Amata to build two more industrial-urban complexes in Vietnam

 Thailand’s Amata Corporation Public Company Limited has said it will develop two more industrial-urban complexes in Vietnam worth billions of USD on the back of the successful Amata Industrial Park in Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai Province.

Special services spring up for Christmas

 While Vietnam isn’t a Christian country there’s a festive atmosphere on the street, in stores, and even in homes. Besides being a holiday to enjoy it’s also a time when special services are offered.

Vietnamese players on ASEAN top goalscorer list

 Nguyen Xuan Nam and Le Van Thang of Viet Nam have been listed in the ASEAN's top five scorers of the 2015 season.

Belgium sculptor wins prize at int'l symposium in Vietnam

 Belgium sculptor Fabian Saeren won top prize at the International Sculpture Symposium, which closed yesterday in HCM City.

New orchid species found in Vietnam's Central Highlands

 Eight species of orchids that are at risk of extinction have been found in the Central Highlands area.

VN stock market capitalisation equals to 34 percent of GDP

 The capitalization of Vietnam’s stock market was estimated at more than 1,325 trillion VND (58.8 billion USD), equal to 34 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP), this year.

Vietnam’s garment exports likely reach $28 billion

 Vietnam remains to be in top five of the world’s largest apparel exporters by raking in 28 billion USD from shipping garment products to foreign countries in 2015.

HCM City court sentences nine in Agribank financial loss case

 The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Court on December 21 handed down sentences to nine defendants related to a financial loss case at a branch of the State-owned Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Agribank).

Vietnamese, Lao home affairs ministries boost cooperation

 Vietnam’s Ministry of Home Affairs will provide short-term training for 20 staff from the Lao Ministry of Home Affairs.

Vietnam, Timor Leste sign MoU on rice trade

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) and Timor Leste Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Environment signed a memorandum of understanding on rice trade in Hanoi on December 21.

Party leader lays out future plans

The 11th Party Central Committee has decided to convene the 12th National Party Congress in Ha Noi from January 20-28, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong announced.

Vietnam legal system complies with commitments in ASEAN

Vietnam has actively reviewed the compatibility of its legal system with international treaties in ASEAN in anticipation of the formation of the ASEAN Community at the year’s end.

MOIT predicts new wave of investment in logistics sector

“I believe that there will be a wave of foreign investors funneling their capital into Vietnam’s logistics sector in the time to come when Vietnam joins AEC and the TPP ,” said Tran Thanh Hai from MOIT.

Low salaries for primary school teachers stymie reform

VietNamNet Bridge - Requiring primary school teachers to update their teaching methods is difficult as they are paid low salaries.

Red-book pythons slaughtered after they attack cattle

VietNamNet Bridge - Many rare and precious pythons named in Vietnam’s Red Book have been caught by Quang Nam Province residents and slaughtered to protect domestic cattle.

Culinary tourism in Hoi An

According to several well-known international travel magazines and tour operators, Hoi An Ancient Town in the central province of Quang Nam is a leading ‘food paradise’ with diverse, tasty and cheap dishes.

Experts warn of housing imbalance

 Amid the recovery of the real estate market, experts have rung early alarm bells about the risk of supply and demand imbalance by the recent boom in high-end housing projects.

Social News 22/12

 Tropical depression affects VN coast, Russian reporters honoured with friendship medals, Sunwah social services launched in Hanoi, TV series highlights regional ties, National priorities on sexual, reproductive health beyond 2015

Vietnamese enterprises lose $40,000 for every cyberattack

The toll that every cyber attack takes on businesses in 2015 was on average $38,000, or VND864 million, a survey by Kaspersky and B2B International has found. 

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 22/12

Over 130,000 budget homes under construction nationwide, Phase one of Nam Con Son 2 gas pipeline comes online, WB: Vietnam cities to need 374,000 new homes per year, Firms bemoan new coding system

Remains of an artists youth collection exhibited first time

 VietNamNet Bridge – Sixteen paintings by veteran female artist Nguyen Thi Hien never before seen by the public are on display at an exhibition in HCM City.

Three largest cities in Vietnam to tighten food checks

 VietNamNet Bridge – City authorities will strictly inspect large food processing plants, wholesale markets, supermarkets and shopping malls, besides small street vendors to prevent food poisoning during the Tet holiday and festivals.

IZs and EZs lauded as key to national growth

VietNamNet Bridge – The growth model for economic and industrial zones continues to play a significant role in attracting domestic and foreign direct investment, as well as furthering national development.  

Ly Hoang Nam reaches tennis ranking milestone

 Ly Hoang Nam has reached a new tennis rankings milestone following the completion of play at the Cambodia F2 and F3 Futures tournaments in Phnom Penh.

Rita Ora is now in VN, ready to rock HCM City

 Rita Ora's jam-packed schedule shows no sign of letting up, with the Brit singer spotted at the airport in Ho Chi Minh City heading to a concert blasting off December 21 at the Nguyen Du Competition Hall in District 1.