Commune vice party secretary accused of using agricultural land for tourism

 A deputy secretary of Ia Rsai Commune Party Committee in Gia Lai Province has been accused of using agricultural land to build a tourism site.   

HCM City disabled man walks to Hanoi to register as organ donor

 A disabled young man from HCM City spent nearly 300 days on walking more than 2,000 kilometres to Hanoi to register for organ donation.

Workers escape slave-like condition at Quang Nam gold mine

 Eleven people who claim they were mistreated at a gold mine in the central province of Quang Nam have escaped, meanwhile, dozens of others continue to work at the mine.

Thang Long imperial city excavation reveals large structures

 An archaeological excavation at the Thang Long imperial city in 2017 has uncovered many traces of former buildings and other artefacts dating from the period of Chinese domination up to the Nguyen Dynasty.

‘Draft law on prevention of alcohol abuse impractical’

 Representatives of beverage producers and traders said at a workshop in Hanoi on Wednesday the draft law to limit the harmful effects of wine and beer was not feasible.

VTV Cab urged to follow consumer rights law

 Viet Nam Competition Authority, under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, has asked Vietnam Television Cable Corporation (VTV Cab) to provide complete and accurate information related to its products.

32 teams participate in Vovinam Championships

 The National Top Clubs Vovinam Championships began in the southern province of Dong Nai on April 18.

Da Nang leads the way in green energy

Mitsubishi Motors Vietnam has handed over four hybrid SUV models including the i-MIEV and Outlander plug-in hybrid electric vehicles as well as two quick chargers to the Central Power Corporation for operation in Da Nang.

VN struggles to meet int’l IP rules

 As international economic integration proceeds, Vietnamese firms will encounter many new business opportunities by gaining access to broader markets, but will also have to face many challenges.

SCIC may continue divestment in Vinaconex in 2018

 State-owned investment fund State Capital Investment Corporation (SCIC) may offload its stakes in Viet Nam Construction and Import-Export Joint Stock Corporation (Vinaconex) again this year after a failure in 2017.

Local banks’ shareholders get high dividend payouts

 After years of receiving low dividend payout rate by banks, shareholders of many banks are now happy with the high rates announced at this year’s annual general meetings (AGMs) of shareholders.

Strong domestic cement export growth, China’s production drops

 Viet Nam’s cement industry saw strong growth in cement exports in the first quarter of this year as many Chinese cement factories shut down due to pollution and power shortages.

Fruit exports chief concern for four northern provinces

 The northern provinces of Bac Giang, Hung Yen, Hai Duong and Son La have proposed boosting exports of litchi and longan to foreign markets, including China.

VN-Index drops 43.9 points due to selling pressure

 Panic and selling pressure embraced the whole stock market on April 19, pushing the VN-Index down to 1,094.63 points, a fall of 43.9 points as compared to the previous day.

The ancient Hien Town is alive with history

 VietNamNet Bridge – We left Hanoi, travelling along the right bank of the Hong (Red) River to visit historical relics in a special complex bearing remarks of the once famous area.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 20/4

, JLL: Hanoi apartment supply down in Q1, Winners of Vietnam Property Awards honoured, 2,000 female entrepreneurs to receive startup support, Enterprises ignore online-tourism, Office rent in HCMC mounts

Bamboo Airways faces pilot shortage, lack of infrastructure

VietNamNet Bridge - Bamboo Airways, the newly established airline, faces a lack of qualified workers and weak infrastructure, according to experts. 

Social News 20/4

Changes expected to expanded vaccination programme next June, National-scale art programme to mark establishment of Dai Co Viet dynasty, Railway passengers provided with more e-payment options

High-tech e-economy shaking up traditional modes of business

VietNamNet Bridge - Ngo Dong Giang from Hung Yen province and his younger brother spent last week looking for new jobs. They both were taxi drivers for Uber, which has sold its local business to Grab. 

The frightful punishments ‘invented’ by Vietnamese teachers

A third grader in Hai Phong was forced to drink water wrung from a board-cleaning cloth. Other students have been told to eat chilis or drink soapy water. 

Vietnam’s FDI attraction: which sectors to prioritise?

Vietnam has very good achievements in foreign direct investment attraction, however, it needs to change its strategy and orientation to focus on the necessary sectors to improve efficiency.

Vietnam urged to control ocean plastic waste

A survey found that plastic waste, including domestic land litter and marine waste, is polluting the marine environment.   

Vietnam, Myanmar look towards $1 bln in two-way trade

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and State Counselor of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi agreed to further deepen bilateral trade and investment on win-win basis towards achieving $1 billion or higher in two-way trade.

Indian investors keen on energy projects in Vietnam

Investment ties between Vietnam and India are expected to further develop in the months to come with energy as one of the focuses. 

Recruitment buoyant

 Vietnam's recruitment market was upbeat in 2017 and more of the same is expected this year.