VietNamNet Bridge – The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Thursday agreed on the necessity to amend the Law on Competition to address inadequacies in the 12-year-old legislation.

A new app aims to help commuters navigate Hanoi's sprawling bus system, while a smart bus operation centre will collect data about vehicles’ timeliness and traffic violations as part of a larger plan to improve bus service in the capital city.

 Vietnamese female karate martial artist Nguyen Thi Ngoan now ranks among the world’s top 10 best female karate athletes, in the 61kg category, the World Karate Federation has announced.

 The executive board of Asia Song Festival 2017 has announced that Vietnamese singer Erik has been added to the list of artists to perform at the concert on September 23 in Busan, the Republic of Korea, reports Zing.vn.

More efforts are needed to strengthen and support collaboration among ASEAN countries and China to combat the increasing wildlife smuggling and poaching of endangered wildlife, the 4th Regional Dialogue 

 Vietnam will make more constructive contributions to UN mechanisms for the sake of peace, security and sustainable development, affirmed Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue. 

 Health authorities in Nha Trang city – the famous beach tourism destination hit hard by HIV/AIDS – have made progress against the epidemic. However, their efforts are threatened by a lack of adequate human resources.

The People’s Procuracy of Hanoi yesterday proposed the capital sentence for Nguyen Xuan Son, former Director General of Ocean Bank, and life in prison for Ha Van Tham, former Chairman of the bank, for their wrongdoings.

 Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh held talks with Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hiroshige Seko in Hanoi on September 14, discussing measures to foster bilateral cooperation in the fields of industry, trade and energy.

Hanoi’s leaders had a working session with visiting Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Hiroshige Seko on September 14. 

The World Bank Vietnam launched on September 14 the Country Partnership Framework for Vietnam for the 2017-2022 period, which aims to support the realisation of the targets set in the country’s socio-economic development plan for 2016-2021.

 Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Ngo Huong Nam presented credentials to Governor General of Australia Peter Cosgrove in Canberra on September 13. 

 Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue met leaders of international organisations based in Geneva, Switzerland on September 14. 

 Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc assured visiting Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hirosighe Seko that the Vietnamese government offers all possible support to Japanese investors in Vietnam. 

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Chair of the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee Bernd Lange discussed the signing of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement during their meeting in Hanoi on September 14.

 Vietnam is stepping up the equitisation of State-owned enterprises (SOE) and wants foreign investors to pay attention to this area, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said on September 14.

The Communist Party of Vietnam always treasures traditional friendship with the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (KPRF), said Politburo member Nguyen Van Binh.

 Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Vu Hong Nam suggested Vietnam and Cambodia join hands in aquaculture when visiting Kampong Chhnang, one of the five Cambodian provinces adjacent to Tonle Sap Lake. 

Among the most five impressive paintings Ha Phuong, a 10-year-old girl, has created, the “Mua nguoc” (upside down rain) was gifted for charity in her first exhibition. The painting was also sold for 267 USD 

 The national weather forecasting centre upgraded the Typhoon Doksuri barreling toward Vietnam from level 11 to 12 (of 18), with winds at its eye expected to reach 150km per hour.