Vietnam seeks new approaches to natural resource preservationA seminar on the inclusion of natural capital in planning infrastructure development was held in Hanoi on February 7. The event was co-held by the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment of Vietnam (ISPONRE), the Hanns Seidel Foundation of Germany and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ). Participants discussed how to integrate natural capital in policy development in the most efficient and economical manners. They also stressed the need of mechanisms to encourage the inclusion of natural capital in localities’ long-term development. ISPONRE Director Nguyen The Chinh said the event offered opportunities for Vietnam to understand the significance of natural capital and its relation with development activities, especially in infrastructure building.

Unique coral reef found on Ly SonVietNamNet Bridge – Experts from the Viet Nam Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources have found a unique complex of fossilised coral – believed to date from 4,000 to 6,000 years ago – on the coast of Ly Son Island, 30km off Quang Ngai Province mainland. Tranquil: An Binh Islet of Ly Son Island, off the coast of Quang Ngai, is said to be an ideal site for eco-tourism. The coral reef complex, which was named Coi Xay (a manual rice mill seen in rural areas in the old days) coral, includes a heap of coral blocks scattered on the beach. We haven’t found such a coral reef complex in Vietnam before. Nam said the discovery was part of initial research to recognise Ly Son Island as a global geo-park.

Adjustment on medical expenses requiredVietNamNet Bridge – Although inpatient room costs have increased sharply, medical quality remains stagnant, according to the latest report by Viet Nam Social Insurance (VSI). “It is acceptable to pay the huge amount of money on medicines and medical services rather than the inpatient room. At some medical facilities, the impatient room cost is twice as high as the medicine cost. Phuc asked hospitals to equip the rooms with enough appliances for patients to enjoy medical services commensurate with the amount of money they spent. “I think patients have to receive quality medical services, demonstrated through medical facilities, appliances in inpatient rooms and utilities,” he said.

Shares gain points after SSC’s reassuranceViet Nam’s benchmark VN Index regained nearly 34 points, or 3.3 per cent, on Wednesday morning, following the reassurance by the State Securities Commission (SSC) to calm down investors after two blows on the stock market early this week. The market push was on large caps, with 28 of the top 30 largest shares gaining value in terms of market and liquidity. — Photo bizlive.vnOn the HCM Stock Exchange, the VN Index closed the morning trade at nearly 1,045 points. The VN Index lost 8.6 per cent in the last two sessions, wiping out nearly $14 billion on Viet Nam’s stock market. “The macro-economic fundamentals in the whole economy as well as in Viet Nam’s stock market are bullish.

SSC calms investors after 2 stock market blowsViet Nam’s stock market almost lost US$14 billion after two blows on Monday and Tuesday. He predicts the stock market will continue its strong development this year thanks to positive macro-economic fundamentals. “The macro-economic fundamentals in the whole economy as well as in Viet Nam’s stock market are bullish. Even with the sharp decline on Tuesday, foreign investors bought a net value of VND4.2 trillion in the stock market and VND273 billion in the bond market. “The influx of foreign capital in the securities market has shown foreign investors’ confidence in the domestic market,” Dung said.

Foreigners enjoy the thriving atmosphere of Tet preparations on Hanoi’s streets. As Tet is several days away, Hang Ma and many other Hanoi streets are teeming with crowds of people purchasing all they need for Tet. The streets are awash with the richness of red, the colour of Tet, which represents wealth, happiness, and luck. The vibrant and beautiful streets before Tet provide a wonderful scene for many young couples to capture their meaningful moments. Foreigners enjoy the thriving atmosphere of Tet preparations on Hanoi’s streets.

Ministry seeks to pave ways for new airlinesThe Ministry of Transport has completed a draft plan to expand the aviation sector for the 2018-2020 period, with view to 2030. The Ministry of Transport wants to expand the airlines' fleet to 220 planes by 2020 and 400 planes by 2030. Leaders of local airlines assessed that Vietnam needs about 10 airlines to meet demand and make it a healthy competitive market. The aviation plan must be compatible with the state's master planning and it must be reviewed by the Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Planning and Investment at the same time. Tan Cang and Vietbamboo Airlines still need to submit their documents to the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

Profitable FDI businesses pay low taxesThe foreign direct investment (FDI) sector contribute a modest amount to the State budget although they enjoy many incentives and get high profits. First, FDI businesses involved in hi-tech production are exempted from different types of taxes, including corporate income tax. For example, Samsung Bac Ninh and Samsung Thai Nguyen have been exempted from corporate income tax for many consecutive years. Some FDI businesses even enjoy the corporate income tax for 30 years, which is only half the amount domestic businesses have to pay. In addition to tax policies imposed by the State, many localities have implemented their own tax exemption policies to attract more FDI businesses, said Mr Thuy.

Phuc expressed his delight at developments in the ties, with economic and trade cooperation remaining a bright spot. PM urges stronger multifaceted cooperation with NetherlandsPrime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) ​and Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sigrid Kaag. Although they are retired, the Russian friends still have kept a close watch on Vietnam’s development, and contributed, in their own capacity, to consolidating the bilateral friendship. The sides have worked closely in planting border markers and are planning to raise bilateral trade to 5 billion USD ahead of 2020, the leader said. Currently, the two nations are enjoying sound bilateral trade with average annual growth standing at 12.5 percent and trade value hitting over 9 billion USD in 2017.

Vietnamese OTAs have become well knownForeign OTAs, for example, only accept online payments with international payment cards. Some others accept later payments, but ask customers to enter card information for booking. Some others accept later payments, but ask customers to enter card information for booking. Vietnamese have the ‘use first, pay later’ habit.Vietnamese OTAs have been pursuing their policies to struggle with foreign giants. The OTA often launches free’n’easy service packages (combined service of air ticket & hotel room) with good prices.

Vietnam backs establishment of resilient, innovative ASEANVietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh welcomed the Singapore-proposed theme of building a resilient and innovative Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) while addressing the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat (AMM Retreat) in Singapore on February 5-6. Heads of delegation to ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ RetreatHe affirmed that Vietnam will work closely with other bloc member nations to ensure the success of ASEAN 2018. He suggested member countries stand firm with ASEAN viewpoints about regional and international issues of mutual concerns, including those on the East Sea issue. During the AMM Retreat, ministers reviewed the implementation of the outcomes of the 31st ASEAN Summit in Manila in November 2017 and defined cooperation priorities in 2018. Concluding the AMM Retreat, the host Singapore as Chairman of ASEAN 2018 issued a joint press statement on the outcomes of the meeting.-VNA

Vietnam attends ADMM Retreat in SingaporeDeputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh led a Vietnamese delegation to attend the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Retreat (ADMM Retreat) in Singapore on February 6. The ASEAN defence leaders affirmed that cooperative relations between the ASEAN and China are developing fruitfully many areas. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh made the statement in a recent interview with Vietnam News Agency during his participation in the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) Retreat in Singapore on February 5-6. Regarding multilateral relations, Vietnam will play a better role in the regional defence cooperation, he said, adding that the EU military defence community is interested in a strategic defence partnership with Vietnam.

Nguyen Quang Hai (Vietnam) According to FourFourTwo, Nguyen Quang Hai was a key figure in Vietnam's side that won the bronze medal at the 2016 AFC Under-19 Championship. He is also a regular scorer and has scored important goals for the Vietnam Under-22s. Hai got off the mark for the senior team against Cambodia in the 2019 Asian Cup qualifiers in September too. Jakkit was also part of the Thailand squad that won the AFF Under-19 Championship in 2015. Safawi Rasid (Malaysia) The 20-year-old Safawi has had two eye-catching seasons now.

Lots of airline seats still openAs the Tet holiday draws closer, the Vietnamese aviation industry is scrambling to meet peak demand by increasing the number of flights. In particular, domestic supply reached 3.7 million seats, while international supply was 1.4 million from the beginning of the year to the end of January. Regardless, the CAAV recorded that about 40 per cent of seats were still unsold, especially through online booking. This means up to 49 per cent of seats on domestic flights and 29 per cent on international flights are yet to be taken, despite the seemingly heightened demand. To avoid this, he advised passengers to research information on flights and tickets from airline agencies and websites.

FIFA president Infantino to visit VietnamVietNamNet Bridge – Gianni Infantino, president of the world football governing body, FIFA, will visit Vietnam on Thursday. FIFA President Gianni Infantino will visit Vietnam on Thursday. Infantino will meet leaders of the Viet Nam Football Federation (VFF) and visit the country’s Youth Training Centre. VFF will also arrange a meeting between the FIFA president and Vietnam’s government leaders. Before him, former FIFA president Sepp Blatter had visited the country in 2008.