The Government purchased one million tonnes of winter-spring rice from February 20 to May 20 for temporary stockpiling in the Mekong Delta. The Government also covered 100 per cent interest rate on loans for businesses to buy rice for a three-month term.
Definition of childhood under debate
The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) has proposed raising the age limit defining a child from 16 to 18 in its draft amendments to the Law on Protection, Care and Education of Children issued in 2004.
Border first line of defence against bird flu
Vietnamese authorities are still dealing with two old types of flu, H5N1 and H1N1, while having to address the threat of a new type, H7N9, spreading from China. Viet Nam News spoke to stakeholders about Viet Nam's responses.
Enterprises call for cuts in business tax
Ongoing revisions of the Corporate Income Tax Law have brought back into the spotlight two demands businesses have been making for a long time. First, the sector seeks further tax reductions; second, it wants the Government to remove the limit on how much businesses can spend on advertising. Viet Nam News reporter Le Quynh Anh spoke to relevant stakeholders about this topic.
New tolls add to drivers' financial concerns
The Ministry of Transport is working on a project to upgrade National Highway 1A by 2016 and install 21 toll stations along its 1,700km length.
Social housing loans step in right direction
Viet Nam News reporters Bich Huong and Nguyen Ngoc get opinions on a draft circular of the State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV) about lending to low-income house renters and hire-purchasers, plus investors in social housing projects, at a yearly interest rate of 6 per cent for three years.
Debate rages on nation's role in rhino crisis
Viet Nam News reporter Le Quynh Anh discussed Viet Nam's role in the rhino poaching crisis in South Africa with parties involved in a recent meeting on the future of rhinos.
Constitution changes ‘advance human rights'
The Vietnamese public has been invited to comment on an amended draft of the country's constitution. Viet Nam News reporters Phuoc Buu and Xuan Hiep spoke to people of varying ages and occupations about the draft.
Private universities seek better treatment
The private sector, tertiary education system is under threat. There are currently 83 private colleges and universities in Viet Nam, at which 17 per cent of the country's undergraduate and postgraduate students attend. Few of the institutions have achieved their enrolment quotas this year, however, with most achieving only 30-60 per cent of their targets. Many face the risk of closure.
Metro station near lake causes concern
The Ha Noi People's Committee last week gave a green light to a metro station near Hoan Kiem (Returned Sword) Lake, inciting a heated discussion on the potential impacts on one of the most sacred areas of the city. Viet Nam News reporter Le Quynh Anh spoke to both the investor and experts.
Party gets serious about climate change
The Central Committee of the Viet Nam Communist Party is developing a resolution to respond to climate change and protect the country's environment and natural resources. Viet Nam News reporter Le Quynh Anh sat down with three experts to discuss the importance of this document to Viet Nam, a nation beset by pollution and vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

Hightlight

Disabled speaker inspires audience Disabled speaker inspires audience

More than 2,500 people attended a talk by Nick Vujicic, an inspirational speaker without arms and legs, at the White Palace Conference Centre in HCM City's Tan Binh District yesterday.

Crane accident leads to major power cut Crane accident leads to major power cut

A two-hour power failure caused by an incident on the 500kV north-south transmission line hindered road traffic in many southern provinces and HCM City yesterday afternoon.

Spread of hand-foot-mouth disease concerns hospitals Spread of hand-foot-mouth disease concerns hospitals

Hand-Foot-Mouth disease (HFMD) is now at its peak, having infected a total of 796 children in HCM City in April, an increase of 127 per cent against the same period last year.

US steel producers make dumping claim US steel producers make dumping claim

After welded steel pipes and steel wire garment hangers, now welded stainless pressure pipe from Viet Nam continue to face charges of dumping in the US.