Vietnam has huge potential in franchising: expertsMany international and regional brands will enter Viet Nam’s retail and franchise sector in the coming years, according to experts taking part in Viet Nam Retail and Franchise Conference held in HCM City on Wednesday. Suttisak Wilanan, deputy managing director of Reed Tradex, speaks at the Viet Nam Retail and Franchise Conference in HCM City yesterday. Nguyen Phi Van, founder and chairwoman of Retail & Franchise Asia, said Viet Nam has not had a professional franchise market. Franchising began in Viet Nam in the 1990s with the introduction of well-known fast food chains like KFC, Lotteria, and Jollibee. “Young customers in Viet Nam are willing to spend more and want to shop more convenient,” he said.

Catfish exporters optimistic about China, pessimistic about USVietNamNet Bridge - Catfish exports to China have been increasing rapidly, but Vietnam fears it may lose the US market. Catfish exports to China have been increasing sharplyWhile catfish exports to the US and EU markets face tariff and technical barriers, exports to China have been increasing sharply. “Chinese consumers have confidence in Vietnam’s catfish quality because they are accepted by choosy markets such as the US and the EU,” he said. The General Directorate of Fisheries (GDF) confirmed that China is now the biggest importer of Vietnam’s catfish, and boosting exports to China now can balance supply and demand. Despite big barriers, Vietnamese catfish exporters have affirmed they won’t give up the US market.

HCMC to set up national population database on April 18A seminar on implementing the national data on population was held by the Ho Chi Minh City Public Security Department on March 28 with the participation of Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong. Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong speaks in the meeting. At the conference, a steering committee No.896 led by chairman Nguyen Thanh Phong has been established to simplify administrative procedures, citizenship papers and databases related to population management in the city. The city’s Public Security Department will issue residence registration forms to collect the information of citizens citywide, starting on April 18. Building national data on population will contribute to the development of the city and make the management task easier, said Chairman PhongSGGP

Berjaya keeps investing into Vietlott despite ailing real estate operationsDespite its failed businesses in the Vietnamese real estate market, Malaysia-based Berjaya Group has committed to invest more in Vietlott to help the firm achieve an annual turnover of VND13 trillion ($572.6 million) and reach a growth rate of 20 per cent per year. Additionally, in 2025-2034, the Malaysian partner will help Vietlott achieve a total turnover of VND258.513 trillion ($11.3 billion) and VND59.398 trillion ($2.6 billion) to pay to the state budget. On the other hand, despite the huge financial support, Berjaya is facing difficulties in the Vietnamese property market. Later that year, Berjaya Group was threatened to have the Vietnam International University Township (VIUT) project withdrawn for slow progress. Mai also said the project needs extensive land area and high investment capital, but the capacity to disburse registered investment capital is very low.

More than 139,000 computers in Vietnam infected with new coinminer virusBKAV Corporation announced on March 28 that there have been more than 139,000 computers in Vietnam infected with a new coinminer virus called W32.AdCoinMiner. Via the online advertising service Adf.ly and software vulnerability, this virus uses infected computers to generate digital currency without permission. More than 139,000 computers in Vietnam infected with new coinminer virusAdf.ly allows its users to shorten their web links to share on social networks or YouTube. Hackers have taken advantage of this detail to embed their malware right onto the advertising pages to deliver a virus to users’ computers. After a successful delivery, the virus will take control of infected computers and use them to mine for the cryptocurrency tokens.

First mountain-climbing railway route to open in VietnamA train line connecting Sa Pa town and the Mount Fansipan cable car station will be put into operation on March 31. The “mountain-climbing railway route” is invested by Sun Group in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai and runs to Sun World’s Fansipan Legend tourism area. The 2-km-long route with two tunnels and four viaducts allows trains to run at a maximum speed of 10m/s. The route contributes to diversifying tourism products in Lao Cai, bringing unique travel experiences to visitors during their trips to Sa Pa. The resort town of Sa Pa was recognised as a national tourism site in December 2017.-VNA

Vietnam objects to UN human rights experts’ press releaseVietnam strongly opposes a press release on 20 March by several UN human rights experts, said Ambassador Duong Chi Dung, head of Vietnam's Permanent Mission to the UN, the WTO and other international organisations in Geneva. He affirmed dialogues between Governments and concerned individuals and organisations as well as those between Governments and human rights mechanisms are fundamental in the promotion and protection of human rights, saying that the Vietnamese Government regrets the lack of constructive attitude of these experts. Ambassador Dung reiterated that the Vietnamese Government always does its utmost to promote and protect human rights and has consistently demonstrated its good will and willingness in dialogue and cooperation with UN human rights mechanisms. Samsung refuted the document's content, which was based on interviews with 45 out of more than 100,000 Samsung workers, while raising concerns about its objectivity and unscientific methodology. Samsung is one of the world's largest manufacturers of mobile phones and tablets with many fierce competitors, with the most notable being Apple.-VNA

Apart from a banyan tree, a water well, and the yard of a communal house, bombax ceiba flowers are cherished parts of childhood in Vietnam’s northern villages. Even in the bustling streets of urban areas, the March bloom of vibrant bombax ceiba flowers evokes a strong feeling of nostalgia for the happy freedom of childhood.

HCM City rubbish at treating its wasteVietNamNet Bridge – Holding bidding for trash collection contracts is a positive step in theory for HCM City, but the city’s administration has struggled to turn the idea into reality. HCM City is still struggling in treating with domestic waste everday. – VNA/VNS PhotoTo reduce environmental pollution and improve efficiency of garbage collection, all districts in HCM City were asked to open bids for contracts in May last year. I think it should have been done a long time ago to improve quality in waste collection and cut costs,” he said. Private firms involved in garbage collection will help reduce the workload while the city is overloaded with garbage, Tuan said.

Tan Son Nhat to go south: PM PhucPrime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc yesterday had the final word in the prolonged debate on how to expand the overcrowded Tan Son Nhat airport, deciding to build another terminal south of the airport. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc yesterday had the final word in the prolonged debate on how to expand the overcrowded Tan Son Nhat airport, deciding to build another terminal south of the airport.— Photo baoxaydung.com.vnPhúc said the decision was based on the expansion scenario proposed by the French consultant company ADPI during a Government meeting. m-wide passenger terminal capable of serving 20 million travellers will be constructed to the south of the HCM City’s sole airport to address overcrowding. “The selected proposal was discussed publicly in a transparent manner and HCM City has also agreed,” PM Phuc said. The extended Tan Son Nhat airport is expected to serve at least 50 million passengers a year.

Motorbike market sees slow salesThe Vietnamese motorbike market has seen slow sales over the recent period. Motorbike market faces slow salesAccording to agents of Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Vespa in HCM City, they have seen fewer customers despite wider availability of models. A staff member from a Honda agent in Hanoi said that prices of many Honda motorbike models have considerably fallen, but their sales remain slow. The price of a Honda Blade or Honda Future motorbikes stands at VND600,000-VND1 million lower than previously. Suzuki Vietnam has launched a promotional programme to offer VND1.5 million in cash for customers who buy Suzuki GD 110 motorbikes.

Dak Lak school principal arrested for graftVietNamNet Bridge – Police said they have arrested Huynh Be, a principal of a secondary school in the Central Highlands province, over allegations of misappropriated assets. Huynh Be, principal of the Ngo May secondary school in Krong Pak District of the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak. He was arrested by the local police yesterday over allegations of taking a bribe from a family to secure a teaching post for their daughter. — VNA/VNS PhotoPreviously, police in the rural district of Krong Pak received a complaint from Chu Thi Long in Ea Yong Commune. She alleged that her family gave Huynh Be VND300 million (US$14,300) to ‘buy’ a teaching post at a college in Dak Lak Province for her daughter.

Doping test to be conducted in cycling tournamentA doping test will be conducted for the first time at the HCM City Television Cycling Tournament, which will begin today. Doping test will be carried out at the HCM City Television Cycling Tournament. — Photo thethaovanhoa.vn“The world of sports is facing a serious problem of doping, and cycling is no exception. We have asked the National Sports Administration to support us in carrying out the doping test,” said Le Van Phu, head of the organising board. The HCM City Television Cycling Tournament is one of the most prestigious tournaments in the country.

GMS-6, CLV-10 begins in Hanoi with senior official meetingsSenior official meetings of the sixth Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS-6) and the 10th Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Summit (CLV-10) are scheduled to open in Hanoi on March 29. The Senior Officials' Meeting of the sixth Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS-6) in Hanoi on March 29The GMS-6 and CLV-10 taking place on March 29-31 are among the biggest multilateral events hosted by Vietnam this year. It is also a chance for Vietnam to increase cooperation and connectivity, serving the country’s socio-economic development. GMS was established in 1992 as an initiative of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The CLV Development Triangle Area was established in 1999, covering Vietnam’s Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong provinces; Laos’ Sekong, Attapeu and Saravan provinces; and Cambodia’s Stung Treng, Rattanak Kiri, and Mondul Kiri.

Ministry of Transport cuts rules for transport firmsThe Ministry of Transport has proposed the Government to cut and simplify 314 of the 500 business conditions and regulations related to transport operations. The Ministry of Transport plans to cut business conditions in the areas of maritime and multi-modal transportation services, dangerous goods carriage, railways, roads, waterways and aviation. — Photo viettelcargoThe reduction focuses on areas of maritime, multi-model transportation services, dangerous goods carriage, railways, roads, waterways and aviation. Reform of business conditions of the transport sector will have a great impact not only on transport enterprises but also on the economy. With cheap transport costs and good transportation services, Viet Nam’s services are expected to benefit more.