Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh led a Vietnam delegation to attend several meetings in preparation for the 26 th ASEAN Summit held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on April 26.

Vietnamese have every reason to be optimistic about the country’s economic performance in the time to come. International institutions all have raised Vietnam’s forecast GDP growth rate for 2015.

 At a shareholders’ meeting of Ocean Joint Stock Commercial Bank on Saturday, the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) announced an obligatory purchase of all OceanBank shares putting an end to its shareholders’ rights and benefits.

 Ho Chi Minh Statute Square and Nguyen Hue walking street will open for visitors in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1 on April 29, Deputy Chairman of the city People’s Committee Nguyen Huu Tin said yesterday.

Nam Tra My District and Hamyang County in South Korea have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on tourism, agriculture, conservation and the development of Ngoc Linh ginseng.

 Ha Noi has set a target to earn US$5 billion from the information and technology (IT) industry this year, with incentives being provided to encourage investments in the sector.

 Streets and parks in HCM City will be alive with festivities in celebration of Reunification Day (April 30).

 VietNamNet Bridge – Streets in downtown HCM City were closed as part of strict security measures yesterday, for the dress rehearsal of the 40th anniversary celebrations of the liberation of the south and national reunification.

Vietnam Television has made what it has called a significant investment in licensing, producing and promoting a new sport game show in Vietnam entitled – Unlimited-Sasuke Vietnam – based upon the successful US version called American Ninja Warrior.

 About 90% of the 32 tax-free shops and supermarkets at Moc Bai border gate in Tay Ninh province, bordering Cambodia, have shut down due to policy changes.

 Eight teams will vie at the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Women’s Football Championship 2015, scheduled to be held in Ho Chi Minh City in May, said the Vietnam Football Federation.

VietNamNet Bridge - The State Bank of Vietnam’s (SBV) announcement to determine the dividends commercial banks can pay to their shareholders has raised controversy about its legitimacy.

 Nepal's devastating magnitude-7.8 earthquake on Saturday was primed over 80 years ago by its last massive earthquake in 1934, which razed around a quarter of Kathmandu to the ground and killed over 17,000 people.

 Vietnam’s Under-23 football team will play its Group B opening match against Brunei in the football competition at the 28th Southeast Asian Games on May 29 at the Bishan Stadium in Singapore.

 The 2015 Da Nang tourism season was kicked off on April 25 at the Bien Dong (East Sea) Park in Son Tra Peninsula in Da Nang to promote the city as a safe, friendly and attractive destination among tourists.

 Foreign trade lender Vietcombank continues looking for a merger partner, according to a statement by bank Chairman Nghiem Xuan Thanh, speaking during an April 24 shareholders meeting.

 Travelling by railway from Hanoi to the northwest province of Lao Cai now takes 40 less minutes than it used to, thanks to a project on upgrading the Yen Vien-Lao Cai railway, which had the first phase completed on April 25.

Vietnam’s Permanent Representative to the UN has asserted the country’s willingness to work closely with other states parties and signatories to strengthen nuclear weapons free zones as well as to foster cooperation among such regions.

VietNamNet Bridge - Under current laws, female workers can enjoy six-month maternity leave, but state-owned nursery schools only accept children older than 12 months.

 ASEAN Ministers meet in Kuala Lumpur, Party chief asks for stronger anti-corruption efforts, Vietnam’s northern localities promote ties with China’s Guangxi, Vietnam active in collecting information of nationals in Nepal

VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam plans to develop 20 power plants that will operate on rice husks.

 Vietnam and Myanmar have agreed to facilitate the sharing of anti-corruption experience towards signing a relevant memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the coming time.

Vietnam and China held in Hanoi from April 22-25 the fifth round of negotiations on an agreement regarding free navigation at the Bac Luan river mouth.

 The Supreme Procuracies of Vietnam and Bulgaria have signed a cooperation agreement to set up a legal foundation to foster their connection in the coming time.

 Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung arrived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on April 26 to attend the 26 th ASEAN Summit held in both Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi cities.