Vietnam Morning News For May 23

Vietnam’s non-cash payment surges 17.8 pct in Q1
Vietnam’s interbank e-payment system handled over 37.3 million transactions worth nearly 20.7 quadrillion Vietnamese dong (some 900 billion U.S. dollars) in the first quarter of this year, posting year-on-year increases of 23 percent and 17.8 percent, respectively, according to the State Bank of Vietnam, the country’s central bank.
— Famagusta-gazette

Vietnam ministry to finalize investment law on basis of PPP
The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) proposed to set an investment capital threshold for PPP projects at VND200 billion (US$8.56 million).
— The Hanoitimes

Vietnam & EU might bypass US with bilateral trade
Vietnam and Europe could be swapping more agri products soon, if a new trade deal comes into effect. That deal would link two regions that have been looking for an alternative to the trade tensions brought on by the United States.
— Fresh Plaza

Vietnam among most attractive investment destinations in ASEAN
Vietnam is among the most attractive investment destinations in ASEAN for private equity investment, according to Grant Thornton Vietnam, in its latest issue of the Vietnam Private Equity Investment Outlook 2019.
— NDO

VN banks handle $898.4 b through e-payments in Q1
Infrastructure and technologies for non-cash payment have seen increased investment and improved quality
— Viet Nam News

HCM City promises to resolve difficulties faced by business sector
Erratic planning and other problems related to land use is hurting the business sector, according to the HCM City Department of Industry and Trade.
— Viet Nam News

Vietnam should strengthen ties with strategic partners: VCCI
Strategic partners play an important role in Vietnam’s economic development, says Vu Tien Loc, president of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
— VnExpress

Industrial gas market in Vietnam growing stably
According to The Gas Review, the gas market in Vietnam has been growing stably for the past few years. Although hard statistics are not available, estimates based on research by The Gas Review show a market scale of YEN 12-16bn for 2018 and an annual growth rate between 6-7%.
— GasWorld

Deputy PM wants to increase value of Vietnamese brands
Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue has asked the Ministry of Industry and Trade and relevant departments to join hands to increase the value of Vietnamese brands to make inroads into international markets.
— VietnamPlus

More market access for insurance auxiliaries needed: NA deputies
Insurance auxiliary service providers have the right to join professional associations to develop the insurance-finance market, according to National Assembly deputy Tran Thi Quoc Khanh.
— VietnamPlus

Vietnam rages against drunk driving as death toll mounts
Social media was shaken by the image of a boy weeping in front of his dead mother on a street after a recent accident.
— VnExpress

VNPT to pick leading world consultants for privatization plan
VNPT, which is one of the largest mobile carriers in the country, is preparing tender documents for privatization consulting to submit to the Commission for the Management of State Capital at Enterprises.
— The Hanoitimes

Most SOEs operating at a profit: audit
Most State-owned enterprises were operating at a profit but still needed to improve their operational efficiency, according to a report by the State Audit Office of Vi?t Nam.
— Viet Nam News

Vietnam’s top leaders signal path for private sector to thrive
The Vietnamese president has made such firm statements about the role of non-state sector in the economy.
— The Hanoitimes

CMSC to receive more than $109 million dividend from petroleum group
The Committee for Management of State Capital at Enterprises (CMSC) will receive a cash dividend of VNÐ2.55 trillion (US$109 million) from the Vi?t Nam National Petroleum Group (PLX) for its performance in 2018.
— Viet Nam News

Firm exports 71 tonnes of mango to US
Vina T&T Import – Export Service Trading Co Ltd (Vina T&T) has said its mango shipments to the US amounted to 71 tonnes.
— VietnamPlus

Vietnam a top ASEAN destination for private equity investment
Vietnam underlined its attractiveness as an investment destination with a 285 percent jump in capital raised by the private sector.
— VnExpress

Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu to revoke delayed seaport projects
Authorities in the southern province of Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu will revoke investment licences from investors who are not capable of developing seaport projects in the province, according to Lê Tuấn Quo’c, deputy chairman of the provincial People’s Committee.
— Viet Nam News

Climate change adaption set as IFAD’s priority in its next decade to Việt Nam
Private investment mobilisation to rural areas, micro finance for women and smart climate change adaption are three top priorities of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in its coming years in Việt Nam, IFAD Associate Vice President Donal Brown said Wednesday.
— Viet Nam Net

Saigon among top 50 cities in the world for coworking growth
A recent report ranks Ho Chi Minh City 41st among world’s 50 fastest growing coworking markets in the world.
— VnExpress

More market access for insurance auxiliaries needed: NA deputies
Insurance auxiliary service providers have the right to join professional associations to develop the insurance-finance market, according to National Assembly deputy Tr?n Th? Qu?’c Khánh.
— Viet Nam News

Vietnam Airlines strengthens alliance with Sabre to reduce costs and optimize onboard catering and provisioning
Sabre Corporation SABR, -1.45% the leading technology provider to the global travel industry, announced a new long-term agreement with national carrier Vietnam Airlines, which has adopted the industry-leading, Sabre AirVision In-Flight solution.
— Market Watch

Vi?t Nam-Russia economic, trade relations thrive
Economic and trade relations between Vi?t Nam and Russia have been growing consistently, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
— Viet Nam News

Givaudan to acquire Vietnamese Flavour Company Golden Frog
As part of its 2020 strategy to strengthen its naturals capabilities and its presence in the high growth markets of Asia Pacific, Givaudan announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire Golden Frog, a Vietnamese flavour company.
— Givaudan

Vietnam announces major tourism project
HANOI, 23 May 2019: Vietnam’s Prime Minister approved the master plan for developing Lang Co-Canh Duong National Tourism Site that covers project through to 2025 and outlines a long-term strategy to 2030.
— TTR Weekly

Report: Vietnam’s Ethnic Minorities Need Connectivity to Catch Up
The ethnic minorities in Vietnam most likely to escape poverty are those who have good infrastructure, sell cash crops besides rice, and look for factory work, according to a report from the World Bank released on Wednesday.
— VOA

ASEAN Music Festival to open in Vietnam
The 2019 ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Music Festival will take place in Vietnam’s northern Hai Phong city on May 25-31, with the participation of over 60 artists from seven ASEAN countries, Vietnam News Agency reported on Wednesday.
— Xinhua

Vietnam prepares to prop up currency, ready to sell greenback
Vietnam’s central bank has said it is ready to sell dollars to shore up the dong if needed.
— VnExpress

37th locality of Vietnam hit by African swine fever
Southern An Giang province has been stricken by African swine fever (ASF), becoming the 37th locality of Vietnam affected by the animal disease, Vietnam News Agency reported on Wednesday.
— Xinhua

Indian and VN enhance co-operation in silk sector
A delegation of business executives representing 30 Indian companies led by the chairman of the Indian Silk Export Promotion Council met their Vietnamese counterparts at the Buyer-Seller meet held in HCM City on May 21.
— Viet Nam News

Vietnam prioritises improving medical services at grassroots level
The Vietnamese Government prioritises resources to improve capacity of the grassroots-level clinics towards universal healthcare coverage and realising the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Kim Tien has said.
— VietnamPlus

Bình Ð?nh solar power plant joins national grid
Cát Hi?p Solar Power Plant on Monday became the first in the central province of Bình Ð?nh to link up with the national grid.
— Viet Nam News

Fristi, Nat’l Children’s Council kick off environmental protection for children
Frieslandcampina Vi?t Nam’s Fristi brand is co-operating with the National Children’s Council to carry out a programme called “Along with Fristi to Protect the Environment” this year.
— Viet Nam News

Feature photo Daderot

This week’s Vietnam morning news photo features International Day for Biological Diversity, May 22.

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.