Photos: The National Assembly’s first session in its new house

 VietNamNet Bridge - Nearly 500 deputies are attending the last National Assembly (NA) session of the year in the new NA House in Hanoi from October 20 to November 29.

More Japanese investing in Vietnam’s property market

 VietNamNet Bridge – Singaporean, South Korean and Taiwanese investors have been the traditional investors in the property sector, but more Japanese companies have been pouring money into projects recently.

Highlights for the Week Oct. 27 – 31

 Subscription Concert Vol.74 “Rheinische”; French Modern Cuisine Experience at Metropole Hanoi; Mini DocFest 2014; Sculpture Showcase “New Form: Sculpture – Architecture – Space”; Exhibition “20 Years of AFD in Vietnam” at L’Espace

BP profits down 21% as oil giant hit by Russia problems

 The falling value of the rouble and lower oil prices have hit profits at oil giant BP.

Vietnam Paragliding Open to take off in Hoa Binh

 Vietnam Paragliding Open to take off in Hoa Binh; Miura urges VN to step up for friendly matches; Phung wins two gold medals in national event

Vietnam, Thailand among popular destinations for expats

VietNamNet Bridge – Countries in ASEAN like Vietnam and Thailand are becoming popular destinations for expats due to lower costs and a higher standard of living,

Malaysia, Vietnam to square off at AFF Championship

 The two Southeast Asian nations will face off at the AFF Beach Soccer Championship finals set to take place in Malaysia on October 29 following wins in the semi-finals.

Da Nang asks for incentives for major investors in IT park

 VietNamNet Bridge – The central city of Da Nang has asked for the government’s permission to offer incentives to foreign-invested projects with capital of over $200 million in its IT park.

Fujitsu, FPT to collaborate on IT-based agricultural project

 Fujitsu Limited and FPT Corporation on October 28 announced that they will cooperate to field trial Fujitsu's food and agricultural cloud service in Vietnam.

Thao represents Vietnam at Miss International pageant

 VietNamNet Bridge - Miss Ocean Dang Thu Thao left Vietnam to Japan for the Miss International 2014 beauty contest yesterday, October 27.

Art reveals circus animal abuse

 Indie film depicts challenges of love; Art reveals circus animal abuse; Photo exhibition highlights AFD's work in Viet Nam; Israel film festival to open in November; Photos capture local heritage; Israel film festival to open in November

Vietnam rolls out red carpet for Indian investors: PM

 Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has reiterated that Vietnam always rolls out the welcome mat for Indian investors and provides all possible assistance for them.

Japanese governor welcomed in Hanoi

The Governor of Saitama Prefecture of Japan, Kiyoshi Ueda, was received by To Huy Rua, Politburo member and Chairman of the Vietnam – Japan Friendship Parliamentary Group, on October 27.

Vietnam’s 30 leading IT companies announced

 The Vietnam Software and IT Services Association (VINASA) on October 27 announced results of the implementation of a program to introduce 30 leading technology companies to the world.

National team in training ahead of AFC challenge

VietNamNet Bridge – The Japanese coach of Viet Nam's national football team, Toshyia Miura, says that fitness and tactics will be his priorities in a 10-day training camp in the southern province of Binh Duong.

Grandmaster Liem finishes fourth at Spice Cup

 Vietnamese Grandmaster Le Quang Liem finished fourth with six points at the Spice Cup 2014, which concluded in Missouri in the United States yesterday morning (Ha Noi time).

Sai Gon Hi-tech Park reaches $4b milestone

 Registered capital into HCM City's Sai Gon Hi-tech Park (SHTP) has exceeded US$4 billion for 67 projects, according to the SHTP's management board.

Itochu purchases Vinatex shares

 Trading firm Itochu will invest in the Viet Nam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex), ahead of a potential free-trade agreement that could boost Vietnamese exports, according to Nikkei Asian Review.

International schools inaccessible to average Vietnamese students

 Several international and private schools in Hanoi charge very high tuition fees, sometimes reaching the hundreds of millions of VND per year.

‘Feeling Japan' fever running high in HCM City

 VietNamNet Bridge – "Feeling Japan" is the theme of a festival that opened in HCM City yesterday, Oct 26, giving thousands of visitors, mostly young folks, a taste of Japanese culture.

Kim Hy Park under threat in Bac Kan

VietNamNet Bridge – Illegal logging and gold mining are threatening to destroy Kim Hy Nature Reserve in this northern province in spite of local authorities' prevention efforts. 

Hanoi fest to screen experimental docs

 VietNamNet Bridge – A screening of work by young Vietnamese filmmakers spotlights new trends in creative documentary production.

Stocks nosedive on bank scandal

 The arrest of a senior banking official late last week, the second in as many years, dragged down shares on both stock exchanges yesterday as investors tried to avert downward risks by selling more shares.

Man dies after falling off river cable crossing

  A man died on Sunday after falling from a cable he made himself to cross Krong Ana River in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak's Hoa Le commune.

Haivl.com closed over violations

Just days after news about a VND33 billion (US$1.55 million) sale of the popular website haivl.com emerged, authorities decided last Friday to shut the site down over serious violations of electronic information regulations.