1. Press Day4June 20-26, 2016
By Thanh Xuan
The business community has
hailed the media for its active
role in shaping a healthier busi-
ness and investment environ-
ment. In the meantime, the
media has been asked to fine
tune its self so that journalist
should never been a threat to
good business practices.
Pro-business voices
Earlier this year, eight
local dairy goods importers,
producers and traders had a
lucky escape when the Gen-
eral Department of Customs
(GDT) handed down a sen-
tence on tax arrears totalling
an estimated VND700 billion
(US$31.1 million).
Asked to pay extra value-
added tax and import tariffs for
material imports which had
been miscategorised and there-
fore under-taxed, Vinamilk,
Hanoimilk, FrieslandCampina,
Nutifood, Dai Tan Viet, Hoang
Lam,AChau and The He Moi,
spread word of their petition
against the tax collection deci-
sion to local media outlets.
Almost all local economic
newspapers published the
story on the dairy importers’
appeal to the government
bodies which created a wave
of public discontent over the
GDT’s decision.
As a consequence, the MoF
halted the tax collection pro-
posed by the GDT, which not
only helped dairy firms escape
the tax arrear toll but also aided
them in avoiding a force-ma-
jeure price hike due to increas-
ing operating costs.
This is a typical case of en-
terprises making good use of
the press and highlights the
media’s influence on public
opinion. “Without the help of
the media, the firms’ difficul-
ties wouldn’t have been re-
ported let alone addressed by
government authorities,” said
Vu Tien Loc, chairman of the
Vietnam Chamber of Com-
merce and Industry (VCCI).
The media is acknowledged
by the Vietnamese government
as a critical tool showcasing the
views of businesses on various
issues, including the implemen-
tation of policies and guide-
lines, thus helping improve
State management.
“Media is the bridge link-
ing enterprise and the state,”
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan
Phuc affirmed.
Regarding foreign in-
vested enterprises, the media
is both an invaluable source
of information and useful tool
to build brand names, helping
to promote products and spur
operations.
For instance, foreign insur-
ers mainly count on local
media to change Vietnamese
perspective on their services.
“The limited understanding
of Vietnamese people about the
benefits of life insurance serv-
ices is a challenge for us as a
service provider. However,
through active communication
and the support of local media,
I think that the situation will
certainly improve in the fu-
ture,”Anton Chang, general di-
rector of Taiwanese life insurer
Fubon Life Vietnam told VIR..
Last month saw a criminal
case reversed in Binh Chanh
District, Ho Chi Minh City,
against Café Xin Chao. Viola-
tions made by local police au-
thorities were eventually
uncovered when they prose-
cuted a coffee shop owner –
Nguyen Van Tan, over a
slightly late business registra-
tion and a lack of certification
on food safety.
Nguyen Van Bi, who
leased the land area to Tan,
was also prosecuted for crim-
inal violations. Bi built a leaf
hut to raise ducks, which was
deemed to “pose serious risks
to the public”.
It was fortunate that Tan
and Bi’s miscarriage of jus-
tice was heard and circulated
by the media. Eventually, the
two men were set free while
several officials connected to
the case found themselves on
the receiving end of discipli-
nary action.
“The case of Café Xin
Chao could have gone unno-
ticed but thanks to local media
it got the prime minister’s at-
tention. Café Xin Chao became
symbolic of the country’s
progress in rooting out corrup-
tion and wastefulness,” ob-
served VCCI’s Loc, adding
that his organisation would
continue to co-operate with the
media to contribute inputs in
government policy making.
The increasing pace of re-
forms will improve the busi-
ness environment and benefit
firms as a result. According to
the Global Competitiveness
Report 2015-2016, Vietnam’s
competitiveness index climbed
12 spots from the previous year
to rank 68th amongst 140 coun-
tries and territories. This marks
the third consecutive year-on-
year improvement of the Viet-
namese economic landscape.
Potential risks of the media
Many businesspeople have
voiced concerns on the impar-
tiality of the media and hope
that journalists can respect the
law and report incidents fairly.
They complained that the
media had exacerbated several
crises involving enterprises,
damaging the reputation and
revenues of not only individual
firms but also whole industries.
Some businesses also ad-
mitted that they had been
‘blackmailed’ by journalists.
A PR manager at a US-
backed firm spoke with VIR
that “we have to classify the
media into groups ranging
from “slightly dangerous” to
“extremely dangerous” and
have suitable reactions ready to
deal with each group. We do
not compromise despite always
being on high alert,” said the
anonymous manager.
He also explained that for
businesses subject to European
or US law like his, it’s illegal to
influence anyone with personal
payment or reward. Whenever
businesses decide to break this
code of ethics, there are conse-
quences, including high finan-
cial penalties.
In particular, the US’ For-
eign Corrupt Practices Act
(FCPA) stipulates that pay-
ments to foreign officials, in-
cluding journalists, candidates
and parties are against the law.
No matter how many viola-
tions of businesses and State
management agencies that are
discovered by journalists, it re-
mains necessary for them to
keep their activities lawful and
ethical, so as to create an equal
and transparent climate for the
business community.
Given that an article can
negatively impact a busi-
ness’s operation, Loc warned:
“It is very helpful to disclose
illegal activities, but journal-
ists need to report stories with
faith and justice.”n
Building a win-win
partnership
The media is a powerful tool for business to expand their footprints
Dear staff members of the
Vietnam Investment Review,
To celebrate the 91st anniversary of
Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day on June
21 (1925- 2016), on behalf of the Ministry
of Planning and Investment’s (MPI) leader-
ship, I would like to convey my best wishes
to all of you.
Coinciding with the jubilant atmosphere
of the 91st Vietnam Revolutionary Press
Day celebrations, the Vietnam Investment
Review Group (VIR) is preparing to com-
memorate its own landmark 25th anniver-
sary of its very first issue on September 27,
1991. It has been the great pleasure of both
the MPI and VIR to accompany the country
on its 25-year journey of economic reforms,
development, and integration. In tandem
with the MPI’s development, VIR has con-
tinuously endeavoured to be deserving of its
status as the dedicated press office of the
MPI, and as one of Vietnam’s leading eco-
nomic press agencies.
I appreciate the efforts made by VIR and
its diverse publications. Since its debut
issue, the publication has always been loyal
to its business guidelines and targets, while
delivering in-depth information on the
whole spectrum of economic fields, and sat-
isfying the thirst for information from or-
ganisations and businesses, as well as
domestic and foreign investors.
The Vietnamese and English imprints of
VIR – Dau Tu, Dau Tu Chung Khoan, Dau
Tu Bat Dong San, Vietnam Investment Re-
view, and Timeout – in addition to their on-
line versions, have made assiduous
contributions to the propagation of Party
lines and state policies on socio-economic
development. In this way, the various publi-
cations have promoted Vietnam’s image to
international friends and partners, thus
helping to attract resources from both inside
and outside Vietnam for the development of
the nation.
I would like to underline that in recent
years while the country was still encounter-
ing multiple challenges, and amid ever-in-
creasing competition between diverse forms
of media, VIR has remained steadfast in its
dignity and brand identity, acting as a trust-
worthy forum for the business community,
domestic and foreign investors, and policy-
makers alike.
This is a remarkable and proud achieve-
ment not only for VIR, but also for the MPI.
Keeping this in mind, I am certain and ex-
pect that VIR, as the press arm of the MPI,
will continue to propagate state laws and
policies on investment and business, while
inspiring confidence in Vietnam’s invest-
ment-business environment, and promoting
the country’s image to make foreign in-
vestors feel at home here in Vietnam.
I also expect that VIR will continue to
do well in delivering information about
what the MPI has been doing in a timely and
efficient manner, helping readers to become
more knowledgeable about the process of
expediting solutions to spur social and eco-
nomic development, contributing to create
a society-wide consensus for the successful
implementation of the 12th Party Congress
Resolution.
As Vietnam is witnessing new develop-
ment opportunities. In parallel to the Plan-
ning and Investment sector’s 70 year-plus
development tradition, VIR stands on the
cusp of a new chapter following 25 years of
development. This provides an ideal oppor-
tunity for all VIR staff members to take
stock of their achievements, strengthen their
internal solidarity, and build upon their
qualifications for the accomplishment of all
assigned tasks. In so doing, VIR can reach
new heights in its development trajectory.
Once again, congratulations to all of
you. On this occasion, I would like to say
thanks to all the staff members working at
press agencies across the country for their
active support of the MPI over the years.
Good health, happiness, and success to
you all!
NGUYEN CHI DUNG
Party Central Committee Member
Minister of Planning and Investment
MPI Minister’s Letter
Photo:DucThanh