Vietnam’s export turnover to hit $236.6 billion in 2018

 Vietnam’s export turnover is likely to reach 236.6 billion USD in 2018, an increase of 10 percent against the previous year, amid favourable domestic and foreign economic conditions, say analysts.

Vietnam’s 50 Leading IT Companies 2018 programme launched

 The Vietnam Software and IT Services Association (VINASA) launched Vietnam’s 50 Leading IT Companies 2018 programme in Hanoi on July 3.

Selling pressure drives market down

 Shares plummeted on July 3 as strong selling pressure pushed the benchmark VN-Index on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE) and the HNX-Index on the Hanoi Exchange (HNX) to hit rock bottom in 2018.

Man sets himself on fire in suicide attempt: police

 VietNamNet Bridge – A man on Tuesday set himself on fire at the gate of the Central Citizen Reception Centre in Hanoi, 

Two more prosecuted for involvement in incident at Hoa Binh hospital

The police on July 2 launched legal proceedings against a leader and a former employee of Hoa Binh General Hospital for their involvement in the medical incident leaving eight patients dead at the kidney dialysis division.

Top Lao leader pays five-day visit to Vietnam

General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and President of Laos Bounnhang Vorachith and his spouse are on a visit to Vietnam from July 3-7.

Colourful Chem Temple Festival celebrates lengendary hero

 The annual Chem Temple Festival in Chem Village, Hanoi, was held on June 27-29 to remember Ly Ong Trong, a mythic warrior during legendary Hung Kings dynasty.

Competition reviving up in VN car-hailing market

 Following Uber’s departure from Viet Nam, the country’s ride-hailing market has witnessed the entrance of both domestic and international applications, such as Aber, FastGo, Go-Viet and VATO.

VAT plan would hit household welfare: VEPR

 The Ministry of Finance’s (MOF) two proposals to increase value-added tax (VAT) would have various impacts on the overall economy and household welfare.

Eight arrested for involvement in online football betting

 VietNamNet Bridge – Police in the northern city of Ninh Binh on Sunday arrested eight men suspected of involvement in online football betting, according to an announcement on Monday.

Farmers warned: Don’t go nuts over macadamia

 For farmers in the Central Highlands, growing macadamia nuts has not turned out to be the money-spinner they had expected.

Foreign travellers spend more for longer stays HCM City: Survey

 HCM City authorities are making efforts to ensure foreign visitors extend their stay in the city, and they seem to be paying off.

Exhibition features natural shapes in Hanoi

 An exhibition by sculptors Thai Nhat Minh and Tran An offers a chance to see artworks made from opposite materials – paper and iron.

High-school finals: one exam, two purposes

While The Ministry of Education and Training insists on the 2-in-1 exam model, education experts doubt its feasibility, saying that it is unreasonable to merge two exams with different purposes – high school finals and university entrance exams.

Startups see blockchain opportunities in ad industry

VietNamNet Bridge - Only one percent of companies around the world are starting to research the application of blockchain in online advertising, but the potential is great, including in Vietnam. 

Social News 4/7

Repair of burnt apartment block expected to complete on August 15, Lai Chau: Thousands still isolated amidst food shortage in Muong Te, World Press Photo Exhibition in Hanoi, Former BIDV chairman expelled from Party

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 4/7

Vietnam Airlines adopts QR Pay, Stricter controls needed to combat counterfeit goods, Cashew nut exports up 17% in first half of 2018, Japanese business builds packaging factory in HCM City

More Vietnamese startups jump into ride-hailing app market

VietNamNet Bridge - Uber’s departure from the Vietnamese market has created a space for Vietnam’s apps to develop. Vato, Aber, 123xe and the newcomer Fastgo are among them.

Cat Ba langurs put under strict protection

VietNamNet Bridge - The Cat Ba langur, or golden headed langur (Trachypithecus poliocephalus), is on the list of the 25 most endangered primate species in the world.

Finance ministry wants tighter control on second-hand imports

 The Ministry of Finance has proposed the Government review regulations to tighten control for environmental protection of imports of second-hand products, the Vietnam News Agency reported.

Coconut sugar rolls satisfy cravings on the cheap

It’s easy to satisfy your craving for sugar when you are travelling. Just look out for the bicycles stopping at the side of the road, carrying white boxes with the letters Bo Bia Ngot (sweet summer roll) marked in red.

Industrial production up 10.5% in six months

 Viet Nam’s index of industrial production (IIP) increased 10.5 per cent on-year in the first half of 2018, the General Statistics Office (GSO) reported.

VN Steel Association recommends Gov’t not approve stainless steel project

 The Vietnam Steel Association (VSA) has proposed the Government and relevant ministries and sectors seriously consider the approval of a stainless steel factory in Viet Nam.

Vietnam PMI accelerates to 55.7 in June

 The manufacturing sector in Viet Nam continued to expand in June, and at an accelerated rate, the latest survey from Nikkei revealed on Monday, with a manufacturing PMI score of 55.7 from 53.9 in May.

Local firms invest $263m abroad in H1

 Viet Nam’s businesses invested US$263.1 million in total, including new projects and additional capital, in 27 countries and territories in the first half of this year, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).