The consumer confidence index in Vietnam increased six points against last quarter, according to Nielsen’s consumer confidence index report for the first quarter of 2015 released on May 20.

 A former member of the popular Irish band, Boyzone, Mark Walton arrived in Ho Chi Minh City on May 20 to serve as a coach and jury member on the 2015 Vietnam Idol, the national version of the beloved Idol series.

 The Guardian, a renowned UK magazine, has challenged readers to do a math puzzle for Vietnamese eight-year-olds which has stumped both parents and teachers alike.

 VietNamNet Bridge - The highest paid employees in Vietnam are in the medical sector, not the finance and banking sector, as is often assumed, according to a survey conducted by recruiting firm JobStreet Vietnam.

Vietnam has borrowed $4-5 billion a year in the last 10 years, and the public debt has nearly hit the ceiling. However, the country will continue borrowing because it needs capital for development and investment.

 Global food markets could be disrupted by the El Nino event predicted for later this year.

 Dong Nai residents face eviction for airport, Petrol prices surge for second time in May, VN signs UXO clearance aid pack with U.S. mine advisory group, Chinese woman detained for human trafficking, Tourist bus crashes, killing one

 The Ministry of Health has advised the public that reports that rice made from plastic has reached Viet Nam remain unverified.

 A 300-year-old mango tree in the Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu was recognised as a heritage tree on May 20.

 Japanese investors have injected 37.5 billion USD into 2,619 valid projects in Vietnam as of the end of April.

The territorial disputes in East Sea was the centre of discussions at a conference titled ‘ASEAN Maritime Space Management – Ideas for Argentina’, which was held on May 20 at the Interamerican Open University in Buenos Aires.

VietNamNet Bridge - The contract to buy electricity from China is scheduled to terminate this year. However, EVN thinks it would be better to continue importing electricity from many different sources.

 U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken on May 19 expressed Washington’s concern over China’s land reclamation works in the East Sea, saying the move could cause more tension in the region.

 Viet Nam came from behind to defeat Japan in the opening game of Group C at the 2015 Asian Women's Volleyball Championship in Tianjin, China yesterday, May 20.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Mai Duc Chung was appointed technology director of the V.League 1's Becamex Binh Duong yesterday (May 20) to replace Le Thuy Hai until the end of this year.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese young tennis player Ly Hoang Nam advanced to the third round of the Grade A Trofeo Bonfiglio tournament on May 20 after triumphing 2-0 over his US Vasil Kirkov.

 VietNamNet Bridge - The Khau Vai love market, held only once a year, is a place where tourists can explore the beauty of cultural identities of ethnic people in Meo Vac district of Ha Giang, a mountainous province in North Vietnam.

VietNamNet Bridge - Hydroplane tourism has great potential to develop, especially in the Mekong River Delta, but only a few routes have been approved. 

 Inflow of cheap Chinese steel raises concerns, US is Vietnam’s largest importer, Vietnam’s exports to 14 markets exceed US$1 bil, Sugarcane industry needs to slash costs, Ministry takes control of statistics for non-State groups

Vietnam – Indonesia Art Exhibition, Comedians say goodbye to Steve Jackson, Future Shorts festival returns to the city, Marco Mei to perform at Saigon's Lookout, Cameroonian singer Irma hosts pop show, Philippine flower fest opens

 VietNamNet Bridge – A hot spell has hit HCM City, filling hospital with patients and cafes and restaurants with customers.

VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam women's national football team lost to Australian women's national football team 4-0 during a training session in Australia on May 19.

 Japanese investors have injected US$37.5 billion into 2,619 valid projects in Viet Nam, as of the end of April.

VietNamNet Bridge - As of April this year, nearly 400 stem cell grafting operations had been performed in Vietnam, including 218 autologous and 169 allograft cases.

 The Tan Binh district police have said there has been no dispute over the ownership of the 5 million Japanese yen (roughly US$41,330) that was found by a woman vendor last year.