Vietnam Morning News For June 12

Vietnam’s top legislature agrees to delay approval of special economic zone law
Vietnam’s National Assembly, the country’s top legislature, agreed on Monday not to adopt the draft Law on Special Administrative and Economic Units of Van Don, Bac Van Phong, and Phu Quoc at its ongoing fifth session.
— Xinhua

China warns citizens in Vietnam after protests fuel anti-Chinese sentiment
China has warned its citizens in Vietnam after protesters clashed with police over a government plan to create new economic zones for foreign investment that has fuelled anti-Chinese sentiment in the country.
— ABC

Heat on Vietnam car barriers rises
The commerce and industry ministries are escalating demands that the Vietnamese government eliminate non-tariff barriers on cars imported from Thailand, as Thai car shipments to Vietnam have stalled for over six months.
— Bangkok Post

Thai, Japanese, South Korean investors buy Vietnamese plastics companies
Many strong brands in the plastics industry have fallen into the hands of investors from Thailand, Japan and South Korea, which has raised concern about the future of the industry.
— VietNamNet Bridge

Hanoi’s first double-decker buses: Attractive yet expensive
The city tour offered by Hanoi’s first double-decker buses lures much attention. Yet it quickly receives the cold shoulder from Hanoi people due to the excessively high ticket price.
— The Hanoi Times

SCG invests Bt173 bn in petrochemical plant in Vietnam
SIAM Cement Group (SCG) has invested Bt173 billion in the first integrated petrochemical plant in Vietnam on expectations of starting construction next year, with production to begin by 2023.
— The Nation

Vietnam bank loans up 6.16 pct in 5 months
Bad debts accounted for 2.18 percent of total lending at the end of the first quarter of 2017.
— VnExpress

Vietnam commits to reducing military-owned businesses
Vietnam’s National Assembly approved an amendment to existing legislation on 8 June to limit the number of businesses owned and operated by the country’s defence ministry and the People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN).
— Janes

Vietnam to export 1,000 tons of special litchi this year
Vietnam’s northern Hai Duong province, home to a special kind of lichi called “thieu”, plans to export 1,000 tons of the fruit in 2018, the provincial authorities said on Monday.
— Xinhua

Vietnam’s beer market has potential, but not for all
Vietnam remains one of the few beer markets in the world which is still maintaining high growth. However, not all breweries have succeeded in the market.
— VietNamNet Bridge

Domestic automobile market set for big growth
The Vietnamese automobile market is predicted to develop strongly between now and 2035 as the country is experiencing a “golden population structure,” which offers opportunities to promote the automobile industry.
— Bizhub

Passengers warned to get to airport early
National carrier Vietnam Airlines has recommended passengers be present at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in HCM City as early as possible to avoid traffic jams.
— Bizhub

PR Newswire expands its Asia-Pacific footprint with new office opening in Vietnam
The premier global provider of news release distribution and media monitoring services, has expanded its Asia-Pacific footprint with the opening of a new office in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
— AEC News Today/ PRNewswire (media releae)

Vietnam raises reference exchange rate
Vietnam’s central bank on Monday adjusted up its reference exchange rate between Vietnamese dong and U.S. dollar by nine Vietnamese dong to 22,567 Vietnamese dong per U.S. dollar.
— Xinhua

Livestock production projected to be hit by several FTAs
Vietnam’s livestock production industry is expected to suffer from several free trade agreements (FTAs), in which import tariffs for husbandry products are to be truncated after the agreements take effect.
— Nhan Dan Online

Asia must counter protectionist tide, Vietnam deputy PM says
The rising tide of protectionism threatens to disrupt economic growth in Asia, Vietnam’s deputy prime minister warned on Monday, calling for a renewed global commitment to the tried-and-true principle of free trade.
— Nikkei Asian Review

Company fined millions for discharging hazardous wastes
Hưng Yên Province has fined a foreign-invested enterprise company VNĐ400 million (approximately US$16,000) for committing another environmental violation.
— Viet Nam News

Showa Aluminum Can completes Second Production Base in Vietnam
Showa Denko (SDK; TSE:4004) subsidiary Showa Aluminum Can Corporation (SAC), headquartered in Shinagawa, Tokyo, has completed construction of a new factory in Da Nang City, Quang Nam Province, mid-Vietnam, for its subsidiary Hanacans, holding a completion ceremony for the new facility on June 8.
— AsiaOne

Deputy FM: G7 member states appreciate ties with Vietnam
Vietnam and Bangladesh are the only Asian countries to be invited to the G7 Outreach Summit in Charlevoix region, Canada’s Quebec state, from June 8-10, proving that G7 member states and the host, Canada, highly appreciate Vietnam’s role and stature.
— Nhan Dan Online

Vietnam clears 79.5 MW of wind, solar projects – report
Wind and solar projects with a combined capacity of 79.5 MW have been given the green light by provincial authorities in Vietnam, Viet Nam News reports.
— Renewables Now

Indonesia applies anti-dumping duties on VN steel
The Indonesian Anti-Dumping Committee (KADI) has announced the application of anti-dumping measures on colour-coated steel sheet imports from Việt Nam and China.
— Viet Nam News

Green bricks plan fails to take shape after a decade
Vietnam has been focusing on the development of non-fired adobe brick to gradually replace clay bricks for construction. However, after nearly ten years of efforts, clay bricks remain dominant.
— VietnamPlus

PM gives opportunities to Canadian enterprises
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc introduced the dynamic Vietnamese economy, with its improved investment and business environment, to Canadian businesses while addressing the Viet Nam-Canada business forum in Quebec on Friday (Canada time), as part of his ongoing visit to Canada.
— Bizhub

North Korea Far From Following Vietnam
Could North Korea be the next Vietnam? Despite this week’s historic peace talks in Singapore, analysts say the “hermit kingdom” has plenty of obstacles to following the lead of its Asian communist-ruled rival.
— The Diplomat

Russia’s auto producer GAZ eyes foothold in Vietnam
Russian auto manufacturer GAZ Group is planning to enter the Vietnamese market by setting up a joint venture for distribution and later by assembling autos in the country.
— VietnamPlus

Vietnamese businesses ready to cash in on FIFA World Cup
The market for products and services meeting the particular demand of FIFA World Cup fans is getting busier than ever in Vietnam, as the June 14 to July 15 football fiesta is only a few days away.
— Tuoi Tre

Shortages of pangasius raw material continues in Vietnam
Shortages of pangasius raw material continue in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, supporting prices, according to the country’s ministry of agriculture and rural development (MARD).
— Under Current News

How to see another side of Vietnam’s magical – and popular – Halong Bay this year
Already one of Vietnam’s most visited destinations, a spate of recent events has brought renewed attention to mystical Halong Bay in northern Vietnam, including a blockbuster Hollywood movie and the imminent opening of a new expressway and international airport.
— Lonely Planet

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