Provincial and local governments
Administration
Lao, Vietnamese journalists' associations agree to strengthen ties
The Lao Journalists’ Association and Vietnam Journalists’ Association on October 17 agreed to tighten their cooperation through more discussions and training sessions. The two sides agreed to boost ties during a visit by a Lao delegation in which 11 members of the LJA, led by its ...
30 provinces and cities formulate and implement green growth plan
Viet Nam has honoured its commitment to the Paris climate agreement through diverse activities under the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions framework which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Deputy Minister of MoPI, Nguyen The Phuong, has said at the high-level seminar “Viet Nam Green Growth Strategy: ...
Foreign ministry formalizes public service fees
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has opened a new public services office and formalized fees for a broad group of services often used by foreigners as part of a wider government push to collect revenue and boost efficiency. Foreign Affairs Minister Prak Sokhon issued a statement ...
Laos, Cambodia to benefit from new border checkpoint
A new international border checkpoint linking between the Nong Nok Khiene area in Khong district of Champasak province and the Trapeang Kriel area in Cambodia’s Stung Treng province is scheduled to officially open next month. In fact the border checkpoint has been open to the public ...
Flooding remains severe in HCMC despite huge investment
HCMC is struggling with worsening flood issues despite huge spending on anti-flood projects over the years, said a recent conclusion signed by chairman Nguyen Thanh Phong on illegal land reclamation on the city’s drainage systems. A lot of streets in the city are submerged after heavy ...
Businesses still struggle with administrative procedures
Vietnam has made some strides in administrative reform but local enterprises are still grappling with administrative procedures relating to taxes, sub-licenses and inspections, heard at a meeting between National Assembly deputies and businesses on October 3. Aside from capital, market and technology, the business community needs ...
Vietnam has one of the least powerful passports in Southeast Asia
Faring poorly on an international passport index, Vietnam possesses one of the least powerful passports in the region. Ranking 74th on the World Economic Forum’s Passport Index, Vietnam, together with Cambodia, possesses one of the least powerful passports in Southeast Asia. Citizens from the two countries can visit ...
The changing face of Japan-ASEAN aid
Japan’s foreign aid toolkit has been expanding since Prime Minister Shinzo Abe took office in December 2012, as he seeks to shore up Japan’s influence in South-east Asia in the face of muscle-flexing by China. Japan announced on August 12 that it would give two new large ...
Cambodian Gov’t taps Wing for tax collection
The Cambodian government on 4 March signed an agreement with Wing (Cambodia) aimed at leveraging the company’s mobile money platform and extensive nationwide network of agents to facilitate the collection of tax payments. Chou Kimleng, secretary of state with the Ministry of Economy and Finance, said that ...
Thailand kept near bottom of political risk index
Despite a return of political stability after the May 2014 coup, Thailand is kept near the bottom of an Asian political risk index due to its “fundamental divisions” and concerns over the king’s health, a research unit of Fitch Group said. BMI Research gave Thailand the ...