Former publishing company chairman arrested for bidding violations
Nguyen Duc Thai, former chairman of the wholly state-owned Vietnam Education Publishing House, was arrested on Monday for alleged bidding violations in supply of printing paper.
Thai and Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy, former head of marketing planning at the firm were detained by the Ministry of Public Security's investigative agency for further investigation on charges of abusing positions and powers while on official duty.
On the same day, the police detained Dinh Quoc Khanh, former deputy head of the company's marketing planning, and To My Ngoc, chairman of the Phung Vinh Hung Paper Joint Stock Company, on charges of violating bidding regulations causing serious consequences.
Initial investigation results show that Thai, Khanh, Thuy and Ngoc violated the laws on ensuring fairness and transparency in bidding activities to supply printing paper.
The investigative agency concluded that the defendants' collusion has caused particularly serious damage to state property.
After winning the bid, Thai and Thuy "received material benefits" from Ngoc, the police said.
One month ago, Thuy was arrested in another case- the Viet A Company Covid test kit scam - on charges of taking advantage of influence over people with positions and powers for personal gains.
Thuy was found to have influenced some leaders of a number of ministries and state agencies to help Viet A Company produce and trade Covid-19 test kits for illicit profits.
The wholly state-owned Vietnam Education Publishing House has a charter capital of VND596 billion ($25.25 million), with the Ministry of Education and Training as its governing body.
In 2021, the company printed more than 164 million textbooks, earning a total revenue of VND1,828 billion ($77.44 million), of which over 97% came from book publishing activities. Its profit after tax was VND287 billion ($12.16 million), an all-time high.
At the end of last year, the Government Inspectorate determined that there were many "abnormalities, which did not ensure fairness and economic efficiency" in the company choosing contractors to supply textbooks.
Checking some of the printing paper supply contracts between the company and private firm Phung Vinh Hung, the Government Inspector found that the average price of printing paper is 1.7 times higher than the price of paper directly imported by the former, or a difference of about VND210 billion ($8.9 million).
- Read More
Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat airport terminals to be completed in 2025: investor ACV
The T3 passenger terminal at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City will be completed by April 30, 2025, two months ahead of schedule, while the expansion of the T2 passenger terminal at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi is slated for completion next year.
Companies - Mon, December 23, 2024 | 8:23 am GMT+7
Vietnam’s benchmark VN-Index to reach 1,400-1,420 points in 2025: broker
The VN-Index, representing the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE), may hit 1,400-1,420 points in 2025, driven by an 18% market-wide profit growth and a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 12.5-13x, according to broker MBBank Securities (MBS).
Finance - Sun, December 22, 2024 | 7:52 pm GMT+7
HCMC's first metro line officially operational after nearly 2 decades
The first urban railway line in Ho Chi Minh City, named Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien, officially started commercial operations on Sunday after nearly two decades of waiting.
Infrastructure - Sun, December 22, 2024 | 2:17 pm GMT+7
Vietnam's 2025 GDP to grow 6.5% on robust infrastructure investment, consumer spending recovery: VinaCapital
Domestic factors, including a ramp-up in Government infrastructure spending, a revival of the real estate market, and a recovery of consumer spending, will help sustain Vietnam's GDP growth at a circa 6.5% pace next year, in-line with the National Assembly’s official target and with 2024 GDP growth, write Michael Kokalari, chief economist at VinaCapital.
Consulting - Sun, December 22, 2024 | 2:00 pm GMT+7
Vietnam shipping, seaport stock rally driven by rosy outlook in 2025
Many shipping and port stocks have risen sharply since November on an optimistic outlook for the industry driven by increasing throughput and a shift in container shipping alliances in 2025.
Companies - Sun, December 22, 2024 | 10:00 am GMT+7
Singapore’s Platinum Victory seeks to raise stake in Vietnam’s REE to nearly 45%
Singaporean fund Platinum Victory Pte. Ltd. has registered to buy another 16.8 million shares in Ho Chi Minh City-based utility firm Refrigeration Electrical Engineering Corporation (REE), aiming to increase its ownership to nearly 45%.
Finance - Sun, December 22, 2024 | 9:29 am GMT+7
1.8 km road connecting Lach Huyen Port terminals to be built in northern Vietnam
The Hai Phong Economic Zone Management Board has taken a significant step forward in enhancing infrastructure around Lach Huyen Port by establishing a council to appraise the environmental impact assessment for the road connecting terminals No. 3 to No. 6.
Economy - Sun, December 22, 2024 | 8:00 am GMT+7
Hanoi TikToker internationally wanted for involving in multi-billion-dollar scam
Hanoi police have issued an international arrest warrant for Le Khac Ngo, known as "Mr. Hunter," a key accomplice in a recently-dismantled massive foreign exchange and securities fraud ring.
Society - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 10:57 pm GMT+7
Unlocking Phu Quoc’s potential to become the 'Hawaii of the East'
Leading global tourism companies have remarked that Phu Quoc has "yet to receive the recognition it deserves," despite its impressive and unexpected growth rate.
Travel - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 7:20 pm GMT+7
Thai central bank maintains policy interest rate at 2.25%
The Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) has said it backs the decision by the Bank of Thailand, the country's central bank, to maintain the policy interest rate at 2.25%, considering the move as suitable for a reviving economy.
Southeast Asia - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 5:43 pm GMT+7
Vietnam's military-run tech giant Viettel strikes big deals at international defence expo
Subsidiaries of Military Industry and Telecommunications Group (Viettel) signed a string of significant contracts with major global partners during the first two days of the Vietnam International Defence Expo 2024 in Hanoi.
Companies - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 5:36 pm GMT+7
Taiwan’s Wistron acquires 37ha land lot in northern Vietnam for expansion
Taiwan-headquartered Wistron, a top electronics provider and an Apple supplier, will further its investment in Vietnam’s northern province of Ha Nam by acquiring another 37.1-hectare land lot.
Companies - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 2:08 pm GMT+7
VAFIE seeks to promote sci-tech development, intellectual property policies
The Vietnam’s Association of Foreign Invested Enterprises (VAFIE) aims to enhance policies for the development of science, technology, and intellectual property, creating a more conducive investment environment.
Companies - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 1:59 pm GMT+7
Vietnamese dong likely to depreciate 3% in 2025: VinaCapital
The Vietnamese dong is likely to depreciate 3% in 2025 on anticipation that the US Dollar/DXY Index will finish 2025 nearly unchanged, says Michael Kokalari, chief economist at Vietnam's leading fund manager VinaCapital.
Economy - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 11:23 am GMT+7
First luxury railway journey across Vietnam features Indochine architecture
PYS Travel has launched the first luxury railway journey across Vietnam named Sjourney, marking a new milestone in the railway tourism sector.
Travel - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 10:09 am GMT+7
Vietnam among 40 most beautiful countries: US publication
Vietnam has secured the 36th position in the ranking of the 40 most beautiful countries in 2024 in a testament to its undeniable charm and appeal, according to US News & World Report.
Travel - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 10:04 am GMT+7