Tariffs fail to reduce cheap steel

 Despite imposing additional tariffs on imported steel billets and rods, Vietnam has failed to stem the influx of imported steel, mainly from China whose suppliers are offloading products cheaply due to oversupply in their domestic market.

Raising tuition a thorny problem for universities operating autonomously

Raising tuition is necessary for state-owned universities that are operating autonomously in order to have enough funds to cover expenses and rid themselves of reliance on the state budget.  However, there is resistance to such increases.

Water puppetry of Nguyen village

 Water puppetry troupes in Nguyen and Dong Cac villages are the most famous in Thai Binh province. Nguyen villagers are proud of their long cultural tradition and secret of making puppets. Puppet artisans are just ordinary farmers.

Late floods, rodent attacks hit Mekong Delta crops

 VietNamNet Bridge – The late arrival of floods in the Mekong Delta provinces this year has been blamed on a major attack by rats on crops there.

HCM City's IP kindergartens extend schedule

The People’s Committee of HCM City has approved a plan from now to 2020 to offer extended kindergarten hours for children of workers at industrial parks (IPs) and export processing zones (EPZs) who work overtime.

Vietnam aims for larger slice of Lao retail market

Local companies have been swimming against the tide, trying to make headway into the lucrative Lao retail market, says the Hanoi Women Association of Small and Medium Enterprises.

Marine environment in four central provinces basically safe

 The marine environment in the coastal areas of four central provinces stretching from Ha Tinh to Thua Thien-Hue is basically safe, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Tran Hong Ha has said.

Miss Vietnam 2016 finale slated for HCM City on August 28

 The grand finale of Miss Vietnam 2016 is slated for Phu Tho Sporting Event Hall in Ho Chi Minh City on August 28, with the competition of 30 outstanding contestants. 

29th Diplomatic Conference convenes in Hanoi

 The 29th Diplomatic Conference opened in Hanoi on August 22 with the purpose of seeking measures to increase the efficiency of external activities and international integration to successfully realise the 12th National Party Congress resolution. 

SEAGZone gymnastic champs coming soon

 VietNamNet Bridge – The 2016 SEAGZone Artistic Junior & Age Groups Championships is scheduled to kick off on August 23-29 at Quan Ngua Sports Palace in Ha Noi.

Scaffolding collapse kills one worker, injures seven

 VietNamNet Bridge – One person was killed and seven seriously injured when a scaffolding collapsed even as workers were pouring concrete for constructing a house in Binh Dinh Province early today, Aug 22.

A move to tighten disciplines

 PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc has decided to set up a task force responsible for monitoring and accelerating the deployment of tasks, conclusions and directions that the Government and the PM assign to ministries, agencies and localities.

VN transgender singer music video faces ban

 A music video by transgender Huong Giang Idol is facing the risk of being banned due to containing provocative images.

Hue’s high-school student wins $35,000 TV quiz show

Ho Dac Thanh Chuong of Quoc Hoc Hue High School in Hue City won the championship at the 16th season of the “Road to Mt. Olympia's Peak" quiz show which ended in Hanoi on August 21.

Should Vietnam take drastic measures to eliminate monopolies?

VietNamNet Bridge - The telecommunication fee in Vietnam has been decreasing sharply thanks to the policy on eliminating the monopoly in the telecom sector. However, monopolies still exist in other business fields.

Hanoi woman bears 14 children

VietNamNet Bridge – A woman in Co Ban village, Ha Dong district, Hanoi, has the highest number of children in Hanoi, or possibly in Vietnam.

Young Vietnamese in Czech Republic make film about family value

 VietNamNet Bridge – After the success of their first film called “Forget the origin”, a group of young Vietnamese in the Czech Republic continued to produce another series of films about family.

Tam wins Mekong Delta cycling tournament

 Nguyen Thanh Tam won the yellow jersey for best time at the Mekong Delta Cycling Tournament on August 20.

Rio Olympics: Vietnam finishes at 48th place

 Vietnam has achieved the best ever Olympic Games ranking at the Rio Olympics which closed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on August 22 morning (Hanoi time). 

Shooter Hoang Xuan Vinh, great pride of Vietnam’s sport

 VietNamNet Bridge – The history of Vietnam’s sport has turned to a new page as shooter Hoang Xuan Vinh won the first Olympic gold medal for Vietnam.

Quang Binh deforestation threatens lives

 VietNamNet Bridge – Authorities and resident in central Quang Binh Province have voiced concerns over serious deforestation to a natural forest area upstream of the Rao Nan River.

Facebook, Google dominate online advertising

VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnamese businesses make only modest revenue from online advertising, while the majority of the market’s turnover goes to Facebook and Google,Tuan Ha, CEO of Vianalink, said at an online marketing forum held several days ago.

Vietnam’s five coastal cities attract tourists year-round

 VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam has a coastline of 3,260 kilometers with many beautiful beaches. Along this long coast are coastal cities that attract tourists all year round.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 22/8

 Vietnam urged to boost supporting industry, Mexico studies Vietnam’s garment-textiles, Russian expert: Vietnam attractive to foreign investors, Hai Phong Port to be international gateway by 2020, Mini again targets 50 percent growth

Vietnam Airlines opens New Lounge at Tan Son Nhat

Vietnam Airlines has inaugurated its new dedicated Premium Lounge for its first class and business class customers at the Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City.