VietNamNet Bridge – The Trans-Pacific Partnership is expected to bring many advantages for Vietnam, especially for the textile-garment industry. However, the sudden increase of Chinese projects has triggered many concerns.

Government officials to enjoy nine-day Tet, Japan helps Quang Ninh treat wastewater, Health Minister hails EU’s support, Quang Ninh plans to reduce CO2 gas, Vietnam recognizes foreign NGOs’ contribution

 VietNamNet Bridge – A businessman in HCM City has offered for sale a SIM (subscriber identity module) for nearly VND10 billion ($500,000) on social media.

 VietNamNet Bridge – A man in the central province of Nghe An has discovered a giant lingzhi mushroom deep in the forest at the Vietnam-Laos border. As the mushroom is too big, only two of seven branches of the tree were brought home.

 VietNamNet Bridge - A trader in District 7, HCM City, on November 17 said he had bought a pair of giant barbs or Siamese giant carps weighing 240kg from the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang.

 The opening of this year’s Luala concert series was held on November 15, bringing music to the streets with performances of talented artists from at home and abroad.

 Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has decided to expand the Nghi Son Economic Zone from 18,600ha to 106,000ha in central Thanh Hoa Province.

MC Haha of the hit television series – ‘Running Man’ and female singer Baek Ji Young will arrive in Vietnam on November 28 to attend the Korea-Vietnam Food and Culture Festival taking place at My Dinh  National Stadium in Hanoi.

HCM City Medicine and Pharmacy University and the University Hospital have recently presented an honorary doctorate to Erich Johann LeJeune, President of the German ‘Heart for Heart’ Foundation.

 Many of the top 30 companies by market capitalisation on the HCM Stock Exchange have reported mixed nine-month earnings, according to their latest financial statements.

A choral concert “Sing For Joy – Vui Ca” will take place in Hanoi Opera House on November 28, featuring eight choirs with 150 members aged from 6-60 years old, from 15 countries all over the world.

 The 27th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministerial Meeting wrapped up in Manila, the Philippines, on November 17 after two working days under the theme “Inclusive Growth through Sustainable and Resilient Communities”.

 The Czech Republic always regards the Vietnamese community as part of its people, President of the Senate of the Czech Republic Milan Stech told Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung during their meeting in Hanoi on November 17.

 Vietnam and the European Union (EU) boast substantial potential for cooperation, especially after the two officially sign and realise the bilateral free trade agreement, said Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

 Vietnam and the Philippines established their strategic partnership during President Truong Tan Sang’s visit to the ASEAN fellow country to attend the 23rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

 President Truong Tan Sang on November 17 held a roundtable talk with representatives of the US groups in the Philippines as part of his trip to the country to attend the 23rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

 President Truong Tan Sang has called on APEC enterprises to enhance their corporate social responsibility, continue supporting economies and people in boosting sustainable, inclusive development and improving self-reliance capacity.

Vietnam supports APEC priorities on strengthening regional linkages and connectivity, especially efforts to fulfil the Bogor Goals and realise a free trade area in Asia-Pacific (FTAAP).

 Officers of Vietnam and South Africa met in the Vietnam-South Africa Defence Policy Dialogue in Hanoi on November 17, focusing on orientations to promote defence links between the two nations in the near future.

 All Government members were present at the National Assembly in an unprecedented question-and-answer session on November 16, at which deputies are free to ask questions on any issues.