President Obama's speech on Vietnam-US relations in Hanoi

 On May 24, US President Barack Obama delivered remarks on Vietnam-US relations at the Vietnam National Convention Centre reviewing milestones and substantial progress between the two countries over recent years.

Vietnamese and Canadian artists to perform at Thursday concert

VietNamNet Bridge – A concert titled “Canada and Viet Nam in Harmony” featuring artists from the two countries will take place on Thursday.

 

Strongest El Nino in nearly 20 years ends: Australian weather bureau

 The strongest El Nino in nearly 20 years, which damaged crop production in Asia and caused food shortages, has ended, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) said on Tuesday.

Firefighters protect Canada's oil sands battling 1,100 C flames

Fighting massive forest fires is dangerous and taxing enough, but those sent into Canada’s oil sands are not only wrestling with one of the worst wildfires in the country’s history. They are doing it surrounded by the volatile, explosive chemicals

Transport Ministry gives ‘go ahead’ to Vietstar Airlines, Finance Ministry pulls back

VietNamNet Bridge - After four years of operation, Vietstar Airlines wants to increase its charter capital and expand the fleet. However, two ministries cannot reach agreement on the issue.

Quiet, romantic places in Da Lat

VietNamNet Bridge - Langbiang plateau, the national park of Bidoup and Pongour waterfall are must-see  tourist sites in Da Lat City.

Vietnamese boy wins U10 chess event in Germany championship

VietNamNet Bridge – German Vietnamese Bui Le Bao Anh triumphed in the German Chess Championship’s U10 Boys category on Saturday in Villingen-Schwenningen City. 

Vietnam stages its second opera

 VietNamNet Bridge – The second Vietnamese opera will debut on Thursday at the Ha Noi Opera House marking a milestone for Vietnamese opera art. The first one debuted some 40 years ago.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 24/5

Pepper industry to focus on quality growth, Large banks want foreign owner cap to be increased, VN tuna exports decline 5.5% year-on-year in Q1, Vinamilk removes foreign ownership cap, rejects branding concerns

The first activities of President Obama in HCM City

VietNamNet Bridge - US President Obama arrived in HCM City at 4pm. After leaving Tan Son Nhat Airport, he made a 15-minute visit to the Ngoc Hoang Pagoda and then had a meeting with young entrepreneurs at the  Dreamplex co-working space.

Vietnamese, US businessmen meet in Hanoi, talk about TPP

 Vietnamese and US entrepreneurs met in Hanoi on May 23 to discuss the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

Int’l press continue to highlight Obama’s visit to Vietnam

 Several foreign newspapers have carried news stories highlighting the ongoing visit to Vietnam by US President Barack Obama, during which he announced to fully lift the arms embargo on Vietnam.

Parkson falls behind rival shopping malls

After failing to meet the shopping habits of Vietnamese consumers, Malaysian retailing group Parkson has seen its malls turn into ghost towns before finally shutting down.

Obama urged to meet Agent Orange victims

 The Sky News recently ran an article by Tom Rayner about the need to address the ongoing health impacts caused by Agent Orange when President Obama visits Vietnam on May 23.

$50,000 to save elephants in Dak Lak

 The Animals Asia Foundation (AAF) has pledged 50,000 USD of aid to save elephants in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak between 2016 and 2017.

Ministry of Science and Technology wants more government funds

 The Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) has proposed the government support up to 100 percent of funding for scientific and technological research activities.

Quang Ninh told to drastically address tourism flaws

 Authorities of the northern province of Quang Ninh have been requested to better ensure tourists’ safety and quality of services, a move following several accidents and mismanaged services there.

Vietnam, Laos ministries commended on defence cooperation

 Lao Party General Secretary and President Bounnhang Vorachith lauded the cooperation between the Lao and Vietnamese defence ministries and wants this relationship to be enhanced.

Vietnam, US issue joint announcement on climate change partnership

 Vietnam and the United States issued a joint announcement on climate change partnership on May 23 (Vietnam time), emphasising the need to combat global climate change.

The hotel in Hanoi where President Obama stays at

VietNamNet Bridge - During his two days in Hanoi, President Obama and his entourage stay at the luxurious suite at the JW Marriott Hotel Hanoi.

The highlights of PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s visit to Russia

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has just returned from a five-day trip to Russia— his first visit to any foreign nation since assuming his new post.

Ministry of Industry and Trade, GE sign MoU on wind energy cooperation

 GE, a US based global corporation on May 23 announced that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Industry and Trade on developing 1,000MW of Wind energy in Vietnam.

Small-scale businesses take the lead in OTT

 Small-scale businesses are taking the lead in the over-the-top content (OTT) service, Nguyen Viet Dung, general director of Viettel Telecom, said.

Forum urges VN to preserve biodiversity

 VietNamNet Bridge – Building a platform for partnership on the conservation of biodiversity is urgently needed to accelerate collaboration among ministries, sectors and stakeholders,

81,000ha of shrimp breeding ponds damaged

 VietNamNet Bridge – The prolonged drought and saltwater have damaged more than 81,000 hectares of shrimp breeding areas in eight Mekong provinces,