Socio-Economic News:

- Viet Nam targets an export revenue of 8-9 billion USD by 2020 according to the Government’s Program of Sustainable Seafood Development for 2016 – 2020 (VnEconomy).

- As of 20^th September 2017, there have been 24.199 FDI projects registered in Vietnam with the total value of 310.19 billion USD. Disbursed capital was 167.35 billion USD, making up 54% of the total valid registered capital. In terms of investment, the processing and manufacturing industry continued to be the largest proportion with 183.5 billion USD, accounting for 59.1%. Real estate ranked second with 51.1 billion USD, accouting for 16.5%. Electricity and water distribution reached 17.8 billion USD, accouting for 5.7%. About 126 countries and territories are doing business in Viet Nam, among which Korea ranks first with total capital of 55.8 billion USD, accouting for 18% the total FDI. Japan ranks second with 46.1 billion USD, accouting for 14.8%, etc. (According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment).

- As of 15^th September 2017, Viet Nam’s total turnover reached 289.14 billion USD, increasing 21.4% from the same period last year. Particularly, export turnover reached more than 144.22 billion USD, rising 20.1% from the same period of 2016. Import turnover was 144.92 billion USD, increasing 22.7% from the same period of 2016. Among the total turnover, FDI sector accounted for 70.6% (according to Viet Nam Customs).

- Viet Nam’s total agro-forestry-fishery export reached nearly 27 billion USD, rising 14.1% from the same period in 2016, with main agricultural products gained 14.38 billion USD, rising 17.7%; fishery products was 5.91 billion USD, increasig 18.1% from the same period last year (according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development).

- In the first 9 months of 2017, Viet Nam received more than 9.44 million arrivals of tourists, surging 28.4% from the same period in 2016. The total number of arrivals in 2017 is expected to be 13 million (according to Viet Nam Tourism).

- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has maintained its growth forecast for Vietnam at 6.5% in 2017 and 6.7% in 2018 (in its latest report on developing economies in East Asia on 26^th September 2017).

- Viet Nam ranks first in the world’s “Spirit of Start-up”, ranks second out of 45 surveyed countries of Positive Attitude towards Start-ups (according to the survey of Amway Viet Nam presented at the “Start-up Forum 2017” held in Ho Chi Minh city on 26/9/2017).

- Viet Nam’s competitive index has been upgraded to the 55^th place, up 5 places as compared from last year and 20 places from 5 years ago (2012) (according to the WEF’s Global Competitive Index Report).

- Vietcombank was awarded as the Best Banking Brand in Viet Nam by Asia Money Magazine in Beijing, China on 26^th September 2017. The award was announced to honor famous brands in countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

/Cultural – Sport – Tourism News:

- Architect Hoang Thuc Hao was awared the Vassilis Sgoutas Prize by the 26^th International Union of Architects (UIA) held in Seoul, South Korea for creative constructions that improve the living conditions of the poors in rural and mountainous region in Viet Nam such as Sui Re Community House in Luong Son, Hoa Bình; Ta Phin Community House in Sa Pa, Lao Cai, etc. He is the first Vietnamese to receive the SIA-GETZ Architecture Prize for Emergent Architecture in Asia.

 - Viet Nam won a total of 161 medals, including 40 gold, 61 silver and 60 bronze medals, standing fourth in the medal tally at ASEAN Para Games 2017.

- Viet Nam won a total of 40 medals, including 13 gold, 08 silver and 19 bronze medals, ranking 9^th in the medal tally at the Asian Indoor Martial Sport Game AIMG-5.

 - Viet Nam was among top 10 of autume destination 2017 (according to National Geographic); Mu Cang Chai, Yen Bai Province of Viet Nam ranked reached the top 30 most beautiful destinations of the world (according to Harpes Bazaar Magazine).

 - Da Lat city of Viet Nam received the fourth “ASEAN Environmentally Sustainable City” award. Can Tho city was award potential ESC Certificate at the ASEAN Ministerial Environmental Conference in Brunei./.