Vietnamese firms are mostly optimistic about their business results for 2017, driven by the improved macro-economy coupled with Government efforts to improve the business climate and remove obstacles. 

The Ministry of Finance has proposed, in a draft law, to almost triple the environmental protection tax on oil and gas consumption from the current VND3,000 (US$0.13) to VND8,000 per litre. 

 Viet Nam Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex) on Monday signed a strategic co-operation agreement with Japanese firm Itochu, witnessed by PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe in Ha Noi.

VietNamNet Bridge - Most of the brands to be franchised in Vietnam in the coming years will be in food, education and healthcare, analysts say.

VietNamNet Bridge - Thanh Thuy Hot Spring Resort is a 1km2 area, located to the west of the Da River in Thanh Thuy district in Phu Tho Province. 

The VN Football Federation has decided to suspend Senegalese striker Pape Omar Faye of FLC Thanh Hoa for eight matches after he made a rude gesture towards supporters during the match between Thanh Hoa and Khanh Hoa.

 The northern province of Nam Dinh and the central province of Quang Binh will host the first round of the National Volleyball Championships on March 21-28, the Viet Nam Volleyball Federation has announced.

Painter Thanh Chuong's 60 paintings of roosters to celebrate the Lunar New Year of the Rooster will be displayed at the Domino Art Fair at Hanoi Creative City and HCM City Fine Arts Museum.

 A 3D virtual military museum has been opened on Con Dao Island by the Viet Nam Military History Museum and the Political Department of Military Zone No 7.

 Automobile drivers must set up bank accounts so that when they violate traffic regulations police can deduct the fine from their account directly.

 Tan Son Nhat Airport on Monday entered its busiest time of the year as people started flying back home to celebrate Lunar New Year or Tet.

 HCM City Customs Department will soon deploy an underground scanning system for luggage at Tan Son Nhat International Airport to facilitate entry of passengers and minimise time spent on procedures.

 The Supreme People’s Procuracy on Sunday decided to prosecute six defendants in connection with fraud that occurred at the Viet Nam International Bank (VIB), Nguyen Hue branch (VIB Nguyen Hue), five years ago.

 Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam yesterday said vocational training schools need to be made autonomous to improve their quality.

Forty-three per cent of the country’s young labour workforce is still underutilised, while low quality employment remains a strong hindrance to the country’s productive transformation. 

While a pending draft law would require all Vietnamese to donate blood at least once a year, HCM City has set a target to have at least 220,000 citizens donate blood voluntarily this year.

 Vietnam's Le Hang has made it into the top 4 favourites, according to a poll taken by the Miss Universe Poll Fanpage, a pageant hub for current news and updates from the competition.

 The Vietnamese Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) claimed several Vietnamese seafood exporters have been cheated out of hundreds of thousands of dollars in their transactions with Echopack Inc. based in Quebec, Canada.

 Amway has been found not following a number of required procedures in order to carry out multi-level marketing (MLM) activities in Vietnam.

 More than 30 penmen gathered on Pham Ngoc Thach and Nguyen Thi Minh Khai streets in Ho Chi Minh City on January 15 to write calligraphy to welcome the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet) festival.

 Vietnam and France need to continue implementing the Hanoi Train Station-Nhon urban metro rail project (Metro 3) in a rapid and effective manner, contributing to developing Vietnam’s urban transport infrastructure.

 The Government has approved a protocol on adjustments to the Agreement on Double Taxation Avoidance with India, which was signed in Hanoi on September 3, 2016.

 Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong and Austrian Ambassador to Vietnam Thomas Loidl have highlighted the development of bilateral cooperation.

 The Vietnam Software and IT Services Association (VINASA) on January 16 launched the Sao Khue Awards in 2017 under the sponsor of the Ministry of Information and Communications. 

 The central province of Thua Thien – Hue on January 16 received a certificate recognising the “Zeng” weaving in A Luoi district as part of the national intangible cultural heritage, the second of its kind in the locality.