The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted economies and commodity markets globally, including Vietnam, and domestic prices will continue to fluctuate and be more closely linked to the fluctuations of raw material and fuel prices on the world market.

Maritime transport costs have skyrocketed in recent months as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic takes its toll, pushing import-export companies into a lot of difficulties.

Standard Chartered Bank recently hosted an investment webinar entitled “Vietnam Investment Landscape 2021”, drawing the participation of clients based in Vietnam and overseas who are looking for investment opportunities in Vietnam.

The fast moving consumer goods sector is forecast to grow at 6.4% this year in the country’s four major cities and 8.7% in rural areas, according to global data and consulting company Kantar Worldpanel.

COVID-19 has been largely brought under control around Vietnam thanks to appropriate containment measures being adopted by the Government nationwide, and the Prime Minister has ordered the quick implementation of a vaccination programme to halt the pandemic and create the conditions necessary for socio-economic development.

Over 400 business conditions were cut in the recently passed Law on Investment last year, according to Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment (MPI) Tran Duy Dong.

Concerted efforts and much tougher penalties are needed to prevent sexual abuse of children, a Ho Chi Minh City leader has said.

Right after the fourth wave of COVID-19 in the country was put under control at the beginning of March, travel agencies in Hanoi started offering various products at favourable prices to attract tourists.

The latest film by Vietnamese famed director Nguyen Vo Nghiem Minh is available to rent on vimeo.com, giving film fans a chance to indulge in the work of the renowned director.

The prospects for the domestic sugar industry look brighter this year due to efforts to control smuggling and the imposition of duties on sugar imported from Thailand.