VietNamNet Bridge – The illegal market for bears and bear parts is still strong in Viet Nam despite the introduction of legislation to ban their sale in 2006.

 Vietnam’s traditional Mother Goddess worship was performed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on November 17, drawing crowds of international and local viewers. 

 Vietnam’s gross domestic product (GDP) may shrink by about 0.6 percent per year between 2016 and 2020 due to natural disasters and environmental pollution, an official has warned at an international symposium in Hanoi on November 18. 

 President Tran Dai Quang and his spouse will pay a State-level visit to Italy from November 21-24 at the invitation of his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella. 

In support of Vietnam’s commitment to enforce its conservation laws and international treaties to protect endangered and threatened species, U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius announced the new USAID Saving Species project to reduce wildlife crime.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam’s tourism authorities plan to organize a series of promotional programs in China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore by the year-end.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Some 4,200 prisoners are expected to be granted amnesty later this year, a senior police officer said yesterday.

The film “A land imagined” by Chris Yeo from Singapore won the“Autumn Meeting Grand Prix” worth US$5,000 at the “Autumn Meeting 2016" which took place in Da Nang and Hoi An from November 8-16.

 Former Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Nguyen Minh Quang told the ministry’s Party Civil Affairs Committee that he was willing to take responsibility for the environmental pollution caused by Taiwanese steel company Formosa.

 The Government has issued Decree 153 to increase regional minimum wages to VND2.58-3.75 million (US$115-167) a month from January 1, 2017 for workers with labor contracts.

 VietNamNet Bridge – A lot of struggling rice exporters could go out of business if a Government decree on rice export conditions is upgraded into law.

 The VMG Media JSC has decided to sell its 62.25 per cent holding in the VNPT Electronic Payment JSC (VNPT Epay) to South Korea’s UTC Investment Co.

 The 26th workshop on managing potential conflicts in the East Sea took place from November 15-17 in Bandung, Indonesia.

 Vietnamese top swimmer Nguyen Thi Anh Vien entered the final of women’s 200 m freestyle at the Asian Swimming Championship 2016 in Japan on November 18.

 Indonesian airline giant PT Lion Mentari Airlines (Lion Air) is currently negotiating a joint operation with a Vietnamese partner, and signed a memorandum of understanding on November 15 in Jakarta, said Edward Sirait, President Director at Lion Air.

 President of the Korea Football Association (KFA) Chung Mong Gyu pledged his association will foster cooperation with the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) and aid Vietnam’s preparations for the U20 World Cup in the Republic of Korea next year. 

 Vietnam recorded a trade surplus of over 3.3 billion USD from January to October with foreign direct investment (FDI) companies continuing to outpace domestic firms in export revenue, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs. 

President Tran Dai Quang, his spouse and the high-ranking delegation of Vietnam arrived in Lima, Peru, on November 18 morning (Hanoi time) to attend the 24th APEC Economic Leaders' Week.

VietNamNet Bridge - There are now more and more foreign-style cafes and fast-food restaurants that attract youth and travelers in Hanoi.

Germany's Justice Minister says he believes Facebook Inc. should be treated like a media company rather than a technology platform, suggesting he favors moves to make social media groups criminally liable for failing to remove hate speech.

VietNamNet Bridge – Investing VND20,000 billion (nearly $1 billion) in the southern area of Phu Quoc, Sun Group has not only created a resort paradise here but also helped wake up the hidden potential of the pearl island.

 Vietnam will continue cooperating with the new US government, towards strengthening the comprehensive partnership in a practical, long-term and sustainable manner, said Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Pham Quang Vinh.

 Vietnam and Cuba have renewed their determination to continue deepening their friendship, solidarity, brotherhood, trust and comprehensive cooperation in service of the respective countries’ nation-building and defence.

VietNamNet Bridge - US President-elect Donald Trump is opposed to the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement. Will this affect Vietnam’s textile and garment exports to the US?

 VietNamNet Bridge – For the first time, movie buffs in Ha Noi and HCM City will have a chance to sample Danish cinema at a film event, starting this weekend.