VietNamNet Bridge - Van Don, a peninsula with total area of 551 square kilometers, has changed its look rapidly since it became one of three ‘candidates’ chosen to try the special economic zone (SEZ) model in Vietnam.

 The proportion of trained workers in informal employment is only 14.8%, much lower than the national average of 20.6%; while the proportion of trained workers in the formal sector is about 3.7 times higher, equivalent to 55.4%.

 A Hanoi railway project's cost has fallen by VND5.8trn (USD256m) after a review proved that estimates for many projects weren’t accurate.

 Authorities in Danang City have temporarily stopped real estate transactions on Son Tra Peninsula pending a comprehensive inspection.

 Police in the northern province of Thanh Hoa have just detained a woman for killing her 23-day-old granddaughter following her acting on advice from a fortune-teller.

 Despite talks of a direct route to the US for years, there remain concerns about a how profitable it would actually be.

Chairwoman of the National Assembly of Vietnam Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan arrived in Canberra on November 29, starting her official visit to Australia.

 Taxi operator Mai Linh Group has revealed a draft merger plan for its two subsidiaries, Mai Linh Central Joint Stock Company and Mai Linh Northern Joint Stock Company, in an effort to streamline its cumbersome operation.

 Online Friday 2017, which is this Friday, is expected to achieve sales of VND1.5 trillion (US$220 million), event organiser Viet Nam E-commerce and Information Technology Agency (Vecita) under the Ministry of Industry and Trade said.

 The State Capital Investment Corporation has set the minimum bidding price for the competitive share offering of Viet Nam Construction and Import-Export Joint Stock Corporation (Vinaconex) at US$1.12 per share.

 Although Viet Nam is the world’s 12th-largest exporter of electronics and the third-largest in ASEAN since 2015, up to 95 per cent of the country’s electronics output comes from foreign-owned enterprises instead of domestic ones.

The VN Union of Science and Technology Association has called for clearer tax guidance and policies for non-State science and technology organisations.

 Shares closed November 28 on a positive note on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange, however, market trading condition was poor on increased investors’ profit-taking.

 The export turnover of Vietnamese timber and timber products is estimated to hit 8 billion USD this year, 10 percent higher than the target, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development reported.

 Vietnam always respectfully and sincerely thanks the Communist Party, State and people of Cuba for their solidarity and support for Vietnam’s struggle for liberation, national unity and reunification, as well as current construction and defence.

 The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), set to be signed next year, will benefit both sides, a workshop heard in Ho Chi Minh City on November 28.

 International law holds an important role in maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea, heard the ninth East Sea International Conference which ended in Ho Chi Minh City on November 28.

 Algerian Prime Minister Admed Ouyahia on November 28 met with Minister of Construction Pham Hong Ha who is leading a delegation to Algeria for the 11th meeting of the Vietnam-Algeria Inter-Governmental Committee from November 27-29.

VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnamese commercial banks are very busy these days with plans to launch IPOs, call for capital, seek strategic partners, and list shares on the bourse.

 Acting Minister of External Relations of Chile Edgardo Riveros has presented Grand Cross Order of Merit to Vietnamese Ambassador to Chile Ngo Duc Thang in honour of his contributions to bilateral ties.