Vietnamese returnee from Ebola-hit Liberia quarantined

 A Vietnamese guest worker from Liberia – the worst affected by virus Ebola was willing to be quarantined at the Tropical Diseases Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City on August 20, with symptoms of fever and sore throat found before he arrived in Vietnam.

Vietnam’s public debt increases by over $3 billion in five months

 VietNamNet Bridge - On average, each Vietnamese person bears about $921 debt, higher than the projected figure for entire 2014 and over VND500,000 ($25) up in just five months.

New reservoir system will help prevent flooding in HCM City

 VietNamNet Bridge – HCM City authorities are planning to build a system of reservoirs that will help regulate water levels and decrease flooding by 30 percent.

Fair competition in aviation market could benefit Vietnam’s aviation sector

 VietNamNet Bridge - Low-cost carriers dominate the aviation industry in Southeast Asia, such as in Malaysia and Singapore, but the playing field is still not level for budget airlines in Vietnam.

Miss India wears Vietnamese fashion designs

 VietNamNet Bridge – Miss India 2013 Ruhani Sharma wore evening gowns by Vietnamese well-known designer Van Thanh Cong at the Asia fashion week on August 18.

Doctors warn that abuse of infusion pumping can be dangerous

 VietNamNet Bridge – Many Vietnamese people think of infusion pumping whenever they have a fever or feel tired without knowing the risks of this technique.

Finance Ministry wants two largest gold factories to resume operation

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Finance Ministry wants the two largest gold factories – Bong Mieu and Phuoc Son in the central province of Quang Nam - to resume operation. However, local tax authorities have not agreed.

First commercial seaplanes arrive in Vietnam

 VietNamNet Bridge – On Thursday morning, the first commercial seaplanes in Vietnam landed at Hanoi’s Noi Bai airport and were greeted by a water spraying ritual for good luck.

Vietnam to host ASEAN Maritime Forum

 The coastal city of Danang will host the upcoming 5th ASEAN Maritime forum and the 3rd expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum transpiring from August 26-28.

The wild beauty of Ly Son Island

 VietNamNet Bridge - With many historical, cultural sites and fascinating tourist areas, the 10-square-kilometer Ly Son Island in the central province of Quang Ngai is really an amazing tourist attraction.

Top Indian diplomat’s visit signals progress for closer ties

 Indian Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj’s August 25-26 visit to Hanoi will give fresh impetus to our bilateral relations, said Vietnamese Ambassador to India Nguyen Thanh Tan.

Vietnam condemns China’s inhuman acts against fishermen

 Vietnam vehemently opposes China’s inhuman actions against Vietnamese fishing vessels operating legally in Vietnam’s waters.

Party prepares personnel for upcoming National Congress

The Party Central Committee’s Commission for Organisation held a national meeting on August 21  to roll out guidelines on personnel work at Party congresses at all levels in preparation for the upcoming 12th National Party Congress.

EC President to visit Vietnam

 President of the European Commission José Manuel Durão Barroso will pay a two-day visit to Vietnam on August 25-26 at the invitation of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

Greenland ice loss doubles from late 2000s

 A new assessment from Europe's CryoSat spacecraft shows Greenland to be losing about 375 cu km of ice each year.

MobiFone in the blocks ready for equitisation progress

VietNamNet Bridge – The face of Vietnam’s telecommunications sector is to change with major restructuring set to attract a host of foreign investors and allow the local telco market to finally deliver on its rich promise,

Local lanterns light up markets

 VietNamNet Bridge – With only three weeks to go before the Mid-Autumn Festival, markets are full of people buying mooncakes and colourful lanterns made by local artisans and manufacturers.

China’s rise and Vietnam’s choices (Part 2)

VietNamNet columnist Viet Lam spoke with Prof. James Dale Bindenagel, former US Ambassador to Germany, and Dr. Nguyen Hong Son, Deputy Director of the Institute for the East Sea Studies, about China’s rise and Vietnam’s choices.

MoF offers tax incentives to support enterprises

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has submitted a range of tax solutions to the Government in order to remove difficulties and help promote development of enterprises.

Investors see big profits in building schools in high-end neighborhoods

 VietNamNet Bridge – More and more investors are pouring money into the education sector because of its low risks and high profitability.

Banh gai – Vietnamese multi-purpose cake

Among Vietnamese traditional cakes, “banh gai” is perhaps the most multipurpose because it can be used as an offering at wedding ceremonies, as gifts at longevity parties,

Social News 22/8

HCM City seizes drug cutting agent; Smartphone bust made in Ha Noi; Foot tunnels ignored as rubbish starts to build up; Authorities instructed to monitor medicine imports; Poor pavements put pedestrians at risk; Ten rare langurs found dead

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 22/8

Vietinbank pledges $81.9m for highway; Businesses unaware of competition rules; Outlook positive for local markets; HCM City hosts Int’l franchise exhibition; Vietnam to cut tax paperwork to 171 hours in 2015; Korean coffee shop chain enters Vietnam

HAGL brings largest number of Vietnam laborers to Laos

VietNamNet Bridge – The association mentioned the number at a conference on the Vietnam-Laos labor cooperation agreement in the central province of Nghe An on August 18. Figures at this event showed some 13,500 Vietnamese are working in Laos

Saigon symbols in the past and at present

 Saigon, now HCM City, is famous for its landmark buildings such as the Municipal Theatre, Caravelle hotel and Tax Trading Centre. Despite many ups and downs, these buildings have stood the test of time and become important symbols of the city.