Social News 18/3

Three injured in train-truck crash, Vietnam in Asia's top 5 beer drinkers, Four scientists receive Ta Quang Buu award, Friendship medal granted to RoK businessman, Viettel supports education in Mozambique

Elite athletes should get heart screening, says expert

 Olympic athletes should have tailored heart screening to check for life-threatening conditions before they can compete, a leading Italian doctor says.

2014: Foreign tourists spent US$8.39 billion in Vietnam

 Last year, Vietnam received 7.78 million foreign tourists who spent around US$8.39 billion in the country, according to a survey conducted by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT).

National Geographic describes life on Mekong River

 The video clip titled “Ninety days in ninety seconds- Life on the Mekong River” produced by National Geographic photographer, David Guttendelder and uploaded to Youtube on May 6 has attracted more than 3,000 views.

Ao Dai joins wildlife conservation program in New York

 Designer Thuan Viet will introduce an Ao Dai collection to the wildlife conservation programme themed ‘Big Cat’ in New York.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 18/5

 New e-commerce website launched, Steel imports from China shoot up, Ideas for Vietnam’s mid-term financial policy making, Japan commits to more ODA provision for Vietnam, Malaysia investigates dumping of steel coils from Vietnam

Vietnam Idol 2013 winner to perform at Music Matters Live

 Vietnam Idol 2013 winner Tran Nhat Thuy has surpassed many Vietnamese popular singers to secure a berth at the Asia-Pacific music festival “Music Matters Live” scheduled for May 20-24 in Singapore.

Vietnam, India cooperate in remote sensing technology

Vietnam and India will promote cooperation in remote sensing and outer space technology via joint projects in human resources training and in applying remote sensing technology.

Pitch Perfect 2 tops US box office

 Pitch Perfect 2 has made an impressive $70.3m (£44.7m) debut at the US box office, surging ahead of George Miller's Mad Max reboot, Fury Road.

ASEAN investors pour over $54 billion in Vietnam

 Vietnam remains an attractive investment destination for ASEAN investors, according to the Foreign Investment Agency (FIA) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

Government News 18/5

Vietnamese, Chinese armies to promote border links, Brazil wishes to expand partnership with Vietnam, Vietnam, Poland celebrate 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties, President Ho Chi Minh’s 125th birthday marked worldwide

Erosion hits Mekong hard in dry season

 VietNamNet Bridge – Soil erosion caused mainly by lower levels of water in rivers and canals in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta has damaged houses, fruit orchards and construction works.

PM greenlights council to review development plans

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Prime Minister has approved the establishment of a council to assess all national target programmes on rural development and sustainable poverty reduction for the period of 2016-20.

Vietnam protests China's East Sea fishing ban in the East Sea

 VietNamNet Bridge – Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh has voiced strong protest over China's announcement of a fishing ban in the East Sea.

Calling for an end to cruel treatment of dogs in Vietnam

The senior members of a non-governmental organization on dog protection in Asia - ACPA – have sent a petition to the Government of Vietnam to call for end to theft, smuggling, and slaughter for meat and the cruel treatment of dogs in Vietnam.

Vietnam tie North Korea 1-1 in friendly

 VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam dropped their win regrettably against North Korea in their international friendly match, which ended 1-1 yesterday at Ha Noi's My Dinh Stadium.

Vietnamese farmers await foreign interest in lychee with bated breath

 VietNamNet Bridge – Farmers in the Luc Ngan District in northern Bac Giang Province are holding their breath about the prospect of their lychees being exported to foreign markets this year.

Script of renowned Ho Chi Minh film published

 VietNamNet Bridge – The screenplay of a popular movie about President Ho Chi Minh, compiled by veteran writer Son Tung, has just hit bookshelves throughout the country.

Excellent candidates still fail the civil-service exams in VN

VietNamNet Bridge - The number of good candidates who have failed civil service exams has been increasing year after year.

Pirated Windows software to lose market as Microsoft starts new sales service

VietNamNet Bridge - With Microsoft’s Windows development roadmap and new sale strategies followed by retailers, Vietnamese will have to change their habit of using unlicensed software.

Vietnam’s seaports may turn into world’s dumping ground

 The urgent task for Vietnam now is to settle 5,000 ownerless containers of goods left at seaports, while over the long term, a measure to prevent the world’s industrial waste from entering the country is needed.

Local residents lose VND160 billion if Keangnam goes bankrupt

VietNamNet Bridge - If Keangnam goes bankrupt, Keangnam residents would lose a total of VND160 billion, which is the fee they pay when buying apartments.

Viewing Nha Trang City from Co Tien Mountain

VietNamNet Bridge – Undoubtedly, Nha Trang is renowned as the city of the sea and for its many pristine beaches, and a trip to the peak of Co Tien Mountain will help visitors understand why the central coastal city can magnetize many tourists.

Musicians acknowledge scars of war

 A music CD recently released by Vo Van Anh features Vietnamese traditional music performed by master musicians in their later years.

The rich in Vietnam surprise the world

 VietNamNet Bridge – Rich Vietnamese are becoming better known in the world for the way they spend money.