Exporters say loan subsidy program of little use to them

Workers fold blazers for export at a garment factory in Ho Chi Minh City.

Exporters said they do not benefit much from a government loan subsidy program since not many of them qualify for bank loans.

Speaking at a conference in Ho Chi Minh City Tuesday, Vo Truong Thanh, general director of Truong [...]

Binh Phuoc asked to make a big leap in economic growth

LookAtVietnam – The southern border province of Binh Phuoc should fully exploit its natural resources, including land, forests, and minerals to make a breakthrough in economic development, said National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong.
During a visit to the province on March 11-12, Mr Trong acknowledged the socio-economic achievements that the local Party, administration and people [...]

Viewers and advertisers flock to cable television

The office of Saigontourist Cable Television Company in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1

Since subscription television arrived in Vietnam in 1992, cable TV has boomed, generating substantial profits for providers.

The first cable TV provider in the country was a joint venture between a Ho Chi Minh City-based tourism company and the national [...]

Foreigners allowed to buy apartments in Vietnam from today

The luxury apartment block The Manor in Hanoi. Foreigners are allowed to buy apartments in commercial housing projects in Vietnam starting today.

Starting today, foreigners who meet specific eligibility criteria can own apartments in Vietnam under a National Assembly resolution ratified last May.

According to the Construction Ministry, around 10,000 of 80,000 foreigners living [...]

Major southern bridges, highways to be completed this year

The Rach Mieu Bridge that connects Ben Tre and Tien Giang provinces is set to open on January 19

Several infrastructure projects in the southern region are set for completion this year and work has been expedited on construction sites to ensure they adhere to the schedule.

The Transport Ministry plans to inaugurate the [...]

2009 export target unlikely to be met, says minister

A worker with Binh Minh Coffee carries a sack of robusta coffee beans bound for export at the company’s warehouse in Hanoi last month.

With the global economy mired in difficulties in 2009, Vietnam may find it hard to achieve its export growth target of 13 percent, a government minister has said.

“It [...]

PM calls for stronger welfare program to fight crisis

Teachers and students at a makeshift classroom in the village of Muong Ly, considered one of the poorest villages in Muong Lat District, Thanh Hoa Province.

The social welfares ministry should beef up its social welfare programs in preparation for the economic difficulties that the nation will have to face next year, Prime Minister Nguyen [...]

Tourism sector aims to retrieve lost ground

Foreign visitors at an information center in Ho Chi Minh City Friday. Tourism arrivals have dropped sharply of late, prompting authorities to launch a huge promotion campaign targeting across the board price cuts.

A large scale promotion campaign to try and staunch the sharp decline in visitor arrivals will need a concerted, cooperative and proactive effort [...]

Central bank weakens dong to drive exports, economy

An Asia Commercial Bank branch in Ho Chi Minh City Thursday. Commercial banks said their dollar supply has fallen since moneychangers offer higher rates for the greenback.

The central bank Thursday fixed the dong’s rate 3 percent down against the dollar to boost exports, as the country’s economy expanded at its slowest pace in nine years [...]

Models to vie for biennial award tonight

The topic of who will take the modeling crown has heated up considerably as the Vietnam Model Award 2008 (VMA) contest draws near.

The second leg of the final round, to be held tonight in Ho Chi Minh City, will have 28 female and male models contending for the title.

The audience will have a say in [...]