More luxury hotels have arisen in anticipation of a tourism boom, and their owners are spending big money to hire foreign managers.

The occupancy rates of office buildings located in advantageous positions are at a record high.

The government has decided to lift the standards for automobile emission standards, but motorcycles, which produce 80 percent of total emissions from motor vehicles, are still not under control.

The pilot survey of satisfaction of local people and organizations for the administrative reform work in Ho Chi Minh City in 2018 was reviewed at a conference held by the municipal chapter of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) on April 11.

VietNamNet Bridge - The buyers in recent big M&A deals in the real estate markets in Hanoi and HCMC were Vietnamese, not foreign investors, as seen previously.

Vietnam has experienced a year of exciting activities in real estate market with bustling transactions and additional stocks in major cities in 2018, Savills Vietnam has said in an overall view. 

The HCMC Center for Flood Control Program has proposed building seven anti-flood reservoirs with Japanese cross-wave technology, for total costs of VND475 billion. However, some experts doubt the reservoirs will help.

Despite instructions from management agencies, many schools in HCMC say they do not have a thorough understanding of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) education.

2018 continues to be a prosperous year for hotels, especially high-end ones, in HCM City. The average occupancy rate has been 80-90 percent, and the profit to revenue ratio at least 20 percent.

VietNamNet Bridge - HCMC has 67,000 more students this year compared with the 2017-2018 academic year, while the number of classrooms has increased insignificantly.

VietNamNet Bridge - Several years ago, hoteliers in Vietnam did not think Airbnb could be a threat to them. But that is no longer the case. 

VietNamNet Bridge - Scientists and physicians have released new reports about air pollution in HCMC, warning that air quality is worsening.

VietNamNet Bridge - The industry to manufacture devices for the future HCMC smart city has been taking shape over the last 12 months.

VietNamNet Bridge - Hanoi and HCMC each year between 2018 and 2020 will receive 110,000 new households, adding to the demand for houses and apartments.

More and more skyscrapers are appearing in major urban areas of Vietnam such as HCM City and Hanoi, as the race to build highrises is heating up as land is increasingly scarce.

Since 2008, the number of foreigners working in Vietnam has increased steadily by 8 percent per annum. With that, the market of serviced apartments for lease in large cities has attracted many investors.

HCMC is drafting a plan on attracting ‘people with special talents’, offering pay of VND20-30 million a month, which includes monthly salary and allowances.

As the number of students is increasing sharply, many schools in HCMC are refusing to accept day-boarding students. And in Hanoi, the number of students in many classes is double what is permitted.

VietNamNet Bridge - Foreign investors hold a stake in about 60 percent of 5-star hotels in Hanoi and HCMC, and are continuing to pour money into the profitable hotel sector.

The pollution of Dong Nai River has become serious since Vedan’s factory was found discharging untreated waste water into it and Sonadezi discharged dirty water into the Ba Cheo canal.