Big C sold in Thailand, not in Vietnam

  Casino Group is set to sell its stake in Big C Supercenter PCL to the TCC Group, one of Thailand's leading conglomerates, for 3.1 billion euro (US$3.46 billion).

'Kong: Skull Island' film crew to arrive in Vietnam this week

As many as 120 King Kong 2 film crew members are due to arrive in Vietnam on February 18 to perform its first shoots at some famous tourist sites in the world’s largest cave Son Doong, Ha Long Bay, and Ninh Binh.

Hanoi people complain about West Lake's foul smell

 Foul smell emanating from dead fish and waste in West Lake is making people feel uncomfortable when they pass through the area.

Nguyen Huu Thang replaces Miura as coach of VN national football team

 Nguyen Huu Thang has agreed to become head coach of the national football team, according to the Viet Nam Football Federation (VFF).

Vietnam, US firms ink deals on sidelines of ASEAN-US Summit

 Corporations of Vietnam and the United States on February 15 (US time) inked several deals in the presence of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on the sidelines of the ongoing special ASEAN-US Summit in Sunnylands, California.

Vietnamese learning website for OVs to be upgraded

 Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam has given directions to the upgrading of the website www.tiengvietonline.com.vn, designed for overseas Vietnamese.

Vietnam highlights UN Charter’s significance in maintaining peace

Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, has highlighted the UN Charter’s significance in maintaining international peace and security.

Vietnamese PM meets Indonesian President at ASEAN-US Summit

 Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung held bilateral talks with Indonesian President Joko Widodo on the sidelines of the ASEAN-US Summit in Sunnylands, California, on February 15 (US time).

Candidate preparations key to successful deputy election: official

 Candidate preparations are a key part of preparations for the National Assembly (NA) and People’s Council elections, slated for May 22, said NA Secretary General Nguyen Hanh Phuc.

Teachers’ freedom of speech limited on Facebook

VietNamNet Bridge - Many teachers have been disciplined recently because they clicked ‘like’ or made comments on Facebook.

VN President launches Tree Planting Festival

 President Truong Tan Sang on February 15 beat the drum to kick off the Tree Planting Festival 2016 in memory of late President Ho Chi Minh.

Vietnam, Thailand boost bilateral cooperation

 Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his Thai counterpart Prayut Chan-ocha have agreed on measures to boost the bilateral cooperation in various fields.

NA Standing Committee to convene 45th session

 The 13 th National Assembly Standing Committee will convene its 45 th session in Hanoi on February 17. 

Despite tax hike, Vietnam still attractive to foreign auto manufacturers

VietNamNet Bridge - While complaining about difficulties, foreign automobile manufacturers still could reap fruit in 2015. Despite big problems, they still want to cooperate with Vietnam’s automobile industry.

Image: VN Prime Minister attends special ASEAN-US summit

PM Nguyen Tan Dung is attending the special ASEAN-US summit, which is taking place in California, the US, on February 15 and 16. Some pictures of the PM's activities in the US.

Special ASEAN-US Summit opens

 The special ASEAN-US Summit kicked off in Sunnylands, California, the US, on February 15 (US time) with the presence of US President Barack Obama and leaders of the 10 ASEAN member countries.

Classes connect students globally

Despite geographical distance and cultural differences, the project to connect classes in all nations worldwide has helped students of all nationalities come closer to each other and it has offered an interesting playground for them all. 

Thailand diverts Mekong, Vietnam put in danger

Thailand has begun taking water from the Mekong River and pumping it into its northeastern areas, which are suffering from drought. However, it did not consult in advance with neighboring countries, which are all members of MRC.

Tour enables visitors to explore Vietnamese life through a lens

 VietNamNet Bridge – A trip can definitely be much less fulfilling if one cannot keep photographs of places visited, beautiful scenery, happy locals or even just miscellaneous things that catch one's eye.

VN banks willing to take risk, move abroad

 The Ha Noi-Sai Gon Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SHB) opened its fully-owned SHB Bank Limited in Laos in mid-January by upgrading the transaction office it had set up in 2012.

Social News 16/2

 HCMC businesses will need 19,000 new workers after Tet, Tourism industry strained by influx of visitors, A warm Tet holiday in Truong Sa, Vietnam sees surge in Chinese tourist arrivals, Young people dread Tet

5G networks to be commercialized in 2020

 VietNamNet Bridge - Mr. Thieu Phuong Nam, CEO of Qualcomm Indochina, has saidthe 5G market in the coming years has a lot of potential and would go commercial by 2020.

Vietnam falls in ranking in Global Talent Competitiveness Index

VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam ranks 82nd out of 109 countries and territories on the global talent competitiveness report 2015-2016 (Global Talent Competitiveness Index - GTCI).

Vietnamese Gov't calls on local firms to improve foreign market strategies

 The Government has approved a plan to help Vietnamese businesses directly participate in foreign distribution networks through 2020 to help Vietnamese goods penetrate international markets, a senior Government official said.

Earrings – highlights of H’mong ethnic people

 Besides the dramatic beauty of the landscape, visitors to the northwest region of Vietnam easily fall for the H’mong ethnic women’s silver earrings.