Photo contest to capture beauty, history of Vietnam’s rivers

 VietNamNet Bridge – Overseas Vietnamese and all those living in Viet Nam, including foreigners, are invited to enter a photo competition. The contest theme is "Vietnamese Rivers". The contest is open until June 20.

VN women’s team beat Iran to lead Asian Chess Cup

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Vietnam women’s team beat Iran to take the lead after three rounds at the Asian Nations Cup Chess Team Championship on Wednesday.

Vietnam will play ’friendly matches’ to train for Asian Cup

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Viet Nam national men’s football team will play friendly matches to prepare for the upcoming third qualifying round of the AFC Asian Cup 2019, according to the Viet Nam Football Federation.

Vietnam to compete in Asia/Oceania Junior Davis Cup

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam’s top three under-16-years-old male tennis players will represent the country in the Asia/Oceania Junior Davis Cup tennis tournament scheduled to be held in New Delhi, India starting Saturday.

Private transport firms offer cheap ride from Hanoi to Noi Bai Airport

 Three coach operators have jointed a pilot program to offer rides for about VNĐ40,000 (US$1.8) per ride from downtown Hanoi to Noi Bai International Airport beginning this month.

Quang Ngai: Hydropower plant suspended for destroying forest

 Authorities of Quang Ngai Province have asked the Government to suspend operations of a hydropower plant worth trillions of VND for illegal deforestation.

Preparations for general election progresses smoothly

 Preparations for the election of deputies to the 14th National Assembly and People’s Councils for 2016-2020 are being conducted in line with the law and progressing smoothly, according to the National Election Council (NEC)’s Office.

Nearly 150 cinematic works vie for 2015 Golden Kite Awards

Nearly 150 cinematic works have registered to compete for the 2015 Golden Kite Awards, announced President of the Vietnam Cinematography Association Dang Xuan Hai on March 31.

US religious freedom official goes on fact-finding tour in Vietnam

 David Sapterstein, Ambassador-at-large for International Religious Freedom, and a delegation from the US Department of State took a fact-finding tour in Vietnam from March 26 to 31.

Vietnamese in Mozambique protected amidst armed conflicts

 The Vietnamese Embassy in Mozambique called on local agencies to take effective measures in order to ensure security and safety for Vietnamese and their property amid increasing armed conflicts in the country.

Government to stop providing guarantee for loans to SOEs

VietNamNet Bridge - The state-owned enterprises (SOEs) using foreign loans for production and business fields which bring profits will no longer get a government guarantee for loans.

Vietnam's Central Highlands struggles with historic drought

In the severe drought that has lasted for several months, water levels of hundreds of reservoirs in the Central Highlands are at 30-40% of capacity. In Dak Lak, 250 lakes are dry and the numbers are 17-40-5 in Dak Nong, Kon Tum, and Gia Lai.

Wedding photo locations around Danang

 VietNamNet Bridge – Luckily for us, Danang is a beautiful city with plenty of inspiring locations for your wedding photography.

Korean guitarist Sungha Jung returns to Vietnam

 A 20-year-old talented Korean guitarist Sungha Jung will perform two concerts at Vietnam’s Youth Theatre in Hanoi on April 16 and at HCMC Conservatory of Music in Ho Chi Minh City on April 17.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 1/4

 Statistics authority conducts survey on business, Foreign ownership plans excite markets, investors, Nanotech holds big potential in Vietnam, Banks: Deposit rates will decline, Nielsen: 91% of Vietnam respondents have subscription TV

Mai Linh asks for government incentives for joint electric car project with Renault

 Taxi operator Mai Linh Group has recently requested the support of the Vietnamese government for its electric car project, which it is going to carry out with French car-maker Renault.

Saigon Railway rejects station move

 The Saigon Railway Company has rejected a proposal that having the HCM City station and rail tracks in an urban area causes traffic congestion and so should be moved to the suburbs or a neighbouring province.

State budget collection reaches $10 bln in Q1

 Budget revenues were estimated at about $10 billion in the first quarter of this year, up 0.3 percent year on year and meeting 22.7 percent of collection goals, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) said on March 31.

HCM City to cooperate with Microsoft in technology application

 Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Dinh La Thang on March 31 had a working session on information technology cooperation with representatives from the US Microsoft Corporation.

Mekong Delta to welcome fresh water in April

 A number of coastal provinces in the Mekong Delta which are located about 25-40 km from the sea are expected to welcome inflows of fresh water in April when the tide recedes, according to the Southern Irrigation Science Institute.

Vietnam responses to animal health and zoonoses

 The government has approved the draft content of an agreement on establishing an ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Animal Health and Zoonoses (ACCAHZ) in Vietnam.

Tentative car purchase quota scheme worries Hanoians

Hanoians’ dream of owning cheaper cars after the tax cuts under the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (FTA) may be dashed as local authorities are considering applying a quota scheme in an effort to restrict the number of cars in circulation.

U.S. study may point the way on how to beat the Zika virus

 A molecular map of Zika has revealed important structural differences on a key protein of the virus that may explain why the pathogen attacks nerve cells while other viruses in the same family do not,

Exhibition displays children’s paintings on Vietnam and Russia

 An exhibition displaying children’s paintings on Vietnam and Russia opened at Hoan Kiem Cultural Centre in Hanoi on March 30, the Quan Doi Nhan Dan (People’s Army) newspaper reported.

Vietnamese travellers urged for “civilised tourism”

 Vietnamese people were called to improve their image when travelling abroad, at a forum held by the Vietnam Tourism Association (VITA) on March 31.