The latest trade report from the General Statistics Office (GSO) shows that the trade deficit increased yet again in April, by $800 million, bringing the four-month total to $2.74 billion.

 Ahead of its long-awaited initial public offering, state-run Vietnam National Shipping Lines, which is the country’s largest shipping company, last week held a workshop in Singapore to seek foreign strategic investors to serve its future development.

 A sharp decrease in the mineral sector and lower growth in many industrial sectors were the major contributors to a four-year-low in industrial production growth in the year’s first four months.

 All foreign employees in Vietnam with work permits, practice certificates, or practice licences issued by local authorised agencies will be subject to compulsory social insurance payments if a new draft decree is approved.

 Despite guard booths by forest rangers set up at all roads leading to the forest, many big trees have been stolen from the Cuc Phuong National Park in Thanh Hoa Province.

 Vo Tuong An, who won scholarships from more than 10 prestigious international universities and is co-founder of International Catalysts Empowerment organisation, has implemented a new education project to help pupils on Ly Son Island.

 Covered warrants, a new investment tool, will be allowed to start trading on the HCM Stock Exchange this September. The launch of this product is considered the first step to introducing more option products in the future.

 The country’s total retail sales and services revenue reached VND1,267.9 trillion (US$56.7 billion) in the first four months of this year, a year on year increase of 6.7 per cent.

 Viet Nam’s total trade value in the first four months of the year gained a year-on-year increase of 20.1 per cent to US$125.41 billion, according to the General Department of Customs.

VietNamNet Bridge - The family-run business model has certain vulnerabilities and is prone to breakdowns that can lead to serious consequences.

 Viet Nam representative Quang Ninh Coal left the Asian Football Confederation Cup with a 3-0 win over Yadanarbon FC of Myanmar at the Mandala Thiri Stadium in Mandalay.

 More than 66,200 local people and foreigners paid tribute to late President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum between April 29 and May 2, according to Hanoi Police.

 During the past three decades, the Vietnam economy has benefited from a transition away from agriculture toward manufacturing and services, and a demographic powered by a youthful population.

 Vietnam lacks the legal wherewithal to deal comprehensively with dubious multilevel marketing companies operating in the country, officials say.

 Danish Minister for Development Cooperation Ms.Ulla Tørnæs will pay an official visit to Vietnam on May 4-5, hosted by Minister of Planning and Investment Mr. Nguyen Chi Dung.

 The real estate market will hot up in the remaining months of this year as developers, including VinGroup and Eurowindow, are launching a large number of mid-end projects.

 Vietnamese expatriates in France joined locals in a march on May 1 to call for support for  Vietnamese people who suffer physical and mental pain caused by Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin sprayed by the US army during the war in Vietnam. 

 Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Pham Quang Vinh has affirmed Vietnam’s desire to tighten its comprehensive partnership with the US at recent meetings with elected US officials in Washington DC.

 Vietnamese stock indices may rise further and test their resistance levels this week on higher investors confidence, bolstered by positive developments in global political conditions and good earnings reports.

 A total of 125 road accidents occurred across the country during the holidays between April 29 and May 2, killing 98 people and injuring 90 others.