residents cry foul over service fees

Residents cry foul over service fees

Homeowners at the newly developed Ciputra International City have protested over the service charges that the developers of the biggest foreign-invested housing project in Hanoi intend to impose.
luxury villas to provide hideaway from hanoi life

Luxury villas to provide hideaway from Hanoi life

A local developer plans to build an enormous French-designed luxury villa complex in northern Vinh Phuc province, aiming to promote ecological accommodation and weekend retreats from Hanoi.
legal woes handcuff rusalka

Legal woes handcuff Rusalka

The recent arrest of Rus-Invest-Tur Corporation chairman Nguyen Duc Chi on fraud charges leaves his resort project, the Rusalka Golf Resort and Ocean Spa, which is still under construction in Nha Trang, in dire straights. Ngoc Son takes a look at the fallout.
pm to jolt tardy power plants

PM to jolt tardy power plants

The prime minister is sparking action to ensure work on Vietnam’s new power plants proceeds as quickly as possible, in light of the spate of electrical blackouts that swept through the north of the country during May and the expected surge in demand for energy over the next two years.
schmidt to move into housing

Schmidt to move into housing

German medical equipment trader Schmidt Group won approval to alter its licence for a real estate development in Hanoi, a move the firm said would help it revive the long-stalled project.
viet kieu may receive more housing rights

Viet Kieu may receive more housing rights

A draft law submitted to the NA for approval gives Viet Kieu and foreigners the right to purchase or develop housing in Vietnam. However, Ngoc Son reports that the Legal Commission is still divided on the issue.
southern city to see first officetel

Southern city to see first officetel

Property developer Bitexcoland has unveiled plans to construct the first officetel building in Ho Chi Minh City to meet growing demand for combined luxury working and living space.
budget hanoi to bangkok airfares about to take off

Budget Hanoi to Bangkok airfares about to take-off

Budget carrier Thai AirAsia is seeking a licence to begin flights between Hanoi and Bangkok next month.Sources from Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam revealed that the budget airline hopes to start flights between the two capital cities on June 15. The airline plans to offer seven flights a week between the two cities, but the company has yet to reveal ticket prices.
na gathers to ignite wto bid

NA gathers to ignite WTO bid

The National Assembly (NA) convened its summer meeting last week to focus on making laws to facilitate the country’s accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and consider measures to boost economic growth.
government digs up widespread land graft

Government digs up widespread land graft

The government’s crack down on land-related corruption by lower-level officials across the country is uncovering just how endemic this form of graft is in Vietnam.
tourism park raises ire of local officials

Tourism park raises ire of local officials

A coastal tourism park under construction in the central province of Thanh Hoa has become embroiled in controversy after local cultural officials claimed the project has damaged the environment and infringed on nearby historic sites.
walking a fine line with old housing

Walking a fine line with old housing

Although new high-rise apartment buildings are springing up across the country every day, many Hanoi residents are stuck in dilapidated housing blocks built decades ago. Urban planners in the capital city are working on ways to redevelop these old compounds to improve living conditions, but this has not been an easy task, reports Ngoc Son.
office space in short supply in major hubs

Office space in short supply in major hubs

The cost for office space will continue to rise this year, while apartment sales should continue to be brisk, said property consultant CB Richard Ellis in a real estate forecast released last week.
ready to make a big splash

Ready to make a big splash

A string of resort-style hotels are planned along Vietnam’s central and southern coastline. But new resorts not only face regional competition from renowned hotspots in Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, but also from established counterparts in Vietnam. As the developers queue Ngoc Son wonders if there is room for everyone?
hot property the fight for second city offices

Hot property: the fight for second city offices

Office landlords are enjoying the highest rents in five years in Ho Chi Minh City’s downtown districts.But, a lack of new premium office buildings on the horizon over the last few years means the situation for prospective tenants is not set to change overnight.