Saigon Philharmonic Orchestra to stage concert

  The Saigon Philharmonic Orchestra will hold “With strings attached” concert to mark the 60th anniversary of the HCMC Conservatory of Music at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.

The MoF disapproves tax exemption for Mai Linh’s eco-taxis

The Ministry of Finance has disapproved Auto Motors Vietnam and domestic taxi operator Mai Linh Group’s proposal for an exemption from import tariffs and special consumption taxes for electric cars using for passenger transport services.

Vietnam rolls with Southeast Asia's tech growth

When Singaporean Alvin Koh was running his coffee shop in Hanoi's Tay Ho District a few years ago, he noticed that it was nearly impossible to track the number of customers who came back to the shop, in essence, their loyalty to the place.

Vietnam's No 1 tennis player drops in latest ATP world rankings

 Vietnam's No 1 tennis player Ly Hoang Nam dropped to 901st place from 870 in the ATP rankings, which were released earlier this week.

FVH announce excursion to serene Thanh Chuong's Viet Palace

  On Saturday, April 16, the Friends of Vietnam Heritage group will organise an excursion to Thành Chương’s Việt Palace, in Sóc Sơn suburban, about 30km from city’s centre.

Scrap imports endanger environment

VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam has been unintentionally importing pollution because of loopholes in management over scrap imports.

Vietnam lacks coal for thermal power plants, but coal exports continue

VietNamNet Bridge - The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) has asked for the government’s permission for the export of lump coal and dust coal in the 2016-2020 period.

7.1-magnitude earthquake hits Myanmar

 A 7.1-magnitude earthquake hit Myanmar's northwestern part Wednesday evening, according to the Myanmar Earthquake Committee.

Vietnam's headline inflation rises in first quarter

 Vietnam’s headline inflation rate increased by 1.69 per cent in the first quarter of this year, putting pressure on the new Government to curb the rate going forward, according to a quarterly report on macroeconomic growth.

Overall planning for Oc Eo-Ba The relic site to be made

  Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam has agreed in principle to allow the People’s Committee of An Giang province to make an overall planning for the Oc Eo-Ba The Special National Relic Site.

Cherry blossom festival to be held in HCM City

  Ho Chi Minh City will organise the first-ever cherry blossom festival on April 22-23, according to the municipal People’s Committee.

Vietnamese overseas deposits skyrocket

 Vietnamese deposits overseas, which were previously negligible, skyrocketed to hit 7.3 billion USD as of the third quarter of 2015, it was reported at a conference in Hanoi on April 12.

Preschool quality in doubt

VietNamNet Bridge - About 4.8 million children at preschools throughout the country face high risks – food contamination, accidents and child abuse.

Vietnam, EU reach agreement on timber export market

 Vietnam and the European Union have agreed that the Timber Legality Assurance System of Vietnam (VNTLAS) will be applied for wood and wood products exported to the EU, and also to other countries and in the domestic market.

HCM City: two men receive death sentences for drug smuggling

 The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Court on April 13 handed down death penalties to two men involved in a case of smuggling 11.8kg of drugs.

World leaders congratulates new leaders of Vietnam

 Leaders worldwide have sent messages to congratulate Tran Dai Quang on his election as the new President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Commander of Military Zone I appointed Deputy Minister of Defence

VietNamNet Bridge - Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on April 12 appointed Lieutenant General Phan Van Giang, member of the Party Central Committee, Commander of Military Zone 1, as Deputy Minister of Defense

Congress sends Obama bill on Zika drug development

 U.S. lawmakers on Tuesday approved a bill to provide financial incentives to companies developing treatments for the Zika virus, and the White House said President Barack Obama was expected to sign the legislation

Prime Minister meets Harvard University professor

Vietnam attaches importance to the Vietnam Executive Leadership Programme – a joint effort among the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry, the Vietnam Programme at the Harvard Kennedy School and the UNDP, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc said.

M-commerce to take off in Vietnam

 VietNamNet Bridge – Mobile electronic commerce or m-commerce is soon set to take off in Viet Nam thanks to the increasing number of mobile phones and rapid internet development, experts have predicted.

Kien Giang: Untouched Nam Du islands attract tourists

With twenty one small islands, the unspoiled Nam Du archipelago in Kien Giang has emerged as an inviting tourist attraction for those who look for pristine tropical beaches surrounded by ​pure atmosphere, glittering sea and smooth white sand.

Trang Subyone combines installation art and oil paintings at downtown show

  Vietnamese French artist Trang Subyone has put on his latest exhibition of oil paintings combined with installation art to express his concern about local youth’s useless pleasures.

Social News 14/4

 Colour Me Run Hanoi set for May 28, In north-central Vietnamese province, 50% of wartime bombs cleared, Sài Gòn Railways to launch new trains, Mekong Delta challenged to ensure water security: expert

Vietnam to launch another satellite into orbit

 VietNamNet Bridge - According to the National Satellite Center, it is expected that this September, the satellite MicroDragon will be manufactured and available for launching in September 2017.

Vietnamese bankers harbor ‘airline dream’

VietNamNet Bridge - Bankers have been repeatedly warned about the high risks they would face when investing in the aviation sector, but they still harbor the ‘airline dream’.