2nd Floor, 29T1 Building, Hoang Dao Thuy Street, Yen Hoa Ward, Hanoi, Vietnam

Datashare

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image image-style-align-center"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2025/10/31/461092_CH1.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Châu Thị Tuyết Hạnh of the Directorate of Fisheries and Fishery Surveillance, tells the forum titled “Applying technological advances to sustainable brackish-water shrimp farming in adaptation to climate change in the Mekong Delta” on Tuesday (October 29) about the strong global growth of the shrimp industry, particularly in Asia. VNA/VNS Photo</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>CÀ MAU — The application of technological innovations and sustainable practices to brackish-water shrimp farming is of utmost importance, as the Mekong Delta faces increasing challenges from climate change, experts have said.Châu Thị Tuyết Hạnh, representative of the Directorate of Fisheries and Fishery Surveillance, said at a&nbsp;forum on October 29 in Cà Mau Province that the global shrimp industry has been expanding rapidly, particularly in Asia. In 2024, global production was estimated at 5.88 million tonnes.She said sustainable development has become a mandatory requirement, with increasingly strict standards on quality, food safety, social responsibility, and environmental protection.“Việt Nam’s shrimp industry plays a pivotal role, contributing around 1.2 million tonnes annually for both export and domestic consumption. Vietnamese shrimp products are now available in 100 countries, with export revenues reaching US$3.9–4.3 billion,” Hạnh said.“Shrimp accounts for 40–45 per cent of the nation’s total seafood exports and provides jobs for over three million people. Việt Nam is currently the world’s fourth largest shrimp supplier.”However, she noted that the industry faces multiple challenges, including the impacts of climate change, environmental pollution, disease outbreaks, and international pressures related to food safety, technical barriers and tariffs.Domestically, shrimp production continues to suffer from fragmented infrastructure and small-scale operations. The sector also faces persistent difficulties in traceability and quality control.To address these issues, Việt Nam’s shrimp industry is shifting towards value-based, sustainable and climate-adaptive production, embracing the circular economy, digital technology and innovation. The goal is to develop brackish-water shrimp farming into a modern, efficient industry by 2030.Experts from the Research Institute for Aquaculture No 2 said the Mekong Delta remains the country’s most important aquaculture region, particularly for brackish-water shrimp, but is also among the five most vulnerable deltas in the world to climate change.Rising sea levels, saltwater intrusion, drought, and extreme weather are posing serious threats to shrimp farming. In recent years, salinity up rivers has affected shrimp–lotus and shrimp–rice farming, with freshwater shortages constraining intensive operations.Unpredictable weather has led to unstable pond environments, making conditions conducive for disease outbreaks. Rising temperatures also stress shrimp, reducing their resistance and survival rates.In response, integrated models such as shrimp–mangrove, shrimp–rice and improved extensive farming have proved effective. These systems not only help stabilise farmers’ livelihoods but also preserve ecosystems and reduce emissions.The Government and international organisations are working together to expand these adaptive models across the delta.According to Lê Đức Khoa of the Cà Mau Agricultural Extension Centre, the province has been at the forefront of developing ecological, digital and low-emission shrimp farming aligned with Government Resolution 120 on the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta.Following the recent provincial reorganisation, Cà Mau continues to identify brackish-water shrimp as a key national product. Its models such as shrimp–rice, shrimp–forest and improved extensive farming have delivered tangible socio-economic benefits.In 2024, its total shrimp output was around 566,000 tonnes, accounting for over 45 per cent of national production. With a modern processing and export system in place, it now ships its shrimp products to more than 90 countries.However, challenges persist, including underdeveloped infrastructure, inconsistent broodstock quality, high input costs, volatile market prices, weak value chain linkages, and limited biosecurity management.In particular, the availability of specific pathogen-free (SPF) and specific pathogen-resistant (SPR) shrimp broodstock still depends largely on imports, raising costs and production risks.Lê Quốc Thanh, director of the National Agricultural Extension Centre, said environmental fluctuations caused by climate change directly affect aquaculture.“Transforming production towards environmentally friendly, climate-resilient models is inevitable,” he said.Research shows that converting saline intrusion zones into aquaculture areas, improving multi-stage intensive farming and integrating agriculture–forestry–fisheries systems can achieve high efficiency at relatively low cost while sustaining productivity and incomes.Experts believe that through joint efforts and technological innovation, the Mekong Delta can lead the way in sustainable, climate-smart aquaculture, ensuring that the shrimp sector continues to thrive even as environmental challenges grow more complex. – VNS

The National Agricultural Extension Centre and Cà Mau Province Department of Agriculture and Environment held a forum titled “Applying technological advances to sustainable brackish-water shrimp farming in adaptation to climate change in the Mekong Delta” on Tuesday (October 29).

Mekong Delta shrimp farming adapts to climate change

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image image-style-align-center"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2025/11/1/461329_5312164343158185_image.png" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Many roads are flooded and cut off, forcing residents to travel by boat. Photo baohatinh.vn</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>HÀ TĨNH — Prolonged and intense rainfall has left 1,705 households inundated in southern areas of Hà Tĩnh, prompting large-scale evacuations, reservoir discharge operations and emergency inspections by central and local authorities.According to the Standing Office of the Hà Tĩnh Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, a strengthening cold spell combined with easterly winds at high altitude triggered exceptionally heavy rainfall across the locality between October 30 and 31. Automatic rain-gauging stations recorded 300–500mm of rainfall, with some locations nearing 600mm.Forecasts show that downpours will continue through November 2, heightening the risk of river flooding.Rainfall from 7pm on October 29 to 5pm on October 31 ranged from 300mm to 700mm across monitored stations, including Kim Sơn (763mm), Thượng Sông Trí (732mm), Hồ Thượng Tuy (592mm), Kỳ Thượng (522mm), Hồ Mạc Khê (530mm), Kẻ Gỗ (403mm), Kỳ Đồng (392mm), Khe Xai (303mm) and Khe Hao (268mm).Reservoirs across Hà Tĩnh are under pressure, with many already near maximum capacity. As of 5pm on October 31, Kẻ Gỗ reservoir stood at 323.2 million cubic meters&nbsp;(93.7 per cent capacity), Sông Rác at full capacity (124.5 million cubic meters), and Ngàn Trươi at 503.5 million cubic meters&nbsp;(64.9 per cent). Smaller reservoirs have also reached 90–100 per cent capacity.Emergency discharge is under way at multiple sites, including 600cu.m/s at Kẻ Gỗ and 1,206c.m/s at the Hố Hô hydropower plant. Reservoir operators have been instructed to ensure safety and avoid sudden releases.Local authorities have activated emergency flood-response plans, with provincial leaders inspecting critical locations, including the Kẻ Gỗ reservoir spillway. Deputy Prime Minister Mai Văn Chính also visited the locality, inspecting inundation sites in Vũng Áng Ward and providing support to affected households.Evacuations have been concentrated in southern Hà Tĩnh, where widespread flooding has submerged residential areas and transport routes. Affected areas include Vũng Áng Ward (500 households), Sông Trí Ward (323 households), Hoành Sơn Ward (34 households), Kỳ Thượng Commune (24 households), Kỳ Lạc Commune (169 households), Cẩm Lạc Commune (203 households) and Kỳ Văn Commune (297 households).To safeguard students, classes were suspended at 50 educational facilities, affecting 36,768 pupils.Roads in multiple communes — including Cẩm Trung, Kỳ Anh, Kỳ Khang, Vũng Áng, Hải Ninh, Cẩm Duệ, Kỳ Văn and Hà Huy Tập — are flooded, while several key transport routes have been damaged or blocked. Sections of National Highways 1, 8, 12C and 15, along with routes DT.551, DT.547 and DT.554, have been affected by inundation and erosion.Emergency crews have been mobilised to clear debris, support evacuations and restore traffic where safe.Hà Tĩnh authorities are urging residents in low-lying and riverside areas to remain vigilant, follow evacuation orders when necessary and monitor warnings issued by disaster-response agencies. —VNS

Prolonged and intense rainfall has left 1,705 households inundated in southern areas of Hà Tĩnh, prompting large-scale evacuations, reservoir discharge operations and emergency inspections by central and local authorities.

Hà Tĩnh: 1,705 households inundated by heavy rai

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2025/10/31/461266_lut25-racchuacau.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Emvironment workers in Hội An clear piles of garbage that dock in the channel of the Japanese Bridge in Hội An ancient town. Historical flood had left a huge garbage, sludge and thousands of houses and shops in the town in floodwater for past days. VNS Photo Công Thành</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>HỘI AN – As floodwater slowly receded from the Hoài River last night, residents in the Old Quarter of the ancient town rolled up their sleeves to clean their homes, shops and streets. Piles of garbage and sludge left behind by the flood were cleared from the narrow alleys, while people in suburban villages also joined the effort to restore order and cleanliness to their neighbourhoods.<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2025/10/31/461268_lut25-donbun.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Sludge covers on a road of Hội An Market. Thousands of local residents, rescue forces and volunteers joined cleaning streets, shops and pavilions in the town and public sites in the post flood cleaning activities. VNS Photo Công Thành</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>The 2025 historic flood, which surpassed the highest peak of the 1964 flood, submerged thousands of houses in the Old Quarter, the town’s most visited destination, as well as surrounding eco-tourism sites and craft villages that remained underwater for three days.It was the worst disaster in history that the ancient town, a UNESCO-recognised world heritage site, had witnessed in over four centuries since it emerged as a busy trading port in central Việt Nam.<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2025/10/31/461271_lut25-dukhach.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Tourists stand on the Japanese Bridge in Hội An ancient town as floodwater has kept the other side of the Hoài River bank in water. Cleaning activities have been speeding up in the town for soon re-opening of tourism service. VNS Photo Công Thành</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>More than 1,000 ancient houses, including 100 relics built between 100 and 200 years ago, along with shops, restaurants and tourist destinations, will require inspections and redecorating to welcome visitors in the coming days after the cleaning activities are completed.<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2025/10/31/461269_lut25-dithuyen.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Boat is used to travel from the Old Quarter of Hội An to the other side of the Hoài River bank. Floodwater has blocked traffic in suburban of Hội An town. VNS Photo Công Thành</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>Shop owners at one of the most popular destinations, Hội An Market, where floodwater rose almost to the roof, spent hours cleaning tables and desks in preparation for reopening their pavilions.Environmental workers toiled to clear large piles of garbage that had accumulated at the Japanese Bridge over recent days.Floodwater has continued to block traffic in Triêm Tây Village and eco-tourism sites along the Hoài River banks, Nguyễn Phúc Chu Street, An Hội Sculpture Park, the night market, shopping centres and the Hoài River Square, while boats remain the main means of transport for commuters travelling between the Old Quarter and the opposite bank of the Hoài River.<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2025/10/31/461273_lut25-bachdang.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>A coffee shop in Bạch Đằng Street in Hội An opens, but floodwater still blocks traffic in the street. VNS Photo Công Thành</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>Tanker trucks from the fire and rescue force delivered limited supplies of fresh water to residents in the Old Quarter, while Hội An Town’s power company has been working swiftly to restore electricity in flood-affected residential areas and villages.Tourism and trading services are expected to resume in the coming days once preparations, furniture repairs and indoor electrical checks are completed.Logistics, food and drinking water continue to be supplied to communities in the worst-affected areas of Điện Bàn, Đại Lộc, Gò Nổi and rural mountainous zones located 100 to 200km from downtown Đà Nẵng. VNS

Local residents in the Old Quarter of the ancient town began cleaning houses and clearing garbage and sludge piling up in streets, shops and houses in the Old Quarter and suburban villages and destinations on the Hoài River banks as floodwater was receding from last evening

Ancient town begins post-flood cleaning

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image image-style-align-center"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2025/10/24/459375_cuong.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>President Lương Cường and South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa. — VNA/VNS Photo Lâm Khánh</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam and South Africa have issued a Joint Statement on the occasion of President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa’s state visit to Việt Nam from October 23-24.The Vietnam News Agency respectfully presents a translation of the Joint Statement as follows:1. At the invitation of President of the Socialist Republic of Việt Nam Lương Cường, President of the Republic of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa paid a state visit to Việt Nam from October 23-24, 2025.2. During the visit, the South African President held talks with President Lương Cường and paid courtesy calls on Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn.3. In an atmosphere of warmth and friendship, President Lương Cường and President Cyril Ramaphosa highly valued the traditional friendship and historical ties between Việt Nam and South Africa. The two leaders expressed satisfaction with the positive development of bilateral relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1993 and the Partnership for Cooperation and Development in 2004.4. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening political trust and expanding the scope and level of cooperation in a comprehensive, practical, and effective manner across all areas. They agreed on the direction of elevating the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership, with the goal of completing the necessary procedures for the upgrading in 2025.5. Building on the solid foundation of bilateral relations, both sides agreed to maintain regular exchanges of visits at high and all other levels. The two leaders commended the diverse cooperation mechanisms between the two countries and committed to strengthening bilateral dialogue through frameworks such as the Việt Nam–South Africa Inter-Governmental Partnership Forum, Political Consultation between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs, the Joint Trade Committee, and the Defence Dialogue.6. The two leaders reaffirmed that economic cooperation remains a key pillar of the bilateral relationship. Both sides agreed to promote cooperation in all fields, including politics, diplomacy, national defence, security, law and justice, two-way trade and investment, science and technology, digital transformation, agriculture, environment, climate change response, biodiversity conservation, wildlife protection, business, mining, education and training, culture, and tourism. The two countries will also leverage their respective roles as gateways to their regions through the network of ASEAN Free Trade Agreements and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as well as other regional trade agreements.7. Building on the progress and outcomes achieved at the 6th Session of the Việt Nam–South Africa Inter-Governmental Partnership Forum in December 2024, and to further expand and deepen cooperation potential, the two leaders welcomed Việt Nam’s plan to host the 7th Session in 2026. This will serve as an important mechanism to further strengthen strategic dialogue and cooperation between the two countries.8. The two leaders appreciated the outcomes of the Việt Nam–South Africa Economic Forum, held during the visit with the participation of President Cyril Ramaphosa, senior leaders, leaders of ministries and agencies, and the business communities of both countries. The forum provided an opportunity for enterprises from both sides to explore cooperation and harness the advantages of Việt Nam’s and South Africa’s positions as regional gateways.9. Both sides noted similarities in their worldviews and expressed support for greater voice and role of the Global South countries in international relations. The two leaders reaffirmed their national commitment to multilateralism, full respect for the United Nations (UN) Charter and international law, promotion of fair and effective reforms of the global governance system, and efforts to advance the aspirations and consolidate the role of developing countries.10. President Lương Cường congratulated South Africa on successfully hosting various meetings within the framework of its G20 Presidency in 2025 and believed that South Africa would successfully host the G20 Summit in November 2025 and fulfill its role as Chair of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in 2026.11. South Africa highly valued Việt Nam’s strong commitment to promoting multilateral cooperation and its contributions to global sustainable development efforts, as demonstrated by its hosting of the 4th Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals (P4G) Summit in April 2025, as well as the Signing Ceremony of the UN Convention against Cybercrime (the Hanoi Convention) in October 2025.12. The two leaders expressed support for the central role of African Union and ASEAN in regional affairs and agreed to seek ways to increase cooperation among countries in Asia and Africa, and South-South cooperation. Việt Nam reaffirmed its support for South Africa in enhancing cooperation with ASEAN and its member states, particularly in areas of mutual interest that match the potential and strengths of each country. South Africa expressed backing for Việt Nam’s efforts to reinforce cooperation and make practical contributions to the implementation of the African Union’s Agenda 2063.13. South Africa reaffirmed its respect for ASEAN’s principled stance, including the peaceful settlement of disputes based on the UN Charter and international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and other relevant treaties.14. The two leaders welcomed the positive development momentum in bilateral cooperation and acknowleged progress in finalising several important agreements between the two countries. Both sides vowed to aim for the signing of these documents in 2025 as a demonstration of their shared commitment to advancing cooperation.15. President Cyril Ramaphosa thanked President Lương Cường and high-ranking Vietnamese leaders for their warm and respectful reception, reflecting the importance of the Việt Nam–South Africa Partnership for Cooperation and Development, as well as the special affection between leaders and people of both nations.16. President Cyril Ramaphosa extended a cordial invitation to President Lương Cường and high-ranking Vietnamese leaders to pay an official visit to South Africa at a mutually convenient time. President Lương Cường sincerely thanked him and suggested that the relevant agencies of both countries arrange the visit through diplomatic channels. — VNA/VNS

In an atmosphere of warmth and friendship, President Lương Cường and President Cyril Ramaphosa highly valued the traditional friendship and historical ties between Việt Nam&nbsp;and South Africa.

Việt Nam, South Africa issue Joint Statement

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2025/10/24/459376_bulgaria.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Party General Secretary Tô Lâm meets Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov in Sofia. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>SOFIA — Party General Secretary Tô Lâm had a meeting with Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov in Sofia on Friday as part of his official visit to Bulgaria.PM Zhelyazkov congratulated Việt Nam on its socio-economic development achievements, affirming that Việt Nam is one of Bulgaria’s most important and reliable partners in Southeast Asia.The host considered the visit and the establishment of the Strategic Partnership, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, as a historic landmark in the countries' relations that creates a new driving force for their traditional friendship to reach a new height.For his part, Party General Secretary Lâm reiterated that Việt Nam treasures its traditional friendship with Bulgaria and always keeps in mind the valuable assistance extended by the Bulgarian people during both the country's past struggle for national liberation and its present cause of national development.He briefed his host on the outcomes of his talks with President Rumen Radev and the adoption of a joint statement on upgrading bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership, a milestone that opens up a new chapter and creates fresh momentum for extensive, substantive, and effective cooperation for the benefit of both peoples.The two leaders agreed to enhance political trust, boost high-level mutual visits and meetings between the countries' Parties, States, Governments, and parliaments, and promote people-to-people exchanges.They underlined the role of the two foreign ministries in enhancing bilateral cooperation, and pledged joint efforts to implement the Strategic Partnership and effectively leverage existing mechanisms such as the Intergovernmental Committee and the Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation. They also agreed to explore new cooperation mechanisms matching the upgraded ties.Highlighting economic, trade, and investment connections as the main impetus of bilateral relations, the two leaders emphasised the need for both countries to fully tap opportunities offered by the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), strengthen supply chain resilience, and expand logistics connectivity via seaports, with the goal of doubling bilateral trade in the coming years.The Vietnamese leader affirmed that Việt Nam stands ready to facilitate the entry of Bulgarian products into its domestic and ASEAN markets, while hoping Bulgaria will serve as a gateway for Vietnamese goods to the EU, reduce trade barriers, and support Vietnamese businesses to invest in Bulgaria.Party General Secretary Lâm also proposed further stepping up cooperation in traditional fields such as education and training, culture and tourism, health care, labour, and agriculture. He called on Bulgaria to persuade the European Commission to soon lift the “yellow card” warning on Việt Nam’s seafood exports and to accelerate the signing of an intergovernmental agreement on healthcare collaboration.PM Zhelyazkov expressed Bulgaria’s readiness to closely coordinate with the Vietnamese Government in effectively implementing the Strategic Partnership.At the meeting, both host and guest noted the vast potential for cooperation in new areas such as digital transformation, the digital economy, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and e-government. They underlined the commitment to making science and technology an important pillar of the Việt Nam–Bulgaria Strategic Partnership.Party General Secretary Lâm also called on Bulgarian authorities to continue supporting eligible Vietnamese citizens in obtaining Bulgarian nationality and helping the Vietnamese community integrate more deeply into local society, thus contributing to the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.In addition, both sides agreed to maintain close coordination and mutual support at international forums, particularly within the UN and ASEAN–EU frameworks, and to work together in addressing global challenges including climate change, energy security, and sustainable development.The Party General Secretary also took this occasion to convey PM Phạm Minh Chính's invitation to visit Việt Nam to PM Zhelyazkov. — VNA/VNS

Party General Secretary Tô Lâm reiterated that Việt Nam treasures its traditional friendship with Bulgaria and always keeps in mind the valuable assistance extended by the Bulgarian people during the country's past struggle for national liberation and its present cause of national development.

Bulgarian PM affirms close coordination in implementing Strategic Partnership with Việt Nam

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2025/10/24/459379_5305783573845561_qua.png" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyễn Mạnh Cường (right) had talks with&nbsp;Maldivian Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Khaleel in Hà Nội on October 24. — VNA/VNS Photo</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>HÀ NỘI —&nbsp;Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyễn Mạnh Cường held a meeting with Maldivian Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Khaleel in Hà Nội on Friday, on the sidelines of the signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime.Deputy Minister Cường welcomed Minister Khaleel’s participation in the event and commended the growing friendship between Việt Nam and the Maldives over the past five decades since the establishment of diplomatic ties.He underlined Việt Nam's wish to capitalise on the potential and opportunities of cooperation with the Maldives, thus helping to develop bilateral ties more substantively in the coming time.Minister Khaleel, for his part, congratulated Việt Nam on its remarkable socio-economic progress and expressed his hope to learn from the country’s development experience.Noting with satisfaction the stable and increasingly reinforced relations for over 50 years, he affirmed that the Maldives highly treasures and looks forwards to deepening its relationship with Việt Nam.The two sides agreed on the need to promote exchanges of high-level and ministerial-level visits, establish dialogue mechanisms, and soon sign a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the two ministries.Building on their potential and strengths in trade, tourism, aquaculture, agriculture, and maritime transport, the two sides consented to encourage relevant ministries and agencies to negotiate and sign agreements that will create a legal framework for cooperation in specific areas. They also emphasised the importance of further strengthening trade ties and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.At the meeting, both sides also agreed to continue close cooperation on issues of mutual &nbsp;concern, such as responding to climate change and rising sea levels, ensuring safety, security, and freedom of navigation on the basis of international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They also pledged to enhance coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums, especially at UN organisations. — VNA/VNS

Noting with satisfaction the stable and increasingly reinforced relations for over 50 years, Maldives' top diplomat affirmed that the Maldives highly treasures and looks forwards to deepening its relationship with Việt Nam.

Việt Nam, Maldives vow to foster bilateral cooperation

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2025/10/17/457648_5299533049747085_image.png" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>A customer conducts a transaction at a Vietinbank office in Hà Nội. Shares of the lender plunged 3 per cent on Friday, weighing on the market's downturn.&nbsp;&nbsp;— VNA/VNS Photo&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>HÀ NỘI — The Vietnamese stock market closed on a negative note on Friday, with the VN-Index experiencing a significant decline of nearly 36 points, settling at 1,731.19.&nbsp;On the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE), the breadth leaned heavily in negative territory, with 236 stocks falling, nearly 2.5 times the number that recorded gains. This trend reflects widespread caution among investors and a tendency to take profits.However, liquidity on the southern bourse increased to nearly VNĐ42.1 trillion (US$1.6 billion) from over VNĐ40 trillion of the previous session.&nbsp;The VN30-Index, tracking the 30 biggest stocks on HoSE, dropped 45.13 points, or 2.23 per cent, to 1,977.14 points.&nbsp;In the VN30 group, the downward trend was clear, with up to 26 stocks declining and only three increasing.&nbsp;The most considerable pressure on the index came from the Vin-stock group and various securities and banking stocks.Vinhomes (VHM) faced a sharp drop of 4.9 per cent. Similarly, Vingroup (VIC) and Vincom Retail (VRE) also experienced significant corrections, losing 4.27 per cent and 5.53 per cent, respectively.The banking sector contributed to the index's decline as well, with notable losses from VPBank (VPB) down 3.77 per cent, Vietinbank (CTG) down 2.97 per cent, LPB down 3.5 per cent, and BIDV (BID) down 1.76 per cent.The securities sector also saw several stocks under pressure, including VIX Securities (VIX) down 2.9 per cent, SSI Securities Corporation (SSI) down 1.33 per cent, Vietcap Securities (VCI) down 1.64 per cent, Ho Chi Minh City Securities Corporation (HCM) down 1.12 per cent and MB Securities (MBS) down 1.78 per cent.Notably, Masan Group (MSN) was the centre of attention during Friday's trading session. After hitting a ceiling price, the stock turned around to decrease by 0.23 per cent.&nbsp;This shift followed a period of strong gains attributed to news of a large block trade expected to be executed by SK Invest Vina I Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of South Korea's SK Group.On the Hanoi Stock Exchange (HNX), the HNX-Index also fell 0.97 points, or 0.35 per cent, to 276.11 points.&nbsp;During the session, over 104 million shares were traded on the northern bourse, worth nearly VNĐ2.7 trillion.&nbsp;Foreign investors also reversed their buying trend, selling off a net value of nearly VNĐ2 trillion on HoSE and VNĐ144.58 billion on HNX.&nbsp; — BIZHUB/VNS

Foreign investors also reversed their buying trend, selling off a net value of nearly VNĐ2 trillion on HoSE and VNĐ144.58 billion on HNX.&nbsp;

VN-Index drops nearly 36 points on rising selling force

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2025/10/17/457641_5299512362404393_image.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Participants at the conference discuss opportunities for household businesses to access financial technology and drive growth.— Photo&nbsp;nhandan.vn</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>HÀ NỘI — Supporting household businesses in accessing financial technology and transitioning to formal enterprise models is emerging as a key strategy to drive economic development, improve competitiveness and boost state revenue.Lê Quốc Minh, Editor-in-Chief of Nhân Dân (People) Newspaper and Deputy Head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Information and Education and Mass Mobilization, emphasised this point during a conference held in Hà Nội on Friday.According to Minh, Việt Nam currently has over five million household businesses, accounting for around 30 per cent of the country’s GDP and providing employment for more than 10 million people.He added that the Politburo has issued Resolution No 68, which gives priority to reviewing and improving the legal framework on individual businesses, minimising gaps and creating favourable conditions to encourage household businesses to transform into enterprises.Dr Trần Văn, Director of the Institute for Digital Economy&nbsp;Development Strategy (IDS), said after nearly 40 years of innovation, Việt Nam is standing on the cusp of a significant breakthrough, driven by the ongoing scientific and technological revolution and the national digital transformation agenda.Previously, only large enterprises with capital and resources could digitalise their production and business operations. Today, even small, individual household businesses, including those in remote, isolated and disadvantaged areas, can access these opportunities through smart financial technology platforms, Văn said.From grocery store owners to rural traders, many small business operators — once hesitant about adopting technology — are now actively using digital financial services to manage transactions, reduce costs and improve efficiency.Thanks to digital integration, many household businesses are scaling up, diversifying their offerings, improving service to customers and creating the necessary legal and financial conditions to transition into small- and medium-sized enterprises, he said.However, the path to full digital integration is not without obstacles.Văn noted that the legal framework has not yet caught up with the evolving business models of household enterprises. In addition, many business owners and small producers still have limited awareness and understanding of technology.On the supply side, technology firms themselves face difficulties, including shortage&nbsp;of high-quality human resources and the substantial financial investment required for research and development.<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2025/10/17/457642_5299515356505485_vna_potal_cac_ho_kinh_doanh_o_tra_vinh_giai_quyet_viec_lam_cho_hon_40000_lao_dong__7934118.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Workers at a household business in Vĩnh Long Province. — VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Hoà</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>According to IDS, while access to financial services has improved overall for small, micro and household businesses, progress is far from uniform.The lowest-income individuals only saw a 6 per cent increase in account ownership over the past five years, the institute reported, highlighting persistent inequality in financial inclusion.Despite accounting for a significant portion of the national economy, these businesses continue to face major obstacles in securing formal credit. Lack of collateral assets, high interest rates and complicated procedures remain core barriers.The IDS said that the gap in access to financial services between income groups and business sizes is widening, with the most vulnerable groups falling further behind.In this context, the application of technology — especially financial technology (Fintech) — has played a crucial role in expanding financial inclusion, the institute said, adding that fintech offers simple, low-cost and accessible service models tailored to the needs of low-income individuals and those without credit history. This includes e-wallet applications, non-traditional credit scoring methods and micro-savings programmes.For his part, Dr Nguyễn Đức Kiên, Chairman of the IDS’ Scientific Council, underscored the importance of continuous policy support for emerging sectors such as Fintech. This enables financial market participants to keep learning, improving and enhancing their competitiveness.Kiên warned that without an open-minded and proactive approach to policymaking, Việt Nam risks losing the momentum gained so far in its digital transformation efforts.During the event, Nguyễn Quang Khải from MISA JSC highlighted Việt Nam’s move to abolish the lump-sum tax policy from January 1, 2026.For this transition to take place smoothly, business households need to be well prepared — not only in terms of legal knowledge but also by adopting the right technological tools. This will ensure that invoicing, tax declaration and payment processes can be completed quickly, accurately and easily, Khải said. — VNS

From grocery store owners to rural traders, many small business operators — once hesitant about adopting technology — are now actively using digital financial services to manage transactions, reduce costs and improve efficiency.

Household businesses urged to embrace fintech, transition to enterprise models

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2025/10/17/457615_90-thuong-hieu.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>The Vietnam General Council of Agriculture and Rural Development held a ceremony in Hà Nộii on October 17 to honour 90 outstanding brands and products under the “Vietnam Golden Agricultural Brand Awards 2025. — Photo nongnghiepmoitruong.vn</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>HÀ NỘI — Ninety leading agricultural brands and products have been named winners of the Vietnam Golden Agricultural Brand 2025, recognising excellence, innovation and contribution to rural development.The General Council of Agriculture and Rural Development Vietnam held the 11th annual awards ceremony in Hà Nội on Friday to honour this year’s achievers.The recognised brands span a wide range of sectors including cultivation, livestock, aquaculture, agricultural processing, agri-tech and products under the One Commune, One Product (OCOP) programme.All awardees met strict criteria on product quality, safe production processes, innovation, environmental protection and community contribution.Hồ Xuân Hùng, chairman of the General Council of Agriculture and Rural Development Vietnam, said the country’s agriculture sector continued to play a vital role in the national economy during the first nine months of this year.Agricultural, forestry and fishery exports reached US$52.31 billion, up 14 per cent year-on-year, with a trade surplus of nearly $16 billion, an increase of 17.6 per cent.Key export items such as rice, coffee, fruit, pepper and seafood have expanded their markets, strengthening the global reputation of Vietnamese agricultural products.Launched in 2015, the Vietnam Golden Agricultural Brands programme is an initiative by the General Council of Agriculture and Rural Development Vietnam to honour enterprises, co-operatives and individuals who have made significant contributions to agriculture, farmers and rural development.Over the past decade, the programme has helped enhance the brand value of many local agricultural products, fostering stronger links between enterprises, farmers and localities.Many products recognised through the programme have gained market prominence, becoming high-value commodities that generate substantial income for farmers and businesses. — VNS &nbsp;

The General Council of Agriculture and Rural Development Vietnam held the 11th annual ceremony to honour the “Vietnam Golden Agricultural Brands 2025” in Hà Nội on Friday.

90 outstanding agricultural brands honoured

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2025/10/10/456102_5293478001950186_image.png" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>A Techcombank transaction office. The lender's shares climbed over 1 per cent on Friday, supporting the VN-Index. — Photo vietnamplus.vn</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>HÀ NỘI — The VN-Index continued its impressive upward trend on Friday, closing at a new record of 1,747 points with an increase of 31.08 points.&nbsp;However, despite this positive performance, many investors expressed disappointment as the stocks in their portfolios declined.The session saw a notable gain in the index, but the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE) trading board reflected a more balanced picture, with 177 stocks rising compared to 125 that fell. This disparity left many investors feeling uneasy and dissatisfied.The bourse’s liquidity stayed at a high level of nearly VNĐ34 trillion (US$1.3 billion).The VN30-Index, tracking the 30 biggest stocks on HoSE, also jumped nearly 40 points, or 2.04 per cent, to 1,980.57 points. Up to 22 ticker symbols in the VN30 basket gained points, while only five declined and three ended flat.&nbsp;The index received significant support from Vin-family stocks, particularly Vingroup (VIC), Vinhomes (VHM) and Vincom Retail (VRE), which collectively contributed 21.3 points to the VN-Index.&nbsp;VIC and VHM both hit their ceiling prices, rising 7 per cent, while VRE surged by 6.18 per cent. The strong performance of these three stocks not only propelled the index higher but also created a ripple effect of optimism throughout the market.&nbsp;Another Vin-stock, VinPearl (VPL), also saw a notable increase of 2.06 per cent, closing at VNĐ89,000 per share.The real estate sector also showed robust gains, with several stocks performing well, including Hoang Huy Investment Financial Services JSC (TCH) up 4.66 per cent, Kinh Bac City Group (KBC) rising 2.15 per cent, NLG Group (NLG) gaining 3.2 per cent, Phat Dat Real Estate Development JSC (PDR) up 1.5 per cent, DIC Croup (DIG) rising 2.88 per cent and Novaland (NVL) up 1.96 per cent.The banking sector remained a stable support for the market, with most stocks maintaining positive momentum. Of which, Techcombank (TCB) was up over 1 per cent, BIDV (BID) rose nearly 1 per cent and Vietcombank (VCB) increased 0.63 per cent.&nbsp;Meanwhile, on the Hanoi Stock Exchange (HNX), the HNX-Index closed the week on a negative note. It fell 1.32 points, or 0.48 per cent, to 273.62 points.During the session, nearly 96.3 million shares were traded on the northern bourse, worth more than VNĐ2.2 trillion.&nbsp;However, foreign investors continued to experience a negative sentiment, remaining net sellers on both main exchanges. They net sold nearly VNĐ460 billion on HoSE and VNĐ189.2 billion on HNX. — BIZHUB/VNS

However, despite this positive performance, many investors expressed disappointment as the stocks in their portfolios declined.

VN-Index sets new record on high liquidity

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image image-style-align-center"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2025/10/10/456108_le-khoi-cong-1760070301417523719002.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Officials carried out the groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of the project. — Photo VGP</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>HƯNG YÊN — The Thái Bình LNG Power JSC, in co-ordination with relevant stakeholders, on Friday broke ground on the Thái Bình LNG thermal power plant project — a major step in the strategic Việt Nam–Japan partnership for clean energy development.The project is backed by Thái Bình LNG Power JSC, whose three shareholders are Tokyo Gas of Japan with a 40 per cent stake, Kyuden International of Japan with 30 per cent, and TTVN Group with the remaining 30 per cent.With a total investment of about US$2.69 billion, the 1,500 MW plant will cover 269 hectares, including 57 ha onshore and 212 ha offshore. Construction is scheduled for completion by the fourth quarter of 2029.Once in operation, the plant is expected to generate between 6 and 10 billion kWh of electricity annually, create some 2,000 jobs during construction, and maintain around 300 permanent positions. It is projected to contribute roughly VNĐ3 trillion ($120 million) to the state budget each year over the next 25 years.Recognised as a strategic national energy initiative, the project will help strengthen power security for northern Việt Nam and the country as a whole.Việt Nam’s northern region, which accounts for around 40 per cent of total electricity demand, faces the risk of power shortages as consumption grows by more than 10 per cent annually.In this context, the Thái Bình LNG project is seen as a timely and sustainable solution to meet rising energy needs, ease pressure on the national grid, and advance the Politburo’s Resolution No 55-NQ/TW on developing a green, clean, safe and efficient national energy strategy. — VNS

The project is a result of the strategic Việt Nam – Japan partnership in clean energy development.

Hưng Yên starts work on $2.6 billion LNG power plant

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image image-style-align-center"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2025/10/9/455461_5291552964939632_gia-vang-3.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Gold for sales at a shop in Hai Bà Trưng District, Hà Nội. — VNA/VNS Photo</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Finance has submitted a proposal to include in the draft amended Law on Personal Income Tax a provision to impose personal income tax on transactions involving gold bullion transfers, with an initial tax rate of 0.1 per cent of the transaction value.The proposal excludes raw gold, gold jewellery and fine-art gold from taxation.Nguyễn Quang Huy from the Faculty of Finance and Banking at Nguyễn Trãi University said the proposal marks a significant move reflecting the State’s effort to strengthen oversight of a market long associated with speculative risks and volatility.In practice, gold bullion is mainly used for hoarding or short-term speculation. Therefore, taxing these transactions is necessary to enhance transparency, curb speculative trading and contribute to State budget revenue.However, he noted that for most Vietnamese people, buying small amounts of gold to store is a long-standing cultural habit linked to financial security and prudence. Hence, the policy should include tax exemptions or reductions for small-scale, long-term holders. This would protect citizens’ legitimate interests and demonstrate the human-centred nature of tax administration, ensuring that the State primarily regulates large-scale speculation rather than traditional saving behaviour.Huy said the proposed rate is low enough to avoid shocking the market or the public, yet meaningful in two key respects. First, it introduces a transparent mechanism where all gold bullion transactions must go through formal systems, enabling authorities to collect accurate data. Second, it provides the Government with an initial basis to observe market behaviour and make gradual adjustments later.Meanwhile, Dr Nguyễn Ngọc Tú, a lecturer at the University of Business and Technology, argued that a 0.1 per cent tax on gold bullion transfers may be too low. This rate equals that applied to securities transactions and is lower than that imposed on real estate transfers, making it insufficient to curb speculative behaviour.He pointed out that ordinary business households selling retail goods are subject to a 0.5 per cent tax rate. Since gold is not an investment the State encourages, applying a tax rate even lower than that levied on food, medicine or dairy trading seems inconsistent.Economists have long advocated for the development of secure financial products such as gold certificates, gold-based exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and flexible government bonds, giving citizens more transparent and stable investment channels.They have recommended an exemption threshold for small purchases of up to one tael (around 37.5 grams) per year to protect traditional saving habits, especially in rural areas. Long-term holdings could be rewarded through tax reductions or exemptions, encouraging stability over speculation. — VNS

Economists say a reasonable tax rate help the State regulates large-scale speculation rather than traditional savings behaviour.

Ministry proposes tax on gold bullion transactions

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2025/10/3/454364_thep1.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>A domestic steel manufacturer. —VNA/VNS Photo</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>HÀ NỘI —&nbsp;India’s Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has initiated two anti-dumping investigations involving goods originating from Việt Nam, specifically solar encapsulant materials and cold-rolled stainless steel of grades 300-400.According to information from the website of the Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam (TRAV) under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the DGTR has announced the initiation of anti-dumping investigations on solar encapsulant materials imported from or originating in the Republic of Korea, Thailand, and Việt Nam, as well as cold-rolled stainless steel of grades 300–400 from China, Indonesia, and Việt Nam.For solar encapsulant materials, the investigated products fall under the HS codes of:&nbsp;39019000, 39201019, 39201099, 39202090, 39206190, 39206290, 39209919, 39209932, 39209939, 39209992, and 39209999.The petitioner is M/s RenewSys India Pvt. Ltd., which also proposed the product classification codes.&nbsp;The DGTR has requested that all interested parties submit their comments, along with detailed explanations, on the scope of the investigated products and product classifications (if any) within 15 days from the date of the initiation notice.The anti-dumping investigation period is from April 1, 2024, to March 31 this year.The injury investigation period includes the years 2021–2022, 2022–2023, 2023–2024&nbsp;and the dumping investigation period.For cold-rolled stainless steel of grades 300–400, the investigated products fall under the HS codes of: 721990, 721911, 721912, 721913, 721914, 721921, 721922, 721923, 721924, 721931, 721932 (repeated), 721933, 721934, 721935, 722011, 722012, 722020, and 722090.The petitioner in this case is the Indian Stainless Steel Development Association (ISSDA), which alleges that domestic producers of cold-rolled stainless steel of grades 300–400 have suffered injury due to dumped imports from the three aforementioned countries.The anti-dumping investigation period for this product is also from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025, with the injury analysis covering 2021–2022; 2022–2023; 2023–2024, and the dumping period itself.TRAV said that Vietnamese manufacturers and exporters involved in these investigations must submit their responses to the DGTR’s questionnaire within 30 days from the date of receipt of the initiation notice.&nbsp;Failure to comply might result in the DGTR concluding that the Vietnamese parties are non-cooperative, and applying adverse facts available to calculate the dumping margins, the authority said.Enterprises may also submit a request to the DGTR for an extension of the response deadline, provided it is sent before the initial deadline expires.The authority also recommended that relevant industry associations and Vietnamese producers and exporters under investigation closely monitor their export volumes of the investigated products to India, and thoroughly review India’s anti-dumping investigation regulations.&nbsp;Associations and businesses should submit complete and truthful responses to the questionnaire. In case&nbsp;the DGTR does not select a mandatory respondent, all exporting companies must respond to the questionnaire.&nbsp;— VNS

India’s Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has initiated two anti-dumping investigations involving goods originating from Việt Nam, specifically solar encapsulant materials and cold-rolled stainless steel of grades 300-400.

Two Vietnamese products subject to India’s anti-dumping investigation

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2025/10/3/454390_tinh.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Deputy Minister of Justice Nguyễn Thanh Tịnh opened the seminar focusing on the development of a comprehensive legal framework for IFCs. Photos chinhphu.vn</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>&nbsp;HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Justice on&nbsp;October 3 convened a pivotal seminar on developing a comprehensive legal framework for Việt Nam’s planned International Financial Centres (IFCs), a key step in the Government’s drive to establish Đà Nẵng and HCM City as hubs for global finance and investment.The seminar brought together legal experts, economists, government officials, researchers, and representatives from the two cities designated to host the centres. Their task was to review and refine the draft decree detailing implementation of Resolution No. 222/2025/QH15, recently adopted by the National Assembly.The resolution sets out the foundation for the creation, operation and management of Việt Nam’s IFCs, signalling the country’s intention to integrate more deeply into global financial networks.Deputy Minister of Justice Nguyễn Thanh Tịnh opened the seminar, stressing that the establishment and effective operation of these financial centres constitute a major policy priority endorsed by both the Party&nbsp;and the State.While Resolution No. 222 provides the overarching legal framework, the government-issued decrees&nbsp;will be critical in translating vision into workable policies and operational guidelines. At present, the Ministry of Justice is overseeing the review and appraisal of eight draft decrees connected to the IFCs. Five have already been appraised, with two submitted by relevant ministries for government approval, while others remain under development.The seminar offered a vital platform for exchanging expertise, sharing perspectives and addressing potential challenges to ensure the decrees are practical and effective.Deputy Minister Tịnh expressed hope that expert contributions would help build a legal framework both suitable and feasible, enabling Việt Nam’s IFCs to compete with established financial hubs in Asia and beyond.He also emphasised the need for Đà Nẵng and HCM City to move quickly in drafting their own operating regulations, ensuring alignment with international best practices. Without clear rules, he warned, even the strongest decrees risk becoming difficult to implement effectively.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2025/10/3/454391_huong.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Đào Thanh Hương, Deputy Director of the Foreign Investment Agency.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>A key topic at the seminar was clarifying the roles and responsibilities of the agencies tasked with managing and supervising the IFCs.Deputy Director of the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Finance Đào Thanh Hương&nbsp;outlined the ministry’s responsibility in drafting two vital decrees: one establishing the Việt Nam International Financial Centre and another detailing the financial policies to be applied within it.As the IFCs will be located in Đà Nẵng and HCM City, the Ministry of Finance is working closely with local governments. The draft decree proposes that each city will have its own executive and supervisory agency.This decentralised approach is intended to give the two cities autonomy and flexibility in managing their respective IFCs, while the central government retains oversight to prevent unhealthy competition or duplication of efforts.Hương explained that having two agencies in each city would allow smoother management of continuous and complex financial activities, while specialised supervision would be handled by other central agencies with specific mandates. This structure is designed to balance local initiative with national coordination.<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2025/10/3/454392_cuong.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Nguyễn Văn Cương, Director of the Institute of Strategy and Legal Science at the Ministry of Justice</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>Director of the Institute for Legal Strategy and Science under the Ministry of Justice Nguyễn Văn Cương&nbsp;highlighted the critical role an IFC plays in a country’s financial ecosystem.Typically located in a city or designated special zone, an IFC is a nexus for global financial services including banking, insurance, capital markets, fund management, fintech, digital assets, and international commercial arbitration.Cương stressed that an IFC’s success depends on the presence of a transparent, stable, and investor-friendly legal framework that inspires confidence among global businesses.This framework must establish fair competition, reliable dispute resolution mechanisms and flexibility to adapt quickly to emerging technologies such as fintech, artificial intelligence, and digital currencies.Moreover, it should align with international standards and bodies such as FATF, IOSCO, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, and IAIS.To achieve this, Cương recommended that Việt Nam’s IFC legal framework incorporate some degree of operational independence from the broader national legal system.Many successful IFCs worldwide maintain a dedicated judicial body or court known for high integrity and specialised expertise in financial law.Simplifying administrative procedures and creating a one-stop management agency were also identified as best practices to reduce compliance costs and improve efficiency.Additionally, attracting international financial, technological, and legal talent will require favourable policies on taxation, immigration, and visas.Cương warned that Việt Nam must avoid any perception of becoming a 'tax haven' by linking tax incentives transparently and ensuring compliance with global standards.He emphasised the importance of building a 'legal trust brand' for Việt Nam’s IFCs, as reputation and institutional capacity often weigh more heavily than tax breaks in attracting high-calibre international players.One challenge discussed at the seminar was how to handle conflicts that are likely to arise between the laws governing the IFC and Việt Nam’s domestic regulations. Finding a balance to ensure IFC-specific laws do not contradict or undermine national policies is critical. Moreover, the IFC framework needs to integrate modern solutions such as electronic courts and streamlined administrative procedures to enhance transparency and speed.Việt Nam’s lawmakers are working towards establishing a comprehensive foundational law that will act as the legal bedrock for IFCs. This law, combined with detailed operational decrees and regulations, will form a holistic governance system designed to ensure long-term success. — VNS

The Ministry of Justice on October 3 held a pivotal seminar focusing on the development of a comprehensive legal framework for Việt Nam’s emerging International Financial Centres (IFCs).

Việt Nam builds a strong legal foundation for IFC

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image image-style-align-center"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2025/10/3/453829_5285493980494138_xk-gao.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Rice being loaded up for transport in the Mekong Delta region. VGP Photo</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>HÀ NỘI The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) is preparing a draft decree to replace current regulations on rice export businesses, in a bid to simplify procedures, cut back on overlapping rules and help boost exports amid a challenging global market.The draft decree would replace Decree 107/2018/NĐ-CP and Decree 01/2025/NĐ-CP, which amended several provisions of the former decree.Decree 107, issued in August 2018 and effective from October that year, established a clear legal framework for rice exports, helping to safeguard food security, stabilise the domestic market, promote sustainable production and enhance the global reputation of Vietnamese rice. With the introduction of Decree 01/2025 earlier this year, the regulations were further refined to reflect new developments in the sector.Over the past seven years, implementation of these decrees has yielded significant results. Responsibilities among ministries, agencies and local authorities have been clearly defined, rice exports have grown rapidly and farmers have benefitted from better market prices for their crops.The rice export sector has also made large contributions to national GDP, while simplified administrative procedures have enabled more Vietnamese traders to participate in the market. At the same time, the country has managed to maintain its traditional key markets for centralised contracts.Yet, alongside these successes, new challenges and regulatory overlaps have emerged, making it necessary to develop a replacement decree. The draft under preparation seeks to simplify procedures, reduce business conditions, cut compliance costs and shorten processing times.It also proposes stronger sanctions against violations, the introduction of enterprise credit ratings, revised rules for negotiating and implementing centralised export contracts and clearer responsibilities for ministries, agencies and provincial people’s committees.The draft consists of five chapters and 27 articles, covering general provisions, business conditions and licensing, rice export management, responsibilities of State bodies and implementation measures. Post-inspection of business conditions will be delegated to provincial people’s committees, while the reporting requirements for traders will be reduced to a single monthly report.MoIT is now finalising the draft decree and will soon submit it to the Government for approval, with the aim of providing the most favourable and transparent legal framework for the continued development of Việt Nam's rice export sector. VNS

The draft under preparation seeks to simplify procedures, reduce business conditions, cut compliance costs and shorten processing times.

MoIT prepares draft decree to boost rice exports

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image image-style-align-center"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2025/9/19/451236_5275314481426210_image.png" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>VNDirect's trading office in Đà Nẵng City. Shares of the securities firm plunged by nearly 2.8 per cent on Friday, weighing on the market's sentiment. — Photo vndirect.com.vn</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>HÀ NỘI — The domestic stock market ended lower on Friday as profit-taking dominated following an extended period of rallies.The benchmark VN-Index fell by 6.56 points, or 0.39 per cent, to 1,658.62 points.On the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE), 133 stocks rose and 189 fell. The predominance of declining stocks did not raise significant concerns, as liquidity remained strong at nearly VNĐ29.2 trillion (US$1.1 billion).Notably, the VN-Index maintained its position above the critical threshold of 1,650 points, with the VN30 hovering around 1,860 points — both key support levels.In the VN30 basket, 24 ticker symbols decreased, while four ticked up and two ended unchanged.The financial and banking sector faced the heaviest net selling pressure, with many large-cap stocks recording declines.Vietcombank (VCB) dipped 1.4 per cent, VPBank (VPB) fell 1.3 per cent, SSI Securities Corporation (SSI) dropped 1.1 per cent, Sacombank (STB) decreased 3 per cent, VIX Securities (VIX) was down 4.86 per cent, and VNDirect Securities Corporation (VND) fell 2.78 per cent.Other major players showed negative performance, with PV Gas (GAS) down 0.79 per cent, Masan Group (MSN) down 0.12 per cent, and Mobile World Investment Corporation (MWG) down 0.13 per cent.This trend suggests that the blue-chip group has temporarily lost its leading role after the strong rally at the start of the third quarter.Conversely, the real estate sector stood out, with several stocks gaining. Novaland (NVL) surged 5.63 per cent, Sai Gon Thuong Tin Real Estate JSC (SCR) rose 2 per cent, DIC Group (DIG) increased 1.45 per cent and Phat Dat Real Estate Development (PDR) by 0.21 per cent.Vingroup (VIC) maintained an upward trend, while Vinhomes (VHM) and Vincom Retail (VRE) fell 1.74 per cent and 2.48 per cent, respectively.There are signs of capital seeking opportunities in stocks that have experienced prolonged declines.According to Saigon-Hanoi Securities JSC (SHS), short-term trends for the VN-Index indicate a phase of accumulation around the support level of 1,660 points, corresponding to the 20-day average.If this support level cannot be maintained amidst increasing selling pressure, the benchmark index may face a psychological test at the 1,600-point mark, the securities firm added. The VN30 is under selling pressure at resistance levels, reflecting the peaks reached in August and early September, and is also entering an accumulation phase.On the Hanoi Stock Exchange (HNX), the HNX-Index declined 0.68 points, or 0.25 per cent, to 276.24 points.Foreign investors continued to net sell, withdrawing over VNĐ2.8 trillion on HoSE and VNĐ212.5 billion on HNX. — BIZHUB/VNS

Foreign investors continued to net sell as they withdrew over VNĐ2.8 trillion on HoSE and VNĐ212.5 trillion on HNX.

Market closes the week on a negative note

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image image-style-align-center"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/MediaUpload/Org/2025/09/19/09202519235122_trn.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Deputy Prime Minister Trần Hồng Hà at the Malaysia International Halal Showcase 2025 in Kuala Lumpur on September 19. — VNA/VNS Photo</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>KUALA LUMPUR — Deputy Prime Minister Trần Hồng Hà underscored the Halal industry’s pivotal role in the 21st century during the opening of the Global Halal Summit 2025, a flagship event at the Malaysia International Halal Showcase 2025 (MIHAS 2025) in Kuala Lumpur on September 19.His activity coincided with National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn and his spouse’s attendance at the 46th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter‑Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-46) and official visit to Malaysia from September 17-20.Hà praised the summit as a platform for countries, businesses and global partners to forge connections, boost trade, and drive investment in the Halal sector, while driving sustainable and inclusive development, spreading humanistic values, sustainability and quality standards of the global Halal industry.Việt Nam considers Halal development an important pathway to drive new growth momentum, he said.On the occasion, the Deputy PM held discussions with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysian Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry and head of the MIHAS 2025 organising committee Utama Zafrul bin Tengku Abdul Aziz, and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Religious Affairs Haji Mohd Na’im bin Haji Mokhtar, among others.During these meetings, Hà expressed Việt Nam's desire to deepen Halal cooperation with Malaysia through sharing policy experience, building and following Halal development strategies, strengthening certification bodies and enterprises, and investing in Halal production, supply chains, ecosystems and industrial zones.Recognising ample potential for Halal cooperation, PM Anwar assigned Deputy PM Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who oversees Halal, to work directly with Hà on specific measures.The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Religious Affairs, for his part, revealed his plan to visit Việt Nam next week to boost Halal collaboration.The guest leader also toured nearly 30 Vietnamese companies’ booths at MIHAS 2025 that showcase consumer goods, agricultural products, processed food, handicrafts, cosmetics, and fashion.MIHAS, held annually in Malaysia since 2004, is the world’s largest Halal industry exhibition, serving as a premier global trade platform that drives innovation and growth in the Halal economy. In 2024, the event generated transactions worth 4.3 billion RM (US$1.02 billion).Under the theme “Pinnacle of Halal Excellence,” MIHAS 2025 spotlights innovation and sustainability as linchpin of the sector’s growth, adaptability, and competitiveness. The showcase features 14 categories, including food, beverages, Halal ingredients, fashion, media, entertainment, e-commerce, finance, cosmetics, and tourism, with over 2,300 booths from 45 countries. — VNS

Việt Nam considers Halal development an important pathway to drive new growth momentum, said Deputy Prime Minister Trần Hồng Hà.

Deputy PM eyes Halal industry growth at Malaysia’s global summit 2025

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image image-style-align-center"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2025/9/18/448700_5265835614620601_LKT03003-scaled.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Inside a factory of Faslink, a firm committed to sustainable fashion for over 15 years. Photo courtesy of the company</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>Rising environmental awareness has led to increased consumer interest in eco-friendly products, but green businesses continue to struggle with high production costs, making it difficult to compete on price and scale up within the local market.Over the past few years, a growing number of companies have ventured into the green economy, producing sustainable goods ranging from biodegradable packaging to organic foods and eco-friendly fashion.Despite the positive shift, experts say that these products remain significantly more expensive than conventional alternatives, creating a price gap that many Vietnamese consumers are unable or unwilling to bridge.A typical example is the Hà Nội-based Sông Hồng agricultural cooperative which produces drinking straws made from vegetables. The product is environmentally friendly and designed to protect both consumer and farmer health.Despite meeting green standards, the cooperative exports primarily to developed markets such as Germany, the UK, Japan and South Korea. In contrast, high price sensitivity continues to limit demand in the domestic market.Each year, Việt Nam consumes an estimated 5.3 billion plastic straws, roughly 50 times the country's population. Even if just 1-2 per cent of these are improperly disposed of, the environmental consequences could be severe.Yet, despite the urgent need for alternatives, eco-friendly options remain out of reach for most consumers due to high production costs, making it difficult for green products to gain traction locally, experts said.The pricing challenge extends beyond straws. Fuwa Biotech, a company producing dishwashing liquid from biological enzymes derived from pineapple peels in Thanh Hóa Province, also struggles to compete in the domestic market.Although the product boasts environmentally friendly technology and chemical-free safety, a 3.8-litre bottle sells for around VNĐ335,000 (US$13), two to three times the price of conventional dishwashing liquids of the same volume.Võ Văn Luật of Fuwa Biotech said high prices remained the biggest barrier to expanding their consumer base.Speaking to saigontimes.vn, Luật emphasised the need for more public forums and seminars to raise awareness about green products and promote sustainable consumption so that eco-friendly businesses can develop sustainably.In the fashion industry, Faslink, a HCM City-based company committed to sustainable fashion for over 15 years, is also encountering difficulties with pricing its eco-friendly products.According to Nguyễn Bích Diền, the company's deputy general director, many consumers remain hesitant to purchase products made from recycled or eco-friendly materials, as these typically cost more than conventional fabrics like polyester or cotton.She said that the company recently introduced a new type of fabric made of pineapple leaf fibres, but high research, development and production costs made it difficult to offer more affordable prices.Phạm Minh Hương, director of Sustainability &amp; Climate Change Advisory Services at Deloitte Việt Nam, cited survey results indicating that while up to 50 per cent of consumers express interest in green products, fewer than 30 per cent are actually willing to pay more for them."This clearly highlights the significant gap between awareness and actual consumer behaviour when it comes to green consumption," Hương told saigontimes.vn.<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image image-style-align-center"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2025/9/18/448697_5265832915138853_fuwa-su-kien-1.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Fuwa Biotech's dishwashing liquid with biological enzymes derived from pineapple peels. Photo courtesy of the company</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>Challenges in investment costsIn an effort to promote the use of environmentally friendly products, businesses are urged to reduce production costs with a goal to make green goods more affordable and accessible to the average consumer.According to industry insiders, this task is far from easy. Initial investment costs for green manufacturing are often substantial, processes must meet strict environmental standards, and high-quality raw materials are essential. These factors make many companies hesitant to scale up production or commit to large investments.Echoing this opinion, Tạ Đình Thi, vice chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on Science, Technology and Environment, said high initial costs, stringent production processes, and the need for clean raw materials remained significant obstacles for businesses, despite existing support policies.As a result, many companies were hesitant to scale up their green initiatives, limiting their efforts to small-scale experiments due to concerns over profitability and market competition, Thi said during a recent forum in Hà Nội.Meanwhile, Diền from Faslink highlighted the challenges of researching and commercialising innovative recycled materials. She pointed out that many promising ideas, such as producing fabric from banana plant stems or composting mushrooms, remained confined to laboratories or small-scale production due to a lack of suitable technology and collaboration within the green supply chain.While scientists in this field were making excellent progress, bringing these products to market and scaling up production still faced significant obstacles, Diền noted.Recycling materials, particularly plastic, continues to face significant challenges due to higher costs. Recycled plastic is approximately 20-30 per cent more expensive than virgin plastic, primarily because of collection, processing expenses and outdated technology.At Duy Tan Recycling, a company specialising in plastic waste collection and recycling, the cost of recycled plastic is about 30 per cent higher than new plastic, mainly due to high costs in collection, sorting, and processing.To help lower these costs, it would be important to raise consumer awareness about waste classification at the source, said Lê Viết Đông Hiếu, head of the company’s Sustainable Development Department.Cleaner and more uniform raw materials would reduce processing expenses, ultimately helping to decrease the final product cost, he told the online newspaper.Looking ahead, technology innovation is seen as the key to reducing the costs of green products. Experts stress that enterprises must develop affordable technologies suited to their financial capabilities and scale, while expanding access to green technologies.However, small and medium-sized enterprises face significant challenges in securing state support and resources. They call for targeted policies, from financial incentives to public awareness campaigns, that specifically assist small- and medium-sized enterprises in transitioning to environmentally friendly production. VNS

Over the past few years, a growing number of companies have ventured into the green economy, producing sustainable goods ranging from biodegradable packaging to organic foods and eco-friendly fashion.

Green businesses squeezed between costs and consumer budgets

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image image-style-align-center"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2025/9/12/449626_wood.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>A forum titled “Ensuring Timber Legality for Sustainable Forestry Development in Việt Nam” is held on&nbsp;September 11-12 in HCM City.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>By Tố NhưHCM CITY — Việt Nam is reaffirming its commitment to sustainable forestry and the legal timber trade as it strengthens national and international frameworks to ensure the legality of its wood products.On September 11–12, the Department of Forestry and Forest Protection under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, in collaboration with the German Development Agency (GIZ), hosted a pivotal forum titled 'Ensuring Timber Legality for Sustainable Forestry Development in Việt Nam.'The forum brought together key stakeholders from government agencies, industry associations, businesses, local communities and international partners.It marked a significant step in Việt Nam's journey to integrate more deeply into the global timber market while promoting transparency and sustainability across its supply chains.&nbsp;<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image image-style-align-center"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2025/9/12/449627_bao.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Director General Trần Quang Bảo speaks at the forum.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>&nbsp;“This forum provides an important opportunity for government agencies, businesses, timber associations, social organisations, local communities and international partners to exchange views, share experiences and propose solutions to ensure the legality of timber in Việt Nam,”&nbsp;said Director General Trần Quang Bảo.“We especially appreciate the support of the German people and Government through the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in implementing the Voluntary Partnership Agreement on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (VPA FLEGT) – a strong example of multistakeholder cooperation and our shared commitment to building a timber industry that is legal, transparent, sustainable and responsible.”Signed in 2018, the VPA/FLEGT&nbsp;between Việt Nam and the European Union (EU) laid the foundation for the Vietnam Timber Legality Assurance System (VNTLAS). This system aims to enable Việt Nam to issue FLEGT licences – effectively a 'green passport'&nbsp;for direct access to the EU market.Deputy Director Nguyễn Hữu Thiện emphasised that one of the major challenges facing the industry is the lack of robust digital tools for tracing timber origins, particularly with imported wood. Despite Việt Nam’s classification mechanisms by country and region, traceability remains an issue due to limited oversight of documentation from foreign exporters.To address this, Việt Nam aims to enhance bilateral cooperation with supplier countries and strengthen digital traceability systems across the supply chain – a move seen as essential for achieving legal timber transparency.<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Jens Schmid-Kreye, German embassy first secretary,&nbsp;speaks&nbsp;at the forum.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>“As Việt Nam and Germany celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations in 2025, this forum also reflects our strong partnership in sustainable development," said German embassy&nbsp;first secretary Jens Schmid-Kreye."Germany is proud to support Việt Nam in strengthening timber legality and sustainable forestry through our joint technical cooperation to develop enabling policy frameworks, capacity development and knowledge transfer, and the development of practical digital tools."He noted that forestry is a priority in the Germany–Việt Nam bilateral cooperation portfolio, which includes nearly 100 million euros&nbsp;in joint investments focused on forest management, protection and sustainable timber value chains. A new financial cooperation project is underway to support the implementation of the VPA/FLEGT, building on the achievements of the current technical cooperation programme.First Counsellor at the EU Delegation to Việt Nam Cyril Loisel&nbsp;said the EU and Việt Nam share a strong cooperative relationship, particularly in trade, highlighted by the Free Trade Agreement that entered into force in 2020.A key part of this partnership is our joint commitment to ensuring the timber and timber products we trade are legal and sustainable. This is based on the&nbsp;VPA FLEGT entering into force one year earlier in June 2019.“Since June 2019, significant work has been done to achieve an operational Vietnam Timber Legality Assurance System," said Loisel. "This system, with all its elements, is crucial for a future FLEGT licensing scheme, which will ensure that only legal, verified products from Việt Nam enter the EU market.”Vice President and General Secretary of the Handicraft and Wood Industry Association of Ho Chi Minh City (HAWA) Nguyễn Hoài Bảo&nbsp;noted that increasing global regulations offer opportunities rather than just obstacles.“Certified products – whether FSC, PEFC or FLEGT – offer a distinct competitive edge. We view compliance as both a responsibility and a business advantage,” he said.Since 2020, HAWA has signed commitments on sustainable development and responsibility, requiring members to use only legal wood. Leading enterprises such as Scansia Pacific, Woodsland and Tavico are actively partnering with forest farmers to secure certified timber supplies.“We maintain complete documentation to assure clients of our timber’s legality. It’s about more than compliance — it’s about building trust,” said Deputy General Director of Moc Phat Service-Trading&nbsp;JSC Phạm Duy Doanh.According to the Department of Forestry and Forest Protection, Việt Nam’s forestry production has seen an average annual growth rate of 4.7 per cent. In 2024, wood and forest product exports reached US$17.3 billion, accounting for 30 per cent of Việt Nam’s total agricultural exports and generating a trade surplus of $14.6 billion.Việt Nam’s wood industry includes 6,200 processing and exporting enterprises, 300 craft villages and 16,000 household-scale workshops.Annually, the country produces about 31 million cubic metres of wood, with planted forests contributing 23.2 million cubic metres – covering 75 per cent of domestic processing needs. Vietnamese wood products are now exported to nearly 150 countries, positioning Việt Nam as the world’s second-largest furniture exporter, behind only China.By 2030, Việt Nam aims to reach $23–25 billion in wood product export turnover, with 80 per cent of raw material demand met by domestic sources. Achieving this will require continued legal reforms, increased digitalisation and strengthened international cooperation. — VNS

Việt Nam is reaffirming its commitment to sustainable forestry and legal timber trade as it strengthens national and international frameworks to ensure the legality of its wood products. On September 11-12, the Department of Forestry and Forest Protection under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, in collaboration with the German Development Agency, hosted a pivotal forum titled “Ensuring Timber Legality for Sustainable Forestry Development in Việt Nam.”

Việt Nam logs progress in timber legality and sustainability

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image image-style-align-center"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2025/9/12/446433_HCMC.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>A view of HCM City. The city’s real estate market is showing clear signs of recovery. —VNA/VNS Photo</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>HCM CITY — The HCM City property market is showing clear signs of recovery, with growing interest and rising prices, according to property technology platform Batdongsan.com.vn.Searches on the platform for property for sale in pre-merger HCM City increased by 11 per cent in July from June alongside a slight increase in listings for sale.Buying interest was highest in apartments and private houses with increases of 13 per cent and 11 per cent.In the rental segment, office space and apartments saw the strongest growth, rising by 24 per cent and 22 per cent in July.Other segments like boarding houses, townhouses, warehouses, and private homes saw increases of 6–17 per cent.Batdongsan.com.vn reported that interest in property for sale and lease nationwide rose by 13 per cent and 15 per cent month-on-month in July.Interest was up in most locations.Hà Nội and former HCM City both saw an 11 per cent increase, while in new HCM City – part of the former Bình Dương and Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu provinces - it was 13 per cent, signaling strong post-merger momentum.The city’s expansion through its merger with Bình Dương and Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu helps address land supply constraints and paves the way for more affordable housing.<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image image-style-align-center"><img src="https://image.vietnamnews.vn/uploadvnnews/Article/2025/9/12/446339_bds.jpg" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td>Apartments and private houses attracted the most interest in pre-merger HCM City. —Source batdongsan.com.vn</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>In other provinces, interest rose by an average of 15 per cent from June.Experts attributed the nationwide surge in July partly to developers accelerating sales campaigns to secure deals before the advent of “Ghost Month” (the seventh lunar month).Besides, many infrastructure projects were completed or started to mark the 80th National Day, boosting interest in surrounding areas.Nationwide, property prices have continued their two-year upward march in most segments, with the strongest being in land, up 44 per cent from the first quarter of 2024, and apartments, up 42 per cent.In the rental segment, nearly all property types garnered more attention in July, with the increases ranging from 9 to 21 per cent.According to the General Statistics Office and Batdongsan.com.vn data, real estate is attracting a lot of foreign capital.In the first half of the year, FDI in the sector topped US$4.8 billion, 2.4 times the amount invested in the same period in 2024.Lending for real estate by banks grew by 20–30 per cent, nearly three times the overall credit growth rate.Đinh Minh Tuấn, southern regional director of Batdongsan.com.vn, said the market recovery reflects the combined effects of macro and micro factors.Interest in apartments, land lots and townhouses rose 10–15 per cent, indicating a resumption of capital flows and more positive investor sentiment.The high-end segment saw strong liquidity, accounting for a large share of transactions.New supply has improved considerably after a prolonged shortage.Tuấn added that infrastructure and policy drivers are laying the groundwork for sustainable growth.Accelerated public investment and the implementation of key projects such as Ring Road 3 and the high-speed railway, and rising FDI inflows are boosting confidence among both domestic and foreign investors, he said.“The market is entering a phase of selective recovery, where areas with good infrastructure connectivity and projects with clear legal standing will be the focal points for attracting capital.“This is the foundation for the city to not only achieve short-term growth but also prepare for a more sustainable development cycle in the coming years.” — VNS

The HCM City property market is showing clear signs of recovery, with growing interest and rising prices, according to property technology platform Batdongsan.com.vn.

Apartments, private houses lead HCM City real estate market on to recovery path

News

Datashare provides information, insights and technology that drive innovation and performance in many fields. We always put the prestige at top. When your actions are in line with your values, you build trust. Our promises to our clients, staff, and community are the backbone of who we are. Our heritage of integrity enables our customers to make critical decisions with confidence while our best-in-class data and cutting-edge technologies enable greater opportunity.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://api.datashare.vn/images/c4ca4238a0b923820dcc509a6f75849b(6)_20241125012924.jpg"></figure> Overview Datashare provides information, insights and technology that drive innovation and performance in many fields. We always put the prestige at top. When your actions are in line with your values, you build trust. Our promises to our clients, staff, and community are the backbone of who we are. Our heritage of integrity enables our customers to make critical decisions with confidence while our best-in-class data and cutting-edge technologies enable greater opportunity.&nbsp; People People are the reason for everything we do; technology exists to serve people and improve how we live, work and interact. We push our teams to think big, and collaborate in new ways, in order to create innovative products that revolutionize how business is done.&nbsp; Quality From user-experience to architecture to deployment, quality is the foundation on which success is built. Datashare is committed to bringing veritable values of the service, satisfying the the needs of our customers by: lowest cost; the most professional support tools; always enthusiastic and dedicated to caring and answering all customers' questions; Constantly improve the quality of services to ensure the highest demand from customers. Social Responsibility We have a responsibility to raise up the community and the world that we belong to. Our partners Whether you’re an established business or an ambitious start-up, we’ll open up access to a choice of data, technology, and expertise to help you grow. As a partner, you’ll be able to innovate at speed, co-creating ideas to tackle your customers’ most pressing challenges. You’ll gain access to our global customer base, plus a suite of tools to grow your business with. You’ll be able to capitalize on our global reach. Our partners cover sectors including communication, investment management, trading, banking, corporate treasury, market data and technology. Partnering gives customers more choice of content, more innovative technology, and even greater value. <a href="https://api.datashare.vn/document/DATASHARE%20DA%20FIX_20250310035817.pdf">Corporate capability statement</a>

Datashare provides information, insights and technology that drive innovation and performance in many fields. We always put the prestige at top. When your actions are in line with your values, you build trust. Our promises to our clients, staff, and community are the backbone of who we are. Our heritage of integrity enables our customers to make critical decisions with confidence while our best-in-class data and cutting-edge technologies enable greater opportunity.&nbsp;

About

<figure class="image"><img src="https://api.datashare.vn/images/a903282e86f1f935e0fa2893dd013611_20241031072154.jpg"></figure>Datashare approach your corporate data as the raw material from which we generate a structured picture of your business to clearly see its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.With years of experience and professionals,&nbsp;we have been providing a full range of big data services: consulting, implementation, support and managed analytics, to allow companies to get valuable insights out of their big data, analyze interconnected problems and find their root causes, as well as build reliable predictions.

Big data

<figure class="image"><img src="https://api.datashare.vn/images/78805a221a988e79ef3f42d7c5bfd418_20241031072250.jpg"></figure>As a responsible IT security services provider, Datashare offers a complete range of cybersecurity solutions: from analysis of security issues to development of information security management systems, from cyber security monitoring to the implementation of real-time security intelligence, and support of complex information security systems.We provide all-around protection of sensitive data, optimize risk management programs, and ensure business continuity for large enterprises.

Information security

Work

<figure class="image"><img src="https://api.datashare.vn/images/5a29d92ee93a35cacf2fdd740d25863c_20241031072605.jpg"></figure>Everyone of our customers has specific needs. We offer different approaches to data analysis services delivery – consulting, implementation, maintenance and support, as well as outsourced data analysis.Datashare’s team is always ready to deliver an analytical solution that suits your needs, as well as answers any analytical question:<ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Operational data analysis</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Sales data analysis</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Marketing data analysis</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Financial data analysis</li><li style="text-align:justify;">HR data analysis</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Performance data analysis</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Customer data analysis</li></ul>

Data analytics services

<figure class="image"><img src="https://api.datashare.vn/images/281d408aa101e2ea7570e6167e45152a_20241031072644.jpg"></figure>We understand that a business cannot get reliable reporting based on high-quality data unless it has a well-tuned data management process. To help companies organize this vital process correctly, we offer services that range from consulting to implementation.Benefits of using data management services of Datashare:<ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Reduce staffing costs and database management costs.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Response the needs of expanding and improving the database solution.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Support and monitor database system 24/7.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Help businesses deploy workflows and processes more effectively.</li></ul>

Database management services

<figure class="image"><img src="https://api.datashare.vn/images/3f9ddefd9cab7376acc4a9a797ab5c4d_20241031072750.jpg"></figure>There are technological inventions that change the world; nonetheless, their ultimate purpose is to serve humans and their societies. Our utmost wish is to train you to become experts in IT with great background knowledge to bring the true values of technology to community, exploring the unfathomable horizons of the technological world.Our dynamic IT management team has the necessary skills and automated tools to help manage your IT system effectively. This team will help you minimize incidents, improve the reliability, performance and resilience of important IT systems in the enterprise. We also provide multi-layer security solutions to protect your data from security threats reducing the risk of loss or disclosure of sensitive information.

Information Technology

&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://api.datashare.vn/images/c4ca4238a0b923820dcc509a6f75849b_20241031072855.png"></figure>Website management entails a number of different services that are combined together so you don't have to worry about running your brand's website.&nbsp;Essentially, when you contract out to Datashare to manage your website, we do all of the website related work. All you need to do is tell us what you need.&nbsp;We will keep your website updated and well-maintained. You’ll get regular backups and reports. Content development and design updates ensure that your site stays fresh and focused while online marketing strategies ensure that customers discover your business online.Here’s a look at some of the tasks that can be performed as part of your website management services:<ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Site maintenance: Keep your website secure and running smoothly (Backups; Software updates; Website performance reports; Monitor domain registration and hosting; Troubleshooting).</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Design and build: Stay relevant with a fresh, flexible website design (Website design and development; Wordpress theme customization; Features and functionality that cater to your clientele; Website reviews).</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Content and marketing: Bring customers to your business and keep them there (Content development and procurement; Online marketing: seo, social media, newsletters, and more; Set up and manage revenue streams).</li></ul>