Transport costs in Vietnam highest in the world

VietNamNet Bridge - Transport and warehouse costs in Vietnam account for 21 percent of product value.

Discover beautiful waterfalls in Hoa Binh

 VietNamNet Bridge – Cuu Thac Tu Son, Thung Nai and Pung are beautiful majestic unspoiled landscapes that visitors cannot miss if they visit the northern province of Hoa Binh.

Vietnamese cueist makes world’s top 12 for first time

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese cueist Tran Quyet Chien climbed to 12th position in the latest UMB World 3-Cushion Ranking as announced on October 18, the best world rating ever secured by a Vietnamese billiards player.

Art & Entertainment News in Brief

 Japanese earthquake-devastated region to be featured in photos, Charity Cycle Adventure to raise funds for children, Cambodia Culture Week to be held in HCM and Soc Trang, Over 5,000 join Canon’s photo contest

Vietnam joins IPU’s Executive Committee

 Vietnam has been elected as a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s Executive Committee at its recent 133rd assembly. 

National Assembly committee backs Vietnam's int'l bond sales

 VietNamNet Bridge – The National Assembly's Committee for Finance and Budget approved the government's proposal to sell international bonds worth US$3 billion to restructure domestic debts due during 2015 and 2016.

PM pledges further institutional reform

 Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has committed to further improving institutions to help Vietnam’s economy grow based on the rules of a market economy and the country’s commitments to international integration.

Vietnam's Grandmaster Liem remains unbeaten at 2015 SPICE Cup

 Vietnamese grandmaster Le Quang Liem extended his unbeaten run to seven games at the ongoing 2015 SPICE Cup Open chess tournament in the US.

Tan San Nhat seeks measures to not be among the worst airports in Asia

 VietNamNet Bridge – Officials from the HCM City's Tan Son Nhat International Airport, rated among the world's worst by a travel website, discussed measures to improve services with international airlines and service providers

Vietnam elected to UN Economic and Social Council

 Vietnam has been elected to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in the 2016-2018 period.

Home reservoirs may curb flooding in HCM City

 VietNamNet Bridge – HCM City authorities are working on a plan to encourage homeowners to build their own small reservoirs to collect rainwater in an aim to prevent flooding.

Prime Minister approves pilot for e-contract based cars

PM Nguyen Tan Dung has approved the Transport Ministry's pilot project on "Application of information technology in supporting the management and connection of commercial passenger transportation by contract" (GrabCar).


Oversight of brand issues undervalue Vietnamese firms

 VietNamNet Bridge – Brand matters have not received the due consideration they deserve from local companies, which consequently lead to the country’s brand value devaluation.

Saigon Railway seeks to launch budget tours

 VietNamNet Bridge – Saigon Railway Company will partner with member companies of the tourism associations in HCMC and Binh Thuan, Khanh Hoa, Phu Yen and Binh Dinh provinces to arrange low-cost tours from HCMC to these localities.

Vietnam-Philippines cooperation committee convenes meeting

 The Vietnam–Philippines Bilateral Cooperation Committee convened its eighth meeting in Hanoi on October 21, looking into specific measures to lift the bilateral ties to a greater height. 

Economists question viability of port authority model

VietNamNet Bridge - While the Ministry of Transport (MOT) claims the port authority model should be applied to all ports in Vietnam, economists have reconsidered the idea.

Teacher calls first grader a donkey

VietNamNet Bridge - A teacher at an international school in HCM City has angered the public after calling the first grader a donkey. The child insisted on withdrawing from school after the insult.

Social News 22/10

Infant dies after injected with Quinvaxem, VN seeks foot and mouth disease vaccine, Ministry targets use of banned substances, Jetstar Pacific offers 10,000 cheap tickets, Dong Nai wants Long Thanh airport site ready early

Will big telecom players give up 4G?

VietNamNet Bridge - Only Viettel, MobiFone and VNPT have asked for permission to provide 4G services on a trial basis. Meanwhile, the other big players – FPT, CMC and VTC – have remained silent.

Is pollution from China unavoidable?

VietNamNet Bridge - Air and water pollution from China have affected Vietnam, and no solutions have been found.

Government News in Brief 22/10

 Lawmakers continue plenary session, examine budget allocation, Vietnam hopes for closer ties with California, President applauds association’s efforts to boost Vietnam-Japan ties, Party officials visit Greece, Italy to strengthen ties

“Pau Po Cu” Corn Cake - A traditional cake in Lao Cai

 VietNamNet Bridge – The special “Pau Po Cu” Corn Cake is usually made in the 4th and 5th months of the year (according to the Lunar Calendar) in Lao Cai.

German band GOLF to tour South East Asia

 Following their acclaimed success last year, top-ranking German boyband GOLF will be returning this autumn to launch a five-city tour of South East Asia.


TPP threatens low-cost medicine

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Trans-Pacific Partnership membership is expected to make medicine more expensive in Vietnam.

Information about 10 large SOEs for sale

The Government has asked the State Capital Investment Corporation to develop a roadmap to sell state capital worth around $3 billion in 10 large State-owned Enterprises. This is considered great news for investors, especially foreigners.