(VOV) - As many as 770 Japan restaurants are operating in Vietnam, including more than 400 in HCM City, creating fiercer completion in the highly lucrative market, according to the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).

(VOV) - Exports of telephones and components hit a record high of US$2.78 billion in November, up 4.4% from a month earlier, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

Vietnam may sue the US Department of Agricultural Food Safety Inspection Service over its new regulations, which will make it extremely difficult for tra fish farmers to qualify their exports for the US market.

The growth model for economic and industrial zones continues to play a significant role in attracting domestic and foreign direct investment, as well as furthering national development. 

Only two out of 15,000 enterprises in the central city have invested in technological research in production.

Singapore's CapitaLand Ltd is looking to invest in Vietnam's office property segment, its country head said, as the real estate developer seeks to grow its portfolio beyond residential and serviced apartments in the fast-growing economy.

The free trade agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) came into effect on December 20, according to a Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) press release.

The Hanoi-Moscow trade centre, part of the Hanoi-Moscow Complex (Incentra) was inaugurated in Moscow, Russia on December 19. 

The Argentinean news agency Telam on December 18 ran an article extolling Vietnam on its significant achievements after nearly 30 years of “Doi Moi” (reform).

The Vietnam General Department of Taxation is pushing head with tax reform in line with international practice, said Deputy General Director Nguyen Dai Tri at a workshop in Hanoi on December 18.

E-retailing or e-commerce has become popular in Vietnam since 2004 with the number of online customers having been on the rise. 

(VOV) - In 2015 Vietnam signed free trade agreements with the Republic of Korea and the Eurasia Economic Union and completed European Union FTA and Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement negotiations. 

Foreign invested enterprises (FIEs) account for less than 25 percent of total number of footwear enterprises, but make up 77% of total export value.

The World Trade Organization reached deals on agricultural export subsidies, food aid and other issues on December 19, capping a ministerial conference in the Kenyan capital where rich and poor countries had been split over the path of trade reform.

(VOV) - Can Tho City’s Farmers’ Association is supporting a number of agricultural collective models to help the local people escape poverty and contribute to the local implementation of a national new rural development program. Khiet Tam collective is one such model. 

Ethanol gasoline E5 (A92-RON petrol containing 5% ethanol) will be sold at all filling stations in HCM City beginning on December 31, according to the city's Department of Industry and Trade.

Vietnamese consumers have chance to enjoy succulent apples imported from Japan as the fruit is being sold at Aeon’s 75 stores across the country, said Nagahisa Oyama, managing director of Aeon Vietnam Co., Ltd.

Panamanian enterprises want to cooperate with Vietnamese counterparts in rice cultivation and distribution, as heard at a rice trade promotion workshop held recently in Chiriqui province – Panama’s largest granary. 

(VOV) - The Vietnam Enterprise Institute (VEI) on December 19 announced some 149 recipients of its trusted brand title in recognition of sustainable development of their brands based on the factors of benefiting the nation’s economy, environment, society and culture. 

(VOV) - Low-cost airline VietJet Aviation Joint Stock Co has taken receipt of the first of 30 Airbus Group SE A321 planes it ordered at last month’s Dubai Airshow, a deal worth US$3.6 billion at full retail prices.

(VOV) -A free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) is set to come into effect on December 20, 2015, reports the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

Domestic banks are struggling to compete with foreign banks, which are powerful in online payment technology, and with businesses applying online payment methods.

Many Vietnamese businesses say they have been hurt by cheap imports since the government and industry groups have failed to give them support.

The business fields that Thais have poured money to in Vietnam – infrastructure, building materials, retail, consumer goods, food and automobiles – are all fields with great potential.

Businesses in the agriculture sector, especially breeding, would be most vulnerable to the effects of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) with bigger partners.

The recent decision of the US Federal Reserve (Fed) to hike key interest rates could see foreign investment flowing out of the Vietnamese stock market in the future, stock analysts forecast.

Some foreign investors have warned that they may leave Vietnam because of unfavorable conditions to do business. However, Vietnamese businesses and analysts believe they will stay in the country.

The prices of RON 92 petrol and E5 bio-fuel were reduced by VND391 per litre as of 3 pm on December 18, the 5th consecutive cut and the 22nd adjustment so far this year.

Vietnam’s trade and industry sectors have been warned about fiercer competitions when the free trade agreements (FTAs) that Vietnam has signed take effect. 

Vietnam is enjoying a surge of investor interest and the auto market is one area where the enthusiasm is warranted, according to the UK’s Financial Times.