Savoury cakes win National Geographic honour

 VietNamNet Bridge – The US travel magazine National Geographic has introduced Vietnam’s savoury Chung (square) and Giay (round) cakes among the world’s top ten traditional dishes.

International calls for peaceful resolution of East Sea dispute

VietNamNet Bridge – Several Italian parliamentarians have called on concerned parties in the current tension on the East Sea to seek peaceful and cooperative solutions in line with international law,

President Sang welcomes Azerbaijani counterpart, vows stronger cooperation

 VietNamNet Bridge – At talks with his Azerbaijan counterpart Ilham Aliyev in Ha Noi yesterday, May 19, President Truong Tan Sang made clear Viet Nam's stance on expanding relations with the Eurasian country as its major partner in southern Caucasus.

Where have university entrance examinees gone?

 VietNamNet Bridge – Educators are reeling over the surprisingly low number of students registering to sit the university entrance exam. It is foreseeable that schools will not have enough students enrolling.

Vietnam takes new direction in research to master East Sea’s treasure

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam has valuable treasure in the East Sea, but it still does not have deep knowledge about that treasure because of research problems.

Vietnam remains attractive and friendly in foreign investors’ eyes

 VietNamNet Bridge – Foreign investors say they consider the riots triggered by disruptive elements some days ago to be unfortunate incidents, but affirm that they do not intend to leave Vietnam, which they still find “attractive” and “friendly”.

Finance Minister urges immediate assistance to enterprises affected in recent disturbances

In a dispatch issued on Monday, the Minister of Finance asked the tax and customs authorities and the local departments of finance to swiftly support local businesses that were damaged in the disturbances in Binh Duong and Ha Tinh provinces.

Chinese illegal rig should be discussed by NA deputies

 VietNamNet talked with Mr. Le Nam, vice head of Thanh Hoa Province’s delegation of National Assembly deputies, about Vietnam’s marine sovereignty, on the occasion of the new NA session, which begins today, May 20.

Nha Trang Bay

 Nha Trang Bay, covering 507km2, is located in Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province. The bay includes 19 named islands and many small rock islands. In 2003, it was recognized as one of the most beautiful bays in the world.

Hundreds of shoe workers in Thanh Hoa hospitalized again

 VietNamNet Bridge – After a mass poisoning on May 15 that sent over 700 workers to the hospital, hundreds of workers of the Taiwan-invested Hongfu Group were again hospitalized on Monday with poisoning symptoms.

HCM City to increase fees for hospital services next month

 VietNamNet Bridge – Fees will increase at 378 public hospitals in June, under a decision by the HCM City's People Council as part of a three-year plan.

Legal Advice: Processing activity in Vietnam

Processing is no longer deemed a novel economic activity in Vietnam. In the scope of this article, PLF law firm would like to cover several noteworthy issues for foreign investors when outsourcing processing in this particular nation.

Researchers analyze China’s expansion scheme

 VietNamNet Bridge - "China is actively expanding its influence in Southeast Asia in the hope of taking this as a springboard to reach out to the world," said Dr. Nguyen Hong Son from Hanoi National University at a recent seminar.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 20/5

 First Vietnamese business receives GTB Innovation Award; Trade surplus rises to over US$2 billion; Exports to Israel nearly double; Int’l cashew nut processors convene in Ba Ria-Vung Tau;

National Assembly to discuss East Sea tensions tomorrow

VietNamNet Bridge – On Tuesday afternoon, May 20, right after the opening session, the National Assembly (NA) will have a closed meeting on the East Sea situation. The results will be provided to the media at a press conference the same day.

Saudi Arabia reports 2 more MERS coronavirus cases

 Saudi Arabia on Sunday reported two more Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus cases and one death.

Colombian children dead in bus accident near Fundacion

 A bus in northern Colombia has caught fire, killing at least 30 people, most of them believed to be children under 14.

Chinese workers facilitated to return home

VietNamNet Bridge – Local authorities have created favorable conditions for Chinese workers in the Vung Ang Economic Zone in Ha Tinh Province to return home in accordance with contractors’ proposals.

China deploys more ships around illegal rig

VietNamNet Bridge - On Sunday, the number of Chinese vessels around its illegal oil drilling rig in Vietnam’s waters had reached a peak of 134. The number of aircraft, however, has been reduced.

HCM City officials pledge wastewater cleanup

 VietNamNet Bridge – The HCM City People’s Committee has released a regulation on wastewater zoning and wastewater standards with stricter requirements than the ones currently in force in the city.

Vietnam right on track to resolve East Sea issue

 Representatives from many foreign nations and organizations have stated publicly that Vietnam has displayed the proper attitude accentuated by a consistent respect for international law.

Sports News Headlines 19/5

 HCM City overpowers opposition at swimming championships; Teenager Tien progresses into national quarter-finals; Victory for Da Nang gives them place in last eight; VTV Women’s Volleyball Cup opens in Bac Ninh

Vietnamese photographers listed in “Who’s Who Masterpieces”

Vietnamese artists Le Hong Linh and Tran Phong have been accorded the prestigious distinction of being cited in the “Who’s Who Masterpieces” of modern contemporary photographers.

Foreigners rush to fill stock market vacuum left by fleeing Vietnamese

 VietNamNet Bridge – While Vietnamese investors are rushing to sell stocks out of fears brought on by current uncertainties, foreign investors are injecting money into Vietnamese stocks, finding the cheaper goods attractive.

Authorities to crackdown on dangerous ‘eggshell' helmets

Motorcyclists may soon be fined VND100,000-200,000 (US$5-10) if found wearing substandard helmets.The helmets, including some described as "eggshells", would then be destroyed.