Chinese press highlights Vietnamese Party chief’s visit

 China highly evaluates the upcoming visit to China by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong, the Xinhua News Agency quoted Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang as saying. 

US Secretary of State Kerry to travel to Vietnam

 U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to Vietnam, France, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland from January 13–18, the US Department of State announced on January 10.

Thanh Luong Cattle Market

Thanh Luong Cattle Market might appear to be a standard trading place. This special market is not simply a place where you can find oxen and buffaloes but is also a unique cultural aspect of the Thanh Chuong District in Nghe An. 

Trump to Republicans: Act swiftly to replace Obamacare

 U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday pressured fellow Republicans working to repeal Obamacare in Congress to pass a replacement for the healthcare law at the same time or soon after they vote to dismantle it.

Vietnam, Spain urged to step up multi-dimensional ties

Vietnam and Spain should step up their relations across the board, especially politics, economy, trade and investment, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh said.

Thai floods cause 200-kilometer traffic tailback; death toll up to 25

 Flash floods in southern Thailand washed out a bridge on the country's main north-south highway on Tuesday, backing up traffic for 200 km (125 miles) as the death toll from days of unseasonable rain rose to 25,

Asian shares at two-month high ahead of Trump news conference

 Asian shares stood near two-month highs on Wednesday as investors looked to President-elect Donald Trump's news conference later in the day for any clues to his policies on tax, fiscal spending, international trade and currencies.

Snapchat becomes latest tech firm to pick London despite Brexit

 Messaging app Snapchat said it would make London the home of its international operations, delivering another vote of confidence in Britain's tech standing as the country prepares to leave the European Union.

Vietnam removes restrictive regulation on rice exporters

VietNamNet Bridge - The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) has signed a decision to eliminate the regulation which placed a barrier on rice exporters in the last few years.

Which markets have Vietnamese telcos entered?

VietNamNet Bridge - Three out of five Vietnamese telcos have reached out to foreign markets.

From poor man’s meal to dish fit for kings

 VietNamNet Bridge – If you are going to Hue City, don’t miss the imperial citadel, the tombs, the Thien Mu Pagoda and, of course, the clam rice, a mouthwatering delicacy that began as a humble breakfast dish for the poor centuries ago.

TPP’s demise sounds no death knell

 VietNamNet Bridge – The final doomsday countdown has begun for the Trans Pacific Partnership.

Physicians warn about pollution, increase in cancer cases

VietNamNet Bridge - For developing countries in the period of rapid industrial development like Vietnam, the increase in the number of cancer cases appears to be a byproduct of fast growth.

Social News 11/1

 Vietnamese in Canada welcome traditional Lunar New Year, WB holds consultation on national cooperation strategy, Ginger farmers look set for a miserable Tet, Traffic chaos on Hanoi-Lao Cai highway

Fintechs enter new development period with huge investments

VietNamNet Bridge - Fintech is not an easy playing field for startups, but the firms have been growing rapidly with capital from investment funds.

Problems in education sector mount

VietNamNet Bridge - The educational sector has been blamed for the unemployment of 200,000 university graduates, among other issues. 

Challenges face central bank in maintaining stable interest rates

 Keeping stable interest rates in 2017, as in 2016, is considered a thorny problem for the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) amid the constant pressure of increasing interest rates.

HCMC to upgrade BTS stations

 VietNamNet Bridge – HCM City officials have asked telecommunications companies to redesign or replace more than 5,000 base transceiver stations (BTSs) located on top of houses and other buildings.

Public, Govt debts near allowable ceilings

 VietNamNet Bridge – Last year saw public and Government debts in 2016 approaching the permissible ceilings set by the Nation Assembly (NA),

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 10/1

Unemployment grows strongly, SBV puts bad debt at 2.46%, Railway sector asked to develop sustainably in 2017, Rice producers, exporters aim to increase consumption, 30 firms win top-brand award

Two fires destroy homes, leave child dead

 VietNamNet Bridge – Two fires broke out in residential houses in HCM City and Dong Nai Province on Sunday, destroying furniture and leaving one resident dead.  

HCM City sets up hotline for food quality complaint

VietNamNet Bridge – HCM City Department of Health has set up a hotline for the public to complain about food quality during Tet (Lunar New Year) as part of a campaign on food safety.

Environmental ministry to up inspections

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Environmental and Natural Resources will inspect projects that have high potential for causing severe environmental pollution to ensure that they are adhering to the law in 2017.

Health Ministry wants to revise two-child policy

The Ministry of Health has proposed to encourage spouses to have a maximum of two children in low-birth-rate area while attempting to tighten birth control elsewhere. 

Ha Long Bay has second clean-up day

 More than 100 volunteers, including students, representatives from businesses, NGOs, and government agencies, and in particular US Ambassador to Vietnam H.E. Ted Osius, took part in the second clean-up of Ha Long Bay on January 10.