Viet Nam paid US$410 million for imported beef last year due to increasing demand, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

 Five big State-owned corporations will conduct IPOs in the first quarter.

Chairman of the Parliament of Mongolia Miyegombo Enkhbold and his spouse will pay an official visit to Vietnam from January 20 to 23.

 The PetroVietnam Power Corporation (PV Power), a subsidiary of the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam), will offer 20 percent of its shares in an initial public offering (IPO) on January 31. 

 The Ministry of Finance has proposed the Government raise the individual income tax imposed on capital/securities transfer to 2 percent for trades not registered to the Vietnam Securities Depository (VSD) and not made on the securities market.

 National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, who is the President of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) for the 2017-2018 tenure, chaired a dress rehearsal for the 26th Annual Meeting of the APPF (APPF-26) on January 16.

The Vietnamese Party, State and army always attach much importance to the relations with Laos, said Minister of National Defence Ngo Xuan Lich, who is visiting Laos from January 15-17.

 President Tran Dai Quang hosted separate receptions in Hanoi on January 16 for newly-appointed ambassadors of Sudan, Peru, Zambia, Afghanistan, Namibia and Bolivia.

 Hanoi plans to launch a pilot programme on using technology to trace the origins of agricultural products in an effort to ensure consumer health. 

 Outgoing Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia Hoang Anh Tuan has affirmed to do his utmost in the new position as Deputy Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to contribute to the bloc’s effective operation.

 The Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre for Zone 2 in the central coastal city of Da Nang has helped save the life of a Philippine sailor who had some health problems.

 Vietnamese shares ended January 16 on a negative note as large-cap stocks were hit by strong selling as investors worried about a draft amendment on the initial margin to be passed by market regulators.

 Vietnam has filed a complaint to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) against the United States’ anti-dumping measures on Vietnamese fish export, said the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

 Bui Thi Thu Thao was honoured as Female Athlete of the Year at the Victory Cup awards ceremony yesterday in Hanoi.

 Young Vietnamese ace Nguyen Van Phuong came from behind to beat Tomas Kopczynski of the US in the first round of the men’s singles category at the Copa Del Café Junior Tennis Tournament held in Costa Rica on January 16.

 Individuals or organisations who are found to cause damage to trees will be fined up to VNĐ30 million (US$1,300) from January 15, says a new Government decree.

 The central city’s transport department and South Korea’s Seoul Metro corporation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in urban railway development and public traffic research at a ceremony yesterday.

 The retirement age in Vietnam, currently 60 for men and 55 for women, may be gradually raised to 62 and 60, respectively, beginning in January 2021, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs proposed.

The development of coal-fired power plants in Vietnam depends largely on foreign financial resources, especially China. 

VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam needs to increase power generation capacity by building power plants, including thermopower, but such facilities could affect the quality of water resources.