PRESS DIGEST - Vietnam newspapers - July 3

HANOI, July 3 (Reuters) - These are some of the leading stories in the official Vietnamese press on Thursday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

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FINANCIAL NEWS:

VIETNAM NEWS

-- Standard Chartered (STAN.L) opened a branch in Hanoi on Tuesday.

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TUOI TRE

-- Asia Commercial Bank ACB.HN said its deposits at June 30 surged 33 percent and loans jumped 30 percent from the end of 2007, 0.1 percent of which were bad. The bank's total assets stood at more than 100 trillion dong ($6.1 billion).

-- Many banks further raised interest rates on dong deposits. Partly private Dong A Bank offered 18.62 percent for the one-year term while Asia Commercial Bank raised more funds by lifting rates on short terms and giving bonus rates on large deposits.

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THANH NIEN

-- The State Bank of Vietnam has set up hotlines to receive public comments on the banking sector and reports on violations, such as those involving foreign exchange and interest rates.

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ECONOMIC AND GENERAL NEWS:

VIETNAM NEWS

-- Foreign tourist arrivals in Vietnam are expected to rise to 5 million people this year from 4.2 million last year.