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Vietnam: good enough to start a business

Vietnam Business Forum opened today Dec 1 in Hanoi by WB, IFC in cooperation with Ministry of Planning and Investment of Vietnam. The forum discussed responses and challenges regarding business environment in Vietnam .

A Report on business environment sentiment survey 2008 was released showing opinions and perception about business environment in Vietnam from private business sector.

The survey was conducted by Secretariat of Vietnam Business Forum over 254 respondent enterprises, of which, 77% were domestic and 23% were foreign businesses in 3 major cities: Hanoi , Ho Chi Minh city and Can Tho city ( Mekong delta area).



The dim picture of global economy bring more negative appraisal from enterprises in Vietnam . "More respondents were pessimistic in ranking business environment in 2008: 30% rated 'poor', a rise from only 5.3% in 2007", said the survey.

A report from JBIC said, votes for Vietnam start to decline as " Vietnam stays unchanged in potential resources, but has a declining in attention to low cost labor force".

Raising labor cost is among top 5 issues found by JBIC: 1) Under development of infrastructure; 2) Difficulties in securing personnel in management level; 3) Rising labor costs; 4) Unclear operation of the legal system and 5) Difficulties in securing personnel in technique field.

FDI attraction in 2008 is mentioned as an optimistic signal for Vietnam business environment this year with almost USD 10 bln disbursed so far. Vietnam has plenty of encouraging factors to ensure its ability "to maintain both growth and stability in the face of significant concerns elsewhere in the world", said Mr. Alain Cany, Chairman of Eurocham.

There are over 150 representatives from foreign businesses and 100 from local businesses attending VBF with working groups discussing on Banking; Capital Markets; Infrastructure; Manufacturing and distribution; tourism; mining and Land issues./.

Vietnam may bring tourists back by road transfer

PAD strikes blocked Suvarhbhumi airport for the second day. Don Muang airport was also blocked this morning of Nov 27. Mr.

Khun Chaisak Angkasuwan, Director of Thai Airport Organisation said, the authority may think of moving their passengers to U-Tapao, a military air base, 140 Km from Bangkok city.

Among people are blockaded by strikes, there are also numerous of Vietnamese tourists stuck in Thailand now. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam assigned the Vietnamese Embassy in Bangkok to corporate with travel agents and Vietnam Airlines to support tourists who are facing difficulties now.

"If airlines are still blocked, we think of solutions to bring Vietnamese tourists by road transportation via Laos back to the country.", said spokesman of Vietnam.

He also expressed: "WE follow strictly to the current situation in Thailand and wish that the Thai government can solve the issue soonest. It is very important for Thai economic development, especially during this difficult period of the global economy".

The most important issue now is to keep the country in stability and to develop the nation. Vietnam has not giving message warning travelers not to process their trip to Thailand.

"For Vietnamese citizens, we think if the situation reach to a certain level, we will give warning message", stated spokesman of Vietnam.

Thousands of passengers could not process their flights from Vietnam to Bangkok. Nov 26 only, there are 29 flights from Hanoi and HCMC to Bangkok canceled as riot in Suvarnabhumi airport.

Airlines suffer loss from the airports blockage: Vietnam airlines; Thai Airways; Air Asia; Air France; Bangkok Airways...Airlines with connected flights in Bangkok: Gulf Air; Lufthansa; All Nippon Airways; United Airways./.

Met with Asian Heroine - Nguyen Thi Hue

She's more beautiful and lively than what shown in all pictures and articles about her. That's what I can tell as seeing the TIME MAGAZINE nominated ASIAN HEROINE in 2005.

It is 20 mins before the photo exhibition theme "Life's going on" by famous shooter Viet Thanh & his fellows, Hue standing smiley in front of her serial portraits as she working with HIV/AIDS effected fellows in Hai Phong.

"I feel anxious as the opening of the photos show", said happily after a trip from her home town in Hai Phong to Hanoi. "I am happy here today. I have the chance to compare myself with 3 years ago. Things are going on incredibly".

Heroine Nguyen Thi Hue now is working with an UN project to fight against HIV/AIDS. The project is 3 year term and the first one is finished, she is about to launch the second phase this December.

- You must be busy with social works, how's about family affairs?

- Everything is alright for me. My son now is in the second class. Huy, my son name, (Minh Hieu, original name) was born in a special conditions with HIV affected parents, he seems to know well his situation, and prove to be a very good one, independent and mature. I am happy that he now can take care of himself very well...

Vietnam condemns terror attack in Mumbai (Bombay), India

Vietnam strongly against the cruel terror attack in Mumbai, India last night killing innocent civil people.

In a statement made in Hanoi, Indian President Pratibha Devisingh Patil, on her official visit to Vietnam said that, terrorism is now the global risk, that calls for all nations to work together to fight with.

"I condemn in the strongest form the terrorist attacks Mumbai. This mindless attack is the work of those who have no regard for human lives, and are pursuing a path of destruction.

My heartfelt condolences to those who have been affected by this act of terror. 

Hostages are being held and I am informed that the authorities are dealing with the situation. I hope that this suffering comes to an end quickly and the perpetrators brought to book.", said the President./.

Vietnam: CPI - 0.76% in November

CPI of Ho Chi Minh city decreased 0.69% in Nov. For 11 months, HCMC CPI increases 18.58%. CPI in Hanoi increases 1.07%, for 11 months, increasing 23.74%. Due to the historical flood early this month, foodstuffs in Hanoi increases 4.8%.

IMG_1365.jpgGasoline price cut off by 21% between Oct and Nov has been a driving force to keep transportation fee not to increase. Picture: Boat at Bai Tu Long bay

In comparison with same period in 2007, CPI increased by 24.22%, and 23.25% compares to Nov 2007. Though the index still stays high, but by slightly decreasing by the end of the year is an remarkable effort.

Normally, by last quarter of the year, consumption rate is higher, pushing up the demand causing accumulated higher CPI until January or February of the next year, when Tet holidays finished.

Transportation service and construction materials among the baskets keeping CPI from soaring up.
The sustainable retail prices for oils and gasoline with consecutive cutting down since October is also a supportive force.

From Oct 8 to Nov 15, basic gasoline A 92 (favorite for vehicles in transportation service) decreases by 21.2% from VND 16,500 to VND 13,000 per liter.

Gold price index is - 5.4%, while USD price index increased by 2.1%. USD price was making a gap in free market between the second and third week of November.

At the peak point, USD selling in free market was at VND 17,300, while commercial banks remained VND 16.960 at average nominated price per USD./.