BUSINESS IN BRIEF 5/4

 Vietnam reaffirms no pangasius dumping, says spokesman; Oman recognises Viet Nam's market economy; PVEP starts producing oil commercially in Peru; Cambodia legislature passes investment protocol with Vietnam

Mixed reactions to construction firms’ IPOs

 VietNamNet Bridge – Several civil engineering construction companies have launched their initial public offerings (IPOs) in recent times, leaving mixed reactions among investors.

His Holiness Gyalwang Drukpa arrives in Vietnam

 VietNamNet Bridge - His Holiness Gyalwang Drukpa arrived in Vietnam this morning to start his fifth visit to Vietnam from April 5 to 21.

Sports ministry official absent at news briefing

 VietNamNet Bridge – A representative of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism did not show up at a news briefing held on April 1 after the Government’s regular meeting as public concerns are mounting over a patchy plan

Robocon Vietnam 2014 kicks off

VietNamNet Bridge – As many as 160 teams from 33 universities, colleges and technical schools throughout the country are competing in qualifying rounds of the 2014 Robocon Vietnam to earn a berth in the Asia-Pacific Robocon Contest,

HCM City to host first caricature festival

 VietNamNet Bridge – The first-ever caricature festival will be held in Ho Chi Minh City to bring the art closer to the public and provide a comic playground for professional caricaturists and the audience.

EU launches flagship Sentinel satellite project to monitor Earth

A Soyuz rocket has launched from French Guiana with the first satellite in the European Union's new multi-billion-euro Earth-observation programme.

Sports News Headlines 4/4

 Tien Minh reaches 8th position in BWF rankings; Quan to kick-off Davis Cup matches; U19 to face Lille youth in Euro; Can Tho to host Southeast Asian karate championships; Judokas take titles at nat'l champs

Hoi An extends opening hours for pedestrian-only zones

 Hoi An's areas open only to pedestrians and non-engine vehicles have new hours: from 8.30-11 am and from 3-9.30 pm.

Political News Headlines 4/4

 President Sang welcomes visiting Busan Mayor; Vietnam demands fair treatment for businesses in US; Vietnam, Bulgaria eye strategic partnership; President Sang backs joint university project

US imposes unfair, but bearable, anti-dumping tax on VN's catfish

 VietNamNet Bridge – New anti-dumping tariffs imposed by the US Department of Commerce (DOC) for catfish imports from Vietnam are being described as “unreasonable, but bearable” for Vietnamese seafood exporters.

Malaysia plane MH370: Pinger locators deployed in search

Search teams have begun using towed pinger locators to hunt for the black box of missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.

Education centres face traffic jam rap

 VietNamNet Bridge – Education centres that allow parents and students to park for long periods during peak traffic hours will lose their licenses, the HCM City's Department of Education and Training has decided.

Hoang Lien National Park re-opens, limits tourist number

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Hoang Lien National Park in the northwestern province of Lao Cai was re-opened to visitors on April 1 after a temporary close from January 1 due to high risk of fire.

Mekong summit calls for greater riparian co-operation

 VietNamNet Bridge – Mekong River riparian countries have improved co-operation since the first Mekong River Commission (MRC) summit held in Thailand four years ago, a senior Vietnamese official has said.

Traces of a wartime kitchen found in central province

 VietNamNet Bridge – The archaeologists from the Viet Nam Archaeology Institute have unearthed traces of a kitchen at the Tan Long Ha Military Post in the central province of Quang Ngai.

Ninh Binh secures AFC knockout spot

 VietNamNet Bridge – Coach Nguyen Van Sy of Ninh Binh and his team could not be happier than the convincing win 4-0 against the guests Kelantan of Malaysia yesterday afternoon, April 2.

Home-made mini submarine: AIP technology remains a question

 VietNamNet Bridge – It’s too early to say that development of the Truong Sa mini submarine has succeeded. It is still necessary carry out the air independent propulsion (AIP) technology test.

Many universities running without rectors

 VietNamNet Bridge – Many universities in Vietnam make do without rectors. Others seem to have a problem retaining rectors, changing them frequently. And still more employ substandard rectors.

Labor market cramped due to Chinese workers

 VietNamNet Bridge – The increase in Chinese foreign direct investment in recent years has cleared the way for Chinese workers to flock to Vietnam, raising worries about the impact on socio-economic development.

Van Nistelrooy brings C1 Cup to Vietnam

 VietNamNet Bridge - Former Manchester United FC, Real Madrid FC and Netherlands striker Ruud van Nistelrooy arrived in HCM City yesterday, bringing the UEFA Champions League Trophy to Vietnam.

Vietnam Airlines to conduct IPO in September

 VietNamNet Bridge – The IPO (initial public offering) of the national carrier, Vietnam Airlines Corporation, is scheduled for this September. After the IPO, the State will hold 70-80 percent of the firm’s capital.

Do coffee and tea really dehydrate us?

 We’re told that tea and coffee dehydrates us, says Claudia Hammond, but what’s the evidence say?

Da Nang, Can Tho and Kien Giang have new top officials

 VietNamNet Bridge - Da Nang City has elected a new Vice Party Secretary while Can Tho City and Kien Giang Province have new Vice Chairs.

Rate of illegal overstaying workers rises, Korean labor market may close

 VietNamNet Bridge – The rate of Vietnamese workers overstaying their visas in South Korea fell to nearly 39 percent last October, but the trend has since reversed and now stands at 49 percent, according to a conference on April 2.