Vietnam to build the world’s highest TV tower

PM Nguyen Tan Dung has approved the cooperation agreement between the Vietnam Television and the State Capital Investment Corporation to establish a joint stock company to build the Vietnam television tower, the highest of its kind in the world.

Spike in dengue fever cases

 More than 5,200 cases of dengue fever have been recorded in 38 cities and provinces since the beginning of this year, according to a report from the Ministry of Health.

VN Taekwondo player competes at Mister Global Pageant 2015

 VietNamNet Bridge - Nguyen Van Son, 21, a member of the national Taekwondo team is competing at the Mister Global 2015 pageant in Thailand.

Pop star Siu Black back on stage with solo concert

 VietNamNet Bridge – Pop star Siu Black will stage a solo performance in HCM City on March 7 featuring songs in pop, dance and rock.

International travel mart to feature Vietnamese heritage

 The third Vietnam International Travel Mart (VITM 2015), themed “Vietnam-the country of heritage”, will take place in Hanoi from April 3-6, announced the Vietnam Association of Tourism.

OGC cracks down on wildlife crime

 The Operation Game Change (OGC) programme was launched in Hanoi on March 3, calling for joint efforts from the entire community to counteract wildlife crime.

PM requires climate change part of development plans

 Any and all plans to boost socio-economic development and ensure defence security of Vietnam must include climate change adaptation efforts.

Poets highlight Vietnamese literature landmarks

Vietnamese poetry over the course of history and its role in the spiritual life of Vietnamese nationals were highlighted in a workshop entitled “Vietnamese poetry retains the Vietnamese spirit”, held in Hanoi on March 3.

Gov't sells $1.15 billion bonds in February

 The Government raised more than 24.5 trillion VND (1.15 billion USD) from bonds on the primary market in February, a drop of 12.2 percent from January, the Hanoi Stock Exchange reported.

Vietnam, Laos sign new trade deal

Vietnam, Laos sign new trade deal; Italy, Vietnam boost strategic partnership; Vietnam, UK boost cooperation relations; Lao Vice President welcomes Vietnamese delegation; Security Minister meets Israeli Defence Ministry Director-General

Russia’s First Deputy Foreign Minister visits Vietnam

 Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh held a reception in Hanoi on March 3 for Russia’s First Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Titov during his working visit to Vietnam.

Former British PM Tony Blair visits Vietnam

 Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai thanked former Prime Minister of the Great Britain and North Ireland Tony Blair for his contributions to fostering Vietnam-UK cooperation, while welcoming him in Hanoi on March 3.

US Under Secretary of State welcomed in Hanoi

 Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc welcomed Rose Gottemoeller, Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security for the US State Department, on her first visit to Vietnam at a reception held in Hanoi on March 3.

Schools rush to produce masters’ graduates

VietNamNet Bridge – Many university graduates are attending postgraduate training courses to obtain master’s degrees because it is easier than ever to obtain the degree.

SBV plans to buy more commercial banks

VietNamNet Bridge – The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) is eyeing to buy GP Bank and Ocean Bank, Thoi Bao Kinh Te Sai Gon quoted its sources as saying.

ASEAN music festival to be held in June

 About 12 art troupes from ASEAN countries will gather in the central province of Thanh Hoa for the ASEAN Traditional Music Festival, to be held from June 1 to 6.

New expy projects need hefty capital

 The Ministry of Transport is moving ahead with plans to invest nearly VND395 trillion (some US$18.5 billion) to develop multiple expressways so that the country will have at least 2,500 kilometers of expressway by 2020.

In photos: Hanoi’s famous loc vung tree changes color before spring

 VietNamNet Bridge – The leaves of the old loc vung (Barringtonia acutangula) tree on the shore of Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi have changed to red and yellow before the spring, luring tourists and photographers.

Vietnam allocates $450 million to clean Nhieu Loc – Thi Nghe canal

The negotiations to seek capital for the second phase of the Nhieu Loc – Thi Nghe Canal upgrade project were completed in 2014, and project implementation will start this year.

Foreign goods find it easy to penetrate Vietnamese market

VietNamNet Bridge – While Vietnamese businesses have to struggle to bring their products to the world market, foreign goods do not encounter the same obstacles when entering Vietnam.

UAE the biggest market for mobile phones manufactured in Vietnam

 VietNamNet Bridge - Export revenue of cellphones and phone accessories made in Vietnam continued to lead other exports in February, with a total value of $2.445 billion, according to the General Administration of Customs.

Science minister takes notice of submarines made by amateurs

Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Quan has for the first time made comments about the technical features of submarines made by nonprofessional engineers.

Old Saigon seen by young architect

A young architect in HCMC has released a drawings book which features the beautiful traits of the city.

Foreign workers must stay up-to-date on residence rules

  Foreign employees can reside in Viet Nam either temporarily or permanently, depending on certain conditions.

Asia Pacific Poetry Festival opens in Hanoi

 The 2nd Asia Pacific Poetry Festival, bringing together over 650 writers, poets and translators from 40 countries and territories throughout the world, was launched on March 2 at the Hanoi Opera House.