India-Vietnam direct route to be launched

Vietnam Airlines on September 15 announced a codeshare pact with Jet Airways of India for jointly sharing passengers to provide them seamless connections on direct flights from Vietnam to India.

Art & Entertainment News 16/9

Game show capitalises on mixed marriages in Vietnam; French dance group to perform contemporary work; VN, Belgium artists hold exhibition; Roy Lichtenstein's pop art inspires Vietnamese designer; Vietnamese origin Jennifer Chung honoured in US

Cuong to compete in 2016 Olympics

 Vietnamese marksman Tran Quoc Cuong has earned a berth in the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Da Han Waterfall – ideal weekend getaway for Saigonese

 VietNamNet Bridge – If Saigonese are bored of old styles of weekend celebrations like enjoying coffee in differently-styled café, taking fabulous buffet programs in luxury restaurants,

Alibaba raises price of share sale as demand increases

 Chinese online giant Alibaba has increased the price range of its initial public offering (IPO), meaning it could raise more than $25bn (£15bn) when it lists in New York.

Thailand deaths: Police search for man after killings

 Police in Thailand are continuing to search for a man they want to speak to in connection with the deaths of two British tourists.

Social News 16/9

Three foreigners arrested over credit card fraud; Maritime search, rescue drill conducted in Saigon–Vung Tau Channel; Russia to woo Vietnamese students; Vietnam-bright spot in SEA fight against HIV/AIDS; Human Development Index slows down

Typhoon Kalmaegi sweeps past Hong Kong

 Typhoon Kalmaegi has swept past Hong Kong, closing schools and disrupting flights as strong winds pounded the territory.

Fire kills seven in HCM City

 A deadly fire claimed seven lives in Ho Chi Minh City in the early morning hours of September 16 when flames erupted from a home at No. 416 Nguyen Trai Street, Ward 8, District 5.

Festival spotlights modern dance

 VietNamNet Bridge – The fourth international festival, Europe Meets Asia in Contemporary Dance, will be held from September 24-28 at the Tuoi Tre (Youth) Theatre in Ha Noi.

TPP negotiations in spotlight of Deputy PM’s US visit

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh will lead a Vietnamese delegation to visit the US from September 15-19 to discuss important matters on Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations with US partners.

PTT to build $22b refinery

 Beverage firms protest validation stamps on beers; Experts urge cigarette tax hike; Vietnam’s economic integration taken to next level; Animal feed output estimated to grow 10 percent; FTA with customs union does not pose threat to steel industry

Watchdog agency vows to control multi-level marketing schemes

 VietNamNet Bridge – The government has released a new decree with strict regulations that control multi-level marketing (MLM), a sales model that has never been popular in Vietnam.

Team set up for Hanoi-HCM City straight air route

 A working team has been set up to study the establishment of the Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City straight air route over Laos and Cambodia.

Housing law restricts foreign homebuyers

Foreigners entering Viet Nam are no longer automatically allowed to own houses in the country, according to the latest draft of the amended Law on Housing.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 16/9

 Domestic retailers struggle to compete; Steelmaker to get $48m from SCIC to expand production; Demand for imported beer surges; Finance ministry seeks to remove advertising cap; VN investors eye Laos market

Old Quarter to get new food street

 VietNamNet Bridge – A plan is being studied to establish a one-stop food street for vendors in the Old Quarter area of Ha Noi.

Fiber-optical undersea cable breaks again, internet service remains stable

 VietNamNet Bridge – At 11.26pm on September 15, the AAG international fiber-optic cable system from Vietnam to Hong Kong and the United States broke. The incident occurred in the waters near Hong Kong (China).

Powerful Kalmaegi to strike northern coast in hours

 VietNamNet Bridge – Tropical storm Kalmaegi, packing winds of up to 133 km per hour, is expected to bring heavy rains of 100 to 300mm in the northern region tonight.

Political News 16/9

Deputy PM Minh attends CAEXPO in China; VN helps link Russia, ASEAN; Vietnam calls for further APEC tourism cooperation; NA Vice Chairwoman hails Vietnam-Norway ties

Vietnam, Kiribati establish diplomatic relations

 Vietnam and the Republic of Kiribati officially established diplomatic relations on September 15 as a move to reinforce and develop their mutually beneficial relations and cooperation.

360,000 VietJet tickets available for Lunar New Year 2015

VietNamNet Bridge - To satisfy the towering demand for travel during the Lunar New Year or the Tet Holiday 2015, the low-cost carrier VietJet Air has prepared 360,000 tickets available for purchase.

Vietnam crush Iran in Asian Games

 VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam's U23 football team sent shock waves across the football competition at the 2014 Asian Games yesterday, Sept 15.

Cuban VP visits to implement co-operation deals

Viet Nam and Cuba should focus on raising co-operation on economic, trade, scientific, cultural and education matters to a new level, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong said yesterday.

Deputy PM meets China counterpart

Vietnam treasured its traditional friendship with China and was willing to increase comprehensive bilateral relations in a substantive manner, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh said.