Vietnam, Switzerland discuss education cooperation

 Deputy Minister of Education and Training Bui Van Ga had a meeting with President of the Swiss Council of States Ivo Bischofberger on March 30 in Hanoi to compare notes on information on education cooperation between the two countries.

Spokesman stresses Vietnam’s efforts to promote women’s rights

 Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh underlined Vietnam’s consistent policy of promoting women’s rights while fielding a question regarding the US State Department’s honouring of a Vietnamese blogger.

HCM City keen on Belarus’s expertise in urban development

 Permanent Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Le Thanh Liem has expressed wish that Belarus would share its experience with the city in dealing with flooding and urban transport. 

Foreign Ministry’s spokesman clarifies citizen protection abroad

 Foreign Ministry’s spokesman Le Hai Binh answered questions regarding citizen protection abroad during a regular press briefing in Hanoi on March 30. 

Vietnam’s foreign ministry appoints new spokesperson

 Le Thi Thu Hang has been appointed as head of the Press and Information Department of Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry, becoming the new spokesperson of this ministry.

Coach Chung satisfied ahead of Asian Cup tourney

 VietNamNet Bridge – Coach Mai Duc Chung said he satisfied with his players’ preparation for the upcoming 2018 Asian Women’s Football Championship’s qualification.

Multi-million dollar live-chat services expected to see big investments

VietNamNet Bridge - The demand for live chat in Vietnam has increased by 30 percent in the last two years, raising the market value to $20 million.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 31/3

 OVs invest in 900 businesses in Ho Chi Minh City, Demand growing for safe food, proper labelling in Vietnam, Vingroup invests VND5 trillion in Vinpearl South Hoi An, Interest rate increase likely to affect housing market: CBRE

STEM education can succeed at schools with poor conditions

Educators believe that STEM (Science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education will be effective even at schools with poor facilities, if the schools attach importance to science subjects.

SK beauty services to land in Vietnam after tariff cuts

Many South Korean beauty service brands are seeking ways to penetrate the Vietnamese market through franchise models after the elimination of seven tariff lines on cosmetics.

The black canals in HCM City

HCMC has 2,000 kilometers of drainage canals, more than 100,000 manholes and 800 discharge outlets. However, uncontrolled littering has nearly neutralized the drainage system, according to the city’s environment department.

US actor takes on cudgels on behalf of VN AO victims

What started out as a gesture of good will has become Richard Hughes’ passion and destiny as he knocks on doors and crosses oceans in search of justice for Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange.

VN President receives AFP Chairman

The Vietnamese authorities and press outlets are willing to provide all possible support for AFP to operate in the country, President Tran Dai Quang said during a reception for AFP Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. 

Hanoians queue for rice dumplings on Cold Food Day

Hanoians got up early to stand in line for Banh Troi (floating rice dumplings) and Banh Chay (lean cake) at a shop on Ngo Thi Nham street this Cold Food Day.

Banks cautious about business targets in 2017

 The season of annual shareholders meeting will begin next month and commercial banks have been cautious while setting business targets for this year in the context of slow bad debt settlement and high risk provision.

Three Vietnamese in Three-Cushion Luxor World Cup finals

 Vietnamese Ma Minh Cam and Ma Xuan Cuong grabbed berths in the final round of the Three-Cushion Luxor World Cup in Egypt.

Hundreds of smuggled iPhones 7 seized at Noi Bai Airport

Customs officials at the Hanoi-based Noi Bai International Airport seized 155 iPhones 7 and 7plus in red allegedly smuggled from abroad into the country today.

Cold spell to hit northern Vietnam tomorrow

 A cold spell is forecast to hit the northern region from Friday early morning with the lowest temperature dropping to 10 degree Celsius in the high mountainous areas, according to the National Hydrometeorological Forecast Centre.

Polluted water killed fish in Thai Binh's river

 Polluted river water is the main reason behind the recent mass fish deaths in Vinh Tra River in Thai Binh Province, its department of natural resources and environment has said.

Central Highlands region whitened by coffee flowers

 At the end of spring, the Central Highlands is covered by the white colour of coffee flowers.

Vietnam to take part in Sudirman Cup

 Vietnam have been placed in Group 2A for the qualification round of the upcoming badminton tournament Sudirman Cup in Gold Coast, Australia.

Six provinces agree on coastal road

 Leaders of six provinces recently sat down with relevant ministers to talk about the construction of a coastal highway route, the detailed plan for which was approved in 2010.

Quang Ninh sets new sightseeing fees in Ha Long Bay

 The northern province of Quang Ninh has set new sightseeing fees in Ha Long Bay, to be applied from April 1, while abolishing the kayak service in the bay.

Vietnam, South Africa hold second defence policy dialogue

 Vietnam and South Africa held their second Defence Policy Dialogue in Pretoria on March 29.

Outdoor concert in memory of famous songwriter Trinh Cong Son

Dozens of singers and musicians will perform the works of late songwriter Trinh Cong Son at a free outdoor concert to be held on HCM City’s Book Pedestrian Street on Friday night.