Vietnam Morning News For September 6

Vietnam blogger jailings highlight US double standards (video)
The relatively muted response of the European Union (EU) and the American government to the 20-year prison sentence given last month to Vietnamese activist Le Dinh Luong stands in stark contrast to the loud intimidation the United States and the EU have been directing towards Cambodia since its general election last month.
— AEC News Today (video)

Solar energy investors racing for incentives
Investors in solar energy projects are racing to begin operations before June 30, 2019, to qualify for incentives offered by the Government.
— VietnamNet Bridge

MoIT to auction duty quota for sugar import
The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) will hold bids on the right to use duty quota to import 94,000 tonnes of sugar this year.
— Bizhub

Vietnam’s tea exports fall both volume and revenue
Vietnam’s tea exports in the first eight months of 2018 dropped 10.1 percent year on year in volume to 81,000 tonnes, and 7.4 percent in value to 133 million USD, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).
— VietnamPlus

Vietnam steel imports from China shrink
Vietnamese steel imports fell -11% year-on-year over January-August to 9.3 million tonnes, according to the Vietnam Steel Association (VSA). By value steel imports were up 10.2% y-o-y at $6.7 billion however as prices have increased sharply, Kallanish notes.
— Kallanish

Vietnam completes illegal gambling indictments of top cops
Vietnam continues to punish those involved with a major online gambling ring the authorities disrupted this spring.
— Calvinayre

Courier firm shuts down, confesses to stealing cash on delivery money
Hanoi courier company GNN Express has gone bust, and has confessed to pocketing customers’ money to bail itself out of financial trouble.
— VnExpress

Cement industry records impressive export growth
The domestic cement industry achieved impressive results in exports over the first eight months of this year to reach the target for the whole year.
— VietnamPlus

Spices could be nice export earner
Việt Nam has the potential to boost its exports of star anise and cinnamon, but needs supportive policies from the Government, the Lạng Sơn Star Anise Association has said.
— Viet Nam News

PM urges increased support for innovative start-ups
Innovative start-ups will enjoy financial support from the National Technology Innovation Foundation (NATIF) fund, according to a directive issued by Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc.
— Viet Nam News

ABB factory in Vietnam opens solar power installation
Demonstrating solar capabilities while also reducing its own environmental impact, ABB recently inaugurated a 75 kWp solar photovoltaic (PV) installation at its high voltage and distribution solutions factory in BacNinh province in Vietnam.
— ELP

Progress recorded in economic restructuring but challenges ahead: experts
Vietnam’s economic growth is relatively high thanks to economic restructuring kept on track but challenges are still ahead as growth dynamics are showing signs of declining, experts have said.
— Nhan Dan Online

Vietnam to step up efforts in global economic integration: PM
The country is under pressure to be more active in integrating to the world economy, according to Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
— The Hanoi Times

Cryptocurrency Gifto Introduces World’s First Reality TV Virtual Gifting for Vietnamese Edition of Hit TV Series The Bachelor
Warner Brothers hit TV series, The Bachelor has partnered with cryptocurrency Gifto on its Vietnamese launch to create a first-of-its-kind experience for reality TV fans.
— AEC News Today/ PR Newswire (media release)

China Finding Vietnam a Demanding Business Partner
China is finding Vietnam to be a tough partner as Chinese firms try to do more business with the long-time political rival along its southern border.
— VOA

Vinalines IPO flops, brings in 1 pct of Vietnam’s target
Vietnam National Shipping Lines, a state-owned shipping firm also known as Vinalines, raised a meagre 54.3 billion dong ($2.33 million) from an IPO, far below its target of 4.89 trillion dong, the Hanoi Stock Exchange said on Wednesday.
— Reuters

Vietnam-Russia trade revenue reaches seven-year high in Jan-Jul
Vietnam posted a trade surplus of US$265 million with Russia between January and July, down 39% year-on-year, which was due to growing number of Russian imports to Vietnam, stated General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC).
— The Hanoi Times

Deputy PM calls for crackdown on Chinese digital wallet payments
The Vietnamese government wants to stop tourists from using Chinese electronic wallets, saying it results in tax evasion.
— VnExpress

Legal complications remain for foreign investment in Vietnam infrastructure
Improved PPP rules are expected to revitalize infrastructure investment in Vietnam, but legal entanglements continue to be a concern.
— VnExpress

PM provides solutions to boost production, exports
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc requires ministries, sectors and localities to reform their institutions, simplify administrative procedures, cut costs and remove barriers to export.
— Bizhub

Japan willing to share its experience in ocean policy with Vietnam
Japan is willing to share its experiences in advanced marine technologies and science, which are its strengths, with Vietnam, a senior Japanese official has said.
— Nhan Dan Online

Investing in Vietnam: Where to Find Opportunity
Kevin Snowball, portfolio manager for PXP Vietnam Emerging Equity Fund, discusses investing in Vietnam and where he’s finding opportunity.
— Bloomberg (video)

Education reform needs improving teachers’ qualification, school facilites
Minister of Education and Training Phùng Xuân Nhạ talks with Vietnam News Agency about education on the occasion of the start of the new school year.
— Viet Nam News

Vietnamese garment makers seek to capture domestic market
Local garment manufacturers are investing in new technologies and focusing on new product development in a bid to recapture the domestic market, which is currently predominated by global brands.
— Nhan Dan Online

What will Vietnam gain if it hosts the F1 race?
Hosting the Formula One (F1) race is an ‘expensive decision’ if considering the fees, infrastructure development, and business efficiency, but it would enhance Hanoi’s image.
— VietnamNet Bridge

Foreign investors change hands 1.35 million shares of Warburg-backed Techcombank
The said amount in transactions was expected to total VND355 billion (US$15.24 million) or VND26,300 (US$1.13) apiece under the current market price recorded by the end of August.
— The Hanoi Times

Vietnamese goods showcased for global market
More and more Vietnamese companies are taking the initiative by showcasing their products overseas.
— Bizhub

Capital market in need of FIE boost
Vietnam should look to capitalise on foreign resources to rectify the issue of thin capitalisation and enrich its capital market by improving market access to foreign investors and allowing foreign-invested companies to be listed on the local bourses.
— VietnamNet Bridge

More congratulations to Vietnam on National Day
Leaders of Italy, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Ukraine and Mongolia cabled messages of congratulations to leaders of the Vietnamese Party, State, Government and National Assembly on the occasion of the 73rd National Day of Vietnam.
— Nhan Dan Online

Vietnam to try cheaper, safer way to clean up Agent Orange hotspots
A new method will filter, wash and rinse contaminated soil at the Bien Hoa Airport to sponge dioxin out.
— VnExpress

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