VietNamNet Bridge - Commercial banks say that people are converting dollar into dong and investing dong in securities.

“Many Vietnamese people don’t know anything about blockchain, but are still willing to pour millions of dollars into ICO (initial coin offering) ,” the founder of Vietnam Blockchain Developers Nguyen Sy Thanh Son said recently.

 As more high-rises have been built in urban areas, more trees have been chopped down and the green space has shrunk.

Twenty-three state-owned universities are following the autonomy policy on a trial basis under a government resolution. However, they say they don’t have the right to make decisions on personnel and budgeting. 

 An update on the securities law this year focuses on nine targets in the hope of giving a boost to the development of the securities market as well as the broader financial sector.

The State Audit Office of Vietnam has pointed out shortcomings by the Ministries of Industry-Trade and Finance in overseeing fuel prices in the 2015-2016 period, especially in the provision of information, news website Dan Tri reports.

 Vietnam expects to have a sex rate at birth of 112.8 boys per 100 girls and an average population of 94.7 million in 2018, heard a conference held by the General Office for Population - Family Planning in Hanoi on January 30. 

Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung has asked the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and relevant agencies to make a pre-feasibility study for a project on building a North-South express rail route.

 Asian online insurance and financial products comparison site GoBear will set up a new regional software development team in Ho Chi Minh City next month.

 Credit card holders will not be allowed to withdraw cash at card readers of domestic points of sale (POS) from March this year, said the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV).

 A grand ceremony was held at the Thong Nhat (Reunification) Palace, Ho Chi Minh City on January 31 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the General Tet Offensive in the spring of 1968. 

 The temperature has sharply fallen in Sapa District in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai bringing snow.

VietNamNet Bridge - Japanese investors continue pouring money into Vietnam real estate firms despite the prediction that hot growth will slow in the time to come.

Members of the U23 VN football team were warmly welcomed by their hometown fans who went crazy on January 30.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has asked the Ministry of Industry and Trade to double check goods exported to the US to ensure the credibility and reputation for Vietnamese products.

 American teacher Daniel Hauer admitted his deep repentance over a comment that referenced Vietnam’s late hero General Vo Nguyen Giap on Facebook. He wants to visit his house to burn incense.

The HCMC Tourism Department has reassured the 19,000 freelance tour guides that they will not have to become members of tourism associations or tour guide associations.

 The Ho Chi Minh City People's Court will open the trial of Vinasun against Grab for unfair competition on February 6.

Vietnam had 134,751 guest workers employed abroad last year, exceeding the set target by 28.3% and equivalent to 106.7% of 2016’s figure. 

 Forbes Vietnam magazine announced the “30 Under 30” list earlier this week, featuring some of the brightest young entrepreneurs, innovators and game changers in the country.