Banks drop in value

VietNamNet Bridge - Though the most difficult period for commercial banks in Vietnam is over, the banks are still decreasing in value.

Photos bring Panama closer to Vietnam in new display

 VietNamNet Bridge – Panama's beautiful landscape and rich culture are being featured through at an exhibition that has opened in Ha Noi.

Vietnam may become ‘second India’ in software outsourcing

VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnamese information technology (IT) firms can keep abreast of the world in the fields of cloud computing, big data and mobility, experts have said. 

HCM City may allow private investors to build dikes

VietNamNet Bridge - The HCM City People’s Committee is considering allowing a private company to develop an anti-flooding project to prevent high tides, capitalized at VND9.85 trillion.

Verdict on former railway officials announced

 The Hanoi People’s Court on October 27 delivered its verdict on six ex-railway officials charged with abusing power while performing duties. 

Vietnam keeps an eye on Vietnamese in quake-hit countries

 None Vietnamese have reportedly fallen victim to a strong earthquake that shook Pakistan, India and Bangladesh, a representative from the Consular Department of the Foreign Ministry said on October 27.

Vietnam will do more for UN’s global activities: PM

 Vietnam is willing to actively engage in and practically contribute to the United Nations (UN)’s activities around the globe, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said at a celebration of the UN’s 70th founding anniversary in Hanoi on October 27. 

Hoi cake - a popular cake in Binh Dinh

 Hoi cake is one of the most popular cakes in the daily lives of Binh Dinh’s residents. The people in Binh Dinh eat it every day, and will have it for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

2020 targets optimistic but feasible for Vietnam

The Vietnamese government has set the annual economic growth target of 6.5-7% for the 2016-2020 period, with further improvement of the business climate being one of its top priorities to realize the goal. 

VN & the golden opportunity to become the world's workshop

VietNamNet Bridge - The process of moving capital, existing potential and the pressure of reforms are identified as favorable conditions for Vietnam to become the world’s new factory.

Education Ministry offers psychological counseling to students

VietNamNet Bridge - Ten percent of students are at risk of suffering serious depression, a report says. And 90 percent of students who need counseling have problems because of pressure from their parents or because of their parents’ divorce. 

Singapore makes up 60% of approved FDI in property sector

 VietNamNet Bridge – ASEAN investors had registered a total of over US$16.6 billion in property projects in Vietnam as of June with Singapore firms accounting for 60%, according to the Foreign Investment Agency (FIA).

Autumn Book Festival to introduce thousands of books

 The 2015 Autumn Book Festival, featuring around 15,000 books in numerous genres, will be held at the Vietnam Women's Museum in Hanoi from October 29-31.

HCMC to build BRT, underground parking lot by 2017

 VietNamNet Bridge – Ho Chi Minh City is expected to start building the first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route by 2017 at a total cost of US$137.5 million.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF28/10

Eximbank recalls two representatives at Sacombank, Asset firm buys $4.1b of bad loans, Japanese corporation to construct $135m IP in Vinh Phuc, Property market shows promise with rising liquidity

HCM City to allow ads on buses

 The HCM City People's Committee has approved a pilot project to place Department of Transport advertisements on buses to increase revenue and reduce subsidies for public buses.

US warship sails near illegally built islands on East Sea

 A US guided missile destroyer USS Lassen navigated within 12 nautical miles of artificial islands China is building in the Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago, the AFP news agency quoted a US defence official as saying on October 27.

Vietnam, Philippines bolster peacekeeping cooperation

 The armies of Vietnam and the Philippines see great potential for bilateral cooperation in various fields, including the United Nations peacekeeping, Quan Doi Nhan Dan (People’s Army) Newspaper quoted a senior Vietnamese military official as saying.

Processed meats do cause cancer – WHO

 Processed meats - such as bacon, sausages and ham - do cause cancer, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

TPP won’t lead to real estate fever in VN: experts

VietNamNet Bridge - The real estate market is not expected to be greatly affected by the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP), experts have said.

Creating value through ASEAN Connectivity

Thailand Management Association, in cooperation with the Board of Trade of  Thailand held the ASEAN  Business  Forum  2015: Creating  Value  through  ASEAN  Connectivity”  on October  14-15,  2015 in  Bangkok,  Thailand.  

Spectre stars join royals for James Bond world premiere

 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry have joined the stars of new James Bond film Spectre for its world premiere in London.

Afghanistan-Pakistan quake: Rescue efforts expanded

 Rescue efforts are being stepped up to help those affected by the magnitude-7.5 earthquake which hit remote areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan on Monday.

Photos: Caves in Ha Long Bay covered with letters

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese and foreign letters are engraved, sprayed or painted onto the walls, columns, and cliffs in famous caves in Ha Long Bay, a world natural wonder.

HCM City proposes to set up special zones for sensitive services

Areas for sensitive services should be established in some cities such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Hai Phong, and Nam Dinh, an official from HCM City said at a recent conference reviewing the prostitution prevention program in 2011-2015.