VietNamNet Bridge – Much more by the way of realistic reforms need be done to tackle the challenges of a rapidly aging population in Vietnam, says the Ministry of Ministry of Planning and Investment (MoIT).

With numerous large-scale foreign-invested projects to be licensed soon, Hanoi has set an ambitious target of attracting $2 billion in foreign direct investment this year, up from $1.4 billion in 2015.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Voters in Truong Sa island district, the central province of Khanh Hoa, are anticipating the election of deputies to the 14 th National Assembly and all-level People’s Councils for 2016-2021

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam aims to increase the number of ethic minority deputies at the 14th National Assembly (NA) so that the assembly has appropriate representation from all social strata.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Greater efforts are needed for women to make up 30 percent of deputies in the 14th National Assembly (NA) as targeted by the NA Standing Committee, insiders have said.

VietNamNet Bridge - Economists have called on the government to be cautious when licensing foreign direct investment (FDI) projects, emphasizing that Vietnam should not attract FDI at any cost.

 Nearly 3.5 billion USD of foreign direct investment (FDI) was pumped into industrial and economic parks nationwide in the first four months of 2016, with the number expected to increase to 11 billion USD by year’s end.

 A strategy on environmental protection until 2020, with a vision through 2030, has just been launched.

VietNamNet Bridge - A 20-year-old passenger had to pay VND4 million ($200) fine for making a bad joke while going through check-in procedures for a flight from Hanoi to Thailand.

VietNamNet Bridge – The national television of Vietnam (VTV) has been involved in a scandal after broadcasting a reportage that included arranged scenes.

After the success of the Ao Dai Festival at Festival Hue 2016, designer Duc Hung has left a deep impression to the audience at home and abroad. On May 14, he will go to the US to participate in the 4th Ao Dai Festival in California.

 VietNamNet Bridge – When neighbors moved some furniture from their house, a woman in Tan Tru district of Long An province took photos of them and posted on her Facebook page with the caption "photos of thieves".

 VietNamNet Bridge – The local media and public was stirred up for the last few days by a street where all shops have to hang similar signboards in red and blue colors.

 VietNamNet Bridge - Football referee Ha Anh Chien, 40, has been banned for life following his serious mistakes at a V-League match last week, which made headlines for afew days.

 VietNamNet Bridge - The headmaster of a primary school in the southern province of Bac Lieu on May 12 was arrested for lewd acts against many schoolgirls over a long period.

Vietnam can use strategic ports and harbors to provide inventories and logistics, anchoring, repair and maintenance services for international ships passing through the maritime route from the East Sea to the Indian Ocean and vice versa.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Disasters such as drought, salt water intrusion and severe cold have already caused higher financial losses this year than last year.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Argentinan DJ band Heatbeat will perform at the Rave Under Water music festival in Eden Garden in Hanoi on May 14,

VietNamNet Bridge - As orders have moved from Vietnam to Myanmar and Laos, many Vietnamese small- and medium-sized garment companies have had to shut down.

 A car-sized sled powered by electromagnets rocketed to more than 100 miles (160 kph) an hour through the Nevada desert on Wednesday in what the Los Angeles company developing the technology said was the first successful test

Experts said there is not enough evidence to confirm all Vietnamese enterprises and individuals named in the Panama Papers are involved in illegal activities, but stressed authorities should act to ease public concerns.

The Vietnam Rivers Network has suggested the Government scrap a trans-Asia waterway and hydropower project planned to be executed in the Red River due to its low efficiency and negative impacts on local communities and biodiversity.

 Esther Maasdam, Global Latte Artist for Le Méridien brand, on Tuesday had a meeting with local media to share her knowledge and inspiration for coffee at Latitude 10 Bar and Lounge of the Le Méridien Saigon Hotel in District 1.

 Central Group has agreed to sell a 25% stake in hypermarket chain operator Big C Supercenter Plc in Thailand to its rival TCC Group, a move which is believed to help the former raise funds to complete the purchase of Big C assets in Vietnam.

 The zero rate policy of the State Bank of Vietnam for dollar deposits by enterprises and individuals has made banks’ operations less transparent and distorted the currency market, a lecturer at the Fulbright Economics Teaching Program said.