Hanoi: The diversity of religious activities, including festivals, clearly demonstrates that the right to freedom of belief and religion in Vietnam is guaranteed in line with Article 24 of the 2013 Constitution which stipulates that everyone shall enjoy freedom of belief and religion, and can follow any religion or follow none; and the State respects and protects the freedom of belief and of religion, according to insiders.

Statistics from the grassroots culture department under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism showed that there are 7,966 festivals held in Vietnam every year, including 544 religious ones. Religious festivals are held with strict rituals and ceremonies in accordance with religions’ regulations.

Each religion has its own beliefs and system of doctrines, canons, and rituals, which are characteristics to distinguish this religion from the others. However, in Vietnam, although beliefs and religions have different origins and principles of practice, there is no severe conflict. On the
contrary, these religions interact with each other and connect with surrounding communities, which is a unique feature of beliefs in the Southeast Asian country.

It can be said that religious festivals in Vietnam, in addition to possessing sacredness like everywhere else, also have their own strong sense of community.

Important festivals of religions are held on an increasingly large scale, attracting the participation of a large number of followers and people, and receiving respectful congratulations from leaders of the Party, the State, the Vietnam Fatherland Front and the support to ensure social order and safety from local authorities.

Big religious festivals include Vesak Day marking the birth anniversary of the Buddha, Christmas, La Vang Pilgrimage Festival, Kate Festival of Cham Brahman followers, and Cao Dai region’s grand ritual dedicated to the Duc Chi Ton (Supreme Being) or Great Father who they believe to be the ancestor of the world.

According to a survey by the US-based Pew Research Centre,
Vietnam is among the 12 countries in the world and six in the Asia-Pacific region with very high levels of religious diversity.

The Government’s Committee for Religious Affairs said that the country currently has 26.5 million religious followers, accounting for 27% of the population. Of the total, Buddhism has more than 14 million followers and 18,544 places of worship, and Catholicism has over 7 million followers and 7,771 places of worship.

In the 2003-2022 period, the number of dignitaries, sub-dignitaries, and worship facilities has increased significantly. In 2003, Vietnam recognised six religions with 15 organisations, 17 million followers, about 20,000 places of worship, 34,000 dignitaries, and 78,000 sub-dignitaries. By 2022, it recognised 16 religions with 43 organisations, 26.5 million followers, more than 53,000 dignitaries, about 135,000 sub-dignitaries, and over 29,000 places of worship.

It is worth noting that among the 16 recognised religions, there are nine imported into Vietnam from foreig
n countries in different historical periods such as Buddhism, Catholicism, Protestantism and Brahman.

The State ensures and creates conditions for religious organisations to establish religious training facilities and open training classes. The country currently has 62 religious training establishments in 36 provinces and cities./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

CEBU: A construction company vowed to help the city government here implement PHP246 billion worth of infrastructure projects, including a ‘government center’ building and other Singapore-inspired buildings along the South Road Properties (SRP).

Cebu City administrator Collin Rossel said Mandaraig Infrabuild Corp. submitted its unsolicited proposal to help implement this capital city’s development programs.

The proposal will undergo a tedious study with the Joint Venture Selection Committee before the city government forges an agreement with the firm, according to Rossel.

‘As of this moment, let the public know that Mandaraig is one of the important partners in undertaking infrastructure projects in the city,’ he declared in a press conference at a hotel here.

The committee will discuss the sharing scheme between the city government and the proponent and the mode of recovering the company’s investment.

Emmanuel Mandaraig, president of the proposing company, said investors from the Middle East and Europe
have already signified their willingness to invest in the city government projects.

An initial funding of USD2.1 billion is awaiting clearance from the Anti-Money Laundering Council and other agencies before its release and utilization.

He said they submitted the draft joint venture agreement with the city government in August 2023 and met with Mayor Michael Rama.

Rossel assured Cebuanos that Rama would get the authority from the Cebu City Council to sign the joint venture agreement with Mandaraig.

Source: Philippines News Agency

Seoul: Phu Quoc island in the southern province of Kien Giang has emerged as a new trending destination, spurred by the introduction of new air routes by Korean Air.

Despite a shorter Lunar New Year holidays from February 9-12, major Korean travel companies such as Hana Tour, Very Good Travel and Kyowon Tour Travel Easy on January 17 reported a remarkable annual surge in tour bookings, averaging around 50%.

Hana Tour revealed a substantial 48% increase in overseas travel bookings during the holidays, demonstrating the highest growth in Southeast Asia at 57%, followed by Japan at 25%, Europe 6%, South Pacific 6%, and China 5%. This underscores a discernible customer preference for destinations with shorter distances.

Breaking down the data by region, the demand for travel to Vietnam and Japan collectively constituted over half of the bookings, with 27% heading to Vietnam and 25% to Japan.

Analysing holiday booking data, Kyowon Tour Travel Easy identified Japan as having the highest proportion of reservatio
ns, accounting for 20.8% of the total. Vietnam secured the second position with a share of 11.7%.

Very Good Travel anticipated a booking growth of more than 10%. Among all international travel bookings, Southeast Asia took the lead with the highest share at 37.2%, followed by Japan at 29.1%, Europe 11.2%, Oceania 8.1%, and China 6.4%.

According to its data, newly emerging tourist destinations gaining popularity among travellers include Siem Reap in Cambodia, Phu Quoc in Vietnam, Taichung in Taiwan (China), and Matsuyama in Japan.

Renowned for its long beaches with gleaming white sand nestled beside inviting turquoise waters, Phu Quoc island received accolades from the American travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler (CN Traveler) as one of the world’s top islands in 2023, marking its second consecutive year on the prestigious list.

Beyond its stunning landscapes, Phu Quoc stands out as one of Vietnam’s most alluring destinations, offering a kaleidoscope of cultural-historical experiences and a range of accomm
odations, from affordable housing to luxurious resorts./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

MANILA: Health Secretary Ted Herbosa has requested for the suspension of the implementation of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s (PhilHealth) premium rate increase this year.

In a media forum at the Manila Hotel, Herbosa said he sent a letter of recommendation to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday, explaining that the suspension of the premium hike would not significantly impact PhilHealth’s capital and assets.

‘Kung ako tatanungin, sana suspended pa rin siya, nung suspended siya, wala naman nawala sa mga benepisyo, nabigay pa nga, nag-increase pa nga eh (If I will be asked, I hope it is still suspended because benefits were still provided when it was suspended, in fact, the benefits even increased),’ he said.

‘Sa Universal Health Care (UHC) Law rin, nalilipat ang pera ng PAGCOR [Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation], PCSO [Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office], ang pinaka sin tax, binibigay sa PhilHealth para pambayad sa benepisyo ng mahihirap (In the Universal Health Care Law al
so, money from the PAGCOR, PCSO, the sin tax, are given to PhilHealth to cover the benefits of the poor).’

Under the UHC Act of 2019, PhilHealth contributions are scheduled to increase starting 2020 when a 3 percent hike was due.

It is followed by 3.5 percent in 2021; 4 percent in 2022, 4.5 percent in 2023, until the increases hit 5 percent in 2024 to 2025.

However, these scheduled increases were suspended by former President Rodrigo R. Duterte due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Citing socioeconomic challenges caused by the pandemic, Marcos also suspended the increases in premium rate and income ceiling of PhilHealth for 2023.

‘If ever the President will agree to the contribution, my recommendation is to start from where we stopped, not the current 5 percent. If we stopped at 2 percent or 3 percent increase, we start at where it was suspended,’ Herbosa said.

‘That for me is the logical way to lift suspension. We don’t jump to a very high [percentage] kasi kawawa ang mga tao (We don’t jump to a very high perc
entage because people will be affected significantly).’

While it is a fact that PhilHealth needs a big capital to implement all its projects and cover all its duties, Herbosa said contributions from indirect members have increased through the years — starting from 30 billion to 50 billion to 80 billion in 2023.

‘Ang thinking ko dyan, pwede pa rin isuspinde (My thinking about that is, it can still be suspended). I need to see good actuarials on this one. You need to have a science-based policy. Hindi ‘yung whim na itataas mo lang (You do not raise the rate on a whim).

As chairperson of the PhilHealth Board of Directors, Herbosa said he would discuss the concern with the board members on Jan. 17.

Source: Philippines News Agency

_: Local products are favoured by customers and chosen for Tet gift hampers. According to many small retailers, this year customers have prioritised buying Tet gift sets of regional specialities or OCOP items with mid-range prices instead of expensive gift boxes that have imported products and beautiful designs. Besides gift sets, retailers are also offering free packaging to customers who want to choose products to put in gift hampers. During the year-end period, retailers have been displaying many kinds of Tet (Lunar New Year) gift sets to serve the shopping and gifting needs of consumers. Gift baskets from supermarkets and enterprises include typical items for Tet such as confectionery, cooking oil, soft drinks, instant coffee, wine, and jams.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

_: Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan hosted a reception for President of Ford Motor’s International Markets Group Kay Hart in Hanoi on January 17, during which she proposed the US company consider expanding investment cooperation in Vietnam. Congratulating Ford Motor on its achievements over the past 120 years and Ford Vietnam Co. Ltd. on receiving a first-class Labour Order from the Vietnamese State, Xuan said that Ford has invested 208 million USD in the Southeast Asian country, and created jobs for over 5,000 local labourers.

Source: Vietnam News Agency