The 12th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam discussed reports on socio-economic situation and State budget implementation in 2018 along with plans for 2019 during the morning session on October 3.

 Three export commodities have earned Vietnam more than 20 billion USD in revenue each so far this year, according to latest statistics of the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

 The Inspire Me Festival 2018 will be held for the first time in the Hoan Kiem Lake area, Hanoi, to celebrate 45 years of diplomatic relations between the UK and Vietnam.

 The final round of the global-scale cyber security competition Whitehat Grand Prix 2018 is set to begin on November 1, according to the Information Security Department.

 Leading destinations for the flow of foreign direct investment (FDI) such as Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces, have been shifting their focus to investment quality after 30 years attracting foreign capital.

 Potential economic loss across Asia Pacific due to cybersecurity incidents can hit a staggering US$1.745 trillion, or over 7 per cent of the region’s total GDP.

 State-owned shipping firm Viet Nam National Shipping Lines (Vinalines) will trade 5.4 million shares on the Unlisted Public Company Market (UPCoM) on October 8.

VietNamNet Bridge - The instant coffee market, including capsules and pods, is heating up, but analysts believe there are still opportunities for newcomers.

 Foreign finance groups are eager to join Vietnam’s fruitful fintech market, which is still at early stage but is forecast to reach nearly US$8 billion in 2020 thanks to surging internet and smartphone penetration.

 Concerns over potential oversupply has driven Petrolimex to halt construction, according to Nikkei Asian Review.

 While Vietnam is regarded like “a hot cake” among foreign investors, the country needs to give more consideration to proposed projects and maybe say “No” to those too small in scale.

 More investors have planned to take part in the country’s medicine retail system through merger and acquisition (M&A), expecting to gain higher value from owning completed chains from production to distribution.

 Despite their overwhelming popularity around the world, McDonald’s and Burger King have not risen to dominance during the long years in Vietnam.

 Vietnamese airlines continue to open more lines connect to tourist destinations even in the low season, but airport infrastructure needs to be upgraded to ensure flight quality.

 As trade tensions between the US and China worsen, Vietnam’s textile and aquaculture stocks are rallying thanks to their strong business prospects. However, challenges may still arise due to protectionist sentiments.

 Vard Braila Shipyard, the company employing the largest number of workers in the eastern city of Braila in Romania, has employed 70 Vietnamese workers and plans to bring another 60 to cover its workforce deficit.

 Customs officers at Noi Bai International Airport have seized nearly a tonne of elephant tusks, ivory products and pangolin scales hidden inside cargo packages.

The Ministry of Information and Communications has suggested lifting a controversial requirement for mobile phone users to register their photos in a stunning policy turnaround just six months after the regulation was put into force.

VietNamNet Bridge - Many casinos have been or are going to open in the central region, particularly on the coast.

 Karaoke clubs and discotheques will be allowed to stay open two hours later under a new proposal introduced by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, which would extend closing time from midnight until 2 am.