Business

Microsoft said it would take a $6.2 billion writedown to reflect the slump in value of its online services division.

The eurozone debt crisis delivered more bad news with data showing record high unemployment of 11.1% and a manufacturing outlook at its lowest levels for three years.

Despite a decrease of 0.6 percent in June, the retail sales value of goods and services in the first half of the year surged 6.5 percent against the same period last year, said the General Statistics Office.

Visitors from overseas can now have the sum of the value added tax that they have paid on goods purchased in Vietnam refunded.

The latest increase in electricity prices from July 1 is putting additional burden on small businesses.

In 2011 banks lent out a total of USD124 billion to businesses, 10% of them now being considered bad debts, half of which are considered insolvent.

The SBV will lower bank interest rates by another 1% beginning on July 1.

A European Union embargo on Iranian oil went into effect, provoking anger in Tehran which says the measure will hurt talks with world powers over its sensitive nuclear activities.

Inflation has been tamed, macro-economy has stabilized and growth is moving up the slope, official statistics show.

Vietnam and Thailand have agreed to work towards signing of a mutual recognition agreement on control and supervision of quality and hygiene safety of aquatic products.

A judge granted Apple's request for an injunction blocking US sales of Samsung Galaxy Nexus smartphones to challenge the iPhone.

Some experts have objected to the 5% power price hike taking effect July 1 as they say it could lead to considerable burdens for consumers and the corporate sector.

World stock markets surged, the euro and oil prices jumped after a key EU summit delivered measures to fight the debt crisis.

Hanoi authorities are encountering troubles when trying to upgrade deteriorated traditional markets.

Leaders from the 17 countries sharing the euro sealed a dramatic deal to direct emergency measures at crisis-hit Italy and Spain and boost the embattled economy.

Export businesses must be better prepared to cope with the increasing number of anti-dumping and anti-subsidy lawsuits filed by export markets, experts have warned.

The State Bank of Vietnam has asked card issuers not to collect ATM transaction fees from their own customers this year.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development discussed on what should be done to assist catfish growers and exporters in Mekong Delta provinces.

The first International Exhibition of Construction Technology 2012 opened by the Ministry of Construction will run until June 29.