Vietnam raises warning level for Zika virus

 Vietnam has raised the warning level for the Zika virus following the information about an Australian visitor who tested positive for Zika after returning from the Southeast Asian nation.

Upcoming events in Hanoi, Saigon

 VinGallery to host spring art market, Electronic music concert features international artists, UK choreographer performs in HCM City, French singer featured at Saigon Reggae Festival, Colours in the wind for celebration of Holi festival in Ha Noi

Water flow from China to reach Vietnam's Mekong Delta in 19 days

 The water discharged from China’s Jinghong Hydropower Station is expected to reach the Mekong Delta region in 19 days, according to Dong Van Tu, head of the Water Resource Directorate’s department of irrigation and dam safety.

Drought, saline encroachment continue in Mekong Delta: Mekong River Commission

 Drought and saltwater intrusion are predicted to continue damaging parts of the Mekong Delta despite China’s release of upriver water, said Chief Executive Officer at the Mekong River Commission Secretariat Pham Tuan Phan.

White kachnar blossoms in Dien Bien

 VietNamNet Bridge – At this time of year, visitors to Dien Bien Province in the nation’s northwest can admire the beauty of kachnar flowers.

NA deputies discuss leaders’ working reports, child protection draft l

 National Assembly deputies discussed in groups a draft working report of the legislature’s 13th tenure and its agencies for 2011-2016 during the ongoing 11th session in Hanoi on March 23.

VN President receives Governor of Kaluga, Russia, greets outgoing Singaporean Ambassador

 President Truong Tan Sang hosted a reception in Hanoi on March 23 for Governor of Kaluga, Russia, A.D.Artamonov.

VN Deputy PM stresses sustainable use of water resources in Mekong River

 The Mekong-Lancang Cooperation should promote its important role in boosting efforts by member states to scientifically and sustainably manage and use the water resources of the Mekong River, known as the Lancang in China.

Blogger anhbasam jailed for five years for anti-State posts

Blogger Nguyen Huu Vinh and his assistant Nguyen Thi Minh Thuy were imprisoned for five and three years, respectively, on the charge of abusing the rights to democracy and freedom to infringe on the interests of the State.

Giant arch to block Chernobyl radiation for next 100 years

 In the middle of a vast exclusion zone in northern Ukraine, the world's largest land-based moving structure has been built to prevent deadly radiation spewing from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster site for the next 100 years.

After drowning accidents, Vung Tau installs hundreds of warning boards

 VietNamNet Bridge – Several drowning cases at Bai Sau Beach at the resort city of Vung Tau recentlyforced the local authorities to install hundreds of warning boards on the beach.

MobiFone to divest from two banks to earn over $20 million

VietNamNet Bridge – The Hanoi Stock Exchange has announced news on the auction of shares of SeABank and Tien Phong Bank of MobiFone, one of the top three mobile service providers in Vietnam.

South Korea is 4th country to invest in Vietnam subway

 VietNamNet Bridge - Following Japan, Germany and Spain, the Korean government has begun to study the subway project in HCM City.

Vietnam to use nearly 11,000 ha of land for 96 golf courses

 VietNamNet Bridge - By 2020 up to 10,980 hectares of land will be used to build 96 golf courses, 2,000 hectares more than the National Assembly-approved plan on handing over 46,800 hectares of land to sports and physical training establishments.

The Internet pioneer

Tien Phong Newspaper's "Outstanding Faces of Vietnam" column talked with Nguyen Anh Tuan, an engineer and a journalist, who is best known as the first Editor in Chief of VietNamNet, the first online newspaper in Vietnam.

Listed companies: high level of capital, slow growth

VietNamNet Bridge - Listed companies’ production and business have resumed, but the predicted bank loan interest rate increases have caused big concerns.

Will Con Dao Island stay green?

VietNamNet Bridge - Con Dao residents, who take pride in their green island, are worried about the news that 40 hectares of forest may be cleared to make room for a road through a national park.

More students decide not to pursue university education

VietNamNet Bridge - Reports by local education and training departments all show a sharp decrease in the number of students registering to study at university.

Middle income trap a risk: experts

 VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam needs to shift from a low middle-income to higher-income nation and avoid the middle-income trap by reforming policy content, structure and organisation,

Lang Biang Plateau

 VietNamNet Bridge – Lang Biang or Lam Vien Mountain, 12 km from Da Lat City, is a popular tourist destination. Visiting the mountain, you will stroll along paths in lush pine forests and explore some magnificent nature.

Social News 24/3

 HCM City’s boosted anti-crime efforts turning out well, No Zika cases found in Vietnam as of March 18, Phase 2 of Central Highlands healthcare project begins, Japan launches career website to meet demand for talent

Deputy Prime Minister meets Chinese Premier

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh has thanked China for responding to Vietnam’s call to release water from Jinghong hydropower plant in Yunnan province.

Huge real estate M&A deals made

VietNamNet Bridge - The domestic real estate market has witnessed many joint venture projects and merger & acquisition (M&A) transactions in which the buyers are foreign businesses and investment funds.

Thua Thien-Hue province a step closer to casino approval

Minister of Finance Dinh Tien Dung has voiced his support for Singaporean resort developer Banyan Tree Holdings to open a casino in Laguna Lang Co integrated resort complex in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue.

Hanoi artist debuts exhibition on beauty of ethnic groups

 VietNamNet Bridge – Twelve mixed media paintings by Ha Noi-based artist Nguyen The Hung that will be on show at the Craig Thomas Gallery in HCM City from March 25 to April 21 along with a fascinating story