Vietnam Morning News For August 1

Despite risks, foreign investors still find property market attractive
The latest report by CBRE, a real estate service provider, showed that Australia, Japan and Vietnam are among the most attractive real estate markets in Asia Pacific.
— VietnamNet Bridge

PM: Private enterprises strive to contribute 50-60 pct of GDP
He reiterated the target of building a facilitating Government which accompanies businesses, and protects all legitimate rights and interests of investors, in accordance with principles of the World Trade Organisation, bilateral agreements and the Government’s commitments.
— VietnamNet Bridge

Seafood exports estimated at 8 bln USD in 2017
Vietnam’s export turnover of aquatic products is forecast to reach 8 billion USD in 2017, up 14 percent year on year, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
— VietnamPlus

Finance Ministry refuses to cut tax rates for coal industry
In a report sent to the Prime Minister, the finance ministry said that the Prime Minister had approved a development plan for the coal sector to ensure reduction of coal exports and export for kinds of coal for which the domestic market does not have a demand. He approved a plan on exporting two million tonnes of coal per year for the period of 2017-20.
— VietnamNet Bridge

Demand for VN rice to be stable in Q3: VFA
Demand for Vietnamese rice is expected to be stable in the third quarter of the year, Vietnam Food Association (VFA) Chairman Huynh The Nang has said.
— Bizhub

Rebound in food prices puts July CPI at 0.11%
After two months of falling, Vietnam’s consumer price index (CPI) rose by 0.11 per cent month-on-month in July; its lowest level for nine years, according to figures from the General Statistics Office (GSO).
— Vietnam Economic Times

Vietnam has first credit rating company
Credit rating is common in many countries around the world, aiming to supply transparent information for investors and businesspeople.
— VietnamNet Bridge

State-owned banks’ cash dividends not compulsory
The Government’s recent decision on the restructuring of credit institutions ensures that State-owned banks listed on the market no longer have to worry about dividend payout in cash, experts said.
— VietnamPlus

The wary balance of the market-based economy
Professor Nguyen Mai, chairman of the Vietnam Association of Foreign Invested Enterprises, provides a look back over the years, with an eye towards the future.
— VietnamNet Bridge

NA leader promises optimal conditions for US firms
Vietnamese leaders always support stronger trade and economic ties with the US and are willing to create a transparent and favourable business climate for foreign firms, including those from the US, said a top lawmaker.
— VietnamPlus

Vietnam hoped to become EU’s largest trade partner in ASEAN
The minister said Vietnam could also become the most promising destination in Southeast Asia for European businesses.
— VietnamNet Bridge

Taiwan eyes Vietnam for healthcare services and solutions
Taiwan has increasingly been focusing on Vietnam’s healthcare market as an ideal destination in Southeast Asia to promote its healthcare services and smart medical solutions in the country, the “Taiwan Medical Miracles” seminar held within the framework of Taiwan Expo 2017 at the Saigon Exhibition and Conference Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City a few days ago heard.
— Vietnam Economic Times

Banks sprint to listing deadline
According to the Government’s regulations, all 730 equitised companies yet to be listed on the UPCoM will have to list on the bourse by the end of this year. Ten banks – OCB, ABBank, Techcombank and NamABank, as well as MaritimeBank, VietABank, TPBank and Seabank, along with HDBank and LienVietPostBank, are among the firms named.
— VietnamNet Bridge

Thái Bình Economic Zone to be established
Under the decision, Thái Bình Economic Zone is a coastal economic zone consisting of 30 communes and one town in Thái Thụy, Tiền Hải district and its adjacent coastal area.
— Viet Nam News

City seeks to trace pork origins
Starting yesterday, only pork with traceable origins is ostensibly allowed to enter HCM City’s two wholesale markets, but inspections by authorities found that only around 13 per cent of the pork in the markets actually had clear origins, according to the Department of Industry and Trade.
— Viet Nam News

Hanoi’s notorious black market, where anything goes
Most Hanoians would be flummoxed if you asked them where Hoa Binh Market is, but if you asked them about Ch? Gi?i, it would be a different story.
— VnExpress

Ca Mau aims to make tourism spearhead sector
The People’s Committee of the southernmost province of Ca Mau has issued a long-term tourism development plan, aiming to make tourism a spearhead sector by 2030.
— VietnamPlus

Conference promotes HCMC’s investment, trade and tourism in Vientiane
Within the framework of the “Ho Chi Minh City’s Days in Vientiane” event, the Ho Chi Minh City Investment and Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC) organised a conference to promote the city’s investment, trade and tourism in Lao capital on the afternoon of July 29th.
— Vietnam Times

Farmers’ loans cannot contravene lending principles
Assistant Professor Ðinh Tr?ng Th?nh of the Hà N?i-based Finance Academy tells Nông thôn Ngày nay (Countryside Today) that removing the need for adequate collateral for agricultural loans is not practical as it runs counter to a basic principle of lending.
— Viet Nam News

HSBC profits up in first half of 2017
The Asia-focused giant has been on a recovery drive over the past two years to streamline the business and slash costs, and has laid off tens of thousands of staff.
— VnExpress

Three foreign firms to invest in Hanoi’s urban railway network
According to Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung, three foreign investors and six Vietnamese companies will jointly build the urban railway lines in Hanoi as the city revs up its public transport system.
— Vietnam Times

Hanoi to build the largest Lotus-shaped theatre
With capacity of over 2000 seats, the 5-floating-lotus shaped theatre will be located at Cau Giay District, Hanoi.The project is due to finish by 2018.
— Hanoi Times

Online sellers on Facebook asked to declare income
Ho Kim Trung, 32, in district 5, HCM City, has been trading watches, glasses and handbags on Facebook for years. Previously, he displayed products he had on the fanpage called hangxachtayxxx and quoted prices.
— VietnamNet Bridge

VNPT introduces inexpensive 4G smartphone
VNPT Technology, a member of VNPT, introduced a new 4G smartphone called Vivas Lotus S3 LTE on July 29.
— Vietnam Economic Times

The 6 best shopping streets in Hanoi
Hang Non Street, Hang Gai Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam. It’s 215m long, from Hang Quat to Duong Thanh street, crossing Hang Dieu street. In the past, they sold homemade Vietnamese conical hats on this street.
— Hanoi Times

Taiwan’s TTL to launch three beers in Vietnam
The Taiwan Tobacco & Liquor Corp. (TTL) is the latest contender joining Vietnam’s dynamic beer market, as it seeks to expand into Southeast Asia in line with the Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy.
— Vietnam Economic Times

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