In today’s news brief:

Editorial: Questions central bank moves to rebuild foreign exchange reserves despite high inflation.

Banking: Vingroup-linked loans reportedly approach 10 percent of Sacombank’s lending.

Property: Vinhomes seeks 32 percent investment increase for Hanoi sports complex to US$47.85 billion.

Energy: German-Chinese consortium wins US$170 million pumped-storage contract.

Finance: OCB plans US$760 million bond issuance.

Capital markets: Ho Chi Minh City International Financial Centre considers yen-denominated bond issuance.

Foreign investment: Japan commits US$275 million in loans for university and power projects.

Public health: Lifetime tobacco ban proposed for people born from 2010 onwards.

Banking regulation: Government orders penalties for banks that fail to reduce borrowing costs.

Monetary policy: Central bank to buy US dollars twice weekly to rebuild foreign exchange reserves.