Scientists use graphene to power 'electronic skin' that can feel

 Scientists have found a way to power an experimental kind of electronic skin using solar energy in a further step towards the development of prosthetic limbs or robots with a sense of touch.

French DJ to take the stage at Saigon's Piu Piu

 French DJ HRP, the founder of Paris’s best new web radio, Hotel Radio Paris, will host a performance at Piu Piu in HCM City on Sunday.

Partnership to benefit 45,000 female factory workers

 A new partnership to benefit 45,000 Vietnamese factory workers has been launched between Marie Stopes International, the Pou Yuen Industrial Holdings Ltd and the Australian Government.

US ambassador, Information Ministry discuss internet freedoms

Minister of Information and Communication Truong Minh Tuan has asked the US ambassador to Vietnam, Ted Osius, to encourage internet giants Google and Facebook to open offices in Vietnam.

Two arrested for subversive Facebook use

 Two men have been arrested for spreading news against the State on Facebook - the most popular social network in Viet Nam, police announced on Wednesday.

Experts oppose staging MGI pageant inside cave

 VietNamNet Bridge – Experts in the country have opposed a proposal to set up a stage for Miss Grand International (MGI) inside a cave located in Quang Binh Province’s heritage site.

Music festival on Mui Ne beach in early April

 VietNamNet Bridge – A music festival, Vibe Nation Beach Fest, will be held at Coco Beach Camp at Mui Ne Beach in Binh Thuan Province on April 1-2.

Slash-and-burn agriculture to rage on in northern mountainous province

 VietNamNet Bridge – So far this month, northern mountainous province authorities have detained 56 people allegedly involved in the destruction of 18.6ha of forest in total, 

Four central cities join One Planet City Challenge

Four cities in Viet Nam – Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An and Dong Ha – have agreed to enter World Wild Fund for Nature’s One Planet City Challenge programme to show how cities can be a hub for creativity, ambition and innovation

HCM City seeks better-qualified people for posts

 VietNamNet Bridge – HCM City People’s Committee has developed a plan to improve the quality of city leaders and officials, adding more youth to the management board between 2016 and 2020.

100,000 City households unwilling to use tap water

 VietNamNet Bridge – In an effort to provide clean water to all households, HCM City in recent years has connected nearly all households in the city to water pipelines and meters for free. 

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 23/3

 Sowatco withdraws from Saigon Centre project, SBV forms FinTech steering committee, Customs asked to strengthen checks on steel imports, Rice prices continue to fall, VAMC wants to quintuple capital

SLAMthơ enters labyrinth of language

 VietNamNet Bridge – You are invited to the exhibition SLAMthơ – Poetic Labyrinth, which will open 6pm Thursday at L’Espace.

PM orders revoke of license plates

 VietNamNet Bridge – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on Wednesday ordered the Ministry of Public Security (MoPS) to revoke the privilege blue plates of 516 cars owned by private businesses.

New show offers affordable “Art For You”

 VietNamNet Bridge – The "Art for You" show, which sells affordable art by local artists, will open at Mai’s Gallery from Thursday until next Monday.

Tiffany, Quynh win U18 doubles tennis title

 VietNamNet Bridge – Tiffany Linh Nguyen and Diem Quynh won the National Women’s Tennis Championships’ U18 doubles category Wednesday in Dak Lak Province.

Verizon, AT&T suspend ads from Google over offensive videos

 U.S. wireless carriers Verizon Communications Inc and AT&T Inc said on Wednesday they have suspended digital advertising on Google's YouTube and other advertising platforms not related to search over concerns

Vietnamese investors pour money into convenience stores

VietNamNet Bridge - The growth rate of convenience store chains is now much higher than that of supermarkets and other retail channels.

Stunning peach blossoms in Ha Giang

 In every March Ha Giang’s landscape is host to a spectacular array of pink colours that seems to take over the entire province.

Transport, retail firms make unexpected business moves

 Many big firms in retail and passenger transport are now expanding their business by selling various unrelated products.

Vietnam IT Industry Index introduced

 A new Vietnam IT Industry Index that will process IT production, services and business information was introduced on March 22.

Transport Ministry wants Uber to follow rules

 Minister of Transport Truong Quang Nghia has announced that State management towards Uber solely aims to ensure that the transportation company’s operations in Vietnam comply with regulations.

VN code of conduct for tourists

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has issued a code of conduct for international and local tourists, tour operators and locals at tourism spots.

WIPO helps Vietnam build national strategy on intellectual property

 The Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) on March 22 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in building a national strategy on intellectual property for Vietnam.

International drill on cyber security held in Vietnam

 Vietnam joined other 19 countries and territories in responding to cyber security incidences at an international drill themed “Emergence of a New DDoS Threat” held in Hanoi on March 22.