Vietnam Provincial Merger from 63 to 34 Provinces and Cities

Date: June 30, 2025

Vietnam has launched a major administrative reform, reducing its provincial-level units from 63 to 34. This includes 28 provinces and 6 centrally-run cities, with only 11 remaining unchanged.

Why the Change?

• Administrative Efficiency: Fewer units mean faster decisions and lower costs.
• Streamlined Bureaucracy: Reduces redundant layers of government.
• Economic Development: Larger provinces are expected to attract more investment.

New Two-Tier Government Model

From July 1, 2025, district-level units will be abolished. The structure will include:

• Provincial Level: Implements central policies and manages communes.
• Commune Level: Gains more autonomy over local matters.

Timeline

• June 12, 2025: National Assembly approval
• July 1, 2025: New local administrations begin
• August 30, 2025: Mergers finalized
• September 1, 2025: New provinces start operations
• December 31, 2025: Full implementation

Source: Vietnam Teaching Jobs

‘Wild ride’ for Coffee as Trump Tariffs, Supply Issues Push Prices Up

Published: June 9, 2025 | By: Dominic Cansdale, ABC Gold Coast

The cost of your daily flat white is set to increase further as the coffee market grapples with a perfect blend of falling supply, surging demand, and stubborn inflation.

Industry Impact

• Australia has 27,000 cafes employing 139,000 people in a $14 billion market.
• Lavazza reported a $1.3 billion cost increase in 2024 due to global crop failures.
• Barista-made coffee could rise to $10–$12 per cup, up from the current $5.50 average.

Roasters Under Pressure

Rachel-May Follan of Whyld Coffee described the past year as "a really wild ride", citing panic buying triggered by US President Donald Trump’s tariff announcement.

She noted that organic green beans rose from $4/kg to $14/kg, and that coffee itself only accounts for 13% of the cost per cup.

Cost Breakdown

According to Pablo & Rusty’s Coffee Roasters, thousands of hands contribute to each cup—from hand-picking cherries to sun-drying beans for 30 days.

Despite this, cafes only make about $1 gross profit per cup before rent, wages, and milk are deducted.

What’s Next?

Industry leaders suggest cafes may need to raise prices by 50 cents or more, depending on the type of coffee served.

Source: ABC News

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