Bio-technology studies strengthened in Vietnam

 Three national centres for bio-technology will be established in the country as part of a recently approved plan for developing a network of facilities serving the sector by 2025. 

HCM City: Heat in high-end apartment sales

 Some 7,862 apartments from 26 projects in Ho Chi Minh City were sold during the third quarter of 2015, said Head of CBRE Vietnam’s Research and Consulting Department Duong Thuy Dung at a press conference in the city on September 29.

Huge wild animal transport discovered in Quang Binh

 An instance of large-scale illegal wildlife transport was discovered on September 29 in the central province of Quang Binh, according to the Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park’s ranger unit. 

Environmental protection decisive to sustainable development, PM

 Environmental protection is both the target and basic content of sustainable development, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said at the fourth National Conference on the Environment in Hanoi on September 30. 

International beauty contests feature girls of Vietnamese origin

 VietNamNet Bridge – Many young women of Vietnamese origin have attracted special attention at beauty contests worldwide. 

Vietnam ranks 76th in Global Cybersecurity Index Report

According to the Global Cybersecurity Index Report of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Vietnam ranked 76th out of 196 countries, with the index of 0.324, higher than the average of the world (0.28).

Billionaire of Vietnamese origin among America’s 400 richest people

 VietNamNet Bridge - Billionaire Hoang Kieu has been included on a list of the 400 wealthiest people in America by Forbes magazine.

Universities to be ranked in national accreditation program

VietNamNet Bridge - More than 470 universities in Vietnam will be ranked once every two years under a plan outlined in a new government decree which takes effect on October 25.

Boy diagnosed with dwarfism attends school

 VietNamNet Bridge – On his first day at school, Dinh Van K'Re, a H're ethnic boy, attracted the attention of pupils at Son Ba Primary School in Son Ha district’s Son Ba commune in in the central province of Quang Ngai.

Vietnam rises 12 spots on global competitiveness index

 VietNamNet Bridge - The new position of Vietnam in the global rankings of competitiveness is 56, as announced on Wednesday by the World Economic Forum (WEF).

HCM City embraces RoK businesses, expats

 Ho Chi Minh City promises to create more favourable conditions for businesses and citizens from the Republic of Korea (RoK) to operate and live in the city, including practicing their religions. 

Reservoir anti-flooding plan still on hold in HCM City

VietNamNet Bridge - HCM City’s plan to build water reservoirs to help ease urban flooding still cannot be implemented. The first reservoir would have been built no sooner than the second quarter of 2016.

Vietnam attends ASEAN transnational crime meeting

 Minister of Public Security Tran Dai Quang attended the 7th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime Plus Three (AMMTC+ 3) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on September 30, during which he highlighted Vietnam’s tireless efforts to fight crime. 

The worst of times, or the best?

 Recent months have given us the opportunity to reflect on a number of significant anniversaries, including the 70 years since the ending of the Second World War, and the declaration of independence of Viet Nam. 

Defence shapes key pillar in Vietnam-Russia partnership

 The defence cooperation between Vietnam and Russia is considered one of the cornerstones in the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, which has been increasingly reinforced in recent years. 

Politburo member receives Japanese Ambassador

 Politburo member To Huy Rua appreciated the contributions made by Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Fukada Hiroshi to the success of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s recent official visit to Japan at their meeting in Hanoi on September 30. 

Increasing numbers of industrial parks draw foreign investment

VietNamNet Bridge – There are many new industrial parks (IP) among 299 measuring about 84,000 ha in Viet Nam,

A trip back to serene Con Dao

 VietNamNet Bridge – When I finished my maiden trip to Con Dao five years ago, I dreamt of having an opportunity to return to this beautiful island, and my dream came true last weekend.

Agriculture - the pillar of Vietnam’s stability

 The achievement of agriculture innovation is not only recognized by Vietnamese people but also the world: From a poor country that had to import rice annually, Vietnam in 1989 became the world’s third largest rice exporter.

Thai group positions to take over Vietnam plastics industry

 Driven by record high growth rates ranging from 20-25% over recent years, Thai Siam Cement Group (SCG) is positioning itself to take over the Vietnam plastics industry, say leading industry analysts.

Autumn Gala Opera and Ballet 2015 in Hanoi

 A performance called ‘Autumn Gala Opera and Ballet 2015” will take place at Hanoi Opera House on October 8-9.

Officials to be held responsible for job applicants' performance

 VietNamNet Bridge – State-run agency heads who introduce Government job applicants to the recruitment process must also take responsibility for the candidates' work ability after they pass the required tests,

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 1/10

VNPT to sell all shares of MSB, Indonesia to buy Vietnamese, Thai rice, Southern Bank to be merged into Sacombank in Oct, Nine month export turnover nears US$230 billion, AuchanSuper plans two retail stores by year-end

Vietnam regards foreign investors’ success as its own: PM

 Vietnam welcomes foreign businesses’ stable and long-term investments and operations and considers their success as its own, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said at the Vietnam Global Investment Forum in Hanoi on September 30. 

Local bank to spend $2 billion to assist apparel firms

 The Bank for the Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV) commits to offering 2 billion USD to garment firms over the next five years, stated BDIV Chairman Tran Bac Ha during a workshop held on September 30.