VOV.VN - Imports of materials for garment and footwear industries from Canada saw a tremendous growth of 179.8% to US$11.8 million in the first four months of this year, according to the statistics from the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

Vietnam’s consumer price index (CPI) inched up 0.55% in May, the highest monthly increase since 2012, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).

VOV.VN - The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced on May 25 that it is conducting an investigation into its imports of cold-rolled steel in coils or cut lengths originating in China, the Republic of Korea (RoK), and Vietnam.

Vietnamese woodwork is making a mark worldwide, from furniture in five star resorts to first class flights.

VOV.VN - Trung Nguyen Legend has signed a cooperation deal with Shanghai Qinzhou Trade Co., Ltd, the Chinese Food Products Wholesalers, aiming to send G7 coffee products to eastern China where is home to the world’s busiest cities and commercial centres such as Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou and Nanjing.

There will not be much change in the property market in the second half of the year, a senior Ministry of Construction official has said.

The e-commerce community predicted that 2018 would be the year of fashion products in Vietnam, noting that busy office workers were buying more clothes from online shops.

After successfully producing RON 92 (MOGAS92) and RON95 (MOGAS95) in early May, on May 23, Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical LLC in Nghi Son Economic Zone, Thanh Hoa province also successfully produced 5,000 cubic metres of diesel oil (DO) meeting all required specifications and sold it on the domestic market.

The prices of petrol and oil increased as from 15:00 of May 23 following a joint decision of the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Industry and Trade.

The Vietnamese beer market is considered a promised land for both foreign and local brewers due to the massive consumption. However, in reality, it is a playground with strict competition.

Some Vietnamese businesses are trying to make domestic brands better known internationally through franchise contracts. If they can find partners, they will be able to accomplish their goals more quickly.

The non-cash payment service market, a lucrative one in Vietnam, is mostly under control of foreign service providers.

Vietnam is among the countries with the highest selling price of cars in the world. 

Land fever in Phu Quoc, Long An, Nhon Trach and HCM City, a lack of houses for low income earners, and an oversupply of high-end apartments are the main features of today’s real estate market. 

By December 2017, Vietnam’s airlines had been operating over 160 airplanes of different kinds. The biggest fleet belongs to Vietnam Airlines with 86 aircraft, while Vietjet has 49 and Jetstar Pacific 19, according to Planespotter.

Like many urban Vietnamese women, Nguyen Thu Trang never lets her smartphone out of reach. The first thing she does every morning is checking Facebook on her phone to see what her friends are up to and what items are for sale.

Modern technology remains a challenge for Vietnamese authorities in managing currency security as recently the northern province of Quang Ninh discovered illegal money transferring activities via Chinese points of sale (POS) installed in a local store.

Blockchain technology is an important solution to trace the responsibilities of involved parties in the farm produce supply chain. However, the feasibility of the technology application in the immediate time is questionable. 

Vietnamese and foreign convenience stores are rushing to open more shops, use more technologies and provide more services in the retail market.

VOV.VN - Exports of cuttlefish and octopus to Russia skyrocketed by 889% to US$1 million in the first quarter of this year, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

VOV.VN - Vietnamese products such as perilla leaves, jackfruit nuts, and lemon leaves are being sold at high prices on foreign markets, bringing in export values of millions of US dollars.

VOV.VN - The emergence of e-commerce websites such as Lazada, Tiki, Shopee, Sendo, and Adayroi has led to online shopping becoming popular among Vietnamese customers over recent years, in particular young customers who prefer buying and selling products on social networks like Facebook and Zalo.

Multiple online retailers in Vietnam have been struggling to gain profits for years due to high operational costs in a competitive market.  

Vietnam’s retail sector earned about US$129.6 billion in 2017, a rise of 10.6% from the previous year, according to a report on global retail market trends of Savills Vietnam retail consultancy.

The VND remained resilient against external factors including the stronger greenback and the weakened Chinese yuan, with a forecast for the dong to devalue by some 1% by the end of the year to short up exports.

The retail sector in Vietnam has been going through revolutionary changes to serve a generation of local, tech-savvy consumers as well as an increasing number of tourists.

VOV.VN - MM Mega Market Vietnam (formerly Metro Cash & Carry Vietnam) will sell Ca Mau crab, grapefruit, and a variety of other Vietnamese agricultural and seafood products on the Thai market, according to a company announcement.

VOV.VN - Exports of cement and clinker increased 29% to nearly 10 million tons valued at US$300 million during the first four months of the year, according to the Construction Material Department under the Ministry of Construction.

More attention should be paid to developing affordable house- for-rent projects in an effort to resolve the severe shortage of housing for low-income earners, young couples, the elderly and workers in urban areas, experts have said.

Sugar companies have once again shouted for help as the volume of inventory is increasing rapidly, while the domestic market is flooded with smuggled sugar.