What’s behind billions of dollars deposited at foreign banks?

The economists from VEPR (the Vietnam Centre for Economic and Policy Research) believe that even if the dollar interest rate decreases to a very low level, businesses would still prefer borrowing dong.

Social News 23/5

 Forum on building platform for biodiversity conservation, Germany welcomes Vietnamese nurses, Priority given to vaccination in disadvantaged areas, High-tech HCMC treatments, RMIT launches new digital academy

Thai firms regard VN as top investment spot

VietNamNet Bridge – Thailand's investments in Viet Nam have jumped in the past five years, fuelled by opportunities arising from the formation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and the impending Trans-Pacific Partnership.

HCM City casts a bigger net for ornamental fish market

 VietNamNet Bridge – The niche freshwater ornamental fish farming segment of the aquaculture industry in the city and surrounding region has been growing steadily over recent years, says the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee.

General Election – Vietnamese people’s festival

 The election of deputies to the 14 th National Assembly and all-level People’s Councils for the 2016-2021 tenure on May 22 is truly a festival, enthusiastically joined by the entire people.

Logistics services market taking off in Vietnam

VietNamNet Bridge – The logistics services market in Vietnam is on a growth trajectory owing to rapid globalization and the approval for 100% owned foreign companies to enter the market,

Vietnamese, Canadian artists to perform in concert

 VietNamNet Bridge – A concert titled “Canada and Vietnam in Harmony” featuring artists from the two countries will take place at the Vietnam National Academy of Music on May 26.

Vietnam to import inexpensive Australian cows as demand for beef grows

VietNamNet Bridge - Live beef in Vietnam is the most expensive in South East Asia, which explains why Vietnamese businesses are now rushing to import Australian cows at low prices. 

Shrimp breeders lack access to supply chains

 VietNamNet Bridge – A lack of a supply chain has caused problems for shrimp breeders in the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang.

Australian tourist mixed feelings about Hoi An

After working in broadcast journalism for a decade in Australia, Michael Turtle left Sydney to travel the world and write about his discoveries, Hoi An ancient town in central Vietnam is one of them. Below is his article about Hoi An.

Painter Thanh Chuong: preserving opulence to conserve ancestors’ cultural heritage

Over the past 15 years with many ups and downs, Thanh Chuong’s Viet Palace has become a symbol of Hanoi culture. Its owner, painter Thanh Chuong, has a very strange way of doing thins and a unique perspective on preserving cultural heritages.

Social News 22/5

Mekong Delta floating market to get a $2.8-million upgrade, Non-stop toll collection to be launched in major national highways, Medical sector target not finished yet, HCMC caps land limit at 300 square meters per household

Japanese language learning taking root in Vietnam

 When Pham Quang Hung started studying Japanese at Foreign Trade University in Hanoi in 1994, he never imagined that Vietnamese children would one day be able to learn the language at elementary school.

New mark in Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership

 The much-awaiting visit to Vietnam by US President Barack Obama is expected to leave a new hallmark in the two countries’ comprehensive partnership.

Getting to the root of water detoxification

 VietNamNet Bridge – After persuading the managing board of Da Nang Technology College, lecturer Tran Minh Thao set up the first toxic sewage treatment project for the school’s laboratory building.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 22/5

 SSC fines stock traders, Frozen projects slowly handled in HCMC, USD667-million fertilizer plant posts USD90m losses, State stakes in Sabeco, Habeco proposed for sale, Consortium seeks to build tunnel, overpass at TSN airport

Vietnam wins more gold at Taiwan Athletics Open

 Vietnam grabbed one gold, one silver and two bronze medals yesterday at the Taiwan Athletics Open.

VN gains two more UNESCO world heritage items

 Vietnam has gained two more UNESCO world heritage items following a consensus at the 7th Memory of the World Committee for Asia and Pacific summit.

Severe crash kills 13, injures 21

A major vehicle accident in the central province of Binh Thuan early this morning killed 13 people and left another 21 suffering from severe burns.

200 Vietnamese to travel to and work in Australia from July

 VietNamNet Bridge – According to a memorandum of understanding signed recently between Vietnam and Australia, the two countries will grant tourist and work visas for citizens of both sides from July 1 2016.

Global top players compete at billiards World Cup in HCM City

 The world’s top 32 players in three-cushion carom billiards are showing off their skills at the World Cup in Ho Chi Minh City, which opened on May 20.

Vietnamese borrow $15 billion in consumer finance loans

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam’s consumer finance loans of Vietnam increased by 1.5 times to $15.12 billion in 2015, according to StoxPlus.

US likely to offer Vietnam arms deals

Vietnam should be able to access US weapons that would improve its ability to network its defence systems especially in intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and maritime domain awareness, said Prof. Carl Thayer.

Vietnam’s Internet market the most dynamic in the world

Vietnam had the most dynamic Internet market in the world, with more users than no-users, accounting for 52% of the total population, said Rajan Anandan, Vice President and Managing Director of Google in Southeast Asia and India.

Violinist opens first school for kids with autism

Nguyet Thu, founder of the Apaixonado Quartet, speaks with Bui Quynh Hoa about how she has worked with her son with autism, her devotion to helping children with the illness and launching the first school for autistic children in Viet Nam.