Merger and acquisition (M&A) deals in Việt Nam's real estate sector are forecast to increase in 2018, driven by the market’s significant potential, experts said.

Việt Nam’s stock market is expected to rise further in the last week of 2017, boosted by positive macro economic development as well as support of foreign traders.

Contrary to pessimistic forecasts earlier in 2017, after a drop in 2016, the country’s rice exports had a successful year in 2017, with some higher-than-expected figures.

Việt Nam has remained an attractive destination for foreign investors in 2017 with total foreign direct investment (FDI) capital registered in the country hitting a record high of US$35.88 billion, up 44.4 per cent against last year.

Since an agriculture insurance pilot programme began in 2011, it has come to play an important role in farmers’ financial lives, but still has many shortcomings, said Hoàng Quang Phòng, vice president of the Việt Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) at a forum held in Hà Nội on Thursday.

Việt Nam’s foreign currency reserves are expected to reach US$47.5-48 billion by the end of this year thanks to the country’s stable macroeconomic conditions and strong influx.

The northern province of Quảng Ninh needs to call on investment in developing luxury tourism and real estate products to meet the high demand of tourists. The province is lacking in those products, according to experts.

Southern HCM City is becoming very popular with property developers thanks to the many infrastructure works planned for the area.

PetroVietnam Gas Joint Stock Corporation (PV Gas) has raised its full-year profit forecast by 18.4 per cent as oil has performed well and traded at higher than expected price levels.