Credit growth and rate cuts
Since early this year, many banks have made deep deposit rate cuts, with the rate for tenures shorter than six months reduced by 0.5 percentage point and that for longer tenures slashed by 1.5 to 2.0 points. The lending rate, however, remains high as its reduction has been narrower than that of
The distinct flavor of coconut porridge
Covering nearly 40% of the total coconut growing area of the South Central Coast, it is unsurprising that the coconut is deeply associated with Binh Dinh cuisine. Coconut porridge is one such highlight which diners cannot miss. The cooking method is similar to that of white porridge, but the
Population aging is cause for concern
Vietnam’s population has reached the 100-million mark, making the nation one of the 15 most populous societies in the world. The country’s golden population period will become history soon and the population has begun to age. Research showed that those countries entering into a golden population
The population is aging
By the end of this April, Vietnam’s population has reached 100 million, according to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). What are advantages and challenges? Recent statistics showed that Vietnam has the 15th largest population in the world. On March 17, UNFPA said that Vietnam would soon
The May fear factor
Data in the past showed that the market performance in May was not always the worst. In recent years, the “selloff in May” phenomenon seems no longer a significant concern. So, is the fear of May exaggerated? The past was not too bad After a rise of 3.7% in March, the VN-Index reversed course and
NA Standing Committee turns down blanket VAT cut
HCMC – The Government’s proposal for lowering the value added tax (VAT) from 10% to 8% has been endorsed to go before the National Assembly (NA) at its next sitting, but the NA Standing Committee has declined a blanket tax reduction for all goods and services. If the NA issues a new resolution
Two more expressways to be opened to traffic next week
HCMC – Two more expressways as part of the big-ticket North-South Expressway project will be opened to traffic on May 19, according to the Ministry of Transport. Nha Trang-Cam Lam expressway has a total length of over 49 kilometers in the central coastal province of Khanh Hoa, and requires a total
HCMC-Chon Thanh expressway proposed
HCMC – A construction plan for the HCMC-Chon Thanh expressway project has recently been proposed by Binh Duong Province, one of the two southern provinces through which the road passes. As planned, the expressway project will have three sections, with one in HCMC (two kilometers), one in Binh
Indonesia emerges as third largest buyer of Vietnamese rice
HCMC – Vietnam’s rice exports to Indonesia rocketed in the first four months of the year, according to data from the General Department of Vietnam Customs. Customs data showed that Vietnam shipped US$149 million worth of rice to Indonesia in the period, well above the US$58 million recorded in the
Heavy debt eats into wind energy companies’ profits
HCMC – High financial leverage and negative cash flow are weighing on wind power firms, making their debt five- or six-fold higher than equity. Trung Nam Dak Lak 1 Wind Power JSC, which owns the largest wind power plants in the country with a designed capacity of 400 MW, incurred a loss of VND860
Apple to open first online shop in Vietnam next week
HCMC – U.S. technology giant Apple Inc will open an online store, the first of its kind, in Vietnam, on May 18 to boost sales growth in emerging markets amid slowing sales in China. The Apple Store will offer the full line of hardware, accessories and services, especially shipping and personalized
Tenders invited for roads to Long Thanh airport project
HCMC – The Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) is inviting tenders for a VND2,800-billion bidding package to construct two roads leading to Long Thanh International Airport. Package 6.12 includes building and preparing designs for roads No. 1 and No. 2, and has an execution duration of 900 days.