Traditional art performances by troupes from Indonesia, the Philippines and Russia opened the Vietnam International Travel Mart (VITM) 2016 yesterday in Hanoi.

 Noted composer Nguyen Anh 9 died yesterday from a respiratory disorder and other diseases after a three-week stay at a local hospital. He was 76.

The impressive growth of Condotel has made this product the focus of the property market. The policy enabling overseas Vietnamese and foreigners to buy houses in Vietnam is an important move to drive foreign capital flows to the property market.

 The National Assembly’s decision last week to extend visas for US citizens to one year has been welcomed by businesspeople and analysts who say it will boost bilateral trade and tourism.

VietNamNet Bridge - The wife of a man who has two previous convictions for being involved in the killing and trafficking of tigers has been allowed to import and breed nine tigers.

 Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long insisted on publicizing businesses which sell unsafe food, at a ceremony of the food safety action month launched by the Hanoi People’s Committee on April 12.

 Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee (VFFCC) Vice President Tran Thanh Man had 100 percent of the vote in favour of his assignment to take over as Vice President and General Secretary of the 8th tenure (2014-2019).

 Vietnam welcomes the G7 Foreign Ministers’ statement on security that featured a common goal of safeguarding aviation and maritime security and safety, maritime security and respect for international law.

 Vietnam appreciates the relevant countries’ efforts to coordinate in the sustainable use of the Mekong River’s water resources, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Le Hai Binh said at a regular press conference on April 14.

Vietnam will open the door for foreign organisations to participate in its financial market in many forms.

  Given hot weather in Saigon, it would be perfect to travel to the forests of Bidoup Nui Ba National Park in the Central Highlands.

 Remains of US serviceman repatriated, National Exhibition of the Republic of Belarus opens in Hanoi, Vietnamese American doctor granted title of honorary professor, Former transport minister hands over power to successor

VietNamNet Bridge - The plans on setting up two new air carriers – Vietstar Airlines and SkyViet – have been submitted to the Prime Minister.

  While banks have revealed optimistic profit targets for 2016, actual figures may be more modest due to the risk provisions banks must set aside likely eating into their earnings.

 The Carnaval Ha Long 2016 is slated to take place on April 30 at the October 30 Square in Ha Long city, the northern province of Quang Ninh, according to the municipal authorities.

  Germer, established by a group of HCMC Conservatory of Music students, is searching for talent to perform at its concert to raise funds for poor kids of Loreto Vietnam Australia Program (LVAP).

 VietNamNet Bridge – More than 10 years ago, authorities in HCM City made plans to build underground parking lots but due to various reasons, plans remained on paper, even as traffic jams increased and the number of registered vehicles soared.

 Fund manager VinaCapital has injected US$50 million into two private firms in Vietnam in the year to date and will find more enterprises for investment this year.

 China’s island building in the East Sea is hurting the ecology and the environment, according to a report released by the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission.

 A recent lowball tax declaration of US$62,340 by Nguyen Ha Dong, creator of Flappy Bird, a Vietnamese mobile game that created quite a whirlwind last year, has created quite a tax flap, according to officials.