Here are the 10 outstanding economic events of Vietnam in 2018:

 Vietnam will enhance its telecommunications infrastructure, expand its broadband network and develop 5G mobile connectivity this year.

 The Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HOSE) on January 5 announced the top 10 securities companies with the largest brokerage share and fund certificates in the fourth quarter of 2018.

 Logistics, considered an industry with huge contributions to the development of the economy, has not lived up to its potentials due to human resources shortage.

 The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has set up a council to scrutinise alleged violations of competition regulations in ride-hailing services firm Grab’s acquisition of Uber’s business in Vietnam.

 FOX Sports Asia devoted an article in its “Players to Watch” series for AFC Asian Cup 2019 to write about Nguyen Quang Hai, describing him as “the outstanding prospect carrying the hopes of Vietnam”.

 As Tet (or Lunar New Year) festival draws closer, ornamental plant botanists in Hanoi have received a raft of orders for pomelo, peach blossom, and kumquat trees. 

 Despite being seen as a potential blockchain development nation, Vietnam lacks a proper legal framework which may prevent the country maximise benefits from the emerging industry.

 Many odd-shaped houses have appeared on Pham Van Dong Street in Hanoi after a project to widen the street started.

 The pair were accused of infringing state regulations, allowing property tycoon Phan Van Anh Vu, aka Vu Nhom, to profit from public land appropriation.

 The implementation of the commitments in the CPTPP will further promote transparency and institutional modernization.

 The Van Don Economic Zone (EZ) in northern Quang Ninh province needs $70.2 billion by 2050 to meet its investment needs, the Vietnam News Agency quoted the provincial people’s committee as saying.

 Some young people have made video clips in which they dismount from their bikes while waiting at the red lights due to safety fears.

 Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith co-chaired the 41st session of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee in Hanoi on January 6. 

Korean banks are increasing their presence in Vietnam, betting on the growth potential of the emerging market, especially when and if limits on foreign ownership ratio are removed.

 Vietnam has been attracting a great deal of foreign direct investment (FDI), with a further surge on the horizon thanks to new free trade agreements. 

In 2018, the automobile market was affected by Decree 116, which regulates manufacture, assembly and importing of cars. 

 The growth of the Vietnamese automobile industry has had a positive impact on industrial real estate.

 Vietnam is set to reform its policies to attract more renewable energy investment in the time to come. 

 2019 will be a busy year for ministries looking to cut business prerequisites, and firms should contribute to making the process more efficient, said Nguyen Dinh Cung, Director of the Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM).