The Government will tighten management of universities this year following a recent decision by the Prime Minister.

A US$6.28 million project to improve sanitation and hygiene in Bac Giang, Thai Nguyen, Binh Dinh and Ben Tre provinces commenced in Hanoi on January 15.

Shrimp export value this year is expected to reach US$3.5 billion, higher than last year's $3 billion, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

The Government has instructed the State Bank of Vietnam to issue "proper" policies in order to mobilise gold hoarded by the public and use it for socio-economic development.

Rockefeller-backed Rose Rock Group and Vietnam-based Vung Ro Petroleum have signed an agreement to develop a US$2.5 billion resort in Vung Ro Bay on the south central coast of Vietnam.

Some 70 Indian and Vietnamese children vividly depicted their impressions about India and friendship between the two nations at a painting contest organised by the Indian consulate in HCM City on January 11.

The domestic aviation market has significantly recovered, and growth in passenger transport is up 21%.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has decided to reduce the petroleum import quota for this year to approximately seven million tonnes from the earlier 9.115 million tonnes.

After failing to grow by double-digits in 2013, the insurance market is expected to grow modestly this year, on the back of an economic recovery and stock market gains.

Vietnam saw a trade surplus of nearly US$1.8 billion from exports to Japan last year, according to General Department of Customs statistics.