New startup impetus as Vietnam innovates

 VietNamNet Bridge – Investors around the world have ranked Vietnam third in the list of the best countries the world should invest in, leading to the inflow of international venture funds.

Lawsuit in U.S. says Coca-Cola downplays risks of sugary drinks

 Coca-Cola Co and the American Beverage Association trade group were sued on Wednesday for allegedly misleading consumers about the health risks from consuming sugary beverages.

Social News 5/1

 Phu Quoc island district targets over 1.8 million tourists in 2017, Danang tourism promoted in Hanoi, Military hospital joins cooperation activities with Singapore doctors, Golf tourney connects overseas Vietnamese

Initial Samsung production target is 10 million Galaxy S8 phones: media

Samsung Electronics Co Ltd (005930.KS) has set an initial production target of 10 million Galaxy S8 smartphones, South Korea's Electronic Times reported on Thursday, citing unnamed sources. 

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 5/1

 Vietnam Airlines offers cheap flights to Seoul, Housing land prices increase 20-40 percent in HCMC, Budget home buyers enjoy interest rate of 5% in 2017, Nearly 135 trillion VND invested in power projects in 2016

Hue treats visitors to royal banquet

 A royal banquet in the century-old palace of the Nguyen Dynasty has recently became a highlight in the tour of the ancient imperial city of Hue designed for visitors arriving on cruise liners via Chan May Port.

Vietnam relaxes rice export regulations

 Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh on Wednesday decided to repeal regulations on rice exports and traders as they have become hurdles in the expansion of the sector.

Hi-tech agriculture rides strong wave of domestic investment

 The agriculture sector, especially hi-tech agriculture, has caught the attention of domestic giant firms, such as Vingroup, Hoa Phat and Hoang Anh Gia Lai, creating a new wave of investment.

Reported 2016 cars import turnover

 According to the General Statistics Office (GSO), import turnover for cars in December 2016 increased in both quantity and value, making the year’s total annual car imports finish at $2.3 billion.

Five illegal arms traders sentenced to prison

 The People’s Court of Hanoi on Wednesday sentenced to prison five members of a group for illegally selling arms.

Flappy bird creator to support student projects

 Nguyen Ha Dong, creator of Flappy Bird, said he will provide funding for student projects, with a maximum budget of VND200 million (US$8,810) per project.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai Group issues bonds worth $41.3m

 Agricultural group Hoang Anh Gia Lai Joint Stock Company has issued bonds worth VND930 billion (US$41.3 million) to a financial institution, it said in a filing to the HCM Stock Exchange.

Central Bank of Vietnam sets credit growth at 18 percent for 2017

 The State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV) has set a credit growth target of 18 per cent for this year, and it pledged to continue measures to keep credit growth suitable to the country’s economic development.

Best-selling products for Tet holidays in Vietnam

Chung cake, green bananas, pork pies, peach and kumquat trees are much sought after when the Lunar New Year festival or Tet is nearing.

Japan’s emperor, empress may visit Vietnam this March

 Japan’s Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko will accept the formal invitation of numerous Vietnamese leaders and make their first-ever visit to Vietnam in early March, reports the Japan Today newspaper.

Blood donation events to be held in 25 provinces, cities

 The Red Sunday programme will take place across 25 provinces and cities nationwide this year, with 40 blood donation events scheduled.

The art of making Banh Tet La Cam

 Banh Tet La Cam is the traditional violet sticky rice cake of the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho. Let's take a tour to see how it is made.

VIB to debut on UPCoM on January 9

  Vietnam International Bank (VIB) will make its debut on the market for unlisted public companies (UPCoM) on January 9, offering around 564.4 million shares at the starting price of VND17,000 each.

Guitarist Tran Tuan An to perform in Hanoi this weekend

 A classical concert featuring guitarist Tran Tuan An will take place at the French Cultural Exchange Center, L'Espace, in Hanoi on January 7.

Dung Quat EZ seeks billions in investment

 The Dung Quat Economic Zone (EZ) Authority aims to attract US$2.5-3 billion investments in the zone by 2020, quangngai.gov.vn reports.

News sites fined for coverage of comedian sex offender

Three news sites in Vietnam have been fined a total VND80 million for publishing articles with inappropriate content about convicted child sex offender comedian Minh Beo.

National treasures go on display

 16 national treasures will be displayed for the first time at the National Museum of Vietnamese History.

Five banks to be restructured

 The State Bank of Vietnam announced they intend to restructure five banks this year.

Vietnam faces more economic challenges

 More challenges and difficulties will face the local economy in 2017, said Nguyen Duc Thanh, head of the Vietnam Institute for Economics and Policy Research.

Heavy drinking tied to higher risk of heart attacks

Alcohol abuse may increase the risk of heart attacks and other cardiac problems even in people who don’t have a family history of heart disease or other known risk factors, a study suggests.