Impressive Q2 growth, but risks still abound, SMEs urged to take advantage of FTA opportunities, Manufacturing, processing drive economic growth in H1, BSR changes to joint stock model     

Dominican people honour late President Ho Chi Minh, Deputy PM calls for resources for ‘One Commune, One Product’ programme, Vietnam promotes cooperation with Paraguay, Vietnamese, Cuban women vow to tighten bilateral friendship

 Vietnam’s stock market is likely to recover in the remaining months of 2018 thanks to Government plans to develop the private sector and to attract local and international investors, experts have said. 

 The Anti-drug Investigation Police Department has coordinated with the customs and border guard forces, as well as the police in HCMC to raid a large drug ring trafficking drugs from Laos to Vietnam, seizing over 60kgs of heroin.

 The number of people registered for tissue and organ donation has remained very small and fails to meet the nation’s demand for organ transplants.

 Vietnam recorded the greatest ranking improvement on the Global Innovation Index 2018 (GII) thanks to the country’s efforts to deploy synchronous measures to improve its business environment, national competitiveness, and innovative capacity.

 Yok Don National Park in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak signed an agreement with the Animals Asia Foundation on July 13 to become the first unit in Vietnam committed to applying elephant-friendly tourism.

 The Standing Committee of the National Assembly approved the appointment of 16 ambassadors for the 2018-2021 tenure during the committee’s 25th session in Hanoi on July 13. 

 Vietnamese carrier, including Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, Jetstar Pacific, and Vasco, operated a total of 150,010 flights in the first half of this year, up 9 percent year-on-year.

 VietNamNet Bridge – General Le Van Cuong, speaks to Tien Phong (Vanguard) newspaper on lessons learned from the deadly raid on a drug den in Long Luong Commune of the northern province of Son La.

VietNamNet Bridge - With demand on the rise, digital marketing solutions have become more attractive, luring both Vietnamese and foreign firms. 

Central Highlands’ some years ago rushed to grow macadamia trees after hearing about huge profits the plant could bring, though they did not know if the plant could thrive in the local soil and climate conditions.

With average monthly income of VND5.5 million (US$261), nearly half of workers in Vietnam felt that their income was enough to cover basic living expenses, according to a recent wage survey.

Experts have applauded the Ministry of Planning and Investment’s decision on not licensing the Vung Ang II BOT (build, operation, transfer) coal-fired thermal power project, saying that this is a ‘necessary caution’.

VietNamNet Bridge - The payment activities of Chinese travelers in Vietnam cannot be controlled, which is a high risk for Vietnam, experts say.

VietNamNet Bridge - The battle among IT firms to scramble for engineers has become so fierce that analysts warn it may cause chaos in the IT labor market.

The police agency of Ninh Thuan announced on July 13 that it will prosecute four people for disturbing public order in protests against a draft bill on special administrative-economic zones.

The Prime Minister has issued Directive 19/CT-TTg on preventive measures against flash floods and landslides, which have happened frequently recently in the northern and north central regions.  

 The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee concluded its 25th session in Hanoi on July 13 after three days of working.

 Vietnam’s IT group FPT has inaugurated its 7th representative office in Japan at Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture.