VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnamese enterprises made hefty investments in automobile manufacturing projects in 2017, with the aim of becoming an automobile production center in SE Asia.

 One young Vietnamese engineer aims to build the first Vietnamese-made robot and already provides robotics to the local manufacturing sector.

The opening of the first IQ8 gasoline station in Hanoi marks a new stage for Vietnam’s retail gasoline sector.

 In such a village in the central coastal province of Phu Yen the beauty of apricot blossoms, one of the typical flowers of Vietnam in Tet holiday is attracting visitors.

 For multinational companies and foreign investors doing business in Vietnam, experts advocate minimising the FX risk through hedging, knowing that the dong may be steady today but may move unexpectedly tomorrow.

 Polestar Inc, a firm specializing in oil and gas transport in Texas in the U.S., wants to acquire a 49% stake in Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical Company (BSR), the operator of Dung Quat Oil Refinery.

 Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Foreign Trade of Viet Nam (Vietcombank) reported a pre-tax profit of more than VND11 trillion (US$482.5 million) in 2017.

 Members of the Vietnam Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (VAMM) sold more than 3.2 million motorcycles in 2017, marking a year-on-year increase of 4.8 per cent.

 F&N Dairy Investments Pte Ltd has registered to purchase 14.5 million shares in Vietnam Dairy Products JSC (Vinamilk) in a bid to raise its ownership in Vietnam’s largest dairy producer.

 The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has issued warnings to 15 commercial banks as they have offered too much credit for some high-risk sectors, news website Dan Tri quoted SBV deputy governor Dao Minh Tu as saying on January 9.

 The Ministry of Home Affairs is consulting relevant ministries and agencies over a plan to raise the monthly base salary from the current VND1.3 million to VND1.39 million (US$61.2) for public officials and employees as well as armed forces.

The housing market in HCM City's western part has recently become attractive, especially apartments in the affordable segment costing around VND2 billion (US$87,000), analysts said.

 PetroVietnam Power Corporation (PV Power) will hold two roadshows to introduce the investment opportunity in the company’s initial public offering (IPO), scheduled on January 31 on the Ha Noi Stock Exchange.

 Military-run telecommunications company Viettel Group was officially renamed Viettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group and recognised as the national defence and security enterprise with 100 per cent State-owned capital.

 Vietnam has recently made the list of the 10 happiest countries in the world in 2017, according to the 41st Annual Global End of the Year Survey conducted by Gallup International Association.

 The Finance Ministry has insisted on levying a special consumption tax on sweetened beverages, except for dairy products, news website Vietnam Finance cites the ministry’s latest draft of the amended law on taxes.

Former Deputy governor of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) and many other bankers were prosecuted for violations in bank related fields in 2017.

 Vietnam Securities Depository reported that there were 447 foreign investors granted with transaction codes in the stock market last December, higher than the previous month when it reached 428 investors.

 Nearly 800 technology students of Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang City and Hanoi have been taking part in the event of the Open Camp in three days on January 6, 8 and 12.

 Vietnam’s foreign reserves have grown by more than 21 per cent since last October and by $1.5 billion during the first ten days of 2018 to reach their highest-ever level, State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) Governor Le Minh Hung said.