Banks are investing significantly in retail banking services instead of only focusing on corporate lending in the hope of gaining higher profits from the potential segment this year.

Hung Vuong Joint Stock Company (HVG)’s consolidated audit statement for the fiscal year 2016-2017 has reported a negative after-tax profit of VND705 billion ($31 million) instead of the VND63 billion ($2.8 million) self-reported profit figure. 

 The Government Office has just announced the directions of Standing Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh on the inspection conclusions of Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Holding (Vinacomin) and subsidiaries. 

Vietnam U23’s head coach Park Hang-seo has admitted that his players were completely exhausted after three difficult matches in the group stage with the Republic of Korea, Australia and Syria. 

Van Giang district in the northern province of Hung Yen is the biggest bonsai kumquat garden in northern Vietnam, spanning an area of 300 ha.

 Business process outsourcing (BPO) is believed to be one of the five sectors with the greatest potential for growth and investment in Vietnam in the near future.

 Former Chairman of PetroVietnam (PVN) Construction Joint Stock Corporation (PVC) Trinh Xuan Thanh on January 22 was sentenced to life imprisonment for his wrongdoings at the corporation.

 The website freedomhouse.org recently posted the Freedom in the World 2018 report, which maintained biased views and misleading assessments, despite many countries’ opposition.

 Traders are already starting selling and displaying peach flower trees on many streets in Hanoi in preparation for the Lunar New Year.

 Events in Hanoi & HCMC on January 22-28 

 Hanoi’s book street has attracted fewer visitors, seriously affecting the revenues of publishers that have outlets and if the situation does not improve, the street may have to close.

 Tran Van Thao, the first Vietnamese to win a World Boxing Council (WBC) Asia title, will face Richard Rosales of the Philippines in the 52kg category on January 26 in Thailand.

While other regional countries have made big leaps in developing their retail industries, the achievements gained by Vietnam have been modest in the last 10 years since Vietnam joined the WTO.

 Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation, General of the Army Sergei Shoigu is paying an official visit to Vietnam from January 22-23.

 The national-flag carrier Vietnam Airlines will increase flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam to Shanghai (China) to serve spectators of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U23 Championship.

 Vocational training providers should pay more attention to quality to help Vietnamese workers integrate globally and prepare for the fourth industrial revolution, experts have said.

Vietnam’s top tennis player Ly Hoang Nam climbed 26 places on the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP)’s latest men’s singles rankings to the 471st position. 

 Jordan Vogt-Roberts, director of the Hollywood blockbuster “Kong: Skull Island”, on January 21 returned to Ha Long Bay in the northern province of Quang Ninh for a family trip.

 Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s India visit to attend the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit and the 69th anniversary of the Republic Day of India from January 24-26 will boost bilateral cooperation and political trust.

 Vietnamese shares are forecast to move marginally this week as investors could realise their earnings after having priced in the growth prospects of both the market and local stocks.