Eating American lobsters is now in vogue in Vietnam. They cannot be found at traditional markets and must be bought from online shops and shops specializing in distributing luxury imports. 

 Travellers looking to experience a slow pace of life should visit Hoàng Thu Phố Commune in the northern province of Lao Cai’s Bac Ha District.

 UK-based travel publisher Rough Guides has described Viet Nam’s north-south rail link as one of the most scenic routes in Asia.

 Viet Nam’s GDP in the second quarter of this year is forecast to expand 5.6 per cent or 6.27 per cent, depending on two scenarios, expert said.

The former chairman of Sacombank, Dang Van Thanh, and prestigious international partners will strengthen the financial capacity of Sacombank by increasing its charter capital by VNĐ20,600 billion (US$907 million).

Stricter punishment, particularly criminal charges, should be imposed on illegal sand exploitation activities, said Politburo member and president of the Viet Nam Father Land Front Central Committe, Nguyen Thien Nhan.

 The Vietnamese market is witnessing an increasing number of large bakery and confectionery companies, highlighting the sector’s potential for foreign investors, Dieter Dohr, general director-cum-chairman of GHM Company, said.

 The abnormal surge in domestic rice prices in this year’s winter-spring crop has caused some rice exporters, who had signed export contracts before the harvest season, to suffer losses during the first quarter.

 The Ascott Limited, among the world’s largest international serviced residence owner-operators, has partnered with BIM Group to develop the first world-class condotel project in Quang Ninh Province under the brand Citadines.

VietNamNet Bridge - Though some Chinese travelers have caused problems, Vietnam has said that it will roll out the red carpet to travelers of all nationalities.

 The number of new enterprises established in the country has gone up and the inflow of foreign direct investment into the country has increased, but the quality of national growth remains unaffected or diminished.

 The transport ministry has instructed the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) to study the proposal for applying a floor price for domestic air tickets.

Treatment of urban waste is proving to be a challenge for Mekong Delta provinces because the operation of many garbage treatment plants has been delayed due to disputes over pricing and investors are shying away since it is not a lucrative business.

 The 23rd ITTF-Asian Table Tennis Championships will be held in Jiangsu Province’s Wuxi City, China this weekend.

Luu Thi Chuc My of Vietnam on Thursday came third in the women’s 48kg snatch event at the ongoing IWF Youth World Weightlifting Championships in Bangkok, Thailand.

 The Biscom Golf Tournament 2017 is scheduled for May 6-7 at the FLC Quy Nhon Golf Links in the southern province of Binh Dinh.

 The first decorative mural painting, part of an art project to turn Da Nang Airport into a tropical garden, by artists from Tan Hanoi Art Company was recently completed.

Nguyen Thi Sao Ly, a 24-year-old Vietnamese student from the central city of Da Nang, has received full PhD scholarship offers to study medicine at eight prestigious US universities.

 Nguyen Van Hoa, a 22-year-old resident of Ky Anh District, has been arrested by Ha Tinh police for allegedly abusing his civil rights and infringing upon the State’s interests.

 Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung has asked Hanoi’s People’s Committee to revise its construction plan and build more parks and parking areas to serve people.

 The Government has issued a decree on punishments for administrative violations in the minerals and water resources sectors, imposing fines ranging from VNĐ250 million (US$11,125) to VNĐ2 billion ($89,000).

 The floating platforms on West Lake that have not been shifted out despite orders will be dismantled, the Tay Ho District People’s Committee said on Wednesday.

  A fire killed three people in Da Nang City and one man died in an illegal gold mine tunnel in Quang Nam Province on Wednesday.

 Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has agreed to support construction of the North-South Highway with investment of VNĐ55 trillion (US$2.4 billion) sourced from Government bonds during the 2016-2020 period.

 Four power plants in the central provinces of Nghe An, Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue have been asked to undertake urgent repairs before the flooding season arrives.