HCM City to host 2nd international guitar festival

 The Saigon International Guitar Festival will take place for the second time at the HCMC Conservatory of Music between November 11 and 15, gathering six international artists from different countries, the conservatory said on its website.

Investors are disappointed about state’s sale of stake in 10 SOEs

It is still unclear how the state will sell its stakes in 10 major state-owned enterprises – whether one auction or in many sales campaigns. 

Binh Lieu - the second Sapa of VN

 Binh Lieu mountainous district of Quang Ninh province is likened to ‘Sapa’ in northern Lao Cai province with similar climate, landscapes and culture of ethnic minority groups.

Ministry intervenes over English Premier League broadcasting rights rivalry

 The Ministry of Communications and Information has stepped into the on-going fight over exclusive broadcasting rights for English Premiere League in an attempt to halt a bidding war.

Vietnamese wins bronze in Asian Shooting Champs

 Result of the 10m air rifle women junior event at the Asian Shooting Championships in Kuwait. Vietnamese Iwaki Ai ranks third and takes a bronze medal on Novemeber 3.


Masan Beverage to buy into mineral water firm

  Masan Beverage has signed an agreement to become the strategic partner of Quang Ninh Natural Mineral Water Limited Company, according to a press release from Masan Group on Monday.


VN pours $12.7mn in drought and salinity recovery

 Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has decided to support 19 provinces across the country which have been affected by drought and salinity intrusion with VND284.5 billion (US$12.7 million) in aid.

Biochips production receives State incentives

 A health project on producing genetic biochips being implemented at the Saigon High-Tech Park (SHTP) in Ho Chi Minh City is now included in a national plan on high-tech industries development through 2020, as approved by the Prime Minister. 

Vietnam promotes info security

The annual "Vietnam Information Security Day" will begin on November 6 in the face of more and more cyber-attacks aimed at large corporations worldwide.

Agriculture sees lowest growth in five years

 The agricultural sector is expected to grow 2.21 percent in 2015, a drop of 1.4 percent over 2014 and the lowest rise in five years, said Nguyen Thi Hong, head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry’s Planning Department.

Train tour for tourists to explore central region

Saigon Railway Company and the HCMC Tourism Association have completed a survey of tourist spots in central Vietnam in preparation for the launch of a train tour for more travelers from HCMC to explore attractions in the region. 

Hy draws with Sumiya at world chess championships

 VietNamNet Bridge – Nguyen Quoc Hy tied in the ninth match at the ongoing World Youth and Cadets Chess Championships in Greece.

Malaysian woman caught carrying 5.39 kilograms of cocaine

 VietNamNet Bridge – A Malaysian national was discovered carrying 5.39 kilograms of cocaine in her luggage at Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, according to the city’s Customs Department.

TV digitalization brings golden opportunity to electronics firms

If Vietnamese electronics firms cannot grab the opportunities brought by the government-initiated national TV digitalization program, they will not have any other chance to develop electronic products.

Amended law on media expected to allow greater journalistic freedoms

The National Assembly yesterday said some provisions in the draft of the amended law on media still hindered media freedom and asked the drafting committee to ensure the law doesn't intervene too much in media activities.

Education fair to promote Vietnam-Sweden educational cooperation

 VietNamNet Bridge - The Embassy of Sweden in Hanoi will organize an educational fair at the Embassy compound, 2 Nui Truc Street on November 8 to introduce Swedish education and opportunities.

Jetstar Pacific records profit after three years

 VietNamNet Bridge - The general director of the low-cost air carrier Jetstar Pacific (JPA) Le Hong Ha said the airline has recorded a profit for the first time after three years of operation.

F&N rejects rumors on purchasing $4 billion of State capital in Vinamilk

VietNamNet Bridge - Despite media reports, Singapore's Fraser and Neave (F&N) has not offered to purchase 45.1% State shares worth $4 billion at the Vietnam Dairy Products JSC (Vinamilk), according to the Straits Times. 

1-ton shell dug up in Quang Tri

VietNamNet Bridge - Filling a cassava garden, a family in Quang Tri Province, central Vietnam, panicked when an excavator dug up a shell of nearly 1 ton in weight at a depth of over three meters.

Merged banks ask for help, want tax reductions

Many commercial banks, which have or plan to make merger and acquisition (M&A) deals in their restructuring process, have asked for the state’s financial support, saying that tax reductions will help them overcome difficulties.

Europe and Asia face the same global challenges

 Ask scientists whether Europe and Asia are one big continent or two: they will look at geography, geology, history. But just look at the daily news: Europe and Asia face the same global challenges, the same threats. 

Government News In Brief

 Vietnam, Lao give further priority to economic links, Deputy PM receives visiting President of Belgian Senate, Deputy PM calls for closer cooperation with Guangxi Zhuang autonomous, Angola looks for closer relations with Vietnam

Vietnam, UK to tap defence cooperation potential

Vietnam and the UK hold massive defence cooperation potential which should be tapped in the near future, Vice Chief of the UK’s Defence Staff Stuart William Peach said during his courtesy call on Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.

Vietnam, Iceland seek more extensive cooperation

President Truong Tan Sang and his Icelandic counterpart Olafur Ragnar Grimsson shared the wish for stronger economic, trade and investment cooperation between the two countries during their talks in Hanoi on November 4. 

Volkswagen says 800,000 cars may have false CO2 levels

 Shares in VW have dropped after it reported "irregularities" in carbon dioxide emissions levels, which could affect around 800,000 cars in Europe.