Leaders from 21 APEC economies on November 18 were unable to sign a joint statement at the 26th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Papua New Guinea in the context of deep divisions between the US and China over trade and investment. 

 Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev began his two-day official visit to Vietnam on November 18 at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

Secretary of the Party Committee of Da Nang Truong Quang Nghia on November 18 had a meeting with Indian President Ram Nath Kovind, who is on a State visit to Vietnam.

 The rights of local labourers are getting closer to international labour standards thanks to the Vietnamese National Assembly’s latest approval of the CPTPP, which will come into effect from December 30 this year.

VietNamNet Bridge - As the supply of apartments is now large, many apartment owners have decided to earn extra money from renting apartments by the hour, though it is not allowed by current law.

 Once operational, the project would directly employ 5,000 people and indirectly hire 20,000 – 25,000 people, generating steady revenue for the city`s budget.

The need for investment capital in infrastructure has exceeded the capacity of the State budget for the 2016-2020 medium-term investment plan.

 Vietnam has helped Laos complete the building of a digital topographic database and a topographic map of its northern and central region, serving the country’s socio-economic development and environmental management.

 Vietnam’s national football team has grabbed the headlines of international media following its 2-0 triumph over Malaysia on November 16.

 The 90-year-old Binh Tay market, one of the beautiful architecture works in HCM City, re-opened on November 15 after nearly two years of closure for restoration. 

 Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc is leading a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation to the 26th APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea at the invitation of his Papua New Guinea counterpart Peter O’Neill. 

VietNamNet Bridge - Many Vietnam’s specialties are available in the world market, but most are Thai and Hong Kong made products.

Economist Vo Tri Thanh, former deputy director of the Central Institute for Economic Management, said that the CPTPP will change the “integration battle” in Vietnam in the coming years.

VietNamNet Bridge - Franchisers in the food & beverage (F&B) sector have been told to continue their business model to prosper, but it is the service sector which will be the future of the franchise industry.

 With a growth rate of 15-20 percent per year and a total annual revenue of 15 billion USD, with 3 billion from exports, Vietnam’s plastic industry boasts huge development potential. 

 Vietnam commits to preventing and punishing all acts related to torture, contributing to the effective implementation of the UN Convention Against Torture in accordance with the country’s real situation.

 The 14th National Assembly discussed the draft Law on Preventing and Combating Harmful Effects of Alcohol and Beer during the ongoing sixth session in Hanoi on November 16. 

 The State Securities Commission has approved Vinaconex’s request to lock its ceiling foreign ownership ratio at zero percent, saying the move complies with regulations.

 Vietnam beat Malaysia 2-0 in a Group A match of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup 2018, which took place at Hanoi-based My Dinh National Stadium on November 16 evening.

 Local and international experts shared research results on robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) technology at the annual international conference of the Saigon Hi-Tech Park on November 16.