Vietnam Airlines launches new Non-stop Service HCM City-Shanghai

 National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines has announced the inaugural flight on March 28 of a new non-stop service route between Ho Chi Minh City and Shanghai, China.

Food and beverage highlights in April at Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers

Li Bai Chinese restaurant will introduce a special menu featuring sizzling Australian beef cooked in Chinese style with choices of exclusive sauce created by the talented chefs at Li Bai Restaurant during the month of April.

Vietnam opposes China’s sending of oil drilling rig to East Sea

 It is necessary for related sides to avoid taking unilateral actions that complicate the situations and affect the negotiations and delineation in the waters off the mouth of the Tonkin Gulf, said Deputy Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang.

PM approves foreign invested university of medicine and pharmacy

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has given a nod of approval to the establishment of Hoa Lam International University of Medicine and Pharmacy invested by Hoa Lam-Shangri-La Healthcare LLC.

VN Central Bank terminates short-term borrowing of foreign currencies

 After March 31 certain enterprises will be not permitted to borrow foreign currencies from banks and then exchange it into VND to buy materials, according to Circular No. 24 from the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV).

United States, China to sign Paris climate accord on April 22

 The United States and China confirmed Thursday that they will sign the Paris climate change agreement in New York on April 22, a move that officials hope will help the accord enter into force this year.

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.