Agricultural cooperation – a pillar in Vietnam-Madagascar ties

 Agricultural cooperation is a pillar in the Vietnamese-Madagascan relations, President Tran Dai Quang and his Madagascan counterpart Hery Rajaonarimampianina said during their talks on November 25.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 26/11

HCM City hopes for more US investments, Thai companies look for franchise partners in Vietnam, Top 100 products, services honoured, Hanoi forum seeks to foster IT links in ASEAN, Vinaconex water firm lists on UPCoM

Social News 26/11

 North, central Vietnam urged to brace for Storm Tokage, Hanoi reviews over 18,000 power transformers, Major family and children festival slated for next month, 2,000 youths promise to protect wildlife  

Rural areas cannot be saved with aggressive solutions

 VietNamNet Bridge - When the authorities impose aggressive administrative measures, economic risks become relatively strong, especially when the authorities are in the same interest groups as businesses.

Vietnam up in FIFA rankings

 Vietnam’s national men’s football team has risen seven places to 129th in the latest FIFA rankings released on November 24.

Vietnam’s coffee sector targets $5-6 billion export by 2030

Vietnam’s coffee sector targets earning 5-6 billion USD from export by 2030, said the Vietnam Coffee and Cocoa Association (VCCA). 

Significant chances for Vietnam regardless of uncertain TPP

 Although the future of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement is still in question, opportunities for Vietnam are considerable, many experts, officials and entrepreneurs said at a consultation workshop in Hanoi on November 25.

Vietnam Airlines receives 10th Dreamliner

 The national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines received another Boeing 787 Dreamliner on November 25, which is the 10th aircraft of this kind in the airline’s fleet. 

HCM City flood control master plan inadequate: official

 HCM City authorities are being urged to develop a master plan for flood control as new flood-prone areas have emerged and flooding has re-occurred in others.

PM receives incoming Australian Ambassador

 Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc welcomed newly accredited Australian Ambassador Craig Chittick in Hanoi on November 24. 

Presidents arrives in Madagascar for 16th Francophone Summit

 President Tran Dai Quang arrived in Antananarivo, Madagascar on November 25, beginning his trip to the country to attend the 16th Francophone Summit from November 26-27, at the invitation of the host country’s President Hery Rajaonarimampianina. 

WTO Director General lauds Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements

 Director General of WTO Roberto Azevedo has expressed his admiration for Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements over the past time as well as the country’s marked strides in international integration and trade liberalization. 

Vietnam, Laos issue joint statement

 Vietnam and Laos have issued a Joint Statement on the occasion of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s official visit from November 24-26 at the invitation of Lao Party General Secretary and President Bounnhang Volachith. 

Party leader highlights significance of Vietnam-Laos ties

 Amidst the current changing world full of complicated happenings, the special Vietnam-Laos solidarity is important to both countries than ever, stated Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

200ha of bleached Con Dao corals recover naturally

 VietNamNet Bridge – Around 200 hectares of bleached corals around Con Dao Island have recovered naturally, the management of the Con Dao National Park said on Wednesday.

Penalty for environmental polluters increase to $88,000

 VietNamNet Bridge – Environmental violators will face maximum penalty increase to VND1 billion for individuals and VND2 billion ($88,495) for organizations, according to the Government’s recently issued Decree 155.

Michael Learns To Rock, Wonder Girls to perform in HCM City

VietNamNet Bridge – The Danish pop/soft rock band, Michael Learns To Rock (MLTR) will give a performance at the Military Zone No.7 Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City on December 21. 

Pho An My to stage concert featuring piano and northern opera

 VietNamNet Bridge – Pho An My, a Vietnamese pianist who has staged multiple experimental concerts combining piano and traditional genres of art, will perform at a “Wind” concert at 8 p.m. on December 3

Just 3% of bank loans go to SMEs

 VietNamNet Bridge –Only 3% of bank loans have found their way to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and less than one-third of SMEs have gained access to credit,

Five unprofitable mega-projects funded by the state

Five projects all funded by the state - the Dinh Vu fiber plant, Dung Quat ethanol plant, the expanded Thai Nguyen steel mill, Phuong Nam Pulp and Ninh Binh Fertilizer – have incurred huge losses. 

Great Vietnam road trip through Nam Dinh

Foreign visitors to Vietnam – and even some locals – are packing up the motorbike and going on long-haul drives through Nam Dinh Province for their summer vacations this year.

Occupational diseases threaten VN workers

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vu Duc Kham, 43, was just coming out of anaesthesia after seven hours of having his lungs washed at the Coal and Mineral Hospital in Ha Noi.

Teachers work against tall odds

At 7.30am, when fog begins to fade from the mountain tops, teacher Bui Van Xuan rings the bell to call his students to class at Ha Xi-Ha NePrimary School in Pa U Commune, Muong Te District in Lai Chau province.

Amazing tree houses in Hanoi’s outskirts

 Tree houses built by Artist Dao Anh Khanh, located around 6 kilometres from the centre of Hanoi are proving ideal city break destinations.

Museum of Ancient Seafaring in Binh Chau

The discovery of ancient sunken vessels in 1999 and again in 2013 in Binh Chau has led directly to the opening of the Museum of Ancient Seafaring.