Tourism sector looks to new markets

 VietNamNet Bridge – Dinh Ngoc Duc, Director of Market Department under the Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism, spoke to Weekly Viet Nam and World Economic Affairs about his department’s efforts to look for new markets.

Social News 19/3

 Japanese company asked to protect Vietnamese workers’ rights, Register electric bikes before riding them, students warned, WHO-funded cooperation project approved, Work on Dau Giay-Phan Thiet expy to start in 2017

FDI firms pinpoint complicated procedures, inconsistent rules

 VietNamNet Bridge – Foreign direct investment (FDI) enterprises attending a dialogue with HCMC’s leaders on March 16 complained about complicated administrative and customs procedures and inadequate regulations.

Series of concerts to honor Trinh Cong Son

 VietNamNet Bridge – Dozens of singers and musicians will perform the works of late songwriter Trinh Cong Son in a series of concerts 15 years after his death.

Vietnam catches up with the world in organ transplants

 Vietnam’s medical sector has seen great progress over the years in the quality of its medical diagnosis and treatment, personnel qualifications, and application of advanced treatment technologies.

Vietnam telecoms market to heat up

  The operators of the Vietnamobile and Gmobile brands are taking steps to change their operational models, a move which is expected to intensify competition in the domestic telecommunications market.

Vietnamese leaders send congratulations to Myanmar’s new President

 President Truong Tan Sang and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on March 18 extended their congratulations to newly elected President of Myanmar Htin Kyaw.

Miss Philippines Universe in Vietnamese ao dai

VietNamNet Bridge - Miss Philippines Universe 2012 Janine Tugonon and Miss America Runner-up 2014 Crystal Lee recently attended the Women Leaders Forum in Ho Chi Minh City.

Angola's yellow fever death toll rises to 158: WHO

 A yellow fever outbreak in Angola that began late last year has killed 158 people, up from 50 a month ago, as deaths from the disease transmitted by mosquitoes accelerate,

Oil steadies near 2016 high on production outlook

 Oil steadied around its 2016 high on Friday, supported by expectations of a production freeze by major exporters and dollar weakness that have pushed prices towards a fourth straight weekly gain.

Vietnam, Australia boost science-technology links

 Vietnam and Australia will promote sci-technology cooperation, focusing mainly on healthcare, agriculture and the environment.

Asia looks for its football champions

 VietNamNet Bridge – New national head coach Nguyen Huu Thang on Tuesday, March 15, named 32 players who will gather in Ha Noi this weekend to prepare for the 2018 World Cup qualifying matches.

Vietnamese spending on food triples within five years

 VietNamNet Bridge – The monthly expenses for food of each Vietnamese in 2015 was more than VND470,000 ($22), according to data from the General Statistics Office.

Seven Chinese jailed for illegal cash transfers

 VietNamNet Bridge – The People’s Court of Ha Noi yesterday (March 17) opened a trial to indict seven Chinese defendants on charges of illegal money transfers between Viet Nam and China.

Foreign media criticise China’s int’l law violations in East Sea

 The Korea Times of the Republic of Korea has recently run an article citing regulations stipulated in international law to prove that the U-shaped line claimed by China in the East Sea is not China’s baseline.

Vietnam, Morocco beef up legislative ties

 The ties between Vietnamese and Moroccan parliament agencies and exchanges between the two countries’ citizens and youths will be bolstered in the coming time.

Vietnamese, French legislatures agree increased liaisons

 Vietnamese and French legislature leaders have pledged their utmost efforts to bring the two countries’ legislative ties to a new height by facilitating high-level visits.

U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Commanders visit Vietnam

The Commander of the United States Pacific Fleet Admiral Scott H. Swift and Commander of the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific Lieutenant General John A. Toolan are paying a three day visit to Vietnam, from March 17 to 19.

The world’s largest sapphire Buddha statue comes back to Vietnam

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Buddha statue carved from the sapphire block weighing 18 tons will be placed at the Hoang Phuc Pagoda in the central province of Quang Binh for the people’s worship.

Mixed reactions after China announces it will release water

While the people and leaders of the Mekong Delta provinces are pleased that China decided to release from hydropower dams, irrigation experts said that most of the flow will be blocked before it runs to Vietnam.

Belgian dance company at Saigon Zoo

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Brussels-based dance company t.r.a.n.s.i.t.s.c.a.p.e and the Bong Sen Traditional Art Troupe will present a dance performance titled Urban Distortions at the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden on March 20.

Lian Tran eliminated from ITF Asia U14 tournament

 VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam’s number one hope Lian Tran was ousted from the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Asia 14 and Under Championships Division 1’s third round in HCM City on March 16.

Loading and unloading of goods threatens Ha Long Bay

VietNamNet Bridge - The loading and unloading of bulk commodities which can cause environmental pollution, such as cement, clinker and woodchips, have resumed on the Ha Long Bay despite the ban in 2012.

Nghiem to replace Duc as coach for Hanoi T&T premier team

 VietNamNet Bridge – Chu Dinh Nghiem will replace Pham Minh Duc to coach the Ha Noi T&T team of the national premier league, the club’s leaders announced yesterday, March 17.

Vinalines plans to sell floating dock at knock-down prices

VietNamNet Bridge - The Vietnam National Shipping Lines (Vinalines) has asked for the Ministry of Transport’s permission to sell an 83M floating dock for VND34.8 billion, or $1.5 million.