Vietnam Morning News For April 9

Fuel prices rise from April 7
The prices of all kinds of fuel increased as from 15:00 of April 7 following a joint decision of the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Industry and Trade.
— VietnamPlus

Timber supply matters to Vietnam’s wood industry
Though forecasting a bright prospect for Vietnam’s wood industry this year, experts are concerned about a shortage of raw materials faced the industry.
— The Hanoi Times

Telecom revenues down in first quarter
The revenue of Vietnamese network operators has suffered an uncharacteristic low in the first quarter of this year due to new legislation reducing top-up promotions for pre-paid subscribers from 50 per cent to 20 per cent.
— Bizhub

High-tech shrimp breeding brings higher profits to farmers
More than two years ago, Dang Thanh Tan, a farmer in Binh Minh town, northern Ninh Binh province, decided to switch from breeding shrimp in traditional ponds to high-tech farming.
— VietnamPlus

Stronger SOEs equitisation urged to help industrial sector take leap
The government should take drastic measures in equitisation of State-owned enterprises (SOEs) to help the country’s industry make breakthrough.
— The Hanoi Times

Honor World Carnival is Coming to Vietnam
Honor, a leading smartphone e-brand, today announced its biggest sales event of the year, Honor World Carnival, will start this week to celebrate its overwhelming success in overseas markets during Q1 2018.
— AEC News Today/ PR Newswire (media release)

Vietnam needs to act now to save pension fund or economy could be at risk: World Bank
The bank forecasts the national pension fund will run out by 2030 due to the aging population.
— VnExpress

Removing obstacles for transport businesses
The Ministry of Transport (MOT) is reviewing its business conditions, planning to amend and abolish more than 61% of the business conditions which have been hindering businesses.
— Nhan Dan Online

Manila to order 250,000 tonnes of emergency rice import from Thailand or Vietnam
The Philippines is considering an emergency purchase of up to 250,000 tonnes of rice either from Thailand or Vietnam to replenish its depleging rice reserves for domestic consumption, according to The Manila Times Online report on Saturday (April 7).
— Thai PBS

EVFTA to boost textile firms’ exports
The Europe–Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) is expected to create momentum for the domestic textile industry to develop in the future, experts said.
— Bizhub

Casinos need at least $1b investment: draft law
Strategic investors in tourism-casino complex will have to commit an investment of some US$1 billion for a casino project.
— Bizhub

$38mn solar power plant to be built in south-central Vietnam
An extensive solar power plant is scheduled to be constructed in a south-central Vietnamese region at a cost of VND875 billion (US$38 million).
— Tuoi Tre

Investors, retailers squeeze into prepared food market
VinaCapital has invested $32.5 million in Ba Huan, a poultry egg producer, while Kido plans to join forces with a Thai partner to make bottled milk tea and herbal drinks.
— VietNamNet Bridge

As investors flood Đồng Nai, housing market strains
The real estate market in the southern province of Dong Nai still lacks a strategy to develop and attract high-powered investors, despite its many inherent advantages.
— Bizhub

Banks buying back bad debts from VAMC
Treading in Vietcombank’s footsteps, banks are stepping up efforts to buy back bad debts from state-owned Vietnam Asset Management Company to cushion the bad debt threat.
— VietNamNet Bridge

9 million Vietnamese people still living in extreme poverty: report
The poor faces a widening gap in terms of access to upper secondary education and improved water and sanitation.
— VnExpress

E-commerce expected to grow strongly in 2018
The e-commerce market has taken off in Vietnam thanks to booming internet usage and smartphone ownership, along with massive investments from key retail players, local media reported.
— VietnamPlus

Vietnam gives harsh jail terms to 6 for advocating democracy
Six human rights activists were sentenced to harsh prison terms in Vietnam after being convicted of attempting to overthrow the government by advocating a multiparty democracy.
— ABC

Grab’s acquisition of Uber opens door for Vietnamese firms
Grab’s acquisition of Uber opens the door for Vietnamese businesses to enter the ride-sharing market, said Khuat Viet Hung, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam National Safety Traffic Committee.
— VietnamPlus

Number of Vietnamese yearning for vaccination against rabies surges amidst vaccine scarcity
The number of people who desire to be vaccinated against rabies at a major health center in Ho Chi Minh City has increased dramatically during the past recent days, as the metropolis faces a shortage of vaccines against the disease.
— Tuoi Tre

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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.