- Proposal to increase regional minimum wage by 6.5-7.3%

On the morning of December 20, the National Wage Council held its second meeting to discuss and approve the Government's recommendation plan on increasing the regional minimum wage in 2024. The Vietnam General Confederation of Labor proposed a plan to increase the regional minimum wage from July 1, 2024 with an increase of 6.5-7.3%. (See more)

- Domestic flights decrease, international flights increase

According to the aviation industry forecast, the demand for air passenger transport in 2024 is from 80 million passengers, of which domestic passengers are 38.3 million and international passengers are 41.7 million. Vietnamese airlines are estimated to transport 58 million passengers (equivalent to 2023); of which, domestic passengers are 38.5 million (down 10.5% compared to 2023), international passengers are 19.5 million (up 30% compared to 2023) (according to Nguoi Lao Dong).

- Nearly 86,000 billion VND flowed into the market through credit channels in just 13 days

According to the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), as of December 13, credit in the entire economy increased by 9.87% compared to the end of 2022. Previously, according to the SBV's data as of November 31, credit growth in the entire market reached 9.15%. Thus, in just the first 13 days of December, credit increased by 0.72 percentage points, equivalent to nearly VND 86,000 billion pumped into the economy by credit institutions through the lending channel (according to Zing).

- Ministry of Construction divests state capital from many corporations but still holds capital at Vicem

Of the 6 affiliated corporations, the Ministry of Construction plans to divest all state capital in 4 corporations: Viglacera, Song Hong, Coma, Lilama, divest over 50% of capital in HUD, transfer Hancorp to SCIC and maintain 100% of state capital in Vicem. The information was given by the Ministry of Construction in a report on the implementation of the Project on restructuring state-owned enterprises, of which the Ministry of Construction is the owner representative, recently sent to the Ministry of Finance (according to Tuoi Tre).

- EVNSPC appoints 2 Deputy General Directors

Mr. Bui Quoc Hoan, Deputy Head of EVN Business Department and Mr. Hua Thanh Nhan, Director of Kien Giang Power Company, have just been appointed to the position of Deputy General Director of Southern Power Corporation (EVNSPC) (according to Thanh Nien).

- Mr. Le Duy Minh was arrested: Petroleum enterprises owe thousands of billions in taxes, Tax Department acts abnormally

On December 19, Mr. Le Duy Minh, former Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Tax Department (now Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Finance) was arrested for investigation of the crime of Receiving bribes. According to the investigation, from 2020 to July 2022, Xuyen Viet Oil was still able to pay taxes, but the Ho Chi Minh City Tax Department did not resolutely request the Company to fulfill its obligations to the state budget, but only applied urging and enforcement measures after the Company incurred a large amount of tax debt. (See more)

- The Ministry of Construction is about to inspect a series of projects of EVN, Handico...

In 2024, the Ministry of Construction will inspect the construction investment activities of a number of projects invested by Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN), Hanoi Housing Development and Investment Corporation (Handico), etc. (See more)

- Many state-owned 'giants' make huge profits far exceeding their plans

Revenue in 2023 of 19 state-owned corporations and groups reached more than 1.1 million billion VND. Pre-tax profit reached more than 53,256 billion VND, equal to 166.09% of the plan and 110.92% compared to the same period in 2022. (See more)

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Oil and gas make a large contribution to the state budget. (Photo: PVEP).

- Worried about being overwhelmed when the wave of Chinese supporting industries lands in Vietnam

The Chairman of the Supporting Industry Association is concerned about the wave of Chinese enterprises entering Vietnam's supporting industry sector. Meanwhile, Vietnamese supporting industry enterprises are still weak and lacking in many aspects. (See more)

- Two securities companies were fined 360 million VND

For violations in the securities sector, Beta Securities Joint Stock Company and International Securities Joint Stock Company were fined VND 360 million. Beta Securities in December 2022 was also fined VND 125 million in the securities sector for violating regulations on providing consulting services (according to Nguoi Lao Dong).

- The sadness continues for the one-time 'catfish king'

The Hanoi Stock Exchange (HNX) has decided to continue to maintain the suspension of trading of HVG shares of Hung Vuong Corporation, chaired by Mr. Duong Ngoc Minh, on the UpCom floor from December 15, because HVG has not yet published its audited financial statements for 3 consecutive years. (See more)

- HAG shares just hit the floor, Bau Duc's daughter plans to spend more than ten billion to buy more

Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAG) shares hit the floor after a series of soaring days. The daughter of Mr. Duc Doan Hoang Anh registered to buy 1 million more shares to increase her ownership to 1.19%. (See more)

Oil prices on the international market continued to rise today, December 20, due to concerns about disruptions in global oil supplies due to tensions in the Red Sea. Brent crude oil prices have approached the $80/barrel mark.

World gold prices are forecast to enter a new period of increase. Domestic SJC gold bar prices increased wildly and reached a new peak of 75.7 million VND/tael. Domestic gold ring prices continued to increase sharply from yesterday, with some brands increasing by more than half a million VND/tael. Over two sessions, some brands increased by up to 800 thousand VND/tael. Some brands have surpassed the 63 million VND/tael mark.

The stock market on December 20 recorded the VN-Index increasing by 4.46 points to 1,100.76 points. Order matching liquidity on the HoSE floor was below VND10,000 billion.

The central exchange rate on December 20 was 23,938 VND/USD, up 24 VND compared to the previous session. The USD price at commercial banks today decreased slightly, closing the session listed at 24,140-24,510 VND/USD (buy - sell). The world USD price increased.

Bank interest rates on December 20 recorded two more banks adjusting their rates downward. However, one bank, despite having reduced its rates for the second time this month, still has high interest rates, among the top in the market.