The small size of land plots in Vietnam has long curtailed investment in agriculture but a new pilot project is set to change that.

To date, Phu Quoc - Vietnam’s largest island - has attracted US$16.7 billion of investment into a range of international-scale projects, which not only give the island a new face, but also attract other projects as well as tourists. 

 Two major state-owned confectionery firms, Huu Nghi and Hai Ha, recently transferring to private ownership is expected to pave the way to becoming market leaders.

Australian-owned Gloria Jean’s Coffees recently decided to close its last store in Viet Nam, ending a 10-year stint in Ho Chi Minh City and Ha Noi due to slow expansion, high rents and an unsuitable business model. 

 The HCMC Party Committee's standing deputy secretary yesterday said he would ask the city Police Department to investigate and handle brokers for spreading false rumors, showing signs of frauds rocketing up land price to make profit.

 Industrial real estate may well be among the industry’s more promising sectors this year.

 Hanoi is home to 25 of the 60 real estate projects in 10 cities and provinces that the Ministry of Finance (MoF) proposed the Government Inspectorate to investigate for signs of violations.

 Up to 100,000 tonnes of Vietnamese rice will be shipped to the EU each year tax-free in 2018 following the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement, helping local rice exporters penetrate the market.

 The government will not propose the National Assembly (NA) to adjust the economic growth target in its third session, which is scheduled to take place on May 22, 2017.

 A list of all housing projects in which foreign organisations and individuals are not allowed to make purchases is being publicised by local authorities at the urgent bidding of the government.

 There is a VND130-140 trillion ($5.72-$6.16 billion) credit package for hi-tech agricultural projects, however, few firms have been able to access it due to cautious banks.

 Salary surveys are now a key tool for companies in the race to recruit and retain talent.

 Large transnational companies have rapidly taken control of the manufacturing and retail beauty and personal care segments of the Vietnam economy, say leading market analysts.

 South Korean technology giant Samsung has announced the appointment of Mr. Shim Won Hwan as General Director of Samsung Vietnam, replacing Mr. Han Myoung Sup.

 Recently, Quoc Cuong Gia Lai’s stock price has been on a constant increase. One of the reasons for this galloping rise was mentioned in the firm’s audited consolidated financial statement.

 A list of all housing projects in which foreign organisations and individuals are not allowed to make purchases is being publicised by local authorities at the urgent bidding of the government.

 In light of recent widely reported cases of banking fraud related to ATM transactions, the State Bank of Viet Nam has advised the public to remain calm and adhere to banks’ regulations, while urging the banks to plug security holes.

Viet Nam Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Industry and Trade’s (VietinBank) board of directors has appointed Hiroshi Yamaguchi as the new deputy general director of the bank from May 15.

 The ten members of the ASEAN Council on Petroleum (ASCOPE) agreed this week to boost cooperation.