Ho Chi Minh City, the largest southern economic hub, has attracted US$3.15 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) in the first 11 months of this year, according to a report from the city’s People’s Committee. 

(VOV) -Vietnamese goods made up 0.7% of global exports in 2013, representing an increase of 0.4% since 2007, according to latest report by HSBC.

Petrol dealers are facing difficulties after bio-fuel E5 was sold in seven cities and provinces, including Hanoi, Danang and Ba Ria-Vung Tau, since December 1.

More and more Vietnamese businesses are visiting trade shows in Thailand to seek business opportunities, according to the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB).

The 2014 ASEAN Banker Forum was held in Ho Chi Minh City, on December 3, highlighting the prominent role of modern technologies in the development of retail banks. 

A workshop in Ho Chi Minh City on December 3 helped businesses identify their potential of resources and all possible support tools on way to achieving sustainable growth. 

Investors attending the 2014 Vietnam Business Forum (VBF) asked the host country to continuously speed up institutional and administrative procedure reforms.

Vietnam should accelerate the implementation of the national tourism occupational skills standards (VTOS) in order to increase the tourism sector’s competitiveness on the eve of the formation of the ASEAN Economic Community, delegates said at a conference in Hanoi on December 3.

(VOV) -With nearly 250 million people and the increasing travel demand, Indonesia is one of Vietnam’s most important tourism markets.

(VOV) - Early signs show that Vietnam’s economic recovery is on track, says the World Bank (WB)’s Taking Stock report, released on December 3. 

Vietnam's financial market needs US$5 billion to US$10 billion to absorb shares of State enterprises to be equitised in the future.

(VOV) - The future of Vietnam agriculture lies in an alliance with Japan, Israel and New Zealand in support of a modernized sector with improved product quality in conformity with the highest of international standards, says Dr. Tran Dinh Thien, Director of Vietnam Institute of Economics. 

(VOV) -On December 2, the Vietnamese Ministry of Finance and the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development inked a 2013-2014 finance cooperation agreement in Hanoi.

Italy will increase Official Development Assistance (ODA) for Vietnam to EUR30 million (US$37.2 million), Italian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Benedetto Della Vedova said.

Many Vietnamese businesses are showcasing their products at the 20th International Oil and Gas Industry Exhibition and Conference (OSEA 2014), which opened in Singapore on December 2.

Kim Bao Son Vietnam, a subsidiary of the Taiwanese group Kinh Crystal International Incorporated, broke ground for its second factory producing medical gloves in the southern province of Dong Nai on December 2. 

Vietnam’s retail market continues to attract foreign investors, the Vietnam Investment Review (VIR) reported.

Direct investment from Japan to Vietnam hit US$36.5 billion by October 2014, according to statistics of the Japanese Business Association (JBA). 

Vietnam and Macedonia have signed several agreements that will boost bilateral economic ties, which leaders of both nations say are modest at present.

The Bank of Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV) on December 2 presented 30 computer sets to the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC) on the occasion of the 39th anniversary of the country’s National Day.

(VOV) - The Danish Ambassador to Vietnam signed a two and one-half year agreement on December 2 in Hanoi to provide US$6.5 million to help Vietnamese small-and-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) improve energy efficiency.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved loans totalling US$230 million to support Vietnam's ongoing reforms to overhaul public finances, boost private investment, and revive its economic competitiveness.

(VOV) - The Government’s major tasks in 2015 will be primarily concentrated on ensuring macroeconomic stabilization and keeping inflation in check aiming to attract more investment and stimulate economic development.

Vietnam’s garment and textile export turnover is likely to hit US$24.5 million this year, a year-on-year rise of 19% - the largest increase in the past three years, according to Le Tien Truong, General Director of the Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex).

(VOV) -Vietnam spent nearly US$3 million on import of cattle and poultry breeds in the eight months leading to September, announced the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD)’s Department of Livestock Production.

(VOV) - In a keynote address at the Vietnam Business Forum (VBF) in Hanoi on December 2 Minister of Planning and Investment Bui Quang Vinh revealed with confidence that economic growth for the year will reach 5.8%.

The cashew industry needs to boost consumption in the lucrative domestic market, a forum on the nut's nutritional value heard in Ho Chi Minh City on December 1.

A delegation of 20 French companies begins a visit to Vietnam on December 2 to learn about the business climate here and further strengthen their partnerships with domestic companies.

The National Assembly's approval of the long-awaited amendments to the Housing Law on November 25 is more significant than previously thought and marks a strong step towards opening up the Vietnam real estate market to overseas investment, property consultant CBRE Vietnam has said in a press release.

Tourist real estate remains a favourite investment magnet in this central city, attracting 25 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects worth US$1.8 billion.