Local economists forecast that the Vietnamese economy will face greater challenges in 2017 amidst global geopolitical changes and financial uncertainties.

 Vietnam Real Estate Association Chairman Nguyen Tran Nam said that the local property market would see more cheap housing supply in 2017 to meet increasing demand.

 The Ministry of Finance has unsurprisingly batted away criticism of its ministry-owned computerised lottery in Vietnam, underlining it operates in a totally transparent way and in line with the law.

 A string of new policies on civil status registration, employment, escorted transfer of violators, and individual income exemption involving foreign elements came into effect in 2016.

 Backed by a strong end of year with 2016’s fourth quarter GDP growth of 6.8 per cent and a growth rate of 6.2 per cent for the whole year, the primary driver of Vietnam’s robust economic expansion is manufacturing, HSBC wrote in its latest report.

 Hanoi only introduced fines for littering from February 1, but few locals are aware of the new regulation.

 Vietnamese Chess Grandmaster Le Quang Liem has dropped two places to No 32 in the men’s standard category, according to the International Chess Federation’s February rankings.

 Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien has set high goals for the Vietnamese sport at the upcoming 29th Southeast Asian Games, which will take place from August 19-31 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

 The Cat Linh – Ha Dong elevated urban railway in Hanoi will begin its test run, expected to last between three and six months, on October 1.

 The Vietnamese Government has paid special heed to reducing poverty in an inclusive and sustainable manner, stated Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, head of the Vietnam Mission to the UN.

 The Vietnamese beauty market saw stable growth last year, with a year-on-year increase of 4 per cent, and is expected to thrive in the years to come.

 The Ministry of Finance is drafting a document for the next generation Law on Securities in an effort to complete legislation for the securities market in line with the overall development scheme of the broader financial sector.

Vietnam has about 5 million business households that have not become enterprises. Vu Tien Loc, VCCI chairman, spoke about this issue, and the conversion of 5 million business households to enterprises to reach the target in 2020.

 Business confidence is expected to improve in 2017, following the Government’s hastened reform efforts aiming to create momentum for firms and boost start-up entrepreneurship.

Viet Nam’s top ten products in terms of 2016 export turnover accounted for 71.8 per cent of total national export value, according to a recently announced statistics report by the General Department of Customs. 

 Vietnamese beverage producers plan to produce about 4 billion litres of beer in 2017, up by 10 per cent from 2016, according to the Vietnam Beer Alcohol Beverage (VBA).

 The national team will convene on February 6 in Hanoi to prepare for the international U18 football tournament held in China from February 16-24.

 Defender Doan Van Hau has attracted the attention of Germany’s Fortuna Dusseldorf FC, according to Hoang Anh Tuan, coach of the U20 squad.

VietNamNet Bridge - They are the next generation of successful businesswomen in Vietnam who own large conglomerates such as Thanh Thanh Cong, Biti’s, Nam Cuong and Muong Thanh.

Several majors at Hue College of Arts under Huế University are in danger of being discontinued due to a lack of students.