Focus: Growth Beats All Expectations Focus Economic Outlook: The economy in the second quarter of this year showed positive signs of recovery although exchange rate and inflation risks will remain in the coming quarters.
Inside Vietnam
Does The Pay Raise Lift Quality Of Life? The recent increase in salaries and allowances has brought joy to tens of millions of people in Vietnam. However, whether the quality of life will improve as a result of the higher pay hinges on how consumer prices are managed and how personal income tax is deducted for dependents.
Biting Nails: The draft of the amended Law on Value Added Tax, in which the 0% value added tax (VAT) for services provided to non-tariff and export processing zones and the scope of export services eligible for the 0% VAT is narrowed, is causing anxiety among export processing enterprises in Vietnam. For medium- sized export processing enterprises, the absolute figure of the input VAT, if any, might amount to tens of millions of U.S. dollars a year per enterprise.
Fiscal Policy – Tight Or Expansionary? In an interview with The Saigon Times, Dr. Nguyen Quoc Viet, deputy director of the Vietnam Institute for Economic and Policy Research (VEPR), discusses how to take a fiscal policy approach that can help mobilize resources from society in general and tax revenues in particular to create the best conditions for the economy to grow.
Business
The Market Yet To Break Through: After a week of constant correction, the VN-Index of the Hochiminh Stock Exchange briefly crossed the psychological support level of 1,250 points, and ended June 2024 down by 2.9% to 1,245 points.
Seeking Alternatives To River Sand: Addressing the severe shortage of sand for infrastructure projects has become an urgent global priority, presenting significant challenges for Vietnam and other regions worldwide
Living
Tuning In New Land: It is often said that music connects people, and this could not be truer for OMAR EL GENDY, an expatriate singer who has called Vietnam home for the past five years. Each morning, he starts his day with a cup of coffee, accompanied by the slow-tempo melodies of Vietnamese Bolero, a routine that has become second nature to him. In an interview with The Saigon Times, Gendy shares his journey of discovering opportunities to raise his voice in this new land, Vietnam.
Terraced Rice Fields Come Alive In Rainy Season: Every June, as it begins to rain day and night, the terraced rice fields in Vietnam’s northern mountainous provinces come alive with new crops. This period is aptly nicknamed “the season of pouring water into the terraced rice fields.”
Travel
Exploring Co La Waterfall In Cao Bang: Nestled amidst the mountains and forests of northeast Vietnam, Co La Waterfall in Cao Bang captivates visitors with its pristine beauty, fresh air, and picturesque scenery. This natural gem also offers a variety of exciting experiential activities.
Banh Mi Kep Kem: A Taste Of Childhood Memories: Banh mi kep kem (ice cream sandwiches) is a beloved childhood snack for many Vietnamese, blending seemingly unrelated ingredients into a delightful treat that has been a part of daily life for generations.
