BUSINESS IN BRIEF 31/5

 VN-Japan talk farm technology co-operation, VN’s five-month agro-forestry-fishery exports, Imports of garment and footwear materials from Canada surge strongly, TH Group expects IPO in Singapore within next two years

Get lost on garden islets of the Mekong Delta

 VietNamNet Bridge – A single day’s trip from HCM City can take you to green and tranquil gardens in the Mekong Delta.

Nearly all banks make a profit in first quarter

VietNamNet Bridge - Most banks reported satisfactory profits for the first quarter of 2018, but their asset exploitation and capital use efficiency varied.

Local F&B firms expand to counter foreign competition

 Local food and beverage (F&B) firms are expanding operations and upgrading the management technology and production lines in response to foreign competition.

Blockchain heats up Vietnam’s technology circle

VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam has recently become a blockchain R&D center in the region. The technology has been the major topic of many workshops and conferences organized this year. 

Consumer finance firms rake in cash

 Data from StoxPlus and the National Financial Supervisory Commission shows that Vietnam’s total outstanding consumer credit reached a size of roughly $26.5 billion by the end of 2017.

Quang Nam: resorts ‘swallow’ forests, ‘block’ sea

VietNamNet Bridge - In the central province of Quang Nam, protective forests have been cleared to make room for resorts, while tourism projects have blocked the way to beaches.

Education Ministry draws up exam scheme reform, then quickly recalls it

VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Education and Training’s (MOET) decision to withdraw an examination reform plan has posed a question about the ministry’s way of renovating education.

Trace of first human settlement in Hanoi needs protection

 VietNamNet Bridge – Archaeologist Lam My Dung, 59, and her students were digging at the Vuon Chuoi archaeological relic in Hoai Duc District on the outskirts of Hanoi in 2011. 

Doctors warn foods no way to treat dehydration

 VietNamNet Bridge – Doctors in Hanoi have warned parents to be more cautious when treating their children with food products that claim to contain Oral Rehydration Salts.

Tide of shrinking foreign investment on the turn

Vietnam’s FDI attraction has been showing signs of recovery in the in first five months of this year after consecutive decreases, thanks to the issuance of the first casino licence in the past 10 years to Laguna Lang Co Integrated Resort.  

VietNamNet to merge with Vietnam Post newspaper

 The electronic newspaper VietNamNet will merge with the Vietnam Post newspaper to become VietNamNet newspaper under a new decision issued by the Ministry of Information and Communications on May 30. 

Ex-football stars with dementia 'forgotten' by authorities

 A possible link between dementia and football is being "swept under the carpet" by the game's authorities, a leading Welsh psychiatrist has claimed.

1,200 people take oral prophylaxis to reduce risk of HIV infection

 VietNamNet Bridge – Nearly 1,200 people at high risk of HIV have enrolled in a pilot oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) programme in Vietnam to reduce their risk of infection, 

Hanoi takes stronger stance on fire code violations

 Hanoi has announced the list of 91 buildings violating the fire code and promises no leniency to developers who refuse to fix issues.

Experts call for more iodised salt in Vietnam

 VietNamNet Bridge – Experts have called on the Government of Vietnam to make salt iodisation mandatory once again or at least promote the production and use of iodised salt in food processing and breeding.

National Assembly debates internet security law

 VietNamNet Bridge – National Assembly (NA) deputies have raised concerns that the draft law on internet security will prevent Vietnamese citizens and companies from accessing information on the web.

High housing prices: unaffordable for Y generation

The Y-generation, or those aged 20-30, are important clients as they account for 35 percent of the country’s total population. However, only a modest proportion of the clients own housing.

Ford's gear-box scandal reaches Vietnam

Facing the newest gear-box scandal from a class-action lawsuit brought by 76 Vietnamese car owners, Ford Vietnam's representative has confirmed to VIR that it is trying the best to resolve its customers' complaints in the most effective manner.

First double-decker bus for sightseeing in Hanoi

The first double-decker bus was put into service on May 30 with hop-on and hop-off at 13 stops, running through 25 streets and taking tourists to 30 attractions in the capital city of Hanoi.

VN cement industry on the clinker road to recovery

Vietnam’s cement market is seeing the light of recovery at the end of the tunnel, thanks to the strong clinker exports.

FLC Hanoi Junior Golf Tour 2018 to kick off

 FLC Hanoi Junior Golf Tour 2018 will take place in all golf courses operated by FLC Group in six months.

600-year-old citadel in Thanh Hoa faces erosion

 VietNamNet Bridge – The 600-year-old citadel in the central province of Thanh Hoa is facing serious erosion caused by heavy rains.

EU-funded project pushes arts in VN

 VietNamNet Bridge – A three-year project aiming to support organisations and practitioners in the fields of arts, culture and creativity has been launched by the British Council (BC).  

Huyen My among top 32 of Miss Grand Slam 2017

Vietnamese beauty Huyen My has been named among the top 32 of Miss Grand Slam 2017 as announced by Global Beauties.