Viet Nam’s leather and footwear industry expects to reach a total export value of US$18 billion this year, up 10 per cent from last year, said the Viet Nam Leather, Footwear and Handbag Association (Lefaso).

 The Central Highlands province of Dak Lak plans to increase the proportion of processed coffee such as instant coffee and powdered coffee from less than 10 per cent to 15 per cent in total coffee output by 2020 and up to 30 per cent by 2030.

 Convenience stores and minimarts have become increasingly popular in the country, with more than one third of households shopping there regularly, according to some analysts’ estimates.

 Viet Nam was named the nation facing the second-highest level of cyber security risk in Asia Pacific markets by a Microsoft Asia report on Thursday.

VietNamNet Bridge - It is expected that $2 billion worth of investment capital will be invested by Japanese in Vietnam’s real estate sector in the time to come.

 VietNamNet Bridge – A new species of Shiitake mushroom called Lentinula platinedodes has been found in Cat Tien National Park in Dong Nai and Lam Dong provinces.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Young Vietnamese karatedo martial artists have set a target of earning four gold medals, and a third-place spot in the team rankings, at the upcoming 29th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Malaysia.

Viet Nam plans to invest in its transport infrastructure comprehensively while linking development strategies among sectors in order to develop a multi-modal transport environment, making the country the gateway connecting Southeast Asia

The National Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control and the National Committee for Search and Rescue sent an announcement yesterday urging provincial and local authorities in northern and coastal provinces,

 VietNamNet Bridge – Huynh Quoc Toan, a resident from Phu Tan Commune in Ca Mau Province’s Phu Tan District, said he no longer worried about his house being ruined by natural disasters.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Biologists have found 22 animal species, including nine endangered ones, through a wildlife supervision programme in the Ba Na-Nui Chua Nature Reserve near the central city of Da Nang.

 VietNamNet Bridge – There are no long sandy beaches to enjoy long walks on, no high mountains to climb and enjoy panoramic views of the ocean from.

A government Decree 06 dated February 3 on legalizing horse, dog and football betting, to take effect on March 1, is expected to pave the way for the development of sport betting businesses.

 January State budget revenue reaches US$4.3 billion, Vietcombank plans to support restructuring of ailing bank. VND2.57 quadrillion deposited at listed banks, Vietnam Airlines to open Ha Noi-Sydney route

 VietNamNet Bridge – Pollution caused by different trade villages in the northern province of Bac Ninh are adversely affecting local residents’ health and the economic development, according to a new study.

 Flowers in Northwestern region entrance tourists

 Triem Tay village, a favourite eco-tour site at the end of the Thu Bon river opposite Hoi An city, has introduced a new rest stop for tourists.

  An agriculture official reiterated that farming crawfish in Vietnam is banned after a company in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap was found to be raising the animal.

 Vietnamese movie star and music producer Ngo Thanh Van, known as Veronica Ngo in English, plays the role of a killer named Tien in a US film starring Will Smith, Joel Edgerton and Noomi Rapace.

 Vietnamese-French pianist Tri Nguyen will stage a recital in HCM City’s French Culture Exchange Institute (IDECAF) next week.