Several Vietnamese goods have gained a firm foothold in the domestic market with 70% of Vietnamese consumers putting their trust in local goods.

Present tensions in the East Sea have created opportunities for Vietnam to adjust its economic policies with China to avoid becoming too dependent.

The 2014 Vietnam – Laos Trade Fair kicked off in Vientiane, Laos, on July 3 with the aim of helping Vietnamese businesses expand the distribution network here, paving the way for their goods to Thailand’s northeastern region.

The Vietnamese government is working on an economic development plan, targeting a faster and more sustainable economy between 2016 and 2020, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam told 400 business executives at the first Forbes Vietnam business forum in Ho Chi Minh City on July 3.

(VOV) -Standard Chartered Bank (Vietnam) has received Asset Triple Awards 2014 as Best Sub-custodian and Best Fund Administrator – Retail Funds by the global financial magazine The Asset.

(VOV) -The Europe Business Assembly (EBA) on July 2 honoured Civil Engineering Construction Corporation No. 4 (CIENCO4) as among one of the ‘Best Enterprises’ at an awards ceremony in Stresa, Italy.

(VOV) - The private sector is encouraged to cooperate with governmental and non-governmental agencies throughout the nation to assist the poor generate more income and improve their livelihood.

(VOV) -Thailand’s leading retailer Central Group plans to open its Robins Department Store at Ho Chi Minh City-based Crescent Mall in November, 2014.

Vietnam’s tuna exports to the Netherlands hit nearly US$8.9 million in the first four months of this year, representing a year-on-year rise of 123%, despite an overall decrease in the European Union.

(VOV) -To achieve sustainable economic development, it is essential to have effective policies and procedures in place to facilitate businesses overcoming barriers and streamline administrative procedures that hamper them.

A delegation from the northern port city of Hai Phong is paying a working visit to Oslo city, Norway, with the aim of finding ways for Hai Phong’s goods to enter this market while promoting business chances in Hai Phong.

(VOV) - Vietnam is a highly attractive investment and tourism destination, said US ambassador to Vietnam David Shear at an July 2 ceremony in HCM City marking the 238th anniversary of US independence. 

(VOV) - Cooperation opportunities in trade and investment in Vietnam were the main focus of a seminar recently held in Christchurch city, New Zealand. 

(VOV) - The People’s Committee of northern Bac Ninh province on July 2 granted an investment license to Samsung Display Co, Ltd for a US$1 billion project in the Yen Phong Industrial Park. 

(VOV) - Portfolio investors at a conference in Hanoi on July 2 displayed considerable interest in purchasing shares of Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex).

(VOV) - The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors on June 2 approved a US$200 million loan and a US$70 million credit for the Government of Vietnam to support power sector reform, climate resilience, and lower carbon intensity development.

(VOV) -Vietnam has not yet built a standard to evaluate its public debt, said Dr. Nguyen Duc Kien, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Committee for Economic Affairs.

Final touches have been put on the Tan Nam – Mon Chay bridge, connecting the southwestern province of Tay Ninh and neighbouring Cambodian province of Prey Veng, which is expected to be open to traffic later this month. 

(VOV) - Taiwan’s Cathay United Bank and the PetroVietnam Gas Joint Stock Corporation on July 1 signed a credit package authorizing US$280 million of financing for construction of phase one of the Nam Con Son 2 gas pipeline project.

(VOV) - Most leading political and financial leaders consider the mechanism of the public-private partnership (PPP) as the best alternative for attracting investment to upgrade the nation’s agricultural infrastructure.

(VOV) -Australian and Vietnamese officials have held that short-term difficulties caused by tensions in the East Sea also give Vietnam a new chance to set up a sustainable and independent economy. 

According to the Hong Kong-Shanghai Bank Corporation (HSBC), Vietnam’s June manufacturing activity saw improvement despite a slow rate of growth in output and new orders.

(VOV) -The People's Committee of Ba Ria-Vung Tau province  on July 1 announced the establishment of a Japan Desk with the aim of intensifying Japanese investment.

A conference discussing measures to promote forestry-agriculture links between the capital cities of Vietnam and Laos was held in Hanoi on June 30.

(VOV) - The People’s Committee of northern Bac Ninh province is considering pouring VND298 billion into infrastructure at the Yen Phong Industrial Park (IP) in an attempt to entice Samsung Display to build a US$1 billion plant there.

(VOV) -The Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang's six-month total exports were US$621 million, fulfilling more than 53.1% of the set target for 2014.

(VOV) -The Vietnam Cashew Association (Vinacas) has called for commercial banks to lower interest rates for local cashew nut exporters in a bid to stimulate lending to revamp the industry and increase competitiveness.

(VOV) - Vietnam Express Corporation on June 30 clinched a VND2.500 billion deal with Sumitomo Mitsui and Civil Engineering Construction Corporation to complete major sections of the Ben Luc-Long Thanh Expressway.

(VOV) - SJC gold prices in Vietnam rose to VND36.93 million per tael on the morning of July 1, concurrent with a sharp increase in both the US and Asian market price to US$1.330 per ounce. 

Standard & Poor's affirmed its ‘BB-' long-term and ‘B' short-term sovereign credit ratings on Vietnam late last week, with the outlook on the long-term rating being stable.