Bright outlook for Vietnamese rice exporters later this year

The prospect of the Vietnamese rice export sector later this year is forecast to be bright given the nation’s recent successful bids for supplying rice for Indonesia and the Philippines.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 11/5

New approach to energy strategy urged, Hoa Sen records largest steel exports to Europe, Delayed paper project revoked, Viettel to provide services in Myanmar in Q2, Hoa Sen group ships largest batch of sheet metal to Europe

Global shoe manufacturers shift sourcing from China to Vietnam

 In the face of potential US tariffs on Chinese-made shoes, numerous world-famous shoe and handbag manufacturers are mulling over shifting sourcing to Vietnam.

Pedestrians prefer street level crossings

Many pedestrian bridges that cost billions of VND in HCM City are being ignored as people continue to cross streets at ground level.

PV Power proposes 65 UScents of starting price for strategic share sale

Vietnam’s second largest electricity producer, PV Power has submitted to PetroVietnam, which holds a majority stake in PV Power, the starting price of VND14,900 ($0.65) for its auction of 676 million shares to strategic investors.

Social News In Brief 11/5

Vietnamese, Ukrainian war veterans foster friendship, Vietnamese food attracts Czech people in festival, Overseas Vietnamese doctors in Cambodia help poor locals, Two civil servants on retirement outing killed in Khánh Hoà accident

With VTA barrier lifted, cars seen arriving in Vietnam in droves

 Imports of completely-built-up (CBU) cars to Vietnam will most likely take a quantum leap in months to come as authorities in some Asian and European countries now issue Vehicle Type Approval (VTA) certificates for car importers in Vietnam.

Vietnamese actress stuns Cannes red carpet

Actress and former Tourism Ambassador Ly Nha Ky took her red carpet walk at the Cannes Film Festival 2018 awards ceremony.

Nearly 21,000 enterprises join National Single Window

As of the end of April, 11 ministries and agencies have joined the Viet Nam National Single Window (NSW), addressing 1.13 million administrative documents from 20,800 businesses, according to the Viet Nam Customs. 

First conference on artificial intelligence organized in VN

 The 2018 Conference on Artificial Intelligence for Life is taking place for the first time in Viet Nam from May 9-11, which has attracted the participation of more than 40 domestic and foreign professionals. 

Experts want strong tobacco tax hike

The Ministry of Finance has proposed an additional special consumption tax of VND1,000 for each pack of cigarettes on top of the current special consumption tax rate of 70%, but experts said this extra amount is too small.

Vietnam's Jan-April credit expands 5%

 Credit grew 5% in the first four months of the year, Pham Thanh Ha, director general of the Monetary Policy Department of the State Bank of Vietnam, told a banking forum in Hanoi on May 8.

HCM City to check foreign language, IT teaching centers

 Head of the continuous studying center under the Department of Education and Training in Ho Chi Minh City Ho Phu Bac announced education inspectors will enhance supervision to foreign language, IT teaching centers in the city.

Steering Committee for 'Digital Vietnamese knowledge system' project established

 Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has signed Decision No.494/QĐ-TTg to set up a Steering Committee for the 'Digital Vietnamese knowledge system' project, under which Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam is appointed as the Head of the Steering Committee.

Population of ancient ‘po mu’ trees found in Ha Tinh

 A population of ancient ‘po mu’ trees (Fokienia hodginsii), some nearly 1,000-years-old, has been found at the Vu Quang National Park in Ha Tinh province, announced the park’s director Nguyen Danh Ky, on May 5.

Vietnam, France cooperate in climate change

 Vietnam will be the first Asian country to apply the GEMMES model to respond to climate change.

Celtrion Group to build $800-million pharmaceutical factory in VN

 Adding to the excitement of investments in the Vietnamese pharmaceutical sector, Celtrion Group from South Korea also found opportunities to join the game.

JC&C joins the race for Vinamilk

Singapore’s Jardine Cycle & Carriage Limited Company (JC&C) announced intentions to take up the competition with F&N Dairy Investment Pte., Ltd. for a stake in Vinamilk by registering to buy an additional 14.5 million shares.

Khanh Hoa suspends land transfer in economic zone

 Khanh Hoa Province’s People’s Committee Chairman Le Duc Vinh has signed a document to suspend the conversion of land use purposes and land transfers in Van Ninh District.

Vietnam to meet Thailand in AFF semi-finals

 The Vietnam U16 team will meet Thailand in the semi-finals of the AFF U16 Girls’ Championship in Indonesia on Friday.

Dong Thap works to cope with erosion

 The Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap has employed several measures to tackle increasingly erosion of river banks.

Vietnam imports $451 million worth of fruit, vegetable in 4 months

 Vietnam imported around 451 million USD worth of fruit and vegetable in the first four months of this year, with 107 million USD spent in April alone.

Watermelon growers face huge losses amid falling prices

 Watermelon farmers in the central province of Quang Ngai are suffering from heavy losses as China halted purchases which have resulted in the sharp price fall.

Vietnam becomes popular destination for South Koreans

The number of South Korean tourists to Vietnam has been on the rise in the past two years thanks to more convenient flights.

Going Global 2018: ASEAN higher education systems are becoming more open to international engagement

 Higher education systems in the ASEAN region are becoming more open to international engagement, says a report entitled "The Shape of Global Higher Education."