The Viet Nam Bank for Industry and Trade (VietinBank) and the Petrolimex Group Commercial Joint Stock Bank (PG Bank) have called off a potential merger after nearly two years of negotiations.

 Credit institutions and foreign banks will be allowed to grant loans to some prioritised borrowers in excess of lending limits regulated by law beginning next month.

 The HCM City office market is rife with opportunities for property developers, especially the grade A and B segments which have been labouring under a shortage for the last couple of months, experts said.

As hot weather peaks this month in southern Vietnam, authorities in the Cuu Long (Mekong Delta) region are stepping up efforts to cope with forest fires and salinisation as a response to climate change.

 Strategic investors in tourism-casino complex will have to commit an investment of some US$1 billion for a casino project.

 The 2nd EuroSphere - European Art of Living exhibition will open on May 18 at the White Palace Convention Center in HCM City’s Phu Nhuan District.

The Krossing Over Arts Festival (KOAF) will feature a series of interdisciplinary and collaborative performances along with a plethora of artist talks, dance workshops, and international film screenings on April 16-22 in HCM City.

 Only 87 per cent of the 15,507 households that consume electricity supplied by the HCM City Power Corporation (EVNHCMC) safely use power, according to a recent survey by the company.

Located downtown opposite Ben Thanh Market, Sài Gòn General Hospital’s 115 satellite emergency station provides treatment for local residents as well as foreign tourists.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Diep Thi Nguon, a farmer in Long An Province, says she decided to breed tra fish in recent years because of the anticipated high profits.

 Events in Hanoi & HCMC on April 9-15

 Pension and monthly allowance will be increased by 6.92 per cent from July, and more than three million people are eligible for the revised pension and allowance, according to a draft decree by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.

 Hospitals and medical centres in HCM City have announced that they do not have enough vaccines against rabies.

 After so many abrupt fires happening lately, the public are intensely interested in firefighting products. The newly released Elide Fire, a fire fighting ball, has caught much attention from concerned people.

 The HCMC government should take preventive measures against zero-dollar tours given recent surges in Chinese tourists to the city.

 Those wishing to experience culture and lifestyles as natives of HCMC should check out the following places.

 VietNamNet Bridge – While the backbone of Vietnam’s electricity remains hydropower, the State-owned Electricity Viet Nam (EVN) says power supply will be ensured for the coming dry season.

The Ministry of Finance (MOF) wants the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) to instruct commercial banks to withhold taxes from transactions with Facebook and Google, but SBV said it is not authorized to do so.

Constructed 300 years ago, Co Che Village’s temple in Phuc Tien Commune, Phu Xuyen District boasts sculptures vividly reflecting the local folk life in the distinctive style of the Le Trung Hung Dynasty. 

 The 2018 National Drama Festival is scheduled to be held at the Army's Theatre in Tan Binh district, Ho Chi Minh City, from April 11-25.