Vietnamese-Australia chef named Vietnam Airlines’ food ambassador

 Vietnamese-Australian celebrity chef Luke Nguyen will join hands with the national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines to bring Vietnamese cuisine to the world under an agreement inked between the two sides in Canberra, Australia on March 14.

Fashion week celebrates 45 years of Vietnam-Italy diplomatic ties

 The Vietnam-Italy Autumn-Winter Fashion Week will take place in Hanoi from March 14-19 as part of activities to mark 45 years of the diplomatic ties between the two countries, designer Minh Hanh, member of the organising board, said on March 14.

2017 Fair Play Award winners announced

 Striker Nguyen Van Toan of Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC won the 2017 Fair Play Award at an annual event organised by Ho Chi Minh City Law newspaper in HCM City on March 14.

Gov’t Inspectorate proposes investigation into Mobifone’s purchase of AVG

The Government Inspectorate has announced conclusion of its inspection of the acquisition of AVG by State-owned communications giant Mobifone, and proposed starting legal proceedings and investigation into the case.

HCM City to speed up rehabilitation of old buildings

 VietNamNet Bridge – Slow disbursement of fund has affected the renovation of dilapidated apartments in HCM City, according to authorities.

Ho Chi Minh City looks to develop sea-based economy

 As the country’s largest economic hub, Ho Chi Minh City plans to enhance its sea-based economy as part of its strategy to develop the city.

Defence Minister welcomes Cambodia’s interior ministry official

 Vietnam and Cambodia should promote collaboration in delegation exchange, and training, thereby tightening sound solidarity, neighbourliness, traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

AFC Cup: Song Lam Nghe An lose first game

 Song Lam Nghe An suffered their first setback in this season’s Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup on March 14 after losing to Persija Jakarta 1-0.

Retrial opens on $7.4m property fraud

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Ha Noi People’s Court on Wednesday reopened the trial of three men involved in a large-scale property fraud with as many as 146 victims.

Modest level of research: weakness of Vietnam’s universities

Despite the sharp increase in the numbers of professors and associate professors, and lecturers with master degrees and doctorates, no Vietnamese university is included in international university rankings. 

Did Ministry intervene unnecessarily in telcos’ operations?

The Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC) has told Vietnamobile, a mobile network operator, to stop providing its Thanh Sim service package, which has been described as ‘super cheap’.

Agriculture Ministry urges use of organic fertilizer to ‘clean’ land

VietNamNet Bridge - Scientists warn that the overuse of inorganic fertilizers will bring long-term consequences like land degradation, pollution and high toxic residue in agricultural products.

Grand welcome ceremony for PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc in Australia

A grand welcome ceremony was held with cannon salute for Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, his spouse and the high-level delegation of Vietnam at the Parliament House on Capitol Hill, Canberra, Australia on March 15.

Bo lui – a Thot Not speciality not to be missed

 VietNamNet Bridge – If you ask a Thot Not District local about their food specialities, most of them will tell you that you must try bo lui (beef skewers) at Tu Huong Restaurant.

Co To Island awaits beach lovers to explore

A trip to Quang Ninh will be more richly rewarding if visitors take the chance to drop by Co To Island, also in the province.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 15/3

 Lotte Card wholly acquires Techcom Finance, 70 Hong Kong businesses seeking trade ties in Vietnam, Japan bank mulls PetroVietnam plan, Cement consumption on the rise, Vietnam's cold supply chain in poor shape

Pundits unruffled by slashed US tax

 The massive reduction in corporate income tax in the US may not have as strong an impact on the country’s ability to attract FDI as previously thought, thanks in part to Vietnam’s improving business climate improvements.

Vietnam trusts new CPTPP trade agreement

The newly inked Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is expected to greatly help its member countries, especially  in the context of the spread of protectionism.

Rounding out a legal framework for vacation properties

 The development of vacation properties has given rise to a number of issues, including a legal framework needed for the condotel and hometel segments to rectify uncertainties in earnings commitments. 

Annual wrestling festival in Mai Dong Village

 On the occasion of the Lunar New Year, villagers hold a wrestling festival in front of the Nghe communal house in Mai Dong village (now in Mai Dong Ward, Hoang Mai District, Hanoi) from the fourth to the seventh day of the first lunar month.

Dan bau instrument: Vietnamese national treasure

 VietNamNet Bridge – Overseas Vietnamese musician Pham Duc Thanh has performed in a concert at the Ha Noi Opera House. The concert was a rare event held to honour the dan bau (monochord), a unique Vietnamese instrument.

Vietnamese spend more on imported beef

 Vietnamese people spent up to a total USD15 million to import beef from Australia and the US in the first two months of this year, according to the General Department of Customs.

Is our corruption glass half full or half empty?

 VietNamNet Bridge – Given their frequency, we should not be surprised, but we continue to be shocked each time an instance of corruption in high places comes to light.

Social News 14/3

 Russian citizens in Nha Trang city vote in Presidential election, Community to raise ideas for ‘smart city’, Nearly 8,000 people ready to run for peace, 13 projects win 1st prize in national science and technology contest

HCMC tops Vietnam E-commerce Index 2018

 Ho Chi Minh City again leads the country in e-commerce, according to the Vietnam E-commerce Association (VECOM)’s Vietnam E-commerce Index 2018, released at the Vietnam Online Business Forum 2018 on March 14 in Hanoi.