Storm to cause heavy rains in northern regions

A new storm has formed near the Philippines and is expected to cause heavy rainfall in the northern regions of Viet Nam.

Viet Nam Pharma director sentenced to 12-year imprisonment

The HCM City’s People’s Court on Friday sentenced Viet Nam Pharma company’s former top executive Nguyen Minh Hung and an associate to 12 years’ imprisonment for smuggling and counterfeiting seals 

No fruit vendors allowed on capital’s inner districts pavements

Vendors will no longer be allowed to sell fruits on pavements of the capital city’s inner districts.

No amnesty for prisoners ahead of National Day

 There will be no amnesty for inmates ahead of National Day this year, the Directorate of Criminal Judgment Enforcement and Judicial Aids announced on Thursday.

Chinese firm involved in bid to build Long Thanh Int'l Airport

 Hanoi General Export Import JSC (Geleximco) is seeking the Ministry of Transport’s permission to work with a Chinese company to build Long Thanh International Airport.

APEC 2017: Vietnam calls for joint efforts to develop sustainable agriculture

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung has called on member economies of APEC forum to cooperate and support each other in building and developing sustainable and green agriculture adaptable to climate change. 

SEA Games 29: Vietnam bags more medals in athletics, shooting

 Vietnamese athletes earned more gold and silver medals in athletics and shooting on August 25 at the ongoing 29th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Malaysia.

Party chief meets with Myanmar State Counsellor

 General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong and Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi met in Naypyidaw on August 25.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 25/8

Quảng Ngãi calls for new investors in revoked projects, MEDIPLAST officially merges with VINAMED, Mobile World in Top 50 leading Asia-Pacific listed companies, Ministry stipulates solar power purchase price

Vietnam banks surviving on credit

The net interest margin (NIM) of Vietnamese banks is lower than that of other regional banks, while financial reports show that the business performance of the banks depends heavily on credit.

Photo exhibition celebrating National Day opens in Hanoi

An exhibition featuring historic photos of the capital city of Hanoi opened on August 24 at the Ho Guom Cultural Information Centre, Hanoi.

Vietnam moving from energy exporter to importer: workshop

 Vietnam is transforming from an exporter into an importer of energy to ensure its energy security, heard a workshop held in Hanoi on August 24.

PT Intra Asia Indonesia to build $1-billion coal port in Vietnam

 Seeing opportunities in Vietnam’s increasing demand for imported coal, Indonesian firm PT Intra Asia Indonesia is seeking the opportunity to build a coal port in southern Vietnam with a total investment capital sum of $1 billion.

Software provider for enterprises harnesses power of data in digital era

SAP, an enteprise application software provider will be able to help customers "make everything digital, programmable and smarter" through its use of a digital core, bold technologies of the future, and expertise in enterprise resource planning.

Hundreds of solar projects registered to invest in VN

 By the end of July 2017, hundreds of solar projects had registered to invest in Viet Nam with total capacity of up to 17,000 MW.

Higher second home tax to pose challenges

 The Ministry of Finance (MoF)’s proposal to tax second and additional homes to restrict property speculation and oversupply would face challenges, experts have said.

Not too many foreigners own residential housing

 Even though Viet Nam has relaxed the policies that allow foreigners to buy houses in the country, the numbers are not as high as expected.

11 Vietnamese banks have assets of over $10b

 Vietnam has 11 banks with total assets of more than US$10 billion each, of which three have total assets exceeding VND1 quadrillion ($44 billion) each, financial reports from the banks showed.

Interest rates forecast to inch down in H2

 Average interest rates will decrease slightly in the second half of this year, market research firm Market Intello forecast.

Gov’t considers recognising bitcoin in VN

 Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc this week approved the plan to scrutinise and streamline the legal framework for the management of cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin in Viet Nam.

Government bond auctions run into problems

After tasting success in the first seven months, the issue of Government bonds have been facing difficulty from early August with the bidders’ expectation of rising interest rate and decreasing bank liquidity.

Da Nang to host Investment Forum next month

 As it prepares to host the 2017 APEC Summit, the central city is hoping a business convention in September will help it bolster its already-strong record of attracting foreign and domestic investment.

Top 10 destinations for National Day

Here are suggestions for top 10 relaxing holiday destinations in the northern region this National Day (September 2).

Floating fruit market on HCM City’s Te Canal

Besides Cai Rang floating market in Can Tho city and Cai Be floating market in Tien Giang Province, travellers are also urged to visit a lesser-known floating market for fruits in HCM City’s Te Canal.

Livestream benefits for sellers and buyers

 Buying goods has never been so easy and convenient for consumers in this era of rapid technological development as it is today.