Vietnam and the US have signed a letter of intention on accelerating and completing negotiations for the signing of a customs mutual assistance agreement between the two countries.

 National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan has called on the US Congress to support the approval of resolutions aiming to foster economic and trade ties with Vietnam. 

 Vietnam is expected to harvest only 0.87 tonnes of cashew nuts per ha in 2017, 0.21 tonnes or nearly 20 percent less than 2016’s output per ha, heard a conference in Ho Chi Minh City on June 1. 

 The draft revised Law on Legal Assistance was the main theme of discussion during the June 1 plenary session of the 14th National Assembly under the chair of Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan. 

 The current visit to Vietnam by the Queen of the Netherlands is an opportunity for both countries to share their strategic vision on the promulgation and enforcement of financial policies, said Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue.

 Several foreign firms have recently acquired stakes in Vietnamese food processing enterprises, showing the local food industry’s increasing attractiveness. 

Vietnam considers the US one of important partners and wants to continue boosting the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership on the basis of respecting each other’s political institution and the win-win relations.

Thailand’s PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has affirmed that the Vietnam-Thailand relationship is at the peak of history and suggested the two countries pay more heed to cooperation in areas that benefit both sides like trade, investment and connectivity. 

Experts believe that Vietnam will benefit from India’s plan to build a tsunami early warning system on the East Sea as it will help vessel rescue in the area.

VietNamNet Bridge - As many Vietnamese farmers are reliant on the Chinese market, they have suffered as Chinese traders have reduced fruit imports. 

VietNamNet Bridge - At the Hanoi University of Education, students in natural sciences and technology, biology, and preschool and primary education faculties are now trained in English along with the current Vietnamese program.

Experts claim that despite the 2014 policy permitting non-Vietnamese citizens to purchase houses in Vietnam, variations in the interpretations of the policy leave investors sceptical and unsure about how to calculate risk.

A growing number of foreign logistics companies are expanding operations to and inside Vietnam through merger and acquisition deals to lower operational costs and cash in on market opportunities.

 Vietnam will boost the re-lending of official development assistance (ODA) and restrict ODA grants to localities as a way to tighten control over this foreign loan.

 Several companies have announced plans to set up new airlines in Vietnam.

 Vietnam runs trade deficit of $2.7 billion in five months

VietNamNet Bridge - The low GDP growth rate in the first quarter of 2017 is a hot topic of discussion at the ongoing National Assembly session. 

 Minister of Finance Dinh Tien Dung expressed concern over the rising burden of public debt and the State budget deficit, saying public debt is fast approaching the ceiling.

 Le Fruit Off-Road Triathlon, one of the country’s multi-sport events, will make a comeback for its 15th edition at Ho Tram Beach in the southern coast province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau on June 10.

 Foreign investors are upbeat about opportunities in Vietnamese private equity, but remain concerned about the small market size and low levels of liquidity.