Vietnamplus

People in the southern and central provinces of Vietnam are not only suffering from the scorching weather, they are afraid it could lead to forest fires and destroy fields of sugar-cane.

Nearly 170,000 people living near the Bien Hoa airbase in the southern province of Dong Nai and in the vicinity of Phu Cat airbase in the central province of Binh Dinh no longer face potential risks of dioxin exposure.

Vietnamese firms have been urged to take initiative and prepare for participation in the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), which is expected to be formed by the end of this year.

The northern province Nam Dinh is participating in the Vietnam Forests and Deltas (VFD) Programme which is tailored to help accelerate Vietnam’s transition to a climate change resilient, low carbon, and sustainable society .

A Vietnamese derivatives market is expected to be put into operation in 2016. The State Securities Commission (SSC) is stepping up the construction of a legal framework to run this market safely and effectively, the Vietnam Economic News reported.

Shares advanced last week, boosted by large-cap stocks on both national stock exchanges.

French general, Daniel Schaeffer, said in a recent interview with the English language news website DtiNews that Vietnam and ASEAN countries should cooperate to deal with China’s schemes in the East Sea.

The Ministry of Information and Communications on March 6 signed with the Microsoft Corporation a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will help raise Vietnam’s Internet security.

Vietnam remains among the countries most vulnerable to internet attacks, with 40 percent of websites containing security loopholes, according to the country's top internet security firm, BKAV.

Transactions on foreign exchange (forex) trading floors are illegal in Vietnam and violators can face administrative fines of up to 100 million VND, or 4,760 USD.

Gold loans at commercial banks in Ho Chi Minh City at the end of February stood at 100,000 taels, down 28,000 taels, or 21.87 percent, against the end of 2013, the central bank's City branch Deputy Director Nguyen Hoang Minh told the Thoi Bao Ngan Hang (Banking Times).

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc requested localities to check the quality of all suspension bridges, especially in mountainous areas, at a teleconference on February 25.

Sustainable development has emerged as a top concern of mankind. The issue is echoed at various international forums, in public documents, as well as in national policies and plans of action. In Vietnam, sustainable development is one of the fundamental elements of economic growth model reform and a primary goal of the national economy. Communist Review features an article by Prof. Dr. Vu Van Hien, Vice Chairman of the Central Theory Council, on the issue.

Several scenarios for Vietnam’s economy have been put forth at a recent seminar organised by the Ministry of Planning and Investment. Report by Vietnam Business Forum.

At a recent seminar entitled "Prospects for Vietnam's Economy in 2014: Resonance Policy Effect" organised by the Ministry of Planning and Investment, participants put forth several scenarios for Vietnam's economy. Report byVietnam Business Forum.

Vietnam's gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate is forecast to reach 5.67 percent next year, while its consumer price index (CPI) will be 7 percent. Experts predicted the financial climate next year would bring in winds of change.