News
Mekong Development Zones Facilitating Illicit Activities: Report
Economic development zones in mainland Southeast Asia have contributed to a range of illicit activities, including drug trafficking and wildlife trafficking, according to a new report from C4ADS, a U.S.-based research organization. The report, which analyzes 110 economic development zones (EDZs) in the five lower Mekong nations – ...
Sebastian Strangio
Big steel manufacturer fined VND565 million, forced to settle pollution
Thai Nguyen has wrapped up an inspection over the outdoor mountain of hazardous waste. Tisco’s waste was mostly from its two subsidiaries – Luu Xa steel mill and the pig iron mill. The former makes ingot steel with the capacity of 450,000 tons per annum, using ...
Doan Bong
Wildlife trafficking in Vietnam remains complex: report
The report was based on a survey carried out across 20 provinces and cities nationwide in 2019-20. Vietnam is viewed as a hotspot for transportation and consumption of wildlife products of the world. Despite the Government’s efforts to prevent the illegal trade after COVID-19 broke out, ...
VNA
Foreign Secretary visits Vietnam to strengthen bilateral ties and cooperation on trade and global challenges
In his second visit within 9 months, the Foreign Secretary has met counterpart Vietnamese Foreign Minister, Minister Bui Thanh Son, to discuss the implementation of the UK-Vietnam Strategic Partnership Agreement, in addition to subjects such as the global health security, climate change and Myanmar. The visit ...
FCDO Communication Team
Vietnam: LGBTQ+ Pride in the Time of Coronavirus
The gay former Icelandic Prime Minister Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir said, “It is absolutely imperative that every human being’s freedom and human rights are respected, all over the world.” Sigurðardóttir’s message, delivered while defending LGBTQ+ rights at a 2014 Pride festival, would certainly have been welcomed by ...
Hugh Bohane
Cambodia Charges Eco-Activists With Conspiracy, Royal Defamation
Cambodian and international rights advocates have condemned the harsh charges imposed on three 20-something environmental activists in the country earlier this week, the latest sign of the Cambodian government’s determination to stamp out the last traces of independent political advocacy. On June 16, Sun Ratha, 26, ...
Sebastian Strangio
Fishermen call for river pollution to be addressed
Members of a large fishing community in Naxab village, Naxaithong district, Vientiane, are appealing to authorities to address the problem of farms dumping animal waste in the Khon River, which they say is creating a threat to fishing. The polluted river affects some 1,648 people who ...
Times Reporters
Thailand greenlights quarantine-free travel model for Phuket
Thai authorities on Tuesday (Jun 22) greenlighted a pilot model for quarantine-free travel to ultra-popular beach destination Phuket, a first step towards the tourist-hungry kingdom’s goal of resuscitating its pandemic-battered economy. Thailand has imposed strict restrictions on visitor arrivals in order to stem COVID-19 infections, but ...
Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and China begin Mekong River patrol
Law enforcement authorities from China, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand joined forces Tuesday (June 23) for the 106th Mekong River joint patrol. Three Chinese vessels departed from Jingha Port in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture in southwest China’s Yunnan Province for the patrol. Law enforcement officers from the four ...
Min of Agriculture responds to allegations of loss of fisheries
The Ministry of Agriculture yesterday responded to criticism and accusations by opposition groups and the media that the decline and loss of fish production is due to the incompetence of the Ministry, the Fisheries Administration and local officials. The criticism also raised concerns over illegal deforestation, ...
Son Minea