The Vietnam Cafe Show 2018 will take place in Ho Chi Minh City from May 3-5, the Exporum Inc announced during a press conference on April 17. 

 The stock market experienced vibrant transactions with total value of over 6.16 trillion VND (271 million USD) on both bourses on April 17.

 With the bright outlook of both global and domestic economies, the textile-garment sector’s exports target of 34 – 34.5 billion USD for 2018 is achievable, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS) Truong Van Cam said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Matsudi co-chaired the third meeting of the Vietnam – Indonesia Bilateral Cooperation Commitee in Hanoi on April 17. 

 Vietnamese people prepare "banh troi" and "banh chay" (white sticky rice balls) to offer the Buddha and ancestors on the "Han Thuc" (Cold Food) Festival which falls on the third of the lunar March. 

 The investigation police agency of the Ministry of Public Security has put seven persons into temporary detention for their alleged involvement in the case of Phan Van Anh Vu.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has agreed with the proposal of the French consultant company ADP-I to build a new passenger terminal south of Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh City as part of the airport expansion plan.

 Vietnamese people have been making or buying Banh Troi (floating cakes) and Banh Chay (lean cake) to offer to ancestors and share among family members in celebration of Tet Han Thuc (or says Cold Food Festival). 

 Vietnamese painter Nguyen Thu Thuy has won the silver trophy of the International A’Design Awards & Competitions for her ceramic designs for Mirror House in Hanoi’s Thong Nhat Park.

 Mitsubishi Vietnam said it will recall 918 vehicles over a faulty power relay that may overheat and cause the engine to stall while driving.

 Cold chain logistics are being given more attention in Vietnam as new trade channels take off.

 In the midst of the country’s rapid economic growth and its great demand for capital, Vietnam is in dire need of better policies to mobilise financial resources for further investment into the economy.

VietNamNet Bridge - It is expected that by 2020, coastal economic zones (EZs) will play a decisive role in developing the marine economy of Vietnam, making up 53-55 percent of GDP.

VietNamNet Bridge - After many delays, the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) has decided that from 2018, it will not set floor marks, or minimum required standards, on students applying for universities. 

Increasing the localization ratio and reducing production costs are vital issues for Vietnam’s automobile industry. As Vietnam is one of the worlds’s largest tungsten producers, it could be material that could help revive the auto industry. 

 After years of trying, Vietnam’s first pilot development of a public-private partnership transport project is at an impasse, making future ventures down this road uncertain for foreign investors until the issuance of a relevant law.

VietNamNet Bridge - The massive development of resort projects in coastal areas has led to a breakdown in tourism planning, affecting marine resources and the environment, as well as the security of tourism destinations.

 One of transport sector’s current goals is to develop waterway transport to reduce pressure on road transport. Hoang Hong Giang, Director of Inland Waterway Department, talks about strategies for developing the sector.

The Vietnam Economic Times interviewed Chairman of the State Securities Commission, Tran Van Dung just prior to the April 16-20 Investment Promotion Conference in South Korea.

 Events in Hanoi & HCMC on April 16-22