BUSINESS IN BRIEF 13/3

 VN firms urged to focus on branding, Fruit, vegetable exports strengthen, Fertiliser firms lament new rules, VN set to become investment magnet, EU trade deal aims to help firms, German firm opens first electromagnetic laboratory in VN

Fake ’emergency’ vehicles annoy road users

 VietNamNet Bridge – Slack regulation of the use of priority traffic horns and lights recently in Ha Noi is giving residents a headache.

Japanese football infiltrates Vietnam market

 VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam is one of the markets with the most potential in Southeast Asia and the J.League clubs want to look for the brightest talents.

Da Nang to hold Quan The Am Festival

 One of the country’s largest festivals, the Quan The Am (Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva) festival in Da Nang city, will be held on March 25-27 at the Quan The Am Pagoda in Hoa Vang district.

Hunter turns from killer to conservationist

 VietNamNet Bridge – From hunting wild animals as young boy, one man has changed his view of the animals we share the planet with, and decided to protect them.

Parents urge children to go back to basics

 VietNamNet Bridge – The hi-tech age has brought with it many benefits, but many parents are concerned that addiction to smartphones, tablets and laptops may be detrimental to their children's wellbeing.

Social News 13/3

 Banks pledge VND4 trillion for fishing boat building program, 3GF to discuss energy, urban development, natural resources, Ho Chi Minh City toughens on corruption, wastefulness, System of handling complaints reviewed

Garment companies struggle to escape outsourcing

VietNamNet Bridge - A lot of Vietnamese garment companies which do not want to outsource for foreign partners have decided to find new ways to develop. 

Virtual reality glasses: now for the masses

 VietNamNet Bridge – Two students at VNU University of Engineering and Technology have designed a new model of virtual reality (VR) glasses "Made in Viet Nam" to help access VR technology.

Worship of Mother Goddesses is part of Vietnamese culture

 While researchers and followers are anxiously waiting for UNESCO recognition of the Vietnamese worship of Mother Goddesses as a cultural heritage, the len dong ritual is becoming more favoured by the community and promoted in various ways.

Vinalines to make public offering in first quarter

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam National Shipping Lines will make an initial public offering (IPO) in Q1 of 2016, said Vu Anh Minh, Director of the Ministry of Transport’s enterprise management department.

Delicious grilled fish in Thung Nai

Nestled between a mountain and a river, the mountainous commune of Thung Nai in Hoa Binh Province’s Cao Phong District draws a large number of tourists every year for its gorgeous scenery, tranquility and food specialties,

Goal to roll out family medical practices in VN

VietNamNet Bridge – Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Kim Tien spoke with Tuoi tre (Youth) newspaper about the shortcomings of implementing the family medical practice model in Viet Nam and its development plan by 2020.

Discover the trans-Vietnam road in 20 days

 VietNamNet Bridge - Taking a long journey throughout Vietnam to explore the natural beauty and cultural beauty, history and people is something that many people desire.

Forest fires threatens areas across country

 Prolonged dry weather has put many parts of Vietnam at a risk of forest fires, the Forest Protection Department warned.

Barriers block foreign investors being residents

 VietNamNet Bridge – Over the past few years, in an effort to provide foreign investors with better legal conditions to make investments in Vietnam, the State Bank of Vietnam issued various new regulations on foreign exchange control.

Int'l artists gather at Russian music night

 VietNamNet Bridge – The HCMC Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera (HBSO) will host a night of Russian music featuring young and talented foreign artists on March 19 at the HCMC Opera House in District 1.

Parents need to set example on the road

 VietNamNet Bridge – A picture of a man, wearing a helmet, with a sign saying, "I sincerely apologise to the traffic police ignoring red lights!" has recently caught the attention of Internet citizens.

Smartphone advertising growing like crazy

 With the spread of mobile technology, it has become easier for small businesses to maintain regular contact with their customers online and many Vietnamese vendors report new social promos are popping up everywhere.

President holds talks with Mozambican counterpart

 Vietnam and Mozambique have agreed to work on concrete measures to boost all-round ties in the time ahead during talks between visiting Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang and his Mozambican counterpart Filipe Jacinto Nyusi.

Social News 12/3

 Fact-finding trip to newly-discovered tunnel in Quang Tri, Quang Tri: drug smuggling busted on Vietnam-Laos border, Vietnam offers preferential loans to medical graduates, Vietnam to observe Int’l Francophone Day

Vietnamese artists to stage classic drama in Singapore

 Talented artists from the Vietnam National Drama Theatre will perform Hamlet at Singapore’s Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall on March 25, said Nguyen The Vinh, the theatre director.

Poor trash management a waste of vital resources

VietNamNet Bridge – Poor management in sorting and treating solid waste not only pollutes the environment, but also wastes resources, environmental experts said at the third 3R International Scientific Conference on Material in Ha Noi.

Mekong River resources must be shared among VN, neighbours

VietNamNet Bridge – Many experts have blamed the high intrusion of salty water into the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta on climate change and the low level of water running from the upper reach to the lower reach of the Mekong River delta.

VN players shine at masters tourney

 Young masters Nguyen Anh Khoi and Tran Tuan Minh took big step in the ranking of the HDBank Cup International Open Chess 2016 Masters Tournament.