Vietnam’s export turnover to expand 8-10 pct in 2018Vietnam’s export growth in 2018 is hoped to be 8-10 percent higher than in 2017, according to a plan set by the National Assembly and the Government. Export revenue of the domestic economic sector rose 31.6 percent, reaching 5.41 billion USD while that of the foreign direct investment (FDI) sector expanded 33.7 percent to 13.6 billion USD. Notably, the processed industry’s export turnover reached 15.62 billion USD, a year-on-year increase of 34.6 percent, accounting for 82.2 percent of total exports. Items mainly contributing to the export turnover in the period were phones and spare parts, garment-textiles, electronic products, computers, footwear, machines, equipment and tools. The ministry said global trade is predicted to grow by 3.9 percent in 2018 and this is expect to help Vietnam's trade growth.

Vietnam in need of senior hotel managersVietNamNet Bridge - The demand for hotel managers is always high in Vietnam, even at a time when the tourism industry experiences tough days. Vuong said that in the business fields that Vingroup is developing, it is very difficult to recruit Vietnamese managers. Vietnam received 5 million foreign travelers and 28 million domestic travelers in 2010, while the figures increased to 10 million and 62 million, respectively, in 2016. These include Intercontinental Hotels Group which runs 12 hotels and Hilton Hotels & Resorts which manages the Hilton hotel chains developed by BRG Group. These include Intercontinental Hotels Group which runs 12 hotels and Hilton Hotels & Resorts which manages the Hilton hotel chains developed by BRG Group.

HCM City looks to IT for better administrationTo lay the foundation for turning into a smart city, HCM City continues to encourage the use of information technology in administration with a focus on e-governance. Students check bus routes on the BusMap app developed by HCM City, which is working towards becoming a smart city by 2020. — Photo sggp.org.vnAs soon as it unveiled plans to become a smart city in 2017-20, the city began to work with IT and technology companies to usher in changes. Many departments and agencies have their information portal or websites to provide information on new policies and regulations to the public. A total of 493 procedures are processed at level 3, in which every task except payment can be done online.

Vietnam’s corruption perceptions index improvesVietnam ranks 107th among 180 countries and territories in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2017 released by Transparency International on February 22, a slight improvement from the two previous years. With a score of 35, Vietnam ranks 107th among 180 countries and territories in the Corruption Perceptions Index 2017 (Photo: screenshot)The country scored of 35 points out of 100 on the CPI 2017. The index ranks the 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption according to experts and businesspeople. However, the score does indicate that corruption in Vietnam’s public sector is still perceived as highly serious. Meanwhile, businesses should take initiatives in fighting against corruption and building business integrity.

Once-a-year market offers luck for saleFrom the afternoon of the 7th day of the first lunar month (February 22), people flock to the northern province of Nam Dinh for a unique market which is held only once a year to sell - guess what - bad luck as well as to buy good luck for the year to come. The Vieng market opened at midnight of the 7th day and lasted only through the morning of the 8th day. According to popular belief, anything bought at the market would bring good luck to the buyer to the whole year. The spring market displays handicraft products, genuine antiquities along with their fake, home utensils, tools for agricultural production, and many kinds of ornamental plants. The cheapest things at Vieng market are flowers and tree sapplings, which bring both the buyer and seller happiness and luck.

Easy seaport procedures laudedIn many seaports across Vietnam, it takes vessels about 15 minutes or less to enter or leave the ports even if businesses have already submitted dossiers online. Le Van Thuc, director of Vung Tau Port Authority, said the port handles 30 administrative procedures relating to maritime activities and now, it takes business about 15 minutes to complete necessary procedures at the port. The 35 forms include 24 procedures on ship registration, six procedures on crew management and five procedures on sea ships. The five sea ship procedures are available on Vietnam National Single Window. Sang said that the department continued to review and promote information and technology applications so more maritime procedures would be available via the national single window.-VNA

Shares slump from three-day riseVietnamese shares fell on February 22 as increased selling pressure during the ATC session dragged oil-gas and bank stocks down. Among the worst decliners in the VN30 basket are Bao Viet Holdings (BVH), down 4.3 percent; Hoa Phat Group Joint Stock Company (HPG), dipping 2.1 percent; Vietnam Dairy Products Joint Stock Company (VNM), declining 1.2 percent; as well as Vietjet Aviation Joint Stock Company (VJC), down 2 percent. The stocks that drove the banking sector down included Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BID), Vietnam Prosperity Joint Stock Commercial Bank (VPB) and Military Commercial Joint Stock Bank (MBB). These bank stocks declined by 1.6 percent, 2.2 percent and 0.5 percent, respectively. The energy sector was driven down by PetroVietnam Gas Joint Stock Corporation (GAS), PetroVietnam Technical Services Corporation (PVS) and PetroVietnam Drilling Mud Joint Stock Corporation (PVD), down 5.4, 4.4 and 6.3 percent, respectively.

U19 teams ready for national event’s final roundVietNamNet Bridge – Teams are ready to take part in the final round of the National U19 Football Tournament which is scheduled to open at the Tu Do Stadium in Hue City on March 6. Hoang Anh Gia Lai seen in training to prepare for the final round of the National U19 Football Tournament. “Viettel haven’t won the National U19 Football Tournament for a long time. HAGL’s U21 team’s triumph at the National U21 Football Tournament last December will be drive the U19 team on. The final round will feature seven teams who passed the qualifying round and the hosts Thua Thien Hue.

Business environment improvement helps increase budget revenueFinance Minister Dinh Tien Dung talks with the Ha Noi Moi (New Ha Noi) newspaper about financial and budget works this year. In the situation of public debt rising quickly, the pressure was how to ensure public debt safety and investment for development. Public debt stipulated in this law includes Government debt, government guaranteed debt and local government debt. In late last year, the risk of a budget imbalance was possible because budget revenues were less. This would cause the State budget revenues to increase.

Wildlife secrets of Nigeria's last wildernessThe world's rarest chimpanzee has been captured on camera in the remote forests of Nigeria. The park is regarded as a national treasure, but its wildlife is under threat from pressures such as poaching. Researchers from Chester Zoo, working with the Nigeria National Park Service, surveyed over 1,000 square kilometres of the national park. Chester Zoo has been supporting Gashaka Gumti National Park for more than 20 years, intensifying their efforts recently to address growing threats to the park's wildlife. Chester Zoo is funding patrols for the rangers and providing training in wildlife monitoring and protection.

Ministry clamps down on river pollution in Ha NamThe Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment threatens to shut down factories found polluting Nhue and Day rivers in Ha Nam Province. Day River in Ha Nam ProvinceThe population density has increased sharply along Nhue and Day rivers. The pollution became more evident when the water level in Nhue River was low in the dry season. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment said authorities at all levels, corporations and the public must work together to monitor and deal with the pollution. The ministry has also requested Hanoi authorities to help clean Nhue River with water from the Red River.

Words of wisdom written for successful yearMany people flock to Chu Van An Temple in Thanh Liet Commune, Thanh Tri District every year to attend the new-year writing festival. Time flies but the new-year custom of collecting calligraphic words written in ancient Vietnamese – Chinese script has become a deep-rooted tradition still remains among Vietnamese people. This year, Hanoi Department of Education and Training has chosen the word of “Learn” to kick-off the new-year writing festival. After the collective rituals of New-Year writing, participants come for elder teachers for their words of wisdom. Mrs Ha Minh Tam, Thanh Tri district, Hanoi told that she had just asked for the word “Học”, or studying.

Will US amended tax law divert FDI flow from Vietnam? VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam has been warned that FDI flow to Vietnam could shrink as investors will head for the US, where the corporate income tax (CIT) rate has been cut from 35 percent to 21 percent. To date, the total FDI capital in Vietnam committed by the US investors has reached $9.9 billion, accounting for 3 percent of total FDI capital in Vietnam, with which the US ranks ninth among the countries and territories which have FDI. US tax reform will affect FDI flow in general. Prior to tax reform, the US announced the application of safeguard measures against solar panel and washing machine imports from any source.

Thuy Trung Tien Temple attracts visitors during TetThe Thuy Trung Tien temple is in an idyllic location, sitting on a small island in Truc Bach Lake in Hanoi and accessible by a brand new 18-metre-long bridge. Nguyen Thi Xuan, another Hanoi resident said: "I visit the temple to pray for luck. After this temple was upgraded, it welcomed more visitors." The temple devoted to a peculiar myth involving the great emperor Ly Cong Uan, later known as Ly Thai To who reigned from 1009 to 1028. As Ly Thai To became emperor around that time, and was born in the Year of the Dog, the prophecy became attached to him.-VNA

Words from Bamboo on SundayFollowing its first successful show in January, Phu Sa Lab will perform Loi Cua Tre (Words from Bamboo) on Sunday. Words from Bamboo is the result of a long term project exploring the wonderful sounds of musical instruments made from bamboo by artists at Phu Sa Lab. Words from Bamboo is the result of a long term project exploring the sounds of musical instruments made from bamboo by artists at Phu Sa Lab. The instruments used in the show were created by the artists, and have never been used elsewhere. Words from Bamboo begins at 7.45pm.