The imposition of temporary safeguard duties on DAP and MAP fertiliser imports into Vietnam, which came into effect on August 19, is an effort to help protect the domestic fertiliser industry but might push up production costs for farmers.

On August 2, the Government Standing Committee met to discuss the proposed law on special administrative-economic units and changes in the land law concerning foreign ownership of property. 

VietNamNet Bridge - Fishermen’s use of extirpative equipment, including explosive and small-mesh nets, is causing the disappearance of many aquatic species.

VietNamNet Bridge - Labor experts have issued warnings about the sacking of workers over 35 years old, especially at foreign invested enterprises (FIEs).

Dr Do Quang Yen, a lecturer at the University of Virginia, who won one gold and one silver medal at the 1998 and 1999 International Mathematics Olympiads, says Vietnam lacks professors and leading experts who can develop talented students.

Improved transport efficiency and port connectivity are essential to advancing economic integration in the Asia Pacific region.

 The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has not found evidence supporting accusations by the Vietnam’s Pepper Association (VPA) of price manipulation by foreign traders in the pepper market.

Siam Cement Group (SCG) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with PetroVietnam, aiming to reinforce the development of Long Son petrochemical complex (LSP) in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

VietNamNet Bridge - The cash flow from tax havens is often risky, especially without adequate technical and tax barriers, say analysts.

The yeast and many other chemicals to make spirits have no origin or label but they are sold widely at markets in HCM City.

Performances by five-tone musical ensembles in Doi (Bat) pagoda in Soc Trang province attract a lot of visitors. The music of the Khmer creates a mysterious, sometimes joyful atmosphere.

Coca-Cola Vietnam claims the Ministry of Financial's proposal to isolate non-alcoholic beverages and soft drinks for taxation goes against international best practices.

The High-Level People’s Court in Hanoi on August 18 upheld death sentences on former General Director of the Vinashin Ocean Shipping Co. Ltd. (Vinashinlines) Tran Van Liem and former acting head of Vinashinlines’ sales department Giang Kim Dat.

Officials from member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum have highlighted the benefits of establishing competition chapters in free trade agreements (FTAs) and Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs).

Grandmaster Le Quang Liem, impressed but failed to win when it counted at the Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz tournament, the newest stop on the 2017 Grand Chess Tour, featuring total prize money of US$150,000.

VietNamNet Bridge - Analysts believe that banks at year-end will ease interest rates, which will make loans more accessible for businesses.

VietNamNet Bridge - Quang Ninh province still has no large-scale resorts, even though Ha Long Bay in the province is a popular tourism destination. 

 The Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) and the Siam Cement Group (SCG) of Thailand have just signed an agreement on accelerating the progress of a petrochemical project in southern Vietnam.

The spread of dengue fever has begun showing signs of slowing down in Hanoi, which recorded a huge number of patients over the past few months, according to the Hanoi Department of Health.

The finance reports from the first half of the year show that Vietnam has three banks with combined total assets exceeding VND1,000 trillion, or $50 billion, while 11 banks have total assets of over $10 billion.