Fitch upgrades Vietnam’s credit rating on improved macrostability; Word Bank says will fund IT application in agriculture; Bike market gets more hectic; Phan Thiet golf course removed; Sai Gon Hi-tech Park attracts more investment

Park Hyatt Saigon will close for a luxury transform; Indian Jet Airways launches direct flight to HCM City; Foreign arrivals to Vietnam exceed 6.6 million in 10 months; Vietnam Airlines offers promotional program for Tet

VietNamNet Bridge – Three ao dai collections of the most famous Vietnamese fashion designers - Minh Hanh, Lan Huong and Hung Viet – were introduced at the Paris City Hall on November 3 evening.

The Health Minister has requested the police to open an investigation into a case in which a California-based firm allegedly bribed Vietnamese officials. She has also asked for the American Embassy's assistance for the investigation.

On October 6, a Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affair representative presented a diplomatic note to the China Embassy in Hanoi, opposing China’s illegal activities on Chu Thap (Stone Cross) of Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago.

VietNamNet Bridge – After three consecutive years of trade surplus, Viet Nam will likely experience a trade deficit next year, the Ministry of Industry and Trade predicted at a meeting last Monday.

 A prototype inflatable incubator for prematurely-born babies has been picked as the international winner of this year's James Dyson Award.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Parents complain that their children have too much homework but teachers say parents demand that their children study hard.

 The US Senate's new Republican leader and President Barack Obama have both promised to end the political gridlock that has so frustrated American voters.

 VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam’s fastest growing airline Vietjet today announced the opening of the air route connecting Taipei (Taiwan) and Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), with the maiden flight scheduled on December 12.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Doubtful about the EVN’s promise to ensure a sufficient electricity supply, major enterprises are concerned that outages could occur during the dry season next year.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam’s women’s Kata (demonstration) team flew to Germany to compete for individual and team medals at the 22nd World Senior Karate Championships, underway in Bremen from November 5-9.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Masan Consumer Holding, the consumer goods arm of Masan Group (MSN), plans to spend VND1.62 trillion to buy back 18 million shares of the company by the end of this year.

A graduate of the Industrial Fine Arts University in 1967, artist Nguyen Thi Phuong Lan was once a tailor in the subsidy period. This artist-tailor has taken advantage of fabric scraps to make beautiful paintings.

VietNamNet Bridge – Some 35 Japanese feature films and cartoons will be screened at the second Japanese film festival to be held in HCM City from November 13 to 18.

The Embassy of Sweden will organize the “Innovative Sweden” event at the Hoa Sen University in HCM City from November 10 to 30. It will showcase Swedish innovations and creativity, and facilitate an exchange of ideas between Sweden and Vietnam.

 VietNamNet Bridge – At least 5,000 people have registered to participate in a Requiem for traffic accident victims which will be held at Vinh Nghiem Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City on November 9.

Dai Nam Park in Binh Duong Province will be closed temporarily because it “has been suffering” from the activities of local government, said the park's boss. However, the local authorities said they did not raise difficulties to the firm.

 Vietnam will host the fifth Asia- Pacific bonsai festival in 2015, marking its first ever organisation of the event, heard a press conference in Ho Chi Minh City on November 4.

VietNamNet Bridge – Phong Khe and Phu Lam, the two largest paper recycling craft villages in the north, produce tissue from recycled paper used at street rice shops.