U.S. officials warn Zika 'scarier' than initially thought

 Top health officials expressed heightened concern on Monday about the threat posed to the United States by the Zika virus, saying the mosquito that spreads it is now present in about 30 states

International economists optimistic, Vietnamese pessimistic about economy

VietNamNet Bridge - While Vietnamese experts show big concerns about Vietnam economy, pointing out that too many problems still exist, foreign economists have a positive outlook about Vietnam.

Majestic Chu Dang Ya Volcano

 VietNamNet Bridge - Chu Dang Ya volcano is about 30 kilometers to the northeast Gia Lai town, 20 km from the famous tourist destination of Bien Ho.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 12/4

 March automobile sales hike 112 percent, Vietnam calls for India’s increased connectivity with ASEAN, Italian firms learn about Vietnam’s market potential, Carlsberg spends $20 million promoting Tuborg

Traces of Paleolithic age discovered in Vietnam

 VietNamNet Bridge – Archeologists announced that prehistoric people living in Viet Nam knew how to use hand-axes 700-800 thousand years ago.

Futsal coach Garcia selects players for friendly matches

 VietNamNet Bridge – National futsal coach Bruno Garcia has called up 20 players for friendly matches in Japan to prepare for the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2016 final round.

Russian tourist arrivals to Vietnam rise by 13.5 percent in Q1

 The number of Russian holidaymakers coming to Vietnam rose by 13.5 percent to 108,750 in the first quarter of 2016, according to the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR).

U.S. citizens can now get one-year Vietnam visas

 The National Assembly (NA) has passed a resolution approving a diplomatic note on issuing one-year multiple-entry visas for U.S. citizens.

Overseas Vietnamese director wins double prizes at TV drama making contest

Antony Nguyen, a Vietnamese American director, and his S45 team pocketed double prizes of VND3.06 billion (over US$137,000) for their sci-fi movie Rin at EVO8 – Hack The TV, a TV drama making contest to search for talent in the film industry.

HCM City pledges to back Fulbright University Vietnam

HCMC Party Secretary Dinh La Thang on Monday worked with chairman of the Trust for University Innovation in Vietnam Thomas Vallely on preparations for the coming establishment of Fulbright Vietnam University headquartered in HCMC.

Trade deficit with China drops

 Vietnam’s trade deficit with China in the first quarter of this year fell 15.6 per cent year-on-year to $6.5 billion, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).

Chinese technology blamed for substandard products at biofuel plants

VietNamNet Bridge - Four out of seven biofuel plants have been found using Chinese technology, while three others using technology imported from China and other countries such as the US, Denmark and India.

Education Ministry tries in vain to offer vocational training at general school

VietNamNet Bridge - General school students all have vocational training, but the knowledge learned is rarely used in reality.

UK Foreign Secretary’s visit aims to enhance cooperation with Vietnam

 UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond intends to discuss how to further strengthen cooperation between the UK and Vietnam during his visit to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City on April 12-13.

Mekong Delta’s life depends on upstream waters

VietNamNet Bridge - Scientists have warned that the serious drought is just the ‘overture’ for a succession of blows that natural calamities and human activities will have on the Mekong Delta.

First online tourist portal launched

 The Viet Nam Technological and Commercial Joint Stock Bank (Techcombank) plans to list its shares at the general shareholder's meeting on April 23.

Vietnam learns to live without ODA

VietNamNet Bridge - Relending ODA (official development assistance) capital instead of allocating capital is one of the methods Vietnam could use the capital source more effectively as ODA for Vietnam will be cut in the near future.

Firms want clear transport fees

 Enterprises appreciated the Ministry of Transport's work to build a decree to regulate charges of marine transport and port services, said an official from an export association.

Naha, Hoi An cities agree on eco-city project

The old city of Hoi An in the central province of Quang Nam and Naha city, the capital of Okinawa Prefecture, have come to an agreement on the third phase of the Eco-city Achievement Support Project.

Vietnam in pot 4 for AFC U19 tournament draw

  The Asian Football Federation (AFC) has announced the seeds for the 2016 AFC U19 Championship final round draw to be held in Bahrain on April 30.

VN fencers grab Olympic tickets

 Vietnam pocketed two Olympic slots in fencing during Asia-Pacific zonal qualification matches in China yesterday.

New contemporary arts centre opens in HCM City

A contemporary arts exhibition is being held at the launch of a new contemporary arts centre, The Factory, in HCM City.

French Indochinese items set to be auctioned in Paris

 Four hundred objects collected from French Indochina will be auctioned in Paris in May.  

Roche says FDA fast tracks atezolizumab in specific type of lung cancer

 Roche Holding AG said on Monday the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted priority review for atezolizumab for treating people with a specific type of lung cancer.

HCM City project to relocate slum dwellers faces resistance

HCM City authorities’ efforts to relocate people living in slums along the city’s polluted canals as part of its urban upgrade program faces a major hurdle: most of the slum dwellers do not want to move since their livelihoods are dislocated.