- The number of newly established businesses in the first month of 2024 increased sharply.

According to data from the National Business Registration Portal ( Ministry of Planning and Investment ), in January 2024, the number of businesses entering and re-entering the market reached 27,335, an increase of 5.5% compared to the same period in 2023.

Specifically, the number of newly established businesses in January 2024 was 13,536, an increase of 24.8% compared to the same period in 2023. Notably, this was also the month with the highest number of businesses entering the market between 2018 and 2024 (according to VTV).

- China leads in new project investments in Vietnam.

According to data from the Foreign Investment Agency - Ministry of Planning and Investment, as of January 20th, total foreign direct investment (FDI) into Vietnam reached over US$2.3 billion, an increase of 40.2% compared to the same period in 2023.

In terms of the number of projects, China is the leading partner in the number of new investment projects (accounting for nearly 19%). South Korea leads in the number of capital adjustments (accounting for 26.7%) and equity investments (accounting for 25.3%) (according to Tien Phong newspaper).

- The General Department of Taxation proposes strengthening the management of electronic tax stamps for tobacco and alcohol.

On January 28th, the General Department of Taxation announced that it had sent a document to local tax departments regarding strengthening measures for managing electronic tax stamps on domestically produced cigarettes and alcohol.

According to the General Department of Taxation, after nearly two years of implementing Circular No. 23/2021/TT-BTC guiding the printing, issuance, management, and use of electronic tax stamps for alcohol and tobacco, tax management has achieved many important results. However, there are still some limitations in stamp management. This is evidenced by the fact that many products, especially handcrafted alcoholic beverages, are openly sold and consumed in the market without registration or the use of tax stamps (according to Lao Dong newspaper).

- Shark Hung and Thai Cong sell cured pork legs for 112 million VND/piece, causing price chaos in the market.

Social media is abuzz as Shark Hung and businessman Thai Cong are selling 'limited edition' Spanish cured ham legs for up to 112 million VND each.

In Vietnam, various types of cured pork legs are sold widely in online marketplaces and grocery stores. Prices range from 1.2 to 6.5 million VND per leg, depending on the type and weight. Each leg is packaged in a box with a wooden stand and a specialized knife for cutting the meat. This is also a popular gift choice during holidays and Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year). (See more)

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Shark Hung is sprinkling gold leaf onto a limited edition cured pork leg (Image taken from a video clip).

- Gold-plated dragon and orchid statues worth tens of millions of VND are in high demand during Tet (Lunar New Year).

Priced from a few million to tens of millions of dong, gold-plated dragon statues and gold-leafed orchid pots have appeared on the market for Tet gifts in the Year of the Dragon 2024, targeting customers who appreciate unique and unusual items.

A shop on Xa Dan Street ( Hanoi ) is displaying a collection of gold-plated dragons in various designs, with prices ranging from 4 to 60 million VND. The Tet market also features eye-catching 24K gold-plated orchid pots, priced from 9 to 35 million VND, depending on the pot. (See more)

Which bank offers the highest interest rate for demand deposits?

According to the State Bank of Vietnam's regulations, the maximum interest rate for demand deposits is 0.5% per year. However, not all banks apply this rate.

Notable examples include ABB, which is currently offering a non-term deposit interest rate of only 0.1%/year, HDBank at 0.4%/year, VietBank at 0.3%/year, etc. The group of state-owned commercial banks, including BIDV , VietinBank, and Vietcombank, which consistently maintain the lowest deposit interest rates in the market, are also offering non-term deposit interest rates at just 0.1%/year, so it's not surprising that they are also maintaining this level. (See more)

Gold prices on the world market today, January 28th, ended the week lower. Many experts predict that gold prices are likely to remain stable in the near future.