The name Hang Son 1871 immediately evokes a bygone era. The year takes you back two centuries in the history of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, to a time when everything but the street names was different.

Every year, thousands of people move to HCM City looking for work thus placing a strain on transport, educational and healthcare systems. A new master plan envisions improvements in infrastructure and services in the region

 Retail goods and services generated revenues of nearly 1.4 quadrillion VND (63 billion USD) in the first four months of 2018, a year-on-year rise of 9.85 percent.

 Vietnam attracted 8.06 billion USD in foreign direct investment (FDI) in the first four months of 2018, equivalent to 76.1 percent of the figure in the same period last year, according to the National Statistics Office. 

 As many as 110 individuals of wild animals were rescued and released into the environment or rescue centres in the first three months of this year.

 Vietnam welcomed more than 5.54 million foreign visitors in the first four months of 2018, a year-on-year rise of 29.5 percent, according to the General Statistics Office.

Shareholders of Vietnam Airlines will gather at the annual general meeting in Hanoi on May 10 to discuss a series of important issues including the modification of the internal management regulations.

 The southern coastal province of Kien Giang has announced a list of eight vessels and their owners, which engaged in illegal fishing in foreign waters from the beginning of 2018 to date.

 CV9 community football academy, found by the former captain of the Vietnam national football team Le Cong Vinh, made its debut in Ho Chi Minh City on May 2.

 The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) topped again among ministries and ministerial-level agencies in the Public Administration Reform Index 2017 (PAR Index 2017) which was announced at a conference in Hanoi on May 2.

 Vietnam’s benchmark VN-Index fell 21.18 points to close at 1,029.08 points on May 2 when the stock market reopened following the National Reunification Day and the International Labour Day.

The Republic of Korea (RoK) launched a consultative body composed of government and company officials to push major development projects in Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates.

 Vietnam strives to have 10 tickets to the Youth Olympic Games 2018, said the General Department of Physical Training and Sports on May 2. 

 The State Treasury of Vietnam raised over 2.1 trillion VND (92.08 million USD) via Government bond (G-bond) auctions in the Hanoi Stock Exchange (HNX) on May 2.

 Hanoi recorded a surge in tourist arrivals during the National Reunification (April 30) and May Day holiday starting on April 28.

Bai choi performance, an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, has been regularly held on weekends in Nha Trang city. The club is a local movement in preserving and promoting the traditional folklore art form.

 Vietnam will auction quality smuggled foreign cigarettes for export on a trial basis as stipulated in the Government’s Decision No.20/2018/QD-TTg.

The central province, in co-operation with the Centre of Biodiversity Conservation, GreenViet, began an urgent conservation project for two herds of gray-shanked douc langurs in a forest of Nui Thanh District’s Tam Mu Tay Commune.

 Petrolimex appoints new chairman, New enterprises up 80% in April, Wood exports can help 2018 target, Vietcombank plans to raise capital by 10%, Inundating losses may force Ha Bac Fertiliser out of business

VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam targets building at least three smart cities in 2017-2020. But to reach that goal, it needs to have better infrastructure, more money and a more qualified workforce.