Morning news 6-22: Vietnam has the fastest growing obesity rate in Southeast Asia

béo phì - Ảnh 1. — Da Nang market management forces inspect a facility selling counterfeit goods - Photo: QLTT

Counterfeit crackdown is changing the competitive landscape

In a recently released consumer industry update report, SSI Securities (SSI Research) analysts said that in the context of favorable macroeconomic conditions, the implementation of Resolution 68-NQ/TW on promoting the private economic sector continues to create strong momentum at the local level.

However, recent changes in the regulatory environment are likely to create some challenges in the short term.

Notably, increased control of counterfeit goods - including milk, pharmaceuticals, functional foods and cosmetics - along with measures to tighten tax compliance for business households are changing the competitive landscape, according to SSI.

The shift from lump-sum to turnover-based taxation is expected to reduce the price competitiveness of informal businesses, thereby creating opportunities for modern retail channels to increase market share.

Meanwhile, the liberalization of the gold market through the amendment of Decree 24 is expected to encourage wider participation of private enterprises, benefit modern jewelry retailers and enhance industry transparency, SSI Research experts said.

Vietnam has the fastest growing obesity rate in Southeast Asia.

Vietnam is witnessing a 38% increase in the rate of overweight and obese people, placing it among the countries with the fastest growing obesity rates in Southeast Asia.

According to the National Institute of Nutrition, the rate of overweight and obesity in school-age children aged 5-19 has doubled in a decade (from 8.5% in 2010 to 19% in 2020), of which the rate in urban areas alone is up to 26.8%.

According to doctors, the consequences of obesity increase the risk of many other dangerous diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, depression, physiological decline, damage to internal organs, obstetric complications and sleep disorders.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Deputy Director of the Institute of Digestive Surgery, Head of the Department of Digestive Surgery - 108 Central Military Hospital, commented: "Although obesity has been recognized as a chronic disease, in Vietnam this awareness has not been fully reflected in research and treatment practices.

As a result, there is a clear gap in communication between doctors and patients. 40% of doctors hesitate to mention the issue of weight, while nearly 50% of patients feel embarrassed when asked. This seemingly normal psychological barrier is directly affecting the effectiveness of treatment."

Focus on implementing key points to deploy the 2-level local government model from 1-7

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has just signed Official Dispatch 92 requesting ministries, branches and localities to focus on implementing key tasks to deploy the two-level local government model from July 1.

The Prime Minister requested ministries, branches and localities to thoroughly inspect and review the processes and procedures between ministries, functional branches and localities in resolving and paying benefits and policies for cadres, civil servants, public employees and workers who have quit their jobs due to reorganization, ensuring that procedures are simplified and implemented immediately.

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In case of a decision to quit the job, the settlement and payment of benefits and policies must be completed no later than June 30.

Continue to effectively organize standing units in ministries and branches (responsible focal points, hotlines), promote the role, responsibility and effectiveness in receiving, guiding and answering contents, proposals and recommendations of agencies, units and localities.

The Ministry of Home Affairs urgently advised the Prime Minister to approve the chairmen and vice chairmen of the People's Committees of 23 (new) provinces and cities after the Politburo and the Secretariat approved the policy. Complete the development of a handbook to guide the People's Committees at the commune level in handling work according to their tasks and powers, and send it to localities no later than June 30.

béo phì - Ảnh 2. — Monitoring the monitoring system and data statistics of Ngu Hanh Son ward, Da Nang - Photo: VNA

Trial operation of 6 wards and communes of the new Da Nang city

Implementing the plan of the Steering Committee for the arrangement and merger of administrative units of Quang Nam province and Da Nang city, on June 21, 6 communes and wards of Da Nang city (new) began trial operations. According to records at the new wards and communes, the trial operations went smoothly, completing programs and plans as scheduled.

The trial operation units include: Thanh Khe Ward, Ngu Hanh Son Ward, Hoa Vang Commune (Da Nang), Tam Ky Ward, Dai Loc Commune and Tien Phuoc Commune (Quang Nam). On the same morning, the Party Committees of 6 wards and communes of the new Da Nang city held the first Conference of the Party Executive Committees of wards and communes and approved the working regulations of the Party Executive Committees of wards and communes; discussed and issued a resolution to comprehensively lead political tasks in the last 6 months of 2025.

On that basis, the Party Committees of wards and communes will draw experience to ensure smooth and effective official operations from July 1.

On the same afternoon, localities organized a trial operation of two-level local government and public administration centers. The reception and processing of people's records on the new commune and ward data system was ensured to be smooth and quick by the operating staff.