Gac Ma soldiers’ memorial site to open in March

 The first-phase construction of a memorial site dedicated to 64 navy soldiers who laid down their lives while protecting Gac Ma island in Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago on March 14, 1988, is scheduled for completion in March.

Vietnamese, Japanese co-production to be aired

 VietNamNet Bridge – A new production by Viet Nam Television (VTV) Film Centre and Ryukyu Ashahi Broadcasting Corporation will be aired on VTV channel 1 on Sunday.

HCM City canals seriously polluted

 VietNamNet Bridge – More than 2,000 canals around HCM City have been seriously polluted threatening people’s health, reported the Nong Thon Ngay Nay (Countryside Today) newspaper.

Paul McCartney sues Sony/ATV for Beatles music rights

 Former Beatle Paul McCartney sued Sony Corp's (6758.T) music publishing arm on Wednesday in a federal court in New York, seeking to get back the copyrights to music of his former band, court records show.

Vietnam's economic challenges in 2017

VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam economy will encounter more difficulties in 2017 than in 2016 amid global geopolitical changes and financial uncertainties, experts say.

Global coalition aims to outpace epidemics with new vaccines

 A global coalition of governments, health specialists and philanthropists will launch a new plan on Thursday to "outsmart" future disease epidemics with a fund to prepare and create new vaccines.

Asian shares down, dollar jumps on Yellen's rate hike signal

 Asian shares edged lower on Thursday and the dollar rebounded after Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen hinted that interest rates in the United States could rise quickly this year.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 19/1

 SMEs urged to build brands, Southeastern region leads in foreign attraction, HCM City banking sector sets high goals for 2017, Vietnam manufacturing starts 2017 firing on all cylinders

Observatory in Khanh Hoa to become operational in March

 Vietnam’s first astronomical observatory will be put into operation in March this year in the central province of Khanh Hoa.

Vietnam, India mark diplomatic ties in New Delhi

 The Embassy of Vietnam in India held a ceremony in New Delhi on January 18 to mark 45 years of Vietnam – India diplomatic ties (January 7) and to welcome the Lunar New Year (Tet) festival.

Prime Minister active on sidelines of WEF meeting

 Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc particpated in activities on the sidelines of the 47th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos city, Switzerland on January 18. 

Indian government wants Apple, but not all officials are biting

 Some Indian officials have baulked at Apple's demands for concessions before it assembles iPhones there, raising doubts about a spring deadline to launch a key project in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's campaign to lure foreign investors.

“Tet Viet 2017” creates traditional cultural space for Lunar New Year

The traditional atmosphere and cultural space of the Lunar New Year in the old days are being introduced and vividly recreated within the framework of an exhibition and trade fair named Tet Viet 2017

Japan asked to relax entry procedures for Vietnam IT workers

 Local firms have requested the Japanese government to simplify visa requirements and related procedures for Vietnamese information technology (IT) engineers to go to the northeast Asian country for guest work.

Smartphones and tablets alter digital landscape

Recent analysis shows that the emergence of smartphones and tablets and the subsequent growth in consumption via mobile devices has dramatically altered the digital landscape in Vietnam. 

Vietjet to list on HoSE

 Budget carrier Vietjet Air has registered to list 300 shares on the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange (HoSE).

Construction of Sai Gon Safari Park on horizon

 The Ho Chi Minh People’s Committee has approved the construction progress of the Sai Gon Safari Park project in Cu Chi district.

Vietnam's online market: Some shut down, others pocket big money

VietNamNet Bridge - Many e-commerce floors have opened to great fanfare, while others have shut down quietly.

Old Quarter antique sellers bring out unique items for Lunar New Year

 A ten-day annual antique market has just opened in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, along Hang Ma, Hang Can, Hang Luoc, Hang Dong, and Hang Ruoi streets.

VN Museum of Ethnology's programme to discover traditional Tet

 A ceremony to set up a cây nêu (New Year’s tree) on the 23rd of the last lunar month (January 20) will kick off a series of activities discovering Vietnamese traditional Tet (Lunar New Year festival) at the Viet Nam Museum of Ethnology.

Hanoi flower markets at Tet

Peach blossoms, kumquat trees and bouquets of flowers are indispensable in Vietnamese households during Tet.

Deputy PM greets Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank’s leader

 Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh hosted a reception for D.J Pandian, Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in Hanoi on January 18. 

Khanh Hoa: Foreign teachers to teach English in primary schools

 A project to use foreign teachers for teaching English will be piloted at a number of primary schools in the central province of Khanh Hoa from February. 

Global e-Government rankings affect national competitiveness: Deputy PM

 Global e-government rankings affect Vietnam’s investment attractiveness, national competitiveness, and negotiations on international trade deals, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam said at a recent meeting.

President: Vietnam facilitates entry of Azerbaijan’s goods

 President Tran Dai Quang has assured Azerbaijani Minister of Energy Natig Aga Emi Olgu Aliyev that Vietnam is ready to create favourable conditions for Azerbaijan’s goods to enter the country.