VietNamNet Bridge – Inspectors from the Ministry of Health have started to inspect smoke-free restaurants and hotels in Ha Noi as part of efforts to build a non-smoking environment in public places.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Art Vietnam Gallery will debut a poety reading series, which entitled Xoa [caress/erase] on November 17.

Vietnam is a top destination of choice for Japan’s mechanical engineering companies when seeking investment opportunities in Southeast Asia, said Itoh Kaori, head of a business delegation from Gifu prefecture.  

 The cashew sector is expected to earn a record of 2.7 billion USD from export of 300,000 tonnes of processed cashew nuts this year, according to the Vietnam Cashew Association (VINACAS).

 Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador have agreed to join forces and seek support from Mexico to forge a joint strategy in response to Donald Trump winning the U.S. presidency,

  The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade on November 16 released a list of foreign tourists evacuated from the most affected area by recent earthquakes, with no Vietnamese reported.

 President Tran Dai Quang and his spouse will pay a State-level visit to Italy from November 21-24 at the invitation of his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella, according to the Foreign Ministry. 

The progress and solutions to implementing a project to teach foreign languages in the national education system was among major issues raised by deputies at the 13th National Assembly for Minister of Education and Training Phung Xuan Nha.

 Vice President of the German parliament Edelgard Bulmahn said she will advocate the ratification of the EVFTA which she believes will open up new opportunities for economic, investment and trade ties between Vietnam and Germany. 

 Education-training is one of the top priorities of the Vietnam-New Zealand cooperation, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has affirmed. 

 Minister of Home Affairs Le Vinh Tan took the floor at the question & answer session of the 14th National Assembly’s second session in Hanoi on November 16, clarifying issues of public concern regarding personnel work. 

 Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue expressed his hope that Vietnam – US ties will continue to grow strongly during the tenure of the new President, during a meeting on November 16 with US Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius. 

 President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan has expressed his wish that Germany will share experience in developing small- and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). 

Vietnam and Japan have agreed to enhance their political trust through the regular exchange of high-ranking visits and meetings in the time ahead.

 Vietnam’s Defence Minister Ngo Xuan Lich has called for stronger cooperation among ASEAN member nations, along with more effective ties with other countries, including China and the US, to address the East Sea issue. 

VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam has maintained economic growth despite the reduction in mining natural resources, but it must begin to reduce exploitation as resources are running out, experts say.

Viet Nam has made efforts to protect wildlife and its intensified law enforcement against traffickers is likely to make the country a role model in the field, said the UK’s Prince William.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Southern Lottery Council has written to the Ministry of Finance accusing Vietnam Lottery Company (Vietlott), the organizer of American-style lottery game Mega 6/45, of wrongdoing, according to local media.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Lai Ly Huynh of Viet Nam came second at the eighth Han Xin Cup Xiangqi (Chinese chess) International Masters, which ended in Sydney, Australia, on November 14.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has given its approval for organizing the next edition of Miss Universe Vietnam 2017 contest, which is expected to take place from January 1 to August 19