Vietnam Morning News For July 27

Vietnam attracts US$80 billion in ODA over the last 25 years
Vietnam has mobilised approximately US$80 billion in official development assistance (ODA) and preferential loans since 1993, establishing itself as one of the largest recipients of ODA worldwide.
— Nhan Dan Online

Vietnam welcomes US$4-billion LNG-fueled power plant: PM
The Mekong Delta region holds huge potential for the likes of liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fueled power projects, stated Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
— The Hanoi Times

Vietnam sends 200,000 USD in aid to Laos after dam collapse
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has decided to provide 200,000 USD as relief aid for the Lao government to help the country in the aftermath of the collapse of the Sepien-Senamnoi hydropower dam.
— VietnamPlus

Hanoi to install 1,000 vending machines by 2020
The capital city plans to install 1,000 vending machines by 2020 to make shopping more convenient for local consumers as well as foreign tourists.
— VietnamNet Bridge

Why Did Vietnam Suspend a Popular Newspaper?
A closer look at the reasoning behind a move that has sparked headlines.
— The Diplomat

Vietnam’s Securities Watchdog Bans Industry from Cryptocurrency Activity: Report
The State Securities Commission of Vietnam (SSC), the country’s stock market watchdog, has reportedly forbidden industry firms from engaging in cryptocurrency-related activities.
— CNN

Cement exports up 55% in first seven months
Cement exports in the first seven months of this year reached an estimated 17.84 million tonnes, an on-year increase of 55 per cent and close to the annual target of 18 to 19 million tonnes, according to the Ministry of Construction.
— Viet Nam News

Vinh Tan 1 plant asked to halt pilot run of environment facilities
The People’s Committee of the central province of Binh Thuan has asked the Vinh Tan 1 Power Company Limited to suspend the trial run of environmental protection facilities at the Vinh Tan 1 thermal power electricity plant.
— VietnamNet Bridge

Vietnam probes $35 million cocaine in steel scrap shipment
Authorities are investigating a cocaine haul worth around $35 billion from a scrap steel shipment in southern Vietnam.
— VnExpress

Vietnam, Malaysia to limit waste imports as shipments build up at ports, pollution worsens
Vietnam will stop issuing new licences for the import of waste and crack down on illegal shipments as thousands of containers of paper, plastic and metal scrap build up at the country’s ports, raising concerns about the environment.
— The Straits Times

EU imposes safeguards on VN steel
The European Commission has announced provisional safeguards on imports of 28 steel products including three items from Việt Nam.
— Viet Nam News

Vietnam jet fighter crashes, killing two
A military jet fighter crashed in northern Vietnam on Thursday, killing two servicemen on board, a local official said.
— Reuters

29 killed in Vietnam’s flooding
At least 29 people have been killed and five others are missing after Typhoon Son Tinh triggered flooding in Vietnam’s northern and central regions, local media reported on Thursday.
— The Independent

Vietnam becomes biggest trade partner of China in ASEAN
Vietnam has surpassed Malaysia to become the biggest trade partner of China in ASEAN, Hu Suojin, Trade Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam, said at a press conference in Hanoi on July 26.
— VietnamPlus

Experts fret over Chinese capital inflow to Vietnam
The relocation of manufacturing facilities from China to Vietnam can be a move aimed to avoid higher US import taxes.
— The Hanoi Times

Sontirat to lead trade delegation to Vietnam next month
Non-tariff barriers on Thai-built vehicles will be high on the agenda when Commerce Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong leads the Thai delegation to a two-day Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting on bilateral.
— Bangkok Post

SOE equitisation likely to fall short of annual target
The equitisation of State-owned enterprises (SOEs) is unlikely to meet this year’s target, as only 19 SOEs had completed the process by the end of June.
— Bizhub

Vietnam has more red tape untangling to do
Administrative reform has made much headway in Vietnam, but it is still to catch up with advanced countries, experts say.
— VnExpress

Trade office advises firms to keep away from reported Morocco firm
The Trade Office of the Vietnamese Embassy in Morocco has warned domestic firms not to take any transaction with Ste Top Arabic Sarl A.U, a Moroccan company that has been reported by many foreign firms.
— VietnamPlus

Vincom Centre Landmark 81 launched
Real estate developer Vingroup on Thursday launched Vincom Centre Landmark 81 in HCM City’s 81-storey skyscraper Landmark 81, the tallest building of Viet Nam, increasing the number of Vingroup’s commercial centres to 55.
— Bizhub

Vinh Tan 1 power plant’s 2nd turbine to run ahead of schedule
The Vinh Tan 1 thermal power plant’s second turbine is now in the stage of trial run and is expected to start commercial operation by the end of this year, six months ahead of schedule.
— VietnamPlus

Vietnam – Italy : Trade and Investment Relations
The year 2018 marks the 45th anniversary of Vietnam- Italy diplomatic relations.
— Vietnam Briefing

Priorities needed to facilitate 4G network deployment in Vietnam
NDO – Priorities are needed to licence the 4G deployment on the 2.6 GHz band, aimed at promoting the technology at the fastest possible rate in Vietnam, heard a workshop in Hanoi on July 26.
— Nhan Dan Online

Vietnam unlikely to meet $10bn export target
Increased ‘global instability ‘make it more than likely that Vietnam’s seafood sector will miss a goal of $10 billion in exports this year, Vietnam Plus reported.
— Undercurrent News

Vietnam urged to remain cautious about depreciating VND
Exchange rate management should be considered as part of a broader policy to increase the resilience of the economy and stabilize macroeconomic condition.
— The Hanoi Times

Vietnamese Sentenced for Kidnapping in Germany
A German court has sent to prison a Vietnamese man for helping his country carry out a kidnapping in Berlin last year.
— VOA

Vietnam wants to boost cooperation with EU: PM
Vietnam always wishes to further promote the friendship and cooperation with the European Union (EU), Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has told Chairman of the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade (INTA) Bernd Lange.
— Nhan Dan Online

Kido Group’s after-tax profit plunges 89% in 6 months
One of the reasons behind a sharp decrease in Kido Group (KDC)`s profit was the one – off financial income in the first quarter in 2017 of VND531 billion (US$22.95 million), according to the group`s quarterly financial statement.
— The Hanoi Times

Mekong Delta enterprises upbeat
Most enterprises in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta are optimistic about their business prospects in the second half of the year, according to results of a survey issued at a seminar held yesterday in Can Tho.
— Bizhub

Feature photo Justin Jensen

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