PM approves plan to meet MARPOL regulations

 ​​​Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has approved a plan to meet regulations in the annexes of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL Convention).

President meets with Vietnamese businesses

 President Tran Dai Quang talked with outstanding entrepreneurs representing the small- and medium-sized business community in Vietnam during a meeting in Hanoi on May 16.

German writes about Vietnamese expats

 A novel by German author Karin Kalisa about expatriate Vietnamese was released in Vietnamese recently in Hanoi.

Vietnam grabs six medals at Asia Pacific Informatics Olympiad

 Vietnam have grabbed six medals at the 2016 Asia-Pacific Informatics Olympiad (APIO 2016) which was hosted by the Republic of Korea on May 7-8.

Ambassador: Obama’s visit to deepen Vietnam-US ties

 US President Barack Obama’s upcoming visit to Vietnam from May 23-25 is to further deepen the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership, Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Pham Quang Vinh said.

HCM City officials welcome Lao PM

 Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Dinh La Thang and other senior municipal officials welcomed Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith to the city on May 16.

Vietnam, Russia resolved to intensify comprehensive strategic ties

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev emphasised the resolve to enhance the countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership during their talks in Moscow on May 16.  

Foundations in place for franchises to flourish in Vietnam

  Vietnam has almost everything needed for franchises to really take off.

Unique bamboo cafe in Dong Hoi City

 VietNamNet Bridge - Café Coco is the favorite destination of many tourists to Dong Hoi City in the central province of Quang Binh. Airy, cool, unique architecture are the attractive features of this café.

Traditional retail channels still favored in Vietnam

VietNamNet Bridge - Though Vietnam is seeing the strong rise of the modern distribution channel, it is traditional retail which still plays an important role in the Vietnamese distribution system.

Organic produce becoming popular, lucrative

Demand for organic farm produce has increased significantly both in Viet Nam and globally, and this offers good prospects for businesses investing in the field, a seminar heard in HCM City yesterday.

HCM City to revive special force on crime

 VietNamNet Bridge – Police in HCM City has proposed to the Ministry of Public Security a plan to revive the special anti-burglary force to deal with robberies in the city.

HBSO concert to feature popular local pieces

 The HCMC Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera (HBSO) will hold a concert featuring popular and latest pieces by leading local musicians and choreographers at the Opera House in District 1 on May 19.

Awareness needed in food safety

Confusion reigns when it comes to food safety in Vietnam and greater awareness is becoming paramount.

Less Mekong Delta fruit, higher prices

 The price of fruit in the Mekong Delta has risen recently as the impact of drought and salt water intrusion has caused fruit output to decline while demand has increased.

Social News 16/5

 Gov’t suspends, fines newspaper $6,200, RoK to send fire engines to Vietnam, Early elections held in border communes in Lai Chau, Vo Nguyen Giap Park inaugurated in Truong Sa, Sugar plant fined for polluting river

Artists share inner feelings through exhibit

 VietNamNet Bridge – An exhibition that has opened in Ha Noi presents art from Vietnamese-French artist Tran Trong Vu and 15 paintings by French artist Christine Jean.

Tourism ministry seeks longer visa waiver for Europeans

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has proposed the Government renew and extend the visa waiver for citizens of five Western European countries from the current one year to five years and the visa-free stay from 15 days to 30 days.

State awards Brave Youth Badge to boys who saved girls’ lives

 VietNamNet Bridge – About four weeks ago, seven seventh graders from Nguyen Du Secondary School in Cam Ranh City were taking photos when one of the female students fell into a reservoir. The others extended their hands to help, but they fell as well.

Three killed trying to cut open wartime bomb

 Three people in the south-central province of Phú Yên were killed, when a mortar shell they attempted to cut open to extract gun powder and scrap exploded, on Saturday afternoon.

Hue exhibits Vietnam’s memories of the world

 The central province of Thua Thien – Hue opened an exhibition inside the Hue imperial citadel on May 16 to display a collection of UNESCO world documentary heritages found in Vietnam.

Prime Minister’s Russia visit to boost trade: ambassador

Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Konstantin Vnukov has hoped that PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s visit to Russia will promote Vietnam-Russia bonds in trade and investment as they are not matched with bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.

Prime Minister arrives in Moscow for Russia visit

 Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc arrived at Vnukovo International Airport, Moscow, on May 16, to begin his official visit to Russia where he will attend the Russia-ASEAN Summit in Sochi.

Australia's Starpharma, Ansell to supply anti-Zika condoms for Olympics

Australian pharmaceutical company Starpharma Holdings Ltd said it is teaming up with world No. 2 condom maker Ansell Ltd to supply Zika virus-proof condoms to the Australian Olympic team ahead of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro games. 

Norway's wealth fund to sue Volkswagen over emissions scandal

 Norway's sovereign wealth fund, the world's largest, said on Sunday it plans to join the class-action lawsuits filed against Volkswagen AG over the German automaker's emissions scandal.