The Vietnam Institute for International and Public Diplomacy Studies made its debut in Hanoi on July 18.

 Japan's All Nippon Airways (ANA), last week announced that it will double the frequency of its flights between Narita and HCM City to two flights per day from October 30, 2016.

 All government regular procurement transactions and bulk procurement will be done via the electronic national bidding system by 2025, according to a master plan and a road map for online procurement in 2016-2025.

Events in Vietnam's major cities from July 15-30. Daily updated

VietNamNet Bridge – If you visit Nam Dinh, a small town in northern Vietnam, don't miss exploring the life of salt workers as part of your journey to the ruined cathedral or Quat Lam beach.

The ruling on July 12 makes the arbitration case can brought by the Philippines against China a "case of history". For the first time in its history, China - "the world’s center" – was unilaterally sued by a small country in a marine dispute.

 The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has proposed the development of large textile and garment industrial zones (IZs) to attract investment in dyeing, and fabric and yarn production.

 Paul Feig's "Ghostbusters" reboot has triggered intense debate over its decision to refashion the proton pack-wielding paranormal investigators as an all-female team.

Ministry accused of going light on incompetent firm, HCMC honors 360 outstanding students, ADB helps Ha Giang develop infrastructure for development, HCM City to build bridge exits to ease congestion

 Authorities in the central Quang Tri Province are seeking ways to create new livelihoods for locals living in coastal communes affected by the Formosa pollution from April this year.

The Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) earned an estimated VND63.15 trillion (US$2.8 billion) in revenue and VND2.16 trillion in profit in the first half of this year, achieving 50.6 per cent of the yearly target.

  All five Vietnamese students participating in the International Physics Olympiad 2016 in Switzerland brought home medals, including two golds, two silvers and one bronze.

 Police of Hoang Mai district in Hanoi discovered six sacks containing dozens of elephant tusks in a raid of the house of a man named Phan Trong Kien in Hoang Liet commune on July 17.

Vietnam ICT COMM 2016, an exhibition of information and communication technology products, will be held in Hanoi from July 20 to 22.

 Representatives of Vietnam’s Ministry of Transport and the Lao Ministry of Public Works and Transport have discussed a major project to develop an expressway linking Hanoi and Vientiane as part of their five-year cooperation plan starting this year.

Vietnam Airlines has unveiled a fresh plan to launch its first air service to the U.S. in 2018, said Duong Tri Thanh, chief executive officer of the national flag carrier.

The 27th International Biology Olympiad (IBO) kicked off in the capital city of Hanoi on July 17 with the participation of over 260 students from 71 countries and territories, the biggest of its kind so far.

International Free Hugs Day under “Embracing the Heart, sharing the Love” slogan is scheduled to be held in Ho Chi Minh City on July 24.

 Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc reaffirmed Vietnam’s consistent policy towards China regarding the East Sea in his meeting on July 14 with his Chinese counterpart on the sidelines of the ASEM Summit in Mongolia.

 Another National Assembly delegate has been dismissed after being found to hold dual citizenship, bringing the total number of delegates in the new legislature to 494 as preparations continue for its first gathering on July 20.

The Ministry of Finance previously granted approval to plans of the Canada-based financial services group Manulife to increase the charter capital of its Vietnam operations’ by 38 per cent to VND1.35 trillion ($61.6 million).

VietNamNet Bridge - The changes in debt structure, caused by the government's borrowing from domestic sources, and the rapid increase in total debts are two significant items included in the public debt bulletin.

VietNamNet Bridge - Lonely Planet has named Vietnam’s Con Dao Islands as one of the top ten places to visit in 2016.

 The phenomenal success of Pokemon GO and the surge in Nintendo Co's (7974.T) market value by $17 billion in just over a week has been seized upon by one of its most vocal investors to press for a change of strategy at the company.

 Sapporo expands target market in Vietnam, Garment association forecasts post-Brexit export difficulties, Vietnam’s first-ever car market opens in HCM City, Vinafood 2 to produce fragrant rice for export to U.S.