Drug addiction rising, admits Public Security Deputy Minister

 Deputy Minister of Public Security Senior Lieutenant General Le Quy Vuong admitted rising numbers of drug addicts and high drug-use areas at the 10th meeting of the National Assembly Committee for Social Affairs held in Ho Chi Minh City on April 14.

Government News 15/4

HCM City promotes links with Slovak locality, PM requests living essentials for farmers in dry spell, Roles of 1975 Spring Offensive headquarters highlighted, Poverty alleviation needs more support

Vietnam Stock Exchange to be located in Hanoi

HCM City, considered a financial center of Vietnam, could lose its stock market in the future because the watchdog agency plans to merge the Hanoi and HCM City stock exchanges into one Vietnam Stock Exchange headquartered in Hanoi.

Ba Na resort viewed from aerial cameras

 VietNamNet Bridge - The central area of Ba Na peak has been expanded in the form of a French-style village, with works simulating seven landmarks in France.

Documentary series marks Reunification Day

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Military Cinema Studio produced a new documentary celebrating the nation's unification in 1975.

Ministry proposes new location for Phu Quoc casino project

 The Ministry of Construction has asked the Prime Minister for approval of a new location for a big-ticket recreational project comprising a casino on the resort island of Phu Quoc off mainland Kien Giang Province.

Is the East Sea going to be covered with China's artificial islands?

 VietNamNet Bridge – Contrary to the cooling-off statements of Chinese leaders, what has been happening in the East Sea since the end of 2014 is quite different from what has been stated.

ODA needs stricter controls

 VietNamNet Bridge – Professor Nguyen Minh Thuyet, former Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Committee on Culture, Education, Youth and Children spoke to Tien Phong (Vanguard) newspaper about ODA usage.

Poem of Kieu to premiere in Russian

 VietNamNet Bridge – The translation of the 18th century epic poem – Tale of Kieu (Truyen Kieu) – by Nguyen Du (1766-1820) into the Russian language will be completed this summer in honour of what would have been the poet’s 250th birthday.

Social News 15/4

 Hanoi to collect over $13 million of road maintenance fee, Newspapers fined for violating dietary supplement advertising code, NA discusses permits for hospitals and healthcare staff, Compensation for delayed, cancelled flights

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 15/4

 Formosa considering four projects in Quang Binh, Expy projects with POSCO involvement face inspection, US$12 billion FDI to be disbursed this year, HoREA wants maximum budget condo area unchanged, Drought hits pepper yields

In pictures: Hanoi streets carpeted with yellow leaves

 VietNamNet Bridge – Many leaves of dracontomelum trees around Hoan Kiem Lake on Le Thanh Tong Street fell on April 7, creating a yellow carpet on the sidewalks.

France prioritizes visas for Vietnamese tourists

 The French embassy is to sign partnership agreements on May 15 with six of Vietnam’s travel companies in order to help them expedite the granting of visas to their clients.

British University to take shape in Hung Yen

 British University Vietnam (BUV) will take shape in Ecopark township in the northern Hung Yen province’s Van Giang district.

Globaltrans Air to become 4th general aviation service provider in VN

 Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai has authorised the Ministry of Transport (MoT) to grant a business licence to the Globaltrans Air JSC in order to operate as a general aviation service provider.

PNJ enters top 100 Places to Work in Vietnam

Phu Nhuan Jewelry (PNJ) was ranked for the first time on the list of 100 Vietnam Best Places to Work in 2014. Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Minh, PNJ’s HR Director, talks more about the achievement.

Radioactive material rule proposed for revision

 The Vietnam Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety has proposed the Ministry of Science and Technology amend Circular 23/2010/TT-BKHCN to strengthen the management of radioactive material in the country.

U.S. regulator warns against use of muscle growth product linked to liver injury

The U.S. Food and Drug administration (FDA) on Monday warned consumers to stop using a dietary supplement for muscle growth linked to serious liver damage. 

Oddly shaped pictures of Saigon

 VietNamNet Bridge – Graphic designer Ho Y has taken very impressive 360o photographs of Saigon.

T1 Terminal to sell through nominations, not by auction

VietNamNet Bridge - Sources say it is highly possible that the T1 Terminal of Noi Bai Airport will sell to nominated investors, not through auctions, though two investors have registered to buy it.

Russian Minister: We do not just want to sell aircraft to Vietnam

VietNamNet Bridge - Russia is interested in aviation, auto and other industrial sectors in Vietnam and targets to increase bilateral trade to $10 billion in 2020, the Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov said.

Developing East Asia's growth remains robust: World Bank

Economic growth will ease slightly but remain strong throughout developing countries in East Asia and the Pacific this year, with the region benefiting from lower oil prices and a continued economic recovery in developed economies,

Weak advocacy hurting tourism sector

 VietNamNet Bridge – Le Thu Mai was looking for leads for her next vacation at the end of April when she stumbled up on "Vietnam Timeless Charm".

Circus-theatre set to wow Europe

 VietNamNet Bridge – A O Show, a self-described circus-theatre performance that mixes acrobatics and mime, will make several European tours over the next two years and has tied up with a French theatre for the purpose,

Ricci heiress convicted of tax fraud

 The heir to the Nina Ricci perfume and fashion fortune has been convicted of tax fraud by a Paris court after hiding millions in an offshore HSBC account.