Politics & Laws

PM solidifies ‘strategic' friendship with Belarus after meeting President

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung yesterday met with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who affirmed that Viet Nam is a strategic partner in Southeast Asia for Belarus.

Ha Noi hastens Uncle Ho morals campaign

The campaign to study and follow late President Ho Chi Minh's moral example is to be accelerated, a national conference in Ha Noi heard yesterday.

Top politicians to face landmark National Assembly confidence vote

A vote of confidence on the nation's 49 top official positions will be conducted during the upcoming meeting of National Assembly – the first time since the measure was introduced – and those who poll less than 50 per cent will face a no-confidence vote or be called to resign.

High command

A Royal Thai naval ship led by Commander in chief Niwat Jipoolphol docked in HCM City yesterday, starting a five-day visit to boost co-operation and undertsanding between Viet Nam and Thailand.

Aussies to give $157m for development push

The Australian Government will provide an estimated A$159.1 million (US$157 million) in official development assistance to Viet Nam for the 2013-14 period, the Australian Embassy announced yesterday.

National Assembly to set up own TV channel

The National Assembly (NA) will soon have its own TV channel to provide comprehensive reportage on the activities of the assembly and local People's Councils.

Experts eye housing, real estate law moves

Experts proposed several ideas on how to amend the Housing Law and Real Estate Business Law at a session held yesterday by the Ministry of Construction in HCM City.

President Sang welcomes six newly appointed ambassadors

President Truong Tan Sang yesterday received six incoming ambassadors who presented him with their credentials.

Prime Minister Dung talks trade co-operation in Belarus

Viet Nam and Belarus will maintain an exchange of high-ranking delegations to consolidate political trust which in turn will help boost bilateral ties.

NA Standing Committee debates changes to laws

The National Assembly Standing Committee discussed the amended Bidding Law draft and amendments to the Enterprise Law at a meeting in Ha Noi yesterday.

China's fishing ban violates sovereignty

Viet Nam considers China's unilateral ban on fishing in the East Sea "null and void," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Luong Thanh Nghi.

Law & Justice

Strict inspections to target overloading

Stricter inspections will be conducted to prevent overloaded and oversized vehicles on key national highways till June 15.

Talking law

Foreign investor decree clarified

The Government has recently launched various measures to strengthen weak credit institutions. One of these measures is a draft decree regulating how many shares foreign investors can purchase in Vietnamese credit institutions, listed and non-listed shareholding banks, financial companies and financial leasing companies (collectively VCIs).

Hightlight

Tax code reforms to decipher dependents

People who are dependent on personal income tax payers will be given their own tax codes to avoid people lodging claims as dependents of more than one taxpayer.

Farmer-firm linkups remain elusive despite Gov't efforts

More than 10 years after the Government unveiled policies to encourage tie-ups between farmers and businesses, the proportion of farm produce sold through such contracts remains modest.

Buddha statues highlight heritage