Para Games kick off in Singapore

 The Singapore's ASEAN Para Games, which officially kicked off yesterday, is an exuberant celebration of the mental and physical strengths of people of all abilities.

Vietnamese artists win big at MAMA awards

Pop singer Dong Nhi and music producer Le Hung Phuc were awarded at the 2015 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) ceremony, held at Hong Kong's AsiaWorld Expo last night.

Yuan's effect on VN economy uncertain

With the International Monetary Fund including China's yuan in its elite reserve currency basket, impacts from the step on Viet Nam's economy will depend on its preparation, according to experts.

Vietnam's top 500 firms in 2015 named

State-run PetroVietnam remains at the top of the 500 Vietnamese biggest enterprises list in terms of revenue (VNR500) this year, while Vinamilk has been named the country's largest private enterprise.

Vietnam cyber security sees big gains

 The Information Security Index of Vietnam 2015 - a Korean designed index to grade a nation's cyber security capacity- increased from an average of 39 per cent last year to 46.4 percent among Vietnamese agencies early this year.

HCM City to support migrant workers with new policies

 The government of HCM City has approved a plan to support migrant workers with a series of policies that will take effect early next year.

Government News In Brief

 DPRK prosecutors visit Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – Cuba diplomatic relationship marked in HCM City, Vietnam, Laos hope for strengthened relations

Japanese President of House of Councilors to visit Vietnam

 President of Japan's House of Councilors Yamazaki Masaaki will pay an official visit to Vietnam from December 7-10.

‘Integration’ reform in education causes confusion

VietNamNet Bridge - The training courses provided by the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) to general school teachers on teaching integrated lessons have failed.

Rang Bua Cake - Thanh Hoa's tasty cake

When travelling to Thanh Hoa, visitors should not miss this tasty cake. The cake is made of rice and is also called rice cake. Rice is grinded into powder and then cooked with water in a pan until it becomes a viscous mixture.

Foreign associations concerned about Vietnam visa policy

 Representatives of foreign business associations have expressed concern over Vietnam’s visa policy, claiming their member enterprises are having problems with short-stay visa and strict entry regulations.

Is Vinamilk still attractive to investors?

VietNamNet Bridge - Vinamilk, the nation’s leading dairy producer and a highly profitable company, is a share worth investing in, but it is still unclear how attractive the share actually. 

AEC – golden opportunity for Vietnam’s real estate

 Vietnam’s deeper integration into ASEAN is bringing the country golden opportunities in the real estate sector.

South Korea hopes to organize world cultural exhibition in HCM City

 The Ambassador for International Relations of the Republic of Korea’s Gyeongsangbuk Provincial Government, Hong Jong-kyoung has expressed his wish to organise the World Culture Exhibition in HCM City.

Hanoi's trees face axe for traffic constructions

 VietNamNet Bridge – As many as 30 old nacre trees will be chopped on Doi Can-Buoi-Lang roads of the capital for traffic constructions underway, the Ha Noi Park and Green Tree Company said.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 4/12

 Rice exports rebound after ten months of decline, Int'l firms seek opportunities in construction, mining sector, Electronic product and component exports jump high, TPP: Not all doom and gloom for Vietnam’s beef industry

23 caves discovered in the bays of Ha Long and Bai Tu Long

VietNamNet Bridge - After a two-week survey in the two bays of Ha Long and Bai Tu Long (Quang Ninh province), authorities have found 23 new caves, including 18 with high scientific and aesthetic value.

Hanoi has about 2,000 prostitutes: police

VietNamNet Bridge - There are about 2,000 prostitutes in public areas and conditional service establishments (bars, karaoke, night clubs, discotheques) in Hanoi, according to incomplete statistics.

Man declared innocent after more than 17 years in jail

 After spending more than 17 years in jail on murder charges, Huynh Van Nen has been declared innocent and freed from prison.

Prime Minister’s trip to Europe yields pragmatic outcomes

 Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s recent working trip to France, Belgium and the European Union yields pragmatic outcomes across politics, external affairs, economics and culture, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc said.

Vietnam, France step up efforts to realise strategic partnership

 Vietnam and France have showed their political resolve to promote and expand cooperation to realise their signed strategic partnership.

Females and felines are top 2015 Instagram stars

 If you want to be an Instagram star, you had better be female and get a cat. Or be Taylor Swift.

WHO releases first ever global estimates of foodborne diseases

 Almost one third (30%) of all deaths from foodborne diseases are in children under the age of five years, despite the fact that they make up only 9% of the global population.

Art & Entertainment News in Brief

Dong Nhi wins Best Asian Artist 2015, Agribank donates VND 14 bln for Hue Festival 2016, Secondhand book fair to be held in Hanoi, French pop-rock concert with La Grande Sophie, Expat threatre group stages tale Hansel and Gretel

'Tale of Kieu' sets world record

 Truyen Kieu (the Tale of Kieu) was recognised as 'The literary work having the most national records in the world' by the World Records Union on December 2, according to the Vietnam Book of Records (Vietkings).