The Ministry of Science and Technology’s (MST) Circular 23 on the required quality of used machine imports, which aims to encourage businesses to renovate technologies, turns out to be a barrier to production.

 The MobiFone Telecommunications Corporation targeted total revenue of VND35.8 trillion (US$1.59 billion) in 2016, 10 per cent higher than that of 2015, and a profit of VND5.2 trillion ($231 million).

 Vietnam suffered more than 31,500 cyber attacks in the past year, according to the Viet Nam Computer Emergency Response Team (VNCert).

Arising hurdles in birth rate and maternity and children death are hindering Vietnam from fulfilling the national goals of its population and reproductive health strategy as well as the UN millennium development goals.

VietNamNet Bridge - International experts believe Vietnam and Cambodia are highly desired destination points for real estate investors. There are still many attractive opportunities in emerging markets, despite the economic slowdown worldwide.

 The Laws social insurance, citizen identification, civil status, special consumption tax, military service, organization of local governments are among ten laws scheduled to take effect in 2016. Law on Social Insurance (revised)

 Threats to information security are becoming more serious and may be used as a tool against the State to attack important infrastructure, freeze Governmental activities or destroy the economy.

 Local education experts have pointed out widespread failuresin the teaching of English, explaining the currently poor results among Englishlanguage students.

VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam’s catfish export industry is experiencing stormy days because of strict rules set by the US, which tries to protect its local catfish production.

Vietnam’s only one USD billionaire Pham Nhat Vuong retains the top spot, while Doan Nguyen Duc of Hoang Anh Gia Lai slipped to the third position, giving the second spot to the boss of Hoa Phat Group, Tran Dinh Long.

 Logistics costs in Vietnam account for 20-25 percent Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is 10 percent higher than other developing nations in the region, the association said.

 Japanese breed raised in central highlands under special conditions sells for a fraction of the price of imported beef.

 Nguyen Sy Hien was appointed chairman of the National Coach Council, according to the Viet Nam Football Federation (VFF).

Masan Group Corporation (MSN) yesterday announced the signing of a partnership agreement with Thailand's Singha Asia Holding Pte Ltd worth as much as US$1.1 billion.

 Vietnam had 120.6 million mobile subscriptions by the end of this year, according to a report from the Viet Nam Telecommunications Authority.

 Forty-five vocational schools around the country will pilot a programme to teach international curricula in 34 vocations to improve the quality of human resources.

 Khanh Hoa Province's authorities will inspect accusations that Nha Trang Sao JSC have damaged the environment of Nha Trang Bay through their project.

VietNamNet Bridge - Many businesses, including big conglomerates, failed to implement their IPO (initial public offering) plans in 2015, thus leaving investors disappointed. 

  ANZ-Roy Morgan Vietnam Consumer Confidence has finished 2015 at 144.8 points, the highest score in Asia for the first time, according to ANZ Research in a press release.

Some believe that HCM City needs a special economic zone (SEZ) in the southern part of the city which will be in accordance with the city’s sea development strategy.