cut. According to the VNBA, the operations of credit institutions are currently very difficult. To create conditions for the institutions to have more resources to support firms and invest in digital transformation technology, ensuring security and safety in operations, the VNBA therefore has proposed adding the credit institutions to the list of commodities and services that will receive a 2 per cent VAT reduction next year.

Google announces that it will offer 40,000 scholarships for Vietnamese students at an event held within the framework of the 2023 Vietnam International Innovation Exhibition (VIIE 2023). (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Google on October 28 announced that it will offer 40,000 scholarships for Vietnamese students, and introduced three additional training courses in its programme to support Vietnam’s digital transformation, as part of the Google Career Certificates programme. The announcement was made an event held within the framework of the 2023 Vietnam International Innovation Exhibition (VIIE 2023) held by the Ministry of Planning and Investment from October 28-November 1. The Google Career Certificates programme, launched in 2022, is a non-profit project by Google in Vietnam, sponsored by the National Innovation Centre (NIC). The programme is part of a series of projects and activities by Google to enhance the digital skills and knowledge of the Vietnamese workforce.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has asked the Airports Corporation of Vietnam and airlines to build their plan on flights from and to Dien Bien Airport. He pledged support for HCM City and Turin to carry out specific cooperative activities, thus promoting the multi-faceted cooperation between Vietnam and Italy. She promised to actively work with relevant Vietnamese agencies and accompany Vietnam in its socio-economic development, especially in areas suggested by the PM. Emphasising that Vietnam is a particularly attractive market for cooperation and development of the semiconductor industry, Neuffer said that the SIA has been studying cooperation and investment opportunities in the field in Vietnam. Plastics network leverages innovation to tackle single-use pollutionInnovative ways to reduce plasticsa pollution took center stage at the Plastic Innovation Hub Vietnam (Hub Vietnam) Demo Day 2023 held in Ho Chi Minh City on October 27.

Per country breakdown, the Republic of Korea remained the biggest source of visitors to Việt Nam with 2.9 million holidaymakers, followed by China. The two markets accounted for 42 per cent of the total number of tourists to Việt Nam.

by Nguyễn Thiên AnhIt is understandable that most parents love and worry about their adult children regardless of their age, but sometimes this love turns into a form of control, causing frustration for their children. Nguyễn An Khánh, 30, tells Việt Nam News that this is a part of the culture of Asian parenting, and thus is something that she just accepts. Her parents can also be very controlling, and she feels envious of her friends when she sees that they have more freedom. This is not only a problem in Việt Nam, but is a problem around the world. After all, love should not be about controlling, it should be about caring and bringing happiness into other people’s lives.

In 2022, Ontario province's exports to Vietnam reached 173 million CAD, more than doubling over the past 10 years. According to a study on gender and migration by Dr Dang Nguyen Anh of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, Vietnam placed second in Southeast Asia in terms of international migration. A wide range of activities are also being held in Ha Long city to celebrate the locality’s founding anniversary. In early 2024, the HKUST will invite a number of graduates from the University of Natural Sciences – Vietnam National University Hanoi to conduct joint short-term researches in the KHUST, he said. They will be selected by seven training institutions namely the Vietnam National University - Hanoi, University of Industrial Economics and Technology, Hanoi Medical University; Hanoi University of Civil Engineering; Hue University; Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy.

By the end of 2022, Việt Nam was expected to have around 2,000,000 electric motorbikes and 11,000 electric cars in operation. This would include the provision of charging infrastructure and battery solutions, which are crucial for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. Hiệp's statement highlights the potential benefits of increasing the use of hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles, and pure electric vehicles to reduce carbon emissions in the transportation industry. This indicates a focus on developing specialised facilities that can handle hazardous waste in an environmentally sound manner. The strategy also sets specific targets for the collection, transportation and treatment of hazardous waste.

HCM CITY — The plastics industry is likely to reduce imports of raw materials in the coming years due to increased domestic production, according to the Việt Nam Plastics Association. The plastics industry has achieved growth of 12-15 per cent a year for the last five years, Hồ Đức Lam, chairman of the association, said. They jumped to 7.1 million tonnes in 2022 from 5.5 million in 2018. Võ Tân Thành, deputy chairman of the Việt Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the plastics industry, with its high growth rate in recent years, is one of the Government’s priority sectors. With new policies related to the circular economy and sustainable development, the plastics industry nevertheless faces many challenges along with opportunities, he said.

Plast Vietnam Co has inaugurated a 70,000sq.m biaxially oriented plastic film production plant in the southern province of Bình Dương. The factory's core products include biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) and biaxially oriented polyethylene trephthalate (BOPET) firms, both serving as essential raw materials for flexible packaging industry in a wide range of applications such as household products, agriculture, and pet food. This steadfast commitment to both industrial expansion and ecological responsibility underscores our dedication to advancing Việt Nam's flexible packaging industry towards sustainable development,” he said. In terms of production capacity, the initial BOPP production line is geared to deliver 30,000 tonnes annually. Plast PLC – South East Asia’s largest BO film producer, and an associate company of SCGC, under SCG Chemicals (SCGC).

Vietnamese men football team secures the 94th place in FIFA’s world latest rankings (Photo:vff.org.vn)Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnamese men football team secured the 94th place in FIFA’s world latest rankings, 15th in Asia, and first in Southeast Asia. China jumped one place, ranking 79th. In Southeast Asia, Vietnam topped the ranking, followed by Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Brunei, and Timor Leste. Vietnamese football team (white) in a match against the Republic of Korean team (Photo:vff.org.vn)According to FIFA, 165 international matches were held in October 2023. The next FIFA’s ranking will be released on November 30./.

Politics Vietnamese, Lao public security ministries step up cooperation Minister of Public Security General To Lam on October 26 hosted a reception for the out-going head and deputy head of the Representative Agency of the Lao Ministry of Public Security in Vietnam, Phayvanh Sitthi Chanh and Sakda Xayyasongkham. Politics Vietnam calls for more OECD’s policy recommendations Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son on October 26 suggested the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) give more policy recommendations to Vietnam, focusing on such areas as global minimum tax, carbon emission reduction, environmental protection, high technology, semiconductor manufacturing, digital transformation, and AI. Politics ☀️ Morning digest October 27 The following is a list of selected news summaries reported last night by the Vietnam News Agency. Politics Int’l conference on East Sea promotes mutual understanding: experts The international conference on the East Sea, which was held by the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam on October 25-26, plays an important role in promoting international community’s joint efforts to maintaining peace, prosperity and sustainable development in the East Sea, according to experts.

Rhodes stressed that as a young person in the 1960s, he admired Vietnam and its people for their resistance war and was proud of Newhaven’s links to President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam. Borrell went on pledging to support Vietnam within the JETP framework focusing on just energy transition and sustainable development. In response, the Commissioner for Climate Action stated that the EU consistently supports Vietnam in its green transition efforts, and asked Vietnam to support the EU's initiatives at the COP28. According to Khai, Vietnam wishes to end negotiations on a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). He expressed belief that more Swiss businesses would come to Vietnam and more high-end products from Vietnam would make inroads into the Swiss market.

– Swimmer Le Tien Dat brought the first gold medal to Vietnam in the men's 100 metre breaststroke SB5 event on October 27 during the ongoing fourth Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China.As of 10am on October 27, the Vietnamese sport delegation to the Games have won one gold, seven silver and six bronze medals, ranking 20th overall.This year, Vietnam’s goal is to win three to four gold medals and to have as many as possible athletes qualified for the 2024 Paris Paralympics.Vietnam's sport delegation to the 2023 Asian Para Games comprises 71 members, including 48 athletes who will compete in seven sports of track and field, swimming, weightlifting, chess, table tennis, badminton and Taekwondo./.

HÀ NỘI — Vietnamese citizens in Israel are advised to be prepared for the scenario of evacuation of themselves and their assets to a third country or returning to Việt Nam, amid worsening conflict in the Middle East region. This is part of the advisory for Vietnamese nationals in Israel by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Citizens are asked to avoid travelling to Israel unless necessary, spokesperson for the foreign ministry Phạm Thu Hằng said on Thursday during the press briefing in Hà Nội. So far, Vietnamese citizens currently residing in Israel remain safe, she stated. Vietnamese citizens in need of assistance can contact the Vietnamese Embassy in Israel at the following phone numbers: +972-50-818-6116, +972-52-727-4248, +972-50-994-0889, or the Citizen Protection Hotline of the Consular Department at +84 981 84 84 84.

Minister Landsbergis assessed Vietnam as one of the potential markets in Southeast Asia, suggesting Vietnam create more favourable conditions for Lithuania’s agricultural products such as beef, poultry, eggs, and fertilizer to enter the Vietnamese market. HCM City to hold special friendship concertA special friendship concert will be held at the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music on October 28, according to the Ho Chi Minh City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera (HBSO). The event is organised by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations of Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam - America Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh City and the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music. A book on this work will be published in both Vietnam and Cambodia in the Vietnamese and Khmer languages. Vietnam – Argentina ties increasingly intensifiedThe friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Argentina have been intensified and developed robustly over the past 50 years, Chairwoman of the Argentina – Vietnam Culture Institute (ICAV) Poldi Sosa Schmidt has told the Vietnam News Agency.