A selection of noteworthy artistic and cultural events taking place in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from May 14 to 20.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has removed all the images and information relating to its former ambassador Pham Anh Khoa from its Facebook and Website amid the rocker's sex abuse scandal. 

At least three men have been killed and two others seriously injured while chasing after a group of motorbike robbers in Ho Chi Minh City.

 After Uber’s departure from Viet Nam’s ride hailing market, a newcomer named Mass Vehicle Ledger Foundation Pte. Ltd (MVLchain) has made its move to enter the country’s Grab-dominated ride industry.

 The Viet Nam National Petroleum Group (Petrolimex) had sold 30 million shares at its subsidiaries in the first quarter of the year.

 The appreciation in land prices seen in HCM City in recent time is spreading to its adjoining provinces, according to traders and agents.

 Using unregistered point-of-sale (POS) machines to transfer payment may result in tax losses for the local authorities, according to specialists.

 Several banks are keen to establish consumer finance arms to grab a bigger share of a market that is expected to reach VND1,000 trillion (US$4.38 billion) by 2020 and grow at 29 per cent annually.

The State Bank of Viet Nam should consider developing a roadmap to remove regulations on credit growth limits and interest rate caps as it isn’t suitable due to the country’s achievements in stabilising the nation’s economy, according to experts.

 Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue has asked the State audit agency to review the investigation conclusions concerning tax liabilities of two beer corporations amounting up to VND4.35 trillion (US$191 million).

 Viet Nam’s tea exports dropped in both volume and value in the first four months of 2018, despite a price hike.

 The Prime Minister’s working group has asked the ministries of Finance and Planning and Investment to swiftly lift the foreign ownership limit of 49 per cent at enterprises where foreign investment is not restricted.

 At least five persons died, and two others were injured in a series of crashes on Monday morning.

 Vietnam won a bronze medal yesterday at the AFF U16 Girls’ Championship in Indonesia.

 The Ministry of Health has drafted a law on alcohol abuse, in which it proposes creating a ban on the sale of alcohol during certain hours.

VietNamNet Bridge - The rapid expansion of food & beverage, restaurant and pharmacy chains in the last few years has led to the general opinion that they are easily profitable. But there are pitfalls that companies must be aware of. 

 Experts’ reactions to the Ministry of Finance’s (MoF) tax adjustment draft have been mixed, while the business community struggles to keep up with the variety of proposed tax hikes.

 A state-owned consultancy has proposed adjustments to the expansion plan for Ho Chi Minh City-based Tan Son Nhat international airport that would result in much lower costs than one proposed by the French consultancy ADPi.

 The LH-ATM team from Lac Hong University in the southern province of Dong Nai won the 2018 Vietnam Robot Contest (Robocon Vietnam) after defeating another team from the same university – LH-Galaxy.

 Amidst the current financial constraints, the continuing mobilisation of financial resources from non-state sectors for transport infrastructure development is necessary, according to experts.