Vietnam’s foreign direct investment picture should rebound in the remaining months of this year, though concerns remain over fulfilling the 2016 target.

 VN may develop a code on competition which is asymptotic to international rules and economic integration by mid-2018.

 The central province of Thua Thien – Hue is mapping out a project to preserve biodiversity in submerged lands in Lap An Lagoon and O Lau estuary, which cover a combined over 4,000 hectares and boast rich fauna and flora.

 The national U22 football team will play against hosts China in its first match in a friendly international tournament in Wuhan, China, on November 8. 

With an extensive reform spirit, the Law on Enterprises and the Investment Law has breathed new life into the country’s business environment, as seen in the remarkably increase in the number of enterprises and investment. 

 The Irish Times of Ireland on November 6 ran a long article covering the eight-day trip of President Michael D. Higgins to Vietnam and Laos, saying his State visit to Vietnam marks the 20-year bilateral diplomatic ties.

International lawyers have agreed that some or all of the artificial islands of China were built on low-tide elevations; therefore they are not entitled to an area of territorial water as prescribed by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

VietNamNet Bridge - Binh Thuan provincial authorities have written to the General Department of Vietnam Seas and Islands, stating their opposition to the Vinh Tan 1 thermal power company’s plan on sinking 1.5 million cubic meters of waste.

VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnamese are now tending to choose high-end smartphone models instead of cheaper Chinese phones Huawei, Vivo and Xiaomi.

VietNamNet Bridge - The major goals of the national plan to develop schools for the gifted have not been met in the last five years. 

The battle for the "golden land", or prime real estate areas, in HCM City heated up recently after the Van Thinh Phat Group and a partner became the owner of a land plot located in an advantageous position in HCM City.

 This year 17 commercial banks had planned to increase their capital, but only two managed to do so.

 The Vietnamese e-commerce market is expected to surge in the next five years, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, which has set an online sales target of US$10 billion or 5 per cent of total retail sales.

 Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has released a national land use rights plan for cities and provinces, the Ministry of National Defense, and the Ministry of Public Security.

 Vietnam’s leading fund manager, VinaCapital, has reiterated that the $50 million sale of its stake in Southeast Asia Telecommunication Holdings (SEATH) to a Malaysian investor is proceeding and will be completed before the end of the year.

 The walking zone surrounding the Hoan Kiem Lake in downtown Hanoi has quickly become a hit to local and international tourists since its debut in September. 

 Up to 15 people were killed and another six are missing from heavy downpours and flooding in the central region and the Central Highlands.

 Vietnamese stocks are expected to remain volatile early this week until the US presidential election concludes, while foreign trading will help boost the market at the end of the week, experts have said.

 Viet Nam plans to export chicken to Japan from next year and expand chicken export markets to other Asian countries in 2018, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said.

VietNamNet Bridge - The recently released World Bank report about farm produce supply chain shows worrying issues about Vietnam’s agriculture.