The threat of macro-economic headwinds dragging global growth should be the impetus ASEAN needs to push its reform agenda harder in 2019, according to a report recently released by the HSBC Group.  

 Despite their physical challenges, Vietnamese athletes with disabilities have striven with outstanding efforts and gained remarkable results at regional and international arenas over the years, bringing glory to the nation.

 The benchmark VN-Index on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE) rose by 10.54 points to reach 919.21 points in the morning of February 11, the first working day after the nine-day Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday. 

 The traditional Tich dien (ploughing) festival was held in Doi Son commune of Duy Tien district, the northern province of Ha Nam, on February 11 to pray for bumper harvests and prosperity for all.

 Local villagers and visitors took part in a traditional ball scrambling festival which commenced in Thuy Linh village, Linh Nam ward, Hoang Mai district, Hanoi, on February 9.

 The adoption of the Law on Belief and Religion in 2016 was an important legal reform in Vietnam, creating a firm legal framework to better ensure citizens’ rights to freedom of belief and religion.

 Vietnam will revise some laws to implement the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and the drafts will be submitted to the National Assembly in May.

VietNamNet Bridge - More Vietnamese enterprises are buying overseas companies in an attempt to enter foreign markets.

 The Masan Group Corporation (Masan), which saw an increase of more than 57 percent in profit last year, has set a target of double-digit growth for 2019.

The three largest commercial banks in Vietnam have asked the government to lift the foreign ownership ratio ceiling in local banks. 

 With the title “It's time for another Southeast Asian star in Korea”, the Korean Times of the Republic of Korea praised Vietnamese striker Nguyen Cong Phuong as a new talent in the football in Asia. 

 The United States’ Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is expected to grant a Category 1 rating to Vietnam soon, allowing its airlines to fly to the US and codeshare with US carriers, according to the Strait Times.

 Ho Chi Minh City plans this year to speed up a project to become a smart city by 2025 in order to better serve its residents.

 Returning from the one-week Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday, Viet Nam’s benchmark VN Index is forecast to grow strongly with banks leading the market upturn.

 Moody’s Investors Service has assigned first-time Ba3 deposit and issuer ratings to Vietnam Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Agribank).

 Registering for and protecting geographical indication (GI) for Vietnamese specialities are needed to protect, add value to unique products and promote their exports, experts have said.

 The Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) has predicted the export value of tra fish will reach US$2.4 billion this year, up from $2.3 billion last year.

 The domestic dairy industry will face competitive pressure this year due to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), according to a report of the Rong Viet Securities Company (VDSC).

VietNamNet Bridge - Distributed electricity generation is believed to be a good solution which could help satisfy Vietnam’s demand for power, experts say.

Vietnamese enterprises are finding it hard to improve production value since they remain dependent on imported materials.