Vietnam Morning News For August 25

Nearly 2000 business conditions up for the chop
A whopping 1930 conditions on licensing, registration and operations of businesses could be removed under the latest proposal made by the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI).
— Viet Nam News

Vietnam calls for Southeast Asian unity amid South China Sea tension
Vietnam’s most powerful leader has called for greater unity among Southeast Asian states at a time the country has appeared increasingly isolated in challenging China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea.
— Business Insider

Sugary drinks may get unsavoury tax
As the mother of an obese 10-year-old boy from Hanoi, Nguyen Huong Lan has to do battle with retailers, friends, family, and nursery workers to police her son’s intake of sugary drinks.
— VietnamNet Bridge

Tax increases could have negative impact on economy
MOF has proposed increasing the rate from 10 percent to 12 percent, beginning in January 1, 2019, and to 14 percent from January 1, 2021.
— VietnamNet Bridge

Firms bear unreasonable costs
Private Vietnamese businesses are bearing the burden of high business expenses and struggling with increased pressure from new taxes and fees already adopted or being planned by authorities, which hinder competitiveness and reduce business efficiency.
— Viet Nam News

Asia Coffee-Trade slows, Vietnam market may pick up next week
Vietnamese exporters quoted the 5 percent black and broken grade 2 robusta variety at a discount of $45-$50 to the ICE November contract, compared with $35 last week, but few trades were done on scarce supply and amid holiday seasons in importing countries.
— Business Recorder

Over 750 foreigners receive certificates of home ownership
However, several real estate experts said the figure is yet to meet expectations though housing policy for foreigners in Vietnam has been loosened, partly due to their job duration, property location and prices.
— VietnamNet Bridge

FAO pledges continuous support for Vietnam
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) will continue accompanying Vietnam and supporting the country to implement underway programmes and projects, Assistant Director-General and FAO Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific Kundhavi Kadiresan has said.
— VietnamPlus

Vietnam, Australia cooperate in combating illegal fishing
Vietnam and Australia have agreed to set up long-term cooperation in combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho on August 24 within the framework of the APEC Food Security Week.
— VietnamPlus

Luc Nam finds a fruitful niche
The villagers planted custard apples in their gardens because they liked the fruit, but over the last 30 years or so, it has found even greater favour as an economic staple.
— Bizhub

Vietnam’s second refinery receives first crude oil shipment, ready for launch
The Nghi Son Refinery, only the second of its kind in Vietnam, has received its first shipment of crude oil and looks on-track to begin commercial production by its targeted start in the last quarter of this year.
— Tuoi Tre

Shares extend gains, lifted by financial stocks
Viet Nam’s benchmark VN Index extended gains on Thursday morning, driven by bank and financial stocks.
— Bizhub

Indonesia to tap tourism potentialities from Vietnam with planned direct flight service
Indonesia is keen to see more visitors from Vietnam with the direct flight opening from Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) to Jakarta scheduled in December, an Indonesian minister said Thursday.
— Xinhua

MoIT, German Embassy & Siemens hold sustainable energy conference
Energy security has always been regarded as a top priority in the policies and strategy development for Vietnam’s energy sector.
— Vietnam Economic Times

Impact investment manager to support women-led SMEs
SEAF, a global impact investment manager headquartered in Washington D.C., recently announced the launch of the SEAF Women’s Opportunity Fund (SWOF) for Southeast Asia.
— Vietnam Economic Times

Ho Chi Minh City pilots first water bus service
The water bus route No.1, stretching 10.8 kilometers from Bach Dang Port in District 1 to Linh Dong Ward in Thu Duc District, was opened to media and invited guests on Monday morning as part of a one-month pilot program.
— Tuoi Tre

APEC officials interested in Vietnam’s rice production, export
At the CLRRI located in Ninh Kieu district, the delegates were briefed on the operation of the institute, which is the premier national institution specialising in rice research.
— VietnamNet Bridge

Lifting Vietnam – Myanmar’s friendship and multifaceted cooperation to a new height
The visit to Myanmar by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is considered a milestone in the relationship between the two countries.
— Vietnam Times

Feature photo FAO of the UN
Find our previous morning news feature photos in the AEC News Today Morning News Feature Photos gallery where you will find a pictorial display of daily life throughout the Asean Economic Community (AEC).

Vietnam morning news by AEC News Today is your one stop source for Vietnam news on matters of governance and policies affecting Asean business communities. It is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies, not politics.