UK Minister without Portfolio and Co-Chairman of the Conservative Party Grant Shapps has voiced his support for ongoing negotiations of a free trade agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the European Union to be signed in 2014.

 VietNamNet Bridge – As credit gets stuck, banks have had to inject their money into government bonds.

 Vietnam considers the US one of the leading partners in its foreign policy, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong told Patrick Leahy, President pro tempore of the US Senate, in Hanoi on April 17.

 VietNamNet Bridge – VND34 trillion:  a 34 followed by 12 zeroes. That’s the price tag ($1.6 billion in US dollars) that the Ministry of Education and Training puts on its program to renovate the school system’s textbooks.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The 2014 Asian Games (17th ASIAD) promises to be memorable for Vietnamese swimming as top Vietnamese swimmers Nguyen Thi Anh Vien and Hoang Quy Phuoc are prepared to compete for top honours,

 Coach Nguyen Thi Nhung has confirmed that her shooting team are confident of winning their first ever gold medal at the upcoming Asian Games (ASIAD) in South Korea.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Nguyen My Ha reports from the scene of the Dien Bien Phu battle, 60 years later. Filled with scenic landscapes and country-style food, her road trip also offered insight into the momentous historic occasion.

 VietNamNet Bridge - Hanoi Party Secretary Pham Quang Nghi has maintained that changes to the design of Truong Chinh Road were not implemented for personal interests.

 VietNamNet Bridge – An extreme weather pattern is striking the south-central, Central Highlands and southern regions due to the transition from the dry season to the rainy one, The Saigon Times Daily has reported.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam now has an estimated 200,000 children who suffer from autism and the number is increasing.

 VietNamNet Bridge – While Da Nang City persists with its struggle to demand hydropower plants return water to the Vu Gia River, the Quang Nam provincial authorities insist on it being routed to the Thu Bon River.

 The banking sector is likely to see a series of merger and acquisition deals in the next few months after a series of banks announced their plans to merge with other credit institutions.

SOEs stakes may be sold at discount rates; Trade surplus hits over US$1.08 billion in Q1; Local company imports a batch of Japan’s Koi fish; Banking, insurance firms draw complaints; Tobacco lobby pushes for tax increase delay

 The National Steering Committee for ODA and Preferential Loans and the Ministry of Planning and Investment have jointly organised a conference seeking ways to speed up disbursement for ODA- related projects.

 A novel oral drug may protect unvaccinated people who are exposed to measles from getting sick and prevent them from spreading the virus to others, an international team of researchers said Wednesday.

 Vietnam tops tally at SEA karatedo champs; Long An signs on three new players; HCM City women retain national tennis crown; Cyclists prepare for the start of HCM City Television Cup; Golfers teed up to celebrate festival at seniors tournament

 V-League organisers met yesterday to discuss changes to this season's fixture list following Ninh Binh's withdrawal from the competition.

 200,000 Vietnamese suffer from stroke annually; Perpetrator in Can Tho shooting incident a police officer; Child malnutrition treatment named top priority; US bombs defused in Yen Bai Province; Gyalwang Drukpa book launched in HCM City

 The Government has allowed employees of state organisations to have five straight days off on the Reunification Day (April 30) and International Labour Day (May 1) holidays, thus giving hopes that travel firms could do good business this time.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Non-professional services, poor tours and weak co-operation among provinces are the main reasons that tourism has not developed well in the Cuu Long (Mekong Delta) region,

 VietNamNet Bridge – International institutions are remaining doubtful about the ability of the Vietnam Asset Management Company (VAMC) to settle bad debts.

 A concert featuring international artists will open tonight at Ha Noi's National Convention Centre.

 VietNamNet Bridge – On Tuesday evening, Royal Night, the highlight event of the Hue Festival 2014, was held in several places in the Imperial City of Hue. In the Truong Sanh Palace, a royal wedding of the Nguyen Dynasty’s princess was held.

 The Hanoi People’s Court on April 16 afternoon decided to postpone the trial of Nguyen Duc Kien, former Vice Chairman of the founding council of the Asia Commercial Bank, because one of his alleged eight accomplices was absent due to poor health.

 US Senator begins Vietnam visit; Vietnam, Mongolia promote cooperation; NA calls for faster army promotions; Vietnam, Sudan bolster cooperation; Deputy PM Ninh continues UK visit