The Japanese Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Evaluation Centre (JPMDEC) has praised the strict management and hygiene control of Vietnamese seafood exported to Japan.

With the global economy recovering from recession, there has been a surge in the number of orders received by Vietnamese textile and garment businesses, most of which last until the end of the first quarter, even the second quarter.

The International Trade Fair – Vietnam Expo 2010 – opened in Hanoi on April 14, attracting nearly 400 domestic businesses and those from 17 countries and territories.

Almost 250 companies from 25 countries around the world will attend the 3rd International Electronic Parts Manufacturing Technology Trade Exhibition and Conference (NEPCON) in Hanoi from May 20-22.

A nationwide survey on phone and internet use will start at the beginning of June, according to a decision made by the Prime Minister on March 31.

Vietnam and Japan are speeding up preparations for the signing in May of a diplomatic note on Japan’s ODA aid with 28 billion JPY for Vietnam in the first phase of the 2010 fiscal year.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has asked the national fag carrier Vietnam Airlines to conduct a study on the possible opening of a direct air route between Vietnam and India. 

An agreement reached by GE Oil & Gas and PetroVietnam in Washington DC on April 12 set out a clear basis for successful cooperation between the two groups in the coming years said an GE Oil & Gas official.

Substantial and timely policy responses helped Vietnam weather the global recession in 2009, and the Southeast Asian economy is forecast to grow 6.5 percent in 2010 and 6.8 percent in 2011.

Domestic gold on April 13 was listed at VND26.51-26.57 million/tael, down by VND120,000/tael against the previous day, due to a decrease in the world’s gold prices.

Samsung Electronics Vietnam aims to earn US$1.5 billion from exports in 2010, becoming Vietnam’s biggest foreign invested company.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has given the green light to a project on poverty reduction in northern mountain provinces under which the country will borrow US$150 million from the World Bank (WB).

Authorities of the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai on April 12 held a reception for a 31-strong business delegation from Yunnan province.

Kien Giang province will host the country’s largest fruit festival, the first of its kind, on April 19. Cao Van Hoa, Vice Head of the Organizing Committee, tells VOV’s reporter that this is one of a series of national activities to celebrate the Liberation of South Vietnam (April 30) and the 1000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi (October 10).

Domestic gold prices continue to rise in tandem with the world’s gold prices.

The Dong Nai provincial Biological Development Technology Company (Donatechco) has signed a contract to export 15 containers of durian fruit to the US market, said Nguyen Phu Cuong, the company’s managing director.

Vietnamese seafood businesses licensed to ship products to the European Union are facing difficulties with their exports due to the EU’s illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing regulation.

The West Lake Urban Area will be built in Xuan La Ward in Tay Ho District, Nghia Do Ward in Cau Giay District and Xuan Dinh and Co Nhue Wards in Tu Liem District at a cost of US$314 million.

The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee has directed relevant agencies to implement measures to stablise the macro-economy, control inflation, and reach an economic growth rate of 11 percent this year.

Most Japanese non-refundable official development assistance (ODA) projects in Vietnam have brought high efficiency and helped to improve the living conditions of the local people.

The 2010 Coffee Festival opened at Ly Tu Trong Park, Pleiku City, in the Central Highland province of Gia Lai on April 10.

The State Bank will introduce market policies to reduce lending interest rates to help businesses gain easier access to bank loans, says governor Nguyen Van Giau.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will conduct food hygiene and safety inspections in all Vietnamese pepper processing businesses.

The Prime Minister has instructed the Vietnam Airlines Corporation to consider opening direct air routes from Vietnam to India and other South Asian destinations.

Vietnam’s yield of cashew nuts is forecast to reach 300,000 tonnes in 2010, up 4,000 tonne from 2009.

Industrial zones (IZs) in Hanoi attracted US$30 million in the first three months of this year, 2.5 times higher than the same period last year.

Qatar Airways said it has embarked on the second leg of its 2010 expansion programme with the launch of flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Copenhagen.

A business forum designed to help improve trade and investment ties between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) was held in Hanoi on April 9.

Piaggio Vietnam, a subsidiary of the Italian-based Piaggio Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of scooters and motorbikes, plans to produce 52,000 Vespa scooters this year as part of its programmes to expand its business. 

A workshop to popularise Singaporean franchise businesses in Vietnam was held in Ho Chi Minh City on April 9.