Vietnam in midst of trade war among world powersVietNamNet Bridge - While global trade policies take place among the world’s powerful economies, small economies like Vietnam have to sustain enormous impact from the shifts in policies. While global trade policies take place among the world’s powerful economies, small economies like Vietnam have to sustain enormous impact from the shifts in policies. As for washing machines, the protective duty is the latest in the prolonged trade war. The washing machine exports to the US began soaring in 2016, when LG and Samsung factories opened in Vietnam. RELATED NEWSVietnam’s trade surplus hits US$2.7 billion in 2017What can the CPTPP trade agreement bring to Vietnam?

The middle class is a major contributor to the country's developmentMiddle-class families have a monthly income of VND18-40 million, Tung said. The middle class plays an important role in innovation and creativity. The development of the middle class will help accelerate institutional reform. As they attach importance to the role of education, they pay attention to education quality and advocate spending on education. A report shows that in 2014, expenditures on education by the middle class accounted for 20 percent of their spending.

Made-in-Vietnam medicine use on the riseVietNamNet Bridge – The use of made-in-Vietnam medicines at provincial-level hospitals has risen to 35.4 per cent since the Ministry of Health initiated an ongoing project named “Vietnamese people give priority to using made-in-Vietnam medicines” in 2012. The price of made-in-Vietnam medicines was at least 30 per cent lower compared to imported medicines, providing a competitive advantage over imported ones, he said. The ministry had also launched a range of programmes to raise public awareness of made-in-Vietnam medicines. For example, a programme named “The way for made-in-Vietnam medicines” introduced domestic medicines via television, radio, newspaper and internet campaigns. Additionally, Deputy Minister Cuong said all hospitals were asked to encourage their doctors to prioritise made-in-Vietnam medicines instead of imported medicines when providing prescriptions.

Standing at heaven’s gate on Bao Dai MountainVietNamNet Bridge – We headed up to Bao Dai Mountain, also known as Vay Rong Mountain, to visit the Ngoa Van Am (Ngoa Van Pagoda) historical site. Stunning views: Tourists climb up Yen Tu Mountain. Truc Lam Yen Tu, or simply Truc Lam (Bamboo Grove), is the only native school for Buddhism in Vietnam. Tran Nhan Tong was a wise emperor in Dai Viet State at the end of 13th century. Tens of thousands of pilgrims begin their journeys to the uppermost shrine, after performing a solemn ritual at the base of Yen Tu Mountain.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 23/2PetroVietnam Technical Services Corporation (PTSC), a subsidiary of PetroVietnam, will contribute $57 million to the establishment of a joint venture company with Yinson Clover Ltd. (YCL) in the Marshall Islands. Currently, Vietnam is the fourth largest seafood supplier of Australia with 11% of market shares after Thailand, New Zealand, and China. Seafood exports hit a record high of US$8.3 billion last year, up nearly US$1 billion compared to the previous year. The figure was estimated at 40 percent in local industrial parks. Since 2015, the cooperative began producing Gotu Kola tea by grilling, drying and packaging the green plant, using industrial machines.

Vinh Phuc requested to tighten control over buffalo fighting festivalThe Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has requested the northern province of Vinh Phuc to tighten control over the organising of the Hai Luu buffalo fighting festival in the local district of Song Lo. Visitors watch a competition at Hai Luu buffalo figting festivalUnder the ministry’s instruction, the organising board has to conform to the festival regulations. Hai Luu buffalo fighting festival often takes place on 16-17th of the first month of the lunar year which falls on March 3 and 4 this year. The ogranising of buffalo fighting festivals in Vietnam has been more tightly managed following an incident at Do Son buffalo fighting festival last year when one man was killed after being attacked by his buffalo. Following the public's outcry, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has called to end violence at traditional festivals nation-wide.

Quang Tri teachers encourage pupils with lucky money to go to schoolTeachers in the mountainous areas of Quang Tri Province visit every household to persuade pupils to go to school after Tet Holiday, and this year, they are also giving out lucky money as motivation and support. Every teacher at Huong Phung Primary School was sent out to visit pupils' houses and gave lucky money to pupils with an especially-difficult background. Nguyen Mai Trong, head of Huong Phung Primary School, said they had 653 pupils of which 417 pupils are Van Kieu ethnic minority people. Giving lucky money is a way to support pupils and help them understand more about the Lunar New Year of Kinh people who constitute a majority of the population. Teachers at Huong Phung Primary School visit pupils after TetA young teacher visit and gives lucky money to a pupil in Huong Phung Primary SchoolLao Dong/Dtinews

Investors experiencing tough days as bitcoin price tumblesVietNamNet Bridge - Bitcoin holders are feeling anxious as the price of the cryptocurrency has dropped dramatically. But it unexpectedly escalated later, reaching $20,000 per bitcoin (VND400 million) by the end of 2017. “Luckily, I stopped trading later as I thought the bitcoin price would fall after a long period of escalation,” he said. Nguyen Hong Hai from MOJ said cryptocurrency trading is an anonymous transaction that can be easily exploited by criminals. RELATED NEWSThe ‘bitcoin rush’Vietnamese rush to invest in bitcoin, blowing bitcoin bubbleKim Chi

"We have mobilised VND63 billion (USD2.78 million) from customers for the plant's operation since January this year," Nhan told the meeting. Nhan has also proposed and additional bank loan of over VND200 billion over three years to restore the plant's facilities in 2018. Minister of Industry and Trade, Tran Tuan Anh (right) visit Ninh Binh Fertiliser Plant on February 21Addressing the meeting, minister Tran Tuan Anh pointed out the causes of the great losses at the plant, including weak management, slow actions by the Vietnam National Chemical Group and Ninh Binh Nitrogenous Fertiliser Company, as well as labour skills. "But we have to save the plant by all means," the minister stressed. But the Ninh Binh Nitrogenous Fertiliser Company will have to save them first by improving their product's quality and quantity.

Transport faces issues in 2018Nguyen Van The, Minister of Transport, talks to Viet Nam News Agency about important missions for the transport sector in 2018. This is one of the reasons that in 2018, the State has to focus its financial resources on investing in infrastructure development. Regarding the socialization fund, we have been able to reach over VNĐ200 trillion (US$8.8 billion) for transport infrastructure development. In such circumstances, we have tried to make the best use of the State budget allocated for transport infrastructure development. Our current domestic water routes have played an important role in national transport development.

Finance Ministry proposes measures to check post-Tet price hikeThe Ministry of Finance (MoF) has asked other ministries and localities to closely monitor the supply and demand in the market as well as prices of commodities. This is to avoid unreasonable price hike and misinformation causing market instability, according to the ministry’s report sent to the Government on market prices and measures stabilising prices before, during and after Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday. Autrorities are expected to come up with timely solutions to avoid unreasonable price hike and misinformation about demand, supply and prices of goods. The ministry has asked transport businesses to publicise transport fees in accordance with the current regulations. Transport companies, on the other hand, increased the number of buses to meet the demand of people before Tet, the ministry said.

The rate of forest coverage reached 41.45 per cent, making contributions to the common growth of the agricultural sector. He called on ministries, agencies, localities and people nationwide to raise public awareness of forest protection and prevent illegal logging. Last year, the park attracted many big technological projects, including the Hamvha Techwin company’s 200-million-USD Hamvha Aero Engines project. The leader also hailed the VGCL’s efforts to bring a warm Tet holiday for all workers, particularly those in disadvantaged circumstances. Earlier, the PM approved the VGCL’s project on building trade union institutions at industrial parks and export processing zones.

Red wine compound 'could help tooth decay and gum disease fight'Red wine has previously been linked to a range of supposed health benefits, from helping the heart to lowering the risk of diabetes. Now a new study suggests it contains chemicals that can help in the fight against tooth decay and gum disease. But experts warned that the findings do not offer a "green light" to drink more red wine. Researchers compared the effects of two polyphenols from red wine against grape seed and red wine extract supplements on bacteria that stick to teeth and gums and cause dental plaque, cavities and gum disease. "However, the findings do not support drinking more red wine to stop people getting infections," he said.

Three Chinese men detained for using fake ATM cardsThe Mong Cai International Border Gate in northern Quang Ninh province announced on February 22 that three Chinese nationals had been arrested for using fake ATM cards to steal money from banks. Three Chinese nationals arrested for using fake ATM cardsPatrolmen detected the three suspects showing abnormal behaviours at 6:30 am of February 22 in Ka Long ward of Mong Cai city. They were found to be holding many counterfeit ATM cards of different banks and more than 36 million VND (1,587 USD). They admitted that at 3:00 am that day, they had used fake ATM cards to withdraw money in Ha Long city and moved to Mong Cai city to flee to China. The men were handed over to Quang Ninh province’s Police for further investigation.-VNA

Another vibrant year awaits Vietnam’s property marketLast year witnessed many mergers and acquisitions (M&As) in Vietnam’s real estate sector, and foreign investors’ interest in the market is forecast to continue in 2018. Many insiders expressed belief that 2018 will be another big year for foreign investment in Vietnam’s property market. “In 2018, foreign investment in the property market will begin to reap outcomes when projects are finished and handed over to clients,” she noted. Echoing this view, Stephen Wyatt, Country Head of JLL Vietnam, said Vietnam has considerable attraction to foreign investors thanks to its huge potential. In 2018 and the next several years, foreign investors will keep pouring their money into Vietnam’s real estate market, particularly through M&As, he added.-VNA