First ever children’s book festival in Hanoi

VietNamNet Bridge – Thousands of children and parents attended the first ever children’s book festival which opened on June 1 in Ha Noi’s Temple of Literature, the country’s first university.  

Hanoi to host free screenings of Vietnamese and Korean animated films

VietNamNet Bridge – Free screenings of Vietnamese and Korean animated films will be held at the Au Co Arts Centre in Hanoi on June 4 and 5. 

Katy Perry visits poor children in central Vietnam

VietNamNet Bridge - American pop star and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Katy Perry last week visited the poorest districts in Ninh Thuan province in central Vietnam.

BIDV, VietinBank told to pay cash dividends

 The Ministry of Finance wants Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV) and Vietnam Bank for Industry and Trade (VietinBank) to pay 2015 dividends in cash.

$4 billion conference center project stalled in HCM City

VietNamNet Bridge - Though both HCM City authorities and US investors are determined to develop the project to build the TPP financial & conference center in district 2, it has stalled because it does not fit the city’s development program.

Night of French Music at HCM City Opera House next week

 The HCM City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera in cooperation with the French Institute in Vietnam will host “A Night of French Music” concert at the city’s Opera House on June 9.

Tra Que Vegetable Village through the lens of French photographer

Located between the ancient town of Hoi An and An Bang beach, the vegetable village of Tra Que has become a popular destination. The following photos were taken by French photographer Réhahn Croquevielle.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 2/6

 Retail, manufacturing sectors slow HCM City economy, Vietnam’s consumer confidence index hike, Farmers want pepper futures trading, Catfish raw material management tightened after US warning

Da Nang gears up to host Asian Beach Games

VietNamNet Bridge – Da Nang is preparing to host the Asian Beach Games, the region’s largest beach sports event, on the central city’s clean, welcoming beaches. 

Shoe makers step up presence

In anticipation of the Trans-Pacific Partnership tariff slashes, and due to the rising costs of production in China, Vietnam has become a hotspot for investment by foreign footwear manufacturers.

Vietnam toughens up fight against illegal wildlife trade

 The violations of the endangered species act in Vietnam will face higher punishments as prescribed in the 2015 revised Penal Code, which is scheduled to take effect from July 1, 2016, said an officer from the Ministry of Public Security.

German toy association eyes investment in Vietnam

 Managing Director of the German Association of the Toy Industry (DVSI) Ulrich Brobeil has met with Vietnamese diplomats to discuss the association investing in Vietnam.

HCM City eyes stronger cooperation with Cambodian localities

  Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Dinh La Thang has highlighted his city’s desire to enhance cooperation with Phnom Penh and other Cambodian localities during his working visit to Cambodia.

National Assembly Vice Chairwoman visits the UK

 Vietnam wishes to learn from London’s experience in building a municipal council, the roles played by the municipal council and administration as well as links between them, said National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong.

Vice President receives South Australia Governor, Premier

Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh hosted a reception in Hanoi on June 1 for Governor Le Van Hieu and Premier Jay Weatherill of South Australia.

PM backs Vietnam-Laos justice cooperation

 The Vietnamese Government supports the cooperation between the Vietnamese and Lao Ministries of Justice, said Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

Logistics grows 24% annually

 Logistics and supply chain management have significantly improved in recent years thanks to the Government's policies as well as the perception of entrepreneurs, according to the Viet Nam Logistics Business Association.

Female artist’s works meditate on life

 From 6pm tomorrow, Art Vietnam will present the new works of Dinh Y Nhi, one of Vietnam's most celebrated female artists.

Black bean insect disrupts lives in Binh Phuoc

Swarms of bo dau den, an insect shaped like black bean, have invaded residents’ homes in Village 3, Hung Phuoc Commune, Bu Dop District in Binh Phuoc Province.

HCM City to relocate polluting production workshops

Around 460 establishments cause environmental pollution, with 40 of them causing serious levels of pollution in HCM City, according to the City's Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

Warning about students’ sexting gives parents a start

VietNamNet Bridge - A survey conducted of nearly 1,000 students from secondary schools and Hanoi University showed that 15.2 percent have sent erotic messages and images to others through phones, called ‘sexting’.

Despite losses, shares of big enterprises still attractive to investors

VietNamNet Bridge - Many enterprises have reported unsatisfactory business results for 2015, with shares remaining attractive in investors’ eyes.

OTT not the core business for mobile network operators

VietNamNet Bridge - Nguyen Viet Dung, CEO of Viettel Telecom, noted that it is small firms, such as Zalo, not large mobile network operators like Viettel, which are now leading the OTT (over the top) market. 

New motivation and prospects for Vietnam-US economic relations

The Vietnam-US relationship has successfully moved from former enemy to friend, as seen in the comprehensive partnership formed in politics, economy, foreign affairs, education, science and technology, and national defence-security,

Father's Day is more special at Saigon Café

 VietNamNet Bridge - Saigon Café of Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers, at 88 Dong Khoi Street, District 1, HCM City, offers you a new dining experience in June, especially on the occasion of Father’s Day, June 19.