Electronics retailers to heat up pharmaceutical distribution segmentFPT and a number of electronics retailers are looking to expand their business by entering the pharmaceutical segment. Specifically, the stores generate $136,000 in sales revenue per month, while Pharmacity makes $11,000, Pharno $18,000, and An Khang $32,000. Currently, FPT Group holds 47 per cent of the shares in FPT Retail, Dragon Capital and VinaCapital hold 34.32 per cent, and the rest belongs to other shareholders. In early 2018, electronics retailer Digiworld mapped out its road to conquer Vietnam’s consumer goods market. The goal for 2018 is to earn at least VND200 billion ($8.78 million) in gross revenue from these two sectors.

Pham Nhat Vuong in top 300 of Forbes rich listPham Nhat Vuong, owner of real estate conglomerate Vingroup and Vietnam's first billionaire, has earned a place on the list of the world's richest people as compiled by Forbes magazine. Vuong is placed behind three foreign billionaires, including Acharya Balkrishna (India), Wei Jianjun (China), and Yao Liangsong (China), who are all of equal wealth to him. According to Forbes, Pham Nhat Vuong studied in Russia and started a popular instant noodle business in Ukraine in the 1990s before moving back to his home country. “He turned some investments into non-profit ventures, including some in healthcare, education and sports. Vuong is the chairman of Vingroup, one of Vietnam's largest conglomerates with interests in real estate, retail, and healthcare, among others.

Dirty money: banks urged to report suspicious transactionsVietNamNet Bridge - Banks and payment gateways are now the most effective way for hi-tech criminals to transfer dirty money and conduct illegal actions. The money is remitted in cases related to gambling, for-profit online games, and illegal trade of goods and services. Lawyer Truong Thanh Duc said it is difficult to prevent illegal money remittances and payments. Banks cannot intervene when party A remits money to party B if the parties have stated they are making payments for legal goods or services. Banks cannot intervene when party A remits money to party B if the parties have stated they are making payments for legal goods or services.

President meets new South African, Egyptian ambassadorsPresident Tran Dai Quang hosted separate receptions for the newly-accredited ambassadors of South Africa and Egypt to Vietnam in Hanoi on March 28. President Tran Dai Quang (R) and South African Ambassador Mpetjane Kgaogelo Lekgoro. At a meeting with South African Ambassador Mpetjane Kgaogelo Lekgoro, President Quang expressed his hope that the diplomat will make constructive contributions to the friendship between Vietnam and South Africa. The host said he believes that under the leadership of President Cyril Ramaphosa and the African National Congress (ANC), the South African Government and people will reap more achievements in national construction and development. Vietnam always treasures the traditional friendship, and the “partnership for cooperation and development” with South Africa, President Quang stressed.

The association has maintained meetings and friendship exchanges marking Vietnam-Spain diplomatic ties and called for social participation in people-to-people diplomatic activities. ASEAN countries then responded to a call for help from Việt Nam through the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance (AHA) and emergency medical teams (EMT) were sent to disaster-hit areas in Việt Nam with air cargo containing logistics and medical equipment. Both of the countries enjoy the harmony of different communities with unique cultures, said Azzeddine Farhane, Moroccan Ambassador to Việt Nam. Moroccan Communist Party sent Aomar to Việt Nam following President Hồ Chí Minh’s request with aim to support the then Việt Nam Communist Party during the resistance against French invaders. Canadian agricultural and seafood exports to Việt Nam doubled in 2017 to C$612 million, accounting for 58 per cent of the country’s total exports to Việt Nam.

Party chief attends inauguration of Vietnam Culture Centre in FranceThe new headquarters of the Vietnam Culture Centre in France was inaugurated in Paris on March 27 in the presence of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong, who is on an official visit to the European country. Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (R) attends the inauguration of the Vietnam Culture Centre in France. Briefing the Vietnamese expatriates in France about the outcomes of his visit to France, Party General Secretary Trong said that it aims to enhance friendship and bilateral cooperation and deepen the bilateral strategic partnership between the two countries. The Party chief also informed the Vietnamese community about the nation’s achievements in socio-economic development, which are bringing a facelift to both urban and rural areas. The Party and Government always attach much importance to overseas Vietnamese, including those in France, considering them as an inseparable part of the Vietnamese nation, said Party General Secretary Trong.

Vietnam's GDP growth in Q1 highest over 10 yearsVietnam’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the first quarter of 2018 is forecasted to exceed 7%, the highest figure recoded over the recent 10 years. 01/NQ-CP on major tasks and solutions guiding the implementation of the socio-economic development plan and State budget plan in 2018 and forecasts on economic development in 2018. Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Le Quang Manh announced that the industry-construction was the main force for economic development, setting the growth of 11% in the first three months of 2018. The Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) capital realization obtained US$176.25 billion, equal to 55% of the valid capital. In the first quarter, the total newly-registered and additional FDI was US$5.8 billion while the realized FDI capital was US$3.88 billion, up 7.2%.

Vietnam's March CPI down by 0.27%The consumer price index (CPI) for March fell 0.27 per cent month-on-month, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO). The consumer price index (CPI) for March fell 0.27 per cent month-on-month. - Photo vov.vnAccording to GSO, the reduced CPI in March can be attributed to under-consumption due to lower demand after Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New year). Although the CPI in March was down 0.27 per cent compared to February, it increased by 2.66 per cent year-on-year and 0.97 per cent against the CPI in December. This made the CPI in the first quarter of this year rise by 2.82 per cent year-on-year, GSO said.

Asian Cup 2019 qualifiers: Vietnam hold Jordan to a 1-1 drawNguyen Anh Duc scored the opener to put Vietnam in front before half-time, but Abu Amara’s second-half equaliser prevented coach Park Hang-seo’s side from pocketing a victory against Jordan in their last Group C match as part of the 2019 Asian Cup qualifiers on March 27 night. Ahead of the match, Vietnam was standing at second in Group C with nine points, two behind the group leaders, Jordan. A victory would gift Park Hang-seo’s side the top spot, thus holding the advantage in the draw for the final stage. With the draw, Park Hang-seo’s side have officially wrapped up their 2019 Asian Cup qualification campaign in second place of Group C with ten points, two points behind the leaders, Jordan. The draw for the final stage of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup is scheduled to be held on May 4, 2018 in Dubai.

BTG Holdings called back to decide fate of $500 million project in VietnamSlovakia's BTG Holdings, the registered investor of a $500 million industrial park and related investment projects including a $116-million Budweiser brewery in the northern province of Hoa Binh, which is considered Asia’s biggest brewery, has disappeared since October 2017, leaving the project immobile. At that time, Zmajkovic said BTG Holdings’ investment projects within the Lac Thinh IP would draw the attention of other European investors who have expressed interest in building furniture, plastics, and ethanol factories in the park. BTG Holdings’ primary focus is on traditional energy, steam-gas cycles, combustion of biomass, small hydropower plants, and construction of breweries worldwide. Being the largest foreign-invested project in Hoa Binh at the time with a methodical investment plan, people expected to enjoy the plant’s products soon. According to the latest developments, the Hoa Binh Industrial Zones Management Authority has issued a document to call the investor back to resolve the long-delayed project.

A glimpse of Khmer pagodas in Soc TrangThe Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang is home to many ancient pagodas such as Doi (Bat), Dat Set (Clay) and Chen Kieu (Porcelain bowl), with a touch of typical architectural features of Khmer ethnic people. Chen Kieu PagodaWorshippers are seen inside Chen Kieu (Porcelain bowl) Pagoda in Soc Trang ProvinceConstruction of the pagoda started in 1815 on a spacious area with green lines of trees but it was damaged by war and underwent restoration in 1969. The gate is decorated with two giant stone lion statues and the sanctum has 16 pillars carved with images of the legends of the Khmer culture. Located on Highway 1A at Dai Tam Commune, My Xuyen District and just 10 kilometers from Soc Trang Town, the pagoda was acknowledged as a national cultural relic in 2012. Located on Le Hong Phong Street, Ward 3 in Soc Trang Town, Doi Pagoda has gained popularity as one of the oldest pagodas in the province.

Vietnam expect promotion in Davis CupVietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam target a berth in the higher group when they take part in the Davis Cup, Asia/Oceania Zone Group III competition next week. Ly Hoang Nam practises in Hanoi to prepare for the Davis Cup. This is the first time such a major tournament is being organised in the capital after four previous editions in HCM City. Vietnam, with a world ranking of 67, are the top seed in Pool A, while Kuwait, World No 73, are the top seed in Pool B. Four teams that rank the lowest in the group round will compete in play-off matches.

Vietnamese painter’s work auctioned at record priceVietNamNet Bridge – A silk painting by Nguyen Nam Son (1890-1973), one of the leading artists in modern Vietnamese fine art, was auctioned at 205,000 euros. Photos thethaovanhoa.vnThe auction was held by the Aguttes company at the Drouot auction centre in Paris, France, on March 26. The painting, titled Thon Nu Bac Ky (Peasants of Tonkin), is an ink and watercolour work on silk, measuring 65x52.5cm, with the painter’s signature on the upper right and lower left and the title on the lower left. It was auctioned at an initial price of 35,000 euros and was expected to be sold for 50,000 euros at the most. A painting by Mai Trung Thu (1906-1980), titled Khoanh Khac Am Nhac (Instant Music), ink and watercolour on silk, was sold at 230,000 euros.

Free TB screening for high-risk groups in HCMCVietNamNet Bridge – Free X-rays and TB skin tests for people at high risk of contracting TB were provided last Sunday by medical staff working in a mobile healthcare vehicle in HCM City’s Tan Binh District. High-risk groups include relatives who live with TB patients; those who live in and near areas with many TB patients; others living in areas with high population density and poor labourers; people with HIV; drug addicts; and others with chronic disease. The aim is to detect and treat more TB patients to reach the target of zero number of TB cases in Vietnam by 2030. Unlike last year, participants who are relatives of TB patients are given a skin test because some of them are infected but have no symptoms. The remaining 19 per cent of TB patients need to be tested as early as possible for treatment and prevention of transmission, the association said.

Hundreds of poor constructed level crossings to be upgradedVietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Transport (MoT) will remove hundreds of below-standards level crossings countrywide to improve rail travel and reduce accidents. — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyen ThanhThe new regulation on level crossings and construction in railway safety is being built up by MoT. Level crossings leading to headquarters of Viet Nam National Coal and Mineral Industries Holding Corporation Limited and Viet Nam Cement Industry Corporation suffer the same problem. And it is not just the level crossings with signs and automatic warning systems that have caused problems. Responsibility of stakeholders in managing, constructing, maintaining and exploiting level crossings will also be clearly indicated.