Nicole Kidman tells Cannes her rebel spirit pushes her to strange films

 For an A-list star who, as she says herself, does not have to work, Nicole Kidman has been pretty busy ahead of Cannes, appearing in three movies and a TV series screening at the film festival.

Hue bans high-rises in its garden houses’ territory

 VietNamNet Bridge – Hue City authorities have banned the construction of tall buildings near the city’s garden houses, considered an architectural legacy of the former imperial capital.

Extra classes deprive Vietnamese children of a real summer

Immediately after announcing information about summer classes early in May, the 218 Ly Tu Trong extra education centre in HCM City was packed with hundreds of parents queuing till early in morning to sign their children up.

At least 19 killed in suspected suicide attack at concert in British arena

 At least 19 people were killed and more than 50 wounded in an explosion at the end of a concert by U.S. singer Ariana Grande in the English city of Manchester on Monday, 

Italian rides Vespa from Rome to Saigon

Ever since the 133-year-old Italian scooter manufacturer Piaggio first launched production of its iconic Vespa in Vietnam, the scooter has been tightly linked to Vietnamese looks and lifestyle.

VN agriculture firms receive Gov’t funds

 State credit institutions will offer enterprises developing national agricultural products 70 per cent of investment capital support, said the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI).

SOEs told to publicly disclose business information

 The HCM City People’s Committee has ordered all State-owned enterprises (SOEs) with 100 per cent charter capital owned by the State to fully publish information about their activities.

Vietnam pocket gold, bronze in Asian gymnastics event

 Vietnam grabbed a gold and a bronze at the Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships, which concluded yesterday in Thailand.

Belarusian artists to take Hanoi stage

 Twenty three artists from the State Dance Ensemble of Belarus will perform in Hanoi and Lao Cai province on May 25 & 27. 

Hanoi wants Japan-built parking planning

 Hanoi’s People’s Committee has proposed that the Government choose a Japanese company as a consultant contractor to implement the planning of underground parking stations in the city.

Path to EU widened for Vietnamese garments-textiles

Vietnam’s garment-textile sector is expected to expand its markets once the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement comes into force in early 2018, reducing tax on Vietnamese garments and textiles exported the EU to 0% over the next seven years.  

HCM City to use English on street signs

 VietNamNet Bridge – The HCM City Department of Transport has asked for approval from the Ministry of Transport to use English on street signs to serve foreign tourists.

Vietnam undertakes measures to support and develop enterprises

 Vietnam undertakes measures to support and develop enterprises

Vietnam grows strongly after 10 years of joining WTO

 Vietnam has been developing strongly after joining the World Trade Organization (WTO) 10 years ago thanks to expansion of relations and reform policies.

Japan Coast Guard vessel to join anti-piracy drill in Vietnam

  Patrol vessel Echigo of the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) will be sent to Vietnam and the Philippines to take part in joint anti-piracy drills.

Vietnamese Government issues tra fish regulations

 The Government has issued a decree on aquaculture management, and tra fish products processing and export, the Government Office reported.

National Assembly scrutinises socio-economic development

 At the third session of the 14th National Assembly on May 22, the legislature heard the Government’s report on the implementation of socio-economic development and State budget tasks in 2016 and in the first months of 2017.

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc calls for efforts to achieve growth target of 6.7 percent

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc has requested ministries and sectors to make greater efforts in order to achieve a growth rate of 6.7 percent in 2017, thus contributing to the accomplishment of growth target set for 2016-2020.

Cambodia’s defence officers welcomed in Hanoi

 Lt. Gen. Phan Van Giang, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA), received a delegation of Cambodia’s Defence Ministry led by its Undersecretary of State Phuong Siphan in Hanoi on May 22. 

Hackers hit Russian bank customers, planned international cyber raids

 Russian cyber criminals used malware planted on Android mobile devices to steal from domestic bank customers and were planning to target European lenders before their arrest, investigators ...

National Assembly considers reports on State budget balance

 The National Assembly (NA) heard reports on State budget balance and audit in 2015 by government members during a working session in Hanoi on May 22, under the chair of NA Vice Chairman Phung Quoc Hien. 

VN credit institutions' bad debts at $7bln until March 31

 Total non-performing loans (NPLs) of the entire credit institutions (CI) system until March 31, 2017 were VND160 trillion ($7 billion).

Youth cooperation seen as a foundation for Vietnam-China ties

 Exchanges and cooperation between the youth are a foundation for China-Vietnam relations, Vice President of China Li Yuanchao told a delegation of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCYU) Central Committee on May 22.

Customs sector moves to shorten clearance time

 The move aims to improve the country’s business environment and enhance the national competitiveness edge in 2017 and with orientations towards 2020.

Natural disasters beyond projected scenarios

 After two consecutive years suffering from severe drought and saltwater intrusion, the Mekong Delta region is also vulnerable to other disasters, including soil erosion and landslides.