Vietnam’s anti-graft efforts is credit positive, Moody’s Investor Service stated in its latest report.

 The General Department of Vietnam Customs has proposed to build a bridge to China in the northern province of Lao Cai to boost the local economy.

 High-speed boats on the Ho Chi Minh City - Can Gio - Vung Tau route will be put into operation in the first quarter of 2018, according to the HCM City People's Committee.

 Vietnam sent more than 134,700 workers abroad last year, according to data from the Department of Overseas Labour (DOLAB) under the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs. This included 53,340 female workers, or 39.6 per cent.

 The Vietnam Jungle Marathon (VJM) is set to start in Pu Luong Nature Reserve in the central province of Thanh Hoa from April 13 to April 15.

 The Saigon Beer, Alcohol and Beverage Corporation (Sabeco) produced nearly 1.73 billion litres of beer in 2017, an increase of 7 per cent compared to the previous year and exceeding 5 per cent against the year target.

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

 The Viet Nam Bank for Industry and Trade (VietinBank) earned a total profit of VND9.2 trillion (US$404 million) in 2017, equivalent to 105 per cent of its annual target.

 Following a Ministry of Transport directive asking Grab Viet Nam to stop providing car hailing services in certain provinces, the company said its services did not violate laws.

 Vietnam has become an ideal location to start a business, not only for young overseas Vietnamese people but also for expats thanks to the country’s strong economic growth in recent years.  

 The Prime Minister on January 15 signed to issue a decree on cutting 675 of the 1,216 business conditions (or 55.5 percent), managed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT).

VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnamese have joined the community of iPhone users filing lawsuits against Apple for intentionally slowing down the phones as the devices' batteries aged. 

 Vietnam’s diplomatic sector made great contributions to maintaining peace and stability, serving development and increasing the country’s position in 2017.

 The Government Inspectorate of Vietnam and the French Anti-Corruption Agency signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in preventing and fighting corruption in Hanoi on January 15.

 Vietnam welcomes Mitsubishi Motors’ plan to build its second plant in the country, said Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue while receiving the group’s Executive Vice President Kozo Shiraji in Hanoi on January 15.

 Vietnamese shares advanced on January 15 as large-cap firms were boosted by positive investor confidence that was looking for opportunities in the earnings season.

 The Prime Minister issued Decision 66/QD-TTg on January 15 to set up a working group to supervise the establishment of a committee for state capital management at enterprises.

 Underground rainwater harvesting tanks will be piloted in a vocational training school for the disabled in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho. 

 Two Vietnamese sailors rescued from a sunk Malaysian fishing vessels were brought back to Vietnam on January 15 by a ship of Zone 3 Search and Rescue Centre on January 15. 

  Vietnam has recorded upbeat growth despite disadvantages brought about by the withdrawal of the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, according a recent article published on the East Asia Forum.