Vietnam

Thủy điện Sông Ba Hạ xả 16.100 m3/s, lớn nhất từ trước đến nay

VN Express | Local Language | News | Nov. 21, 2025 | Critical Infrastructure Failure

On November 19, the Song Ba Ha Hydropower Plant in Đăk Lăk released a record inflow of 16,160 cubic meters per second (m3/s), surpassing previous historic levels. The Ba River flood level at Củng Sơn station reached 40.31 meters, exceeding alarm level 3 by 5.81 meters and surpassing the 1993 record by 0.41 meters. To manage the inflow, the reservoir operated with 12 spillway gates open. The spillway release was conducted following inter-reservoir operating procedures within technical limits, with continuous monitoring and information shared with local authorities for downstream warnings.

The Central Meteorological and Hydrological Station predicted inflows could reach as high as 20,400 m3/s by the evening, prompting the Sông Ba Hạ Hydropower Joint Stock Company to prepare response plans in coordination with the Provincial Civil Defense. EVN emphasized that spillway discharge was necessary to protect the reservoir’s safety and reduce rapid downstream water concentrations, with advance notices given to local communities.

Provincial officials confirmed that flood regulation complied with operational regulations and noted the inflow exceeded flood peaks recorded since 2009. Downstream flooding resulted from multiple factors including inflows from tributaries and sustained heavy rainfall over a wide area. Flooding was particularly severe in the Đồng Xuân and Tuy An districts, with water levels surpassing historic 1993 levels, leading to evacuations, deployment of rescue units and military support, and the use of boats in inaccessible flood zones.

Heavy rains from November 18 to 19 caused widespread flooding up to 1–2 meters deep in downstream areas, cutting off roads and displacing hundreds of households. A level-4 natural disaster warning was issued, and emergency forces were mobilized for evacuations and rescue operations. The floods also triggered landslides and property damage, and one fatality was reported during the event.

Tuyên bố chung về đối thoại Bộ trưởng Thương mại Việt Nam - Australia

Bao Dien Tu | Local Language | News | Nov. 21, 2025 | UndeterminedTrade Issues and Numbers

On 19 November 2025, Vietnam’s Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyễn Hồng Diên and Australia’s Minister for Trade and Tourism Senator Don Farrell co-chaired the 2nd Meeting of the Ministerial Trade Dialogue in Melbourne. They focused on deepening bilateral economic cooperation within the Vietnam-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The ministers highlighted the robust and long-standing economic partnership, citing growing two-way trade with Vietnam ranking as Australia’s 10th largest merchandise trade partner and Australia as Vietnam’s 10th largest. They noted achievements from joint economic strategies and initiatives designed to enhance trade and investment, targeting priority sectors such as agriculture, education, tourism, and trade promotion.

Progress was welcomed in agricultural market openings, including Vietnamese pomelo and Australian blueberries, alongside efforts to expand market access for other products. The ministers emphasized collaboration on future industry priorities, particularly sustainable mineral supply chains, climate and energy transitions, and investment in critical energy and minerals.

Both governments expressed support for advancing digital trade rules, cooperative digital economy development, and a rules-based global trading system under the WTO. They committed to promoting WTO reform ahead of the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference in 2026 and welcomed Vietnam’s recent accession to the Multilateral Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA). Australia also applauded Vietnam’s role as APEC host in 2027.

The ministers reaffirmed the importance of free trade agreements, including AANZFTA, RCEP, and CPTPP, to foster trade liberalization and inclusive growth. Vietnam’s upcoming chairmanship of CPTPP in 2026 was acknowledged, with plans to build on Australia’s prior leadership to strengthen and expand the agreement, supporting shared prosperity between the two countries. Coordination was agreed to ensure the successful hosting of APEC 2027 by Vietnam.

'Ngưỡng chịu thuế với hộ kinh doanh tối thiểu phải 500 triệu đồng'

VN Express | Local Language | News | Nov. 21, 2025 | UndeterminedTaxes

Professor Hoang Van Cuong proposed raising the taxable revenue threshold for business households from the draft Personal Income Tax law’s suggested 200 million VND to at least 500 million VND. He argued that taxing revenue at 200 million VND is unreasonable because, after deducting costs, the actual profit margin is very low, making personal income tax untenable. Cuong also highlighted that current personal deductions require a much higher income level to justify taxation, estimating that a 2.6 billion VND revenue should be the threshold for tax liability.

Cuong suggested differentiated thresholds, with service businesses beginning taxation at 500 million VND per year and other sectors starting from 1 billion VND or more. Similarly, delegate Pham Van Hoa supported raising the threshold to 500 million VND, stating that the 200 million VND limit does not cover living expenses for typical households. Nguyen Van Chi, Deputy Head of the Economic and Financial Committee, emphasized that a 200 million VND revenue translates to an unrealistically low profit compared to personal deductions and that abolishing the lump-sum tax system would increase tax burdens on business households. She also pointed out the lack of tax exemptions or reductions for business households relative to higher-income individuals and salaried workers.

As of the end of 2024, Vietnam has about 3.6 million business households and individual businesses, with 1.3 million having revenue above the current taxable threshold of 100 million VND per year. Minister Nguyen Van Thang acknowledged the complexity of taxing business households and noted a 64% increase in tax payments following IT applications. He stated the Ministry of Finance is reviewing the taxable threshold to ensure fairness and will consider feedback from delegates before the National Assembly votes on the amended Personal Income Tax Law on December 10, 2025.