Vietnam Morning News For June 4

Vietnam’s party accuses senior officials of violations at Mobifone, BIDV
Vietnam’s current and former information ministers and several other senior officials have been accused of “very serious” violations linked to state telecoms firm Mobifone and BIDV bank, part of a widening crackdown on corruption.
— Reuters

Domestic fertiliser struggles to compete
Since 2015, amendments to the tax laws have been causing negative impacts on domestic production, particularly of fertiliser.
— Bizhub

Smoke smoking: WHO wants Vietnam to raise tobacco taxes
Vietnam’s current tobacco tax only accounts for 35 percent of retail prices, while the world average is 56 percent.
— VnExpress

Vietnam takes specific measures to curb inflation
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on Saturday ordered no more increases in electricity prices this year, as one of measures to control inflation below 4 percent as assigned by the country’s top legislature.
— Xinhua

Ministry insists on ’99-year policy’, but economists oppose
While National Assembly’s deputies believe that allocating land for up to 99 years in special economic zones (SEZs) is not a good policy, the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) still persists in its opinion, saying that this would be an outstanding preference to attract investors to SEZs.
— VietNamNet Bridge

Illegal timber still flowing: EIA
More than one million cubic metres of illegal timber has flowed unhindered from protected areas in Cambodia’s northeast provinces to Vietnam as the latter continues its role as a serial illegal timber trade offender, according to a report issued by the Environmental Investigation Agency.
— Khmer Times

With Vietnam’s Economy Booming, MINISO opened 40 stores in the country and is continuing to expand its Vietnamese Market
Which is the most popular market for foreign retail investors in recent years? The answer is Vietnam.
— AEC News Today/ Newswire (media release)

Military Bank to increase charter capital to over $951.5 million
The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) recently approved a proposal of the Military Commercial Joint Stock Bank (MB) to raise its charter capital.
— VietnamNet Bridge

Vietnam Is Following China in its Economic Development
Experts say Vietnam is copying China in its efforts to grow economically and is only about 10 years behind its larger neighbor.
— VOA

VN market boost ahead of earnings reports
Second-quarter and half-year earnings reports, as well as annual shareholder meetings, may be driving factors for a recovery of Vietnamese shares in June, starting this week.
— Viet Nam News

Ninh Thuan grants investment licences to nine solar power projects
The People’s Committee of Ninh Thuan province has granted investment licences to nine solar power projects worth over 12 trillion VND (527.4 million USD).
— VietNamNet Bridge

$800m pours into VN property
In the first five months of this year, the registered capital of newly licensed real estate projects reached US$623.3 million.
— Bizhub

Vietnam’s exports in 2018: risks from protectionism anticipated
The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT), in its latest report on global trade and the impact on Vietnam, mentioned the possibility of a trade war and the risks of protectionism.
— VietNamNet Bridge

National Assembly discusses notarisation and urban planning
The National Assembly on Friday agreed to remove the master plan on the development of notarisation from a law being drafted to amend planning-related laws.
— Bizhub

Businesses urged to adapt in digital economy
Domestic enterprises must adapt new business models in the digital economy to ensure they can compete against foreign rivals, even on their home market.
— The Hanoi Times

Online retailer Tiki must choose between IPO or being acquired
Online shopping website Tiki, said in the next three to five years, the company would decide whether to conduct initial public offering (IPO) or be acquired by another company.
— Bizhub

Government pushes SOE equitisation
The government has required some State-owned enterprises (SOEs) to expedite their equitisation and divestment progress as it remains behind schedule.
— The Hanoi Times

Vietnam a really cool market for air-conditioner makers
Major brands prepare expansion plans, foreseeing sales growth.
— VnExpress

Contract signed to begin feasibility study for Long Thanh airport
The Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) signed a contract with a joint venture comprising of firms from Japan, France and Vietnam (JFV) on June 2, for consultancy services and a feasibility study for the first phase of the Long Thanh International Airport project.
— Nhan Dan Online

Young people trade job stability for freedom
After the country got out of the war and started its economic recovery and development, employment became one of the top concerns, and stability was the best quality of any job.
— Viet Nam News

16 people catch bird flu at Vietnam’s hospital
Vietnam’s Health Ministry has recommended the public some measures to prevent A/H1N1 influenza after 16 people caught the virus from a patient at Ho Chi Minh City’s Tu Du Hospital.
— Xinhua

VN sees strong development in co-working space: CBRE
Viet Nam has seen strong development in co-working spaces in recent years, and the growth will be higher in future, according to CBRE Viet Nam, a foreign property consulting company.
— Bizhub

Vietnamese firms advertise products at Thaifex 2018
Nearly 50 Vietnamese businesses, including many famous brands, such as Vinamilk, Trung Nguyen, and Vinamit, are showcasing their products at the 15th annual Thaifex – World of Food Asia exhibition, which is currently underway at the IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Centre in Bangkok, from May 29 to June 2.
— Nhan Dan Online

Da Nang emerges as popular destinations for RoK tourists
The Vietnamese central city of Da Nang has become one of the most popular tourist destinations for people of the Republic of Korea (RoK) this year, according to a RoK online ticket seller.
— VietnamPlus

AITGA fuels Vietnam-India trade and investment ties
Tariff cuts under the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement are forecast to be a key driver in raising the Vietnam-India bilateral trade turnover, and a climb in Indian investment into the Southeast Asian nation in the future.
— Nhan Dan Online

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