Central bank urges card issuers to review procedures


Hanoi: The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has issued a directive, demanding commercial banks to review their procedures in issuing and managing bank cards.

The central bank said its top priority is to ensure that security measures are up to standards and the rights of both consumers and banks are protected under existing laws and regulations.

Banks must take all necessary steps to make their fees, interest rates and interest calculation methods available to the public and strictly follow the central bank’s rules. They must also make sure customers are informed about their rights and obligations, especially for credit cards.

Banks were told to review the entire process of handling complaints and reconciliations to ensure customer cases are resolved promptly. The banks are held responsible for contacting their customers about unusual activities, as well as non-activities, regarding their cards. They were also told to work together with Governmental agencies in security matters.

The central bank asked commercia
l banks to implement communication measures, through mass media, communication channels that customers can easily access, to keep them informed of their rights and obligations and to advise them on security measures to protect personal data and bank card information./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

VinFast introduces comprehensive electric vehicle lineup at Bangkok show


Bangkok: At the Bangkok International Motor Show (BIMS) 2024, VinFast Auto has introduced a diverse range of green mobility solutions to Southeast Asia’s leading auto market, including electric scooters, cars and electric pickup truck concept – VF Wild.

The Vietnamese auto maker has also introduced its industry-leading after-sales policy, reaffirming its ambitious determination to expand in Thailand.

Vu Dang Yen Hang, General Director of VinFast Thailand, said the modern and intelligent, green mobility solutions VinFast has brought to BIMS 2024 include the mini-SUV VF 3; the VF 5, VF e34, VF 6, VF 7, VF 8, and VF 9, spanning from A-SUV to E-SUV segments.

The VF Wild, an electric pickup truck concept that has garnered global attention upon its debut at CES 2024, is also on display.

Among these vehicles, the VF 5, VF e34, VF 6, VF 7, VF 8, and VF 9 are all right-hand drive (RHD) versions, tailored for the Thai market. Additionally, VinFast displays its entire range of electric scooters, from entry-level to
premium options, including Evo200 and Evo200 Lite, Feliz S, Klara S, Vento S, and Theon S.

By introducing a green mobility ecosystem of high-quality EVs with modern design and innovative technology to the leading electric vehicle market in the region, VinFast strongly affirms its global manufacturing capability and ability to fully cater to the diverse demand for sustainable mobility.

To make green mobility more accessible to Thai customers, VinFast also has introduced its unparalleled after-sales policy. Specifically, VinFast’s electric vehicles will be covered by a 7-10 year or 160,000-200,000 km warranty (whichever comes first), and an 8-10 year warranty with unlimited miles for the battery.

Hang asserted that with outstanding after-sales service, VinFast will bring exciting electrified experiences, committing to accompany Thai consumers in the green transport revolution.

Addressing the launching ceremony on March 26, Temmy Wiradjaja, a representative of VinFast’s distribution network in Asia, stated t
hat VinFast has signed letters of intent with 15 dealerships across Thailand, demonstrating the company’s dedication to providing comprehensive sales and service support to Thai consumers, ensuring a smooth and convenient customer experience.

He also mentioned that the newly established global charging station development company V-Green of VinFast, will serve as a partner in expanding VinFast’s charging network worldwide, including Thailand.

Expressing her pleasure at the presence of another Vietnamese brand in Thailand, Charge d’Affaires of the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand Bui Thi Hue stated that the embassy will always act as a bridge to connect and accompany domestic businesses in general and VinFast in particular, to bring more Vietnamese products to the Thai and international markets.

As scheduled, VinFast will expand its operations to at least 50 countries worldwide in 2024. In addition to key markets such as the US, Canada, and Europe, VinFast vigorously makes inroads into neighbouring countries
in Asia such as India, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, as well as the Middle East and Africa./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

18th Devotion Awards to reveal winners on March 27


Hanoi: The 18th Cong hien (Devotion) Awards by the Vietnam News Agency’s The Thao and Van Hoa (Sport and Culture) newspaper will announce winners at a ceremony held at the Hanoi Opera House on March 27 evening.

The event will be livestreamed on various channels, including the Facebook Page of the awards, VNews, YAN News, YANTV, YAN Talents, Bestie, and dienanh.net.

The awards have been organised since 2005, with the press nationwide participating in the selection process. From the 17th edition last year, the organising committee expanded its scope to also featuring sports from solely focusing on music as previously.

The new realm covers four categories, namely the sport achievement of the year, athlete of the year, young athlete of the year, and aspiration for devotion.

The traditional awards for music, meanwhile, consist of ten categories, including those for the song, music video, new artist, album, producer, and composer of the year.

This year, apart from the standard award categories and selection
procedures, the organising committee and the voting council will present the Impressive Devotion Award to acknowledge and honour individuals or organisations whose musical activities have left a profound impact and impression on both the general public and industry experts./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Vietnamese blood donors save life of UK patient


HCM City: Three Vietnamese donors with a rare blood type have helped save the life of a 64-year-old British man with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

The man was taken to Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City for emergency treatment on March 17. Doctors said as he suffered the ITP and high blood pressure and was at risk of intracerebral hemorrhage, he needed an urgent platelet transfusion.

The man has a rare blood type of O Rh(-) with just one in 1,000 Vietnamese people having a match while the hospital ran out the platelet at that time. It then called out for donors to roll up their sleeves.

Six donors came, with three suitable identified.

Getting the blood transfusion and suitable treatment, the man made a good recovery and was discharged from hospital on March 23.

He thanked the donors and the medical team for their timely noble act./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

PM calls to boost anti-tuberculosis efforts


Hanoi: Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh recently ordered efforts to be exerted to enhance the tuberculosis (TB) prevention and control efforts.

His recent dispatch in this regard said TB prevention and control activities have achieved commendable results in recent years. On an annual basis, over 100,000 TB patients are detected, with a treatment success rate exceeding 90% and the rate of detection quickly recovering after the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, the annual death toll remains high, at approximately 13,000, while many cases within the community remain undetected. According to the World Health Organization (WHO)’s 2023 report, the TB situation in Vietnam is still severe, ranking 11th out of the 30 countries burdened with the disease and the highest drug-resistant TB rate globally.

The PM urged ministries, sectors, central and local authorities to thoroughly implement the national TB prevention and control strategy. Communications work is considered a long-term and important task for the entire political
system from central to grassroots levels, with the healthcare sector being the cornerstone.

Among the several tasks assigned by the leader, chairpersons of the People’s Committees of centrally-run localities are instructed to strengthen the capacity of the healthcare system in diagnosing and treating the disease, while effectively implementing community-based TB prevention and control measures.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Health is requested to finalise and issue guidelines for the detection of TB, latent TB, and some respiratory diseases in the community and healthcare facilities. Additionally, there is a need to enhance international cooperation and ensure domestic resources, especially medicine./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency