PM approves plans for US$36m textbook reform

 Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has approved a national project to reform textbooks and curriculum for schools.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai fall back following defeat to Nghe An

 VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam star Nguyen Cong Phuong failed to inspire Hoang Anh Gia Lai in their 0-2 loss to Song Lam Nghe An yesterday (April 12) at Vinh Stadium.

PetroVietnam falls short of profit goals

 The Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group or PetroVietnam failed to meet its financial targets in the first quarter of this year.

Domain name fees to be self-regulated

 Individuals, enterprises and organisations will be allowed to decide the fees for domain name registration, as the government is set to only charge fees for the use of domain names.

Vietnam wins 9 medals at world junior weightlifting event

Vietnam’s team have won 9 medals, including one gold and six silvers, during the first 7 competition days at the World Junior Weightlifting Championship in Peru, which will end on April 12.

Industrialists pour money into agriculture as last resort

VietNamNet Bridge - Investing in agriculture projects is a choice made by industrialists who have realized that the profits in their core business fields have dried up. 

Da Nang, Hoi An host Vespa roadshow

 VietNamNet Bridge – Over 500 members of Vespa Clubs from Australia, Thailand, Laos, the US and Viet Nam will enjoy a two-day (April 28-29) rendezvous in Da Nang and Hoi An cities.

Over $2 bln to build Song Hau 1 thermoelectricity plant

 The Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam ) and the Vietnam Lilama Mechanical Corporation (Lilama) signed an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract for the Song Hau 1 thermoelectricity plant project in Hanoi on April 10.

Legislators look at wrongful convictions

 National Assembly (NA) members on April 10 agreed that wrongful verdicts still occurred despite efforts by all Government agencies and bodies to ensure that criminal proceedings were transparent.

Railway accidents on the rise in Vietnam

 Railway accidents increased during the first three months this year compared with the same period last year, according to Vietnam Railway under the Ministry of Transport.

Star-studded campaign fights to end rhino horn use

A campaign calling to end the use of rhino horn to cure cancer brought together a Vietnamese-American Hollywood actress, a Vietnamese-Australian singer-songwriter, and the chairman of Vietnam's Cancer Society.

Government News 13/4

Cambodia looks to enhance ties with HCM City: PM Hun Sen, Vietnam, Estonia eye expanding cooperation, Germany’s Leipzig, HCM City establish cooperative ties, Poland treasures ties with Vietnam, VUFO official receives US delegation

Vietnamese engineers create welding machines for commercial market

VietNamNet Bridge - Made-in-Vietnam welding machines created by two Vietnamese engineers will appear in the market in the near future.

Party chief’s visit to China lays foundation for full restoration of cooperation

Vietnam and China have reached common perceptions as manifested in their joint communiqué, said head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations.

Vietnam welcomes framework agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme

 Vietnam welcomes the framework agreement on iran’s nuclear programme reached by the P5+1 and the West Asian country on April 2, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Hai Binh said on April 10.

Officials talk promising developments in Vietnam-China relations

The outcomes of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s official China visit from April 7-10 generated an important prerequisite for healthy and sustainable bilateral relations for each country’s benefits.

President welcomes Japan’s Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary

 President Truong Tan Sang received Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan Seko Hiroshige during his working visit to Vietnam for the Vietnam-Japan University project in Ho Chi Minh City on April 12.

Three Western style cafes for a coffee meeting

 VietNamNet Bridge – Saigon is famous for its coffee culture and wide offering of many different environments where one can grab a cup of joe.

Vietnam urged to build up vocational training strategy

VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam has been trying to produce more and more workers with bachelor’s degrees, while it has been neglecting vocational education. 

HAGL’s first subsidiary to be listed, will its boss become the richest in VN?

Well-known in the fields of real estate and football, the Hoang Anh Gia Lai Group (HAGL) operates in many industries. It has 31 subsidiaries operating in the fields of real estate, construction, services, mining, agriculture and hydropower.

Vietnam aims for larger slice of the global pie

 VietNamNet Bridge – Until a few years ago major Vietnamese conglomerates were the sole driving influence for investing in international markets and single-handedly reaping the rewards of a global economy.

Actress to join Japanese film project

VietNamNet Bridge – Actress Nha Phuong will take part in a film to be made by Viet Nam Television in co-operation with Japan's TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting System) Television. 

Minister seeks further clarification on earthquake risks

 VietNamNet Bridge – Science and Technology Minister Nguyen Quan on Wednesday urged Japanese scientists to further clarify risks of an earthquake at the construction site of the Ninh Thuan 2 nuclear power plant.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 13/4

Golden opportunity for Vietnam honey exports, Russian investment into Vietnam at record high, Eximbank in merger talks with a local bank, Viet Capital Bank net profits up by half, VAMC to adjust NPL interest rate

Image: Unique wire-made jewelry in Saigon

 VietNamNet Bridge - Rings, necklaces, bracelets and other pieces of jewelry are made manually from colorful wires. Each jewelry is priced from VND50,000 ($2.5) to more than VND1 million ($50).