The Ministry of Finance is proposing to levy a special consumption tax of 10 percent on sweet drinks to combat child - and adult - obesity rates, a problem worrying Government and health experts. 

The court on January 9 afternoon looked into the charges of “property embezzlement” facing Trinh Xuan Thanh, former Chairman of PetroVietnam Construction Joint Stock Corporation (PVC), and his accomplices.

The Procuracy of Ho Chi Minh City on January 9 announced an indictment against Pham Cong Danh, ex-Chairman of the Vietnam Construction Bank (VNCB) Board of Directors, and his accomplices.

 Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung has called for more support from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to Vietnam’s projects, including those in transport infrastructure, energy, climate change response and sea level rise. 

 Vietnam-India relations have become more important to peace, stability and development of the two countries, as well as peace, security and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, said Vietnamese Ambassador to India Ton Sinh Thanh.

 Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan expected the parliaments of Vietnam and Canada will make concerted effort to further deepen the two countries’ relations in a reception hosted for Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam Ping Kitnikone.

 Office space for rent in downtown Hanoi City is almost fully occupied, so it may be tough for tenants to find offices in the coming time, according to real estate services provider Savills Vietnam.

 Blockchain technology has brought a considerable amount of opportunity to Vietnam, enabling it to grow into one of Southeast Asia’s blockchain hubs.

VietNamNet Bridge - The fruit from the 11-month rise in bitcoin price could be cleared away just after a few trading sessions.

 Lot of garment and textile companies have been forced to close down recently because of lacking of contracts. That has badly affected the life of workers who have lost their job in advance of the Tet holidays.

 Over time, Airbnb and similar sites will pose a major problem for hotels of all sizes.

 The HCM City People’s Committee said it has not received the resignation letter of Doan Ngoc Hai, deputy chairman of HCM City’s District 1, according to Vo Van Hoan, chief of staff and spokesperson for the city People’s Committee.

 Tax inspection is actively investigating big companies to detect violations. (Photo: timesofmalta.com)

 People in the northern mountains shivered yesterday as temperature dropped to freezing point - and snow is likely to blanket Sa Pa Township on January 10.

 Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc left Hanoi on January 10 morning for Phnom Penh, Cambodia, to attend the second Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) Summit. 

 The ABU Asia-Pacific Robot Contest (ABU Robocon) 2018 will be held in the northern province of Ninh Binh on August 26, said a representative of the Vietnam Television at a press conference in Hanoi on January 9.

 The Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) is targeting an increase of its oil and gas reserves by 10-15 million tonnes in 2018. 

 The drugs squad of the northern province of Dien Bien on January 9 reported that they brought to light a large drug trafficking ring involving a Lao national and 21 cakes of heroin (about 7.5kg).

 Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh received new Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Lianys Torres Rivera in Hanoi on January 9.

 Vietnamese shares advanced for a second session on January 9 as investors remained upbeat over the firms that are expected to deliver good results in the earnings season.