A prison term from 18 to 19 years has been proposed for Dinh La Thang, former chairman of PetroVietnam, who was accused of wrongdoings in the group’s investment of over US$35 million in OceanBank.

Many international friends have fond memories of former PM Phan Van Khai, one of the first Vietnamese leaders who was active and determined to expand external relations and boost international integration.

 Diem village festival which honours the creator of quan ho (love duet singing) opened in the northern province of Bac Ninh on March 22 (the sixth day of the second lunar month).

 The robust economic development and improved living standards have turned Vietnam into one of the most promising markets for food and beverage consumption in the region.

Korean President Moon Jae-in and Vietnamese Deputy PM Vu Duc Dam engaged in an exchange with Vietnam’s U23 football team - the runner-up of AFC U23 Championship, and its head coach Park Hang-seo in Hanoi on March 22. 

 The 2018 Cherry blossom – Yen Tu yellow ochna flower festival opened with a ceremony in Truc Lam Yen Tu Culture Centre in Uong Bi city, the northern province of Quang Ninh on March 22.

Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh and his Korean counterpart Paik Un-gyu sought measures to complete the two countries’ trade goal of 100 billion USD by 2020 during their talks in Hanoi on March 22.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology and KOICA on March 22 co-organised a ground-breaking ceremony for Vietnam-Republic of Korea Institute of Science and Technology in Hanoi-based Hoa Lac High-Tech Park. 

 Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi has been ranked 82nd among 500 airports worldwide surveyed by the UK–based aviation consultancy Skytrax.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Hanoi’s People’s Committee has assigned the provincial authority and sector of Me Linh District to conduct a survey and suggest a location for the construction of a wholesale market.

 Pop and soul sensation My Tam was announced as the winner in two significant categories at the Cong Hien (Devotion) Music Awards – Singer of the Year and Album of the Year – during a gala night held in Hanoi Opera House on March 22.

 Vietnam’s U15 PVF team entered the quarter-final of the U15 ASEAN Dream Football Tournament, held at the SCG Muangthong United Practice Field on March 21.

 Vietnam’s trade surplus hit a record high of 2.92 billion USD in 2017, according to a report released by the Ministry of Industry and Trade in Ho Chi Minh City on March 22.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Hanoi earned VND7.955 trillion (US$349 million) from auctioning land-use rights last year, pushing the total revenue it earned from land up to VND37 trillion ($1.62 billion).

 VietNamNet Bridge – Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) lost to FC Seoul of South Korea 1-2 in the opening match of the International U19 Football Tournament yesterday.

 Recently, the Vietnamese coffee shop market became more vibrant with the appearance of numerous coffee and book shops to the joy of book lovers.

 Children in the US are drawing more women scientists than in previous decades, according to a new study.

VietNamNet Bridge - Domestic brands are expected to have opportunities to prosper in the local market amid the massive arrivals of foreign brands.

 As many as 13 people died and 28 others were injured when a blaze burned an apartment complex at No. 1648 Vo Van Kiet street, District 8 of Ho Chi Minh City in early morning of March 23, reported local authorities.

VietNamNet Bridge - With nearly 3,000 startups, Vietnam is entering a startup boom similar to Europe’s in the 2010-2011 period, according to Max Scheichenost, the co-founder of 15 startups.