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AT A GLANCE

VIETNAM TOPS ASIA-PACIFIC WORKPLACE WELLNESS RANKING
Workplace well-being is on an upwards in workforces around Asia-Pacific on both the individual and
trajectory throughout Asia-Pacific, with organizational levels. While individuals are self-aware, able to
Vietnam leading the region with a score of build workplace relationships, and likely to encourage workforce
65.09, according to a recent study by Asia’s participation, they may need support with stress management,
largest mental health care company, Intellect. Other leading emotional regulation, and mental well-being. For organizations
countries included Thailand (65.01), the Philippines (64.44), in these countries, organizational support is on the rise though
Malaysia (64.22), Singapore (63.98), Japan (63.77), China (63.61), companies may need support in implementing employee well-
and Indonesia (63.55). Meanwhile, countries such as India, being programs, Intellect noted. The three sectors with the highest
Australia, Taiwan (China), and South Korea were below average, organizational health scores were healthcare and pharmaceuticals
though there is potential for further development, the report (67.48), government and non-profit (66.81), and education (65.76).
found. The study uncovered strengths and areas of improvement All of these are above the overall benchmark score of 63.85.

LABOR EXPORTS 36,000 WORKERS HEAD ABROAD IN Q1
More than 35,900 Vietnamese workers were sent abroad under overseas under non-profit programs in
contracts in the first quarter of 2024, according to the Department recent times and provided recruitment and
of Overseas Labor at the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social related information to workers, especially
Affairs (MoLISA). Japan and Taiwan (China) continued to be the those in communes facing extreme diffi-
largest recipients of Vietnamese guest workers, with other desti- culties. It has also promoted negotiations with partners such as
nations including South Korea, China, Singapore, Romania, Thai- South Korea, Germany, and Australia to expand labor exports. In
land, Macau (China), Saudi Arabia, and Hungary. Last year, over 2024, MoLISA aims to send 125,000 workers abroad, and hopes
159,000 workers went abroad for employment, surpassing the to have 120,000-143,000 people working in foreign countries every
annual target by 33.3 per cent and the highest figure recorded in year, who will send home remittances totaling around $3.5-4
the past decade. MoLISA has worked to send more workers billion annually.

AI DEVELOPMENT NATIONAL STRATEGY TO BE APPROVED
The Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) has proposed the embarked on the building of a legal corridor
government approve a national strategy on AI research, development, to facilitate the industry, especially data-
and application to 2030. The move is to give a boost to Vietnam’s AI related issues. On February 2, the government
industry, turning the country into a bright spot in the field, Deputy approved a national data strategy that serves
Director of MoST’s Department of High Technology Tran Anh Tu as a foundation for the development of the domestic AI industry
said at the ministry’s quarterly press conference on April 10. Vietnam and sets a target of having all national data centers, regional data
should not stand outside of global trends in utilizing AI in socio- centers, and national centers for large data storage and high per-
economic development, he explained, adding that the ministry has formance computing around the country connect together.

DEVELOPMENT PLANS APPROVED LOCALLY LOGISTICS SERVICES
As of April 8, 45 of Vietnam’s 63 centrally- management of the logistics sector. Speaking at the opening of
run provinces and cities had approved their the meeting, AFT Director Nguyen Anh Son said that with a
own logistics service development plans, special geopolitical location in a dynamic development area of the
while 47 had reported on the implementa- world, along with increasingly deep integration with the global
tion of logistics activities over the last year. Nine have held confer- economy, Vietnam has become an attractive destination for
ences to promote investment and develop provincial logistics logistics activities in the Asia-Pacific region. He quoted a World
services, and five have organized logistics training for local officials. Bank report published last year as saying that Vietnam ranked
The Agency of Foreign Trade (AFT) at the Ministry of Industry 43rd in the logistics efficiency index rankings, putting it in the top
and Trade held a meeting in early April with provincial and 5 in ASEAN following Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand and in
municipal departments of industry and trade concerning State the same position as the Philippines.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AFFORESTATION PROJECT ADJUSTED

The 4,040 ha of forests planted and restored in the first phase of the Hue. Under the project, 37,956 ha of protective
World Bank-funded Forest Sector Modernization and Coastal forests are being reviewed and protected to
Resilience Enhancement Project will receive further care, as the complete protection fee payments, and the
Prime Minister has issued a decision on adjustments to the project’s entire area of protective forests will be handed
investment. According to Mr. Pham Hong Vich, Deputy Head of the over to localities after 2026 for further management and protection.
Management Board of Forestry Projects at the Ministry of Agriculture The project will directly contribute to fulfilling the objectives set out
and Rural Development, the decision will boost resilience in coastal in the sustainable forestry development program for 2021-2025,
areas in the eight project localities - Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Thanh while improving the resilience of vulnerable areas, covering about
Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, and Thua Thien- 900 km of coastline in the eight localities, according to Mr. Vich.

en.vneconomy.vn April 15, 2024 Vietnam Economic Times 5