The Directorate for Roads of Vietnam has suggested the Ministry of Transport suspend toll collection at build-operate-transfer (BOT) toll booths all over the country from February 4 to 6 on the occasion of the upcoming Lunar New Year, or Tet holiday.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Saigon Heat suffered their second-straight loss on Wednesday in a match that saw the hosts’ best performance of the season.

 The General Department of Vietnam Customs has announced that the version 5 online customs clearance portal was down at 10 a.m. on January 25.

 Authorities at all levels in HCMC have stressed the need to speed up administrative reform in order to reduce troubles and offer support for local residents and businesses, and hence create a more favorable business environment.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The coastal province of Bac Lieu will host the National Petanque Championship 2019, which will be held from April 26 to May 5.

 Visiting the Hanoi’s Old Quarter in the days nearing the Tet holiday, visitors can find the atmosphere of the old Tet with familiar images.

 The 2019 Spring Calligraphy Festival officially opened at the Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature) in Hanoi on January 29, attracting a large number of visitors.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Customs agents in the northern city of Hai Phong discovered nearly 1.4 tonnes of pangolin scales and 20 elephant tusks weighing more than 100kg hidden inside a container shipped from Nigeria.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) and retailers have been working together in programs to connect producers and distributors, resulting in more sales of Vietnamese-made products and local specialty food items at supermarket chains.

 Vietnam has been listed as one of top 20 most beautiful countries in the world by Rough Guide.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Tran Van Dung, chairman of the State Securities Commission, speaks to Vietnam News Agency about the securities market’s prospects this year following negative growth in 2018.

 Driven by impressive growth in 2018, Vietnam’s aviation sector is expected to be more buoyant this year, with more newcomers queuing up and conditions to be altered to facilitate businesses and investment from overseas. 

 Con Cung JSC, the well-known mum and baby retail store chain has been fined for VND25 million ($1,086) for departing from its promotional programme plans submitted to the authorities.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Nguyen Quang Thanh, deputy general of the State Audit Office of Viet Nam, speaks to Tiền Phong (Vanguard) newspaper about the key missions his agency will be focusing on in 2019.

 According to statistics on pageviews in the fourth quarter, Lazada has been overwhelmed by Shopee and Tiki, and is threatened to be overtaken by Thegioididong and Sendo in the time coming.

 Indian pharmaceutical companies are keen on broadening partnerships with Vietnamese firms in order to serve the growing local healthcare industry.

 Local companies are trying to improve service quality to avoid losing market share to foreign players who are breaking into the high-end baby and mother products market in increasing numbers. 

 Four foreign investors are looking at a private offering of 75.72 million shares in Minh Phu Seafood Corporation this year.

 The HCM Stock Exchange has announced the first update of the year to the blue-chip VN30 Index, a basket of 30 stocks with the largest market capitalisation and highest liquidity.

 VietNamNet Bridge – A number of provinces across the country including Lai Chau, Nghe An and Tay Ninh are taking precautions to prevent forest fires as the dry season begins.