Vietnam Morning News For January 15

Vietnamese automobile sector accelerates economy in 2018
Besides record-breaking achievements, the automobile industry was a growth highlight of Vietnam’s economy in 2018, particularly with the introduction of a made-in-Vietnam branded car.
— Vietnam Net

State Audit to focus on large-scale projects in 2019
The State Audit will focus on a number of major projects in 2019, including the Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien metro line, as well as the 10-trillion-VND flood control project in Ho Chi Minh City and Cat Linh-Ha Dong railway line in Hanoi, according to Auditor General Ho Duc Phoc.
— VNA NET

Car sales in Vietnam up 5.8% yoy in 2018
Domestically assembled cars dominated Vietnam’s market in 2018, with sale number reaching 215,704 units in 2018, up 10.6% year-on-year, while imported completely-built-units (CBUs) were 72,979 units, down 6.2%, local media reported.
— Vietnam Net

Investment in fruit, vegetable processing surges as companies realise potential
Fruit and vegetable exports, which have been growing at around 15 per cent annually for the past five years, are a highly attractive business activity for enterprises, which are increasingly investing in large and modern processing plants.
— Vietnam News

-Vietnam’s motorbike sales hit record high in 2018
Vietnam, known as a motorcycle kingdom in the world, recorded motorbike sales of nearly 3.4 million units in 2018, breaking the record of 3.3 million vehicles in 2011, the Vietnam Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (VAMM) said on Sunday.
— Vietnam Insider

Vietnam’s textile-garment industry hopes for breakthroughs in 2019
Vietnam’s textile and garment sector is hoped to make breakthroughs in 2019 based on successes and momentum last year.
— VNA NET

IT jobs will be the most in-demand in 2019: report
According to a recent report of ManpowerGroup Vietnam, a human resource solutions provider, many employers stated the number of qualified candidates is limited. Also, many businesses have difficulty in recruiting and retaining people by raising salary.
— VN Express

Enforcement of grassroots democracy regulations reviewed
The Central Steering Committee for the implementation of grassroots democracy regulations held a conference in Hanoi on January 14 to review the work last year and set out new tasks for 2019.
— VNA NET

From Tibet to the ‘Nine Dragons’, Vietnam’s Mekong Delta is losing sand
In the dead of night, the entire front half of shopkeeper Ta Thi Kim Anh’s house collapsed. Perched on the sandy banks of the Mekong River, it took just a few minutes for one half of everything she owned to plunge into its murky depths.
— Reuters

Vietnam, China hold gov’t-level negotiation on territory, border
A Government-level negotiation on territorial and border issues between Vietnam and China took place in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai on January 14.
— VNA NET

Vietnam’s benchmark VN-Index projected to jump 18% in 2019: Bloomberg
The high growth would come from stable economic growth and cheap valuation of Vn-Index.
— Vietnam Net

100,000ha of forest to be under sustainable management each year
The forestry sector will support the issuance of sustainable forest management certificates on an area of 100,000ha per year as part of efforts to ensure that Vietnamese wood products satisfy all international requirements as the country joins free trade agreements.
— VNA NET

From bikes to phones, ‘Made in Vietnam’ grows with foreign help
Real estate conglomerate Vingroup launched its first electric motorbike in November. The company is one of several striving to help achieve the Vietnamese government’s target of becoming a fully industrialized nation by 2020.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

Ministry guides oil spill response
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has issued a circular to regulate marine oil spill cleanup and recovery efforts.
— Vietnam Net

Students to have one hour of physical exercise per day: Gov’t
The Government has approved a project to ensure proper nutrition and improve the physical fitness of students.
— Vietnam News

Many universities set English as admission criterion
Several universities have included English as one of the criteria in their enrolment plans for the 2019-2020 academic year.
— VNA NET

CPTPP comes into effect in Việt Nam today
The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) takes effect in Việt Nam today. The impact of the CPTPP on the economy depends greatly on the country’s ability to obtain opportunities and overcome challenges.
— Vietnam News

Tan Son Nhat projected to serve 900 flights this Tet
The management board of Tan Son Nhat Airport in HCM City estimate that the airport will serve up to 900 flights a day this Tet Holiday.
— Vietnam Net

Large-caps expected to drive market up
Large-cap stocks may be a better option for investors at the moment as earnings season is approaching and expectations will be better on large-cap companies thanks to their stable, consistent and less risky performances.
— Vietnam News

Bird sanctuary stands out in Ca Mau
Inside the Cultural Park of Ca Mau city lies a breath-taking bird garden, drawing thousands of visitors to the country’s southernmost province. However, increasing pollution has threatened the survival of the local environment.
— Vietnam Net

Festival brings H’Mong people’s traditional New Year celebration to Hanoi
H’Mong people often celebrate their traditional New Year one month ahead of the lunar New Year festival when people finish harvesting their crops. Days before the festival, people prepare altars at their house and make new clothes to welcome the new spring.
— Nhan Dan

Mui Ne envisioned to become a top destination in Asia-Pacific
Mui Ne beach is set to become one of the most-visited destinations in the Asia-Pacific by 2030 under a master plan for the development of Mui Ne National Tourism Site to 2025 with a vision for 2030 recently approved by the Prime Minister.
— Vietnam Net

First phase of smart city project considered a success
The smart city operation centre, which is part of a larger smart city project launched a year ago, is expected to open at the headquarters of the HCM City People’s Committee.
— Vietnam Net

Việt Nam Stock Exchange to be founded
Prime Minister Nguy�…n Xuân Phúc has approved the project of establishing Việt Nam Stock Exchange based on the restructuring of the two existing bourses with an aim to ensure securities market to operate with efficiency and transparency.
— Vietnam News

Japan’s Asahi Group sets up JV to tap in Vietnam’s dairy market
Vietnam has become an important market for Asahi Group, especially in nutritional products for children, said the group’s executive.
— Vietnam Net

Viettel valued at over 3 bln USD by Brand Finance
The military-run telecom provider Viettel has been valued at 3.178 billion USD by the world’s leading business valuation consultant Brand Finance.
— VNA NET

Vietnam improves animal farming quality
Improving the quality and safety of animal husbandry products remains a major export priority in Vietnam.
— Vietnam Net

Car rental market busy before Tết holiday
The car rental market has become very active in the capital city as the Tết (Lunar New Year) holiday approaches.
— Vietnam News

HCM City traditional markets ready for Tet season
Wholesale and retail markets in HCM City are busier than ever with the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday only weeks away.
— VNA NET

Ca Mau dried-banana village increases production for Tet
– A famous dried-banana village in Tran Hoi Commune in Ca Mau Province is now entering its peak production season for Tet (Lunar New Year), which falls on February 5 this year.
— Vietnam Net

PM asks Dak Nong’s police to ensure safety during Tet holiday
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on January 14 checked the combative readiness of police in the Central Highlands province of Dak Nong, asking them to stay vigilant and ensure public safety is maintained during the upcoming Tet (Lunar New Year) festival.
— VNA NET

Korean investors make bigger influence in Vietnamese market
Experts forecast South Korean investors will continue pouring more into the Vietnamese market by M&A or directly compete with local firms.
— Vietnam Net

Leader calls on whole society to support disadvantaged
Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong called on agencies, organisations, businesses and people from all social strata to join hands in supporting disadvantaged people, while addressing an event in Hanoi on January 13.
— VNA NET

Việt Nam improves animal farming quality
Improving the quality and safety of animal husbandry products remains a major export priority in Việt Nam.
— Vietnam News

Xoan singing – spotlight of tour to ancestral land
Xoan-singing clubs in the ancestral land of Phu Tho have become busier welcoming both domestic and foreign tourists after the folk genre of music was added to the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in late 2017.
— VNA NET

Crop cultivation sector targets $21 bln in export this year
The crop cultivation sector has set the goal of earning nearly 21 billion USD from farm produce export this year.
— Vietnam Net

ASEAN Tourism Forum promises tourism cooperation opportunities for VN
This year’s ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) will take place in the northeastern coastal province of Quang Ninh from January 14-18, with the participation of about 2,000 delegates, according to organisers.
— VNA NET

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