Vietnam’s rate of Internet usage is higher than the regional average and the Vietnamese government has been pushing state agencies over the past 5 years to use IT applications to streamline administrative procedures.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh had bilateral meetings with foreign ministers of several countries on the sidelines of the 48th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur on August 4.

 ASEAN Foreign Ministers have expressed their wish that senior officials of countries would increase consultation to conclude a Code of Conduct in the East Sea as soon as possible at the 48th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

 Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh called on ASEAN to take a proactive approach and uphold its sense of responsibility in dealing with the East Sea issue while attending the 48th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

  The European Union (EU) and Viet Nam yesterday reached an agreement in principle for a free-trade agreement (FTA) after nearly three years of intense negotiations.

 Several large companies on the HCM Stock Exchange have spent hundreds to several billions of Vietnamese dong to pay dividends since the beginning of this year.

Unsatisfactory farm produce exports, low inflation rate, and low effects of foreign direct investment (FDI) to the national economy and slow state-owned equitization have been cited as the most serious problems facing the national economy in H2.

 Gold weakened further yesterday in Viet Nam, falling to the lowest levels since 2012, amid a continuing steady drop in world prices.

 The first day of a four-day trial on a drug case that shocked the nation is underway.

VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam's Thai Son Nam team shook things up at the Asian Football Confederation Futsal Clubs Championship yesterday (Aug 4) in Iran.

  President Truong Tan Sang spoke up about the record floods that hit the coastal province of Quang Ninh, killing 17 and injuring another 30.

 Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh had separate meetings with foreign ministers of several countries on the sidelines of the 48th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM 48) in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

VietNamNet Bridge - The smart device sales boom in Vietnam, especially smartphones, has prompted many Vietnamese businesses to join the playing field, where the majority of players are foreign companies.

VietNamNet Bridge - The Vietnam Coal and Mineral Industries Group (Vinacomin) has asked for a 90 percent reduction in the environment tax for bauxite projects in the Central Highlands.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Around three kilometers from Hoi An City on the central coast, An Bang beach is still in its primitive state. Clean water, yellow sand, a pure atmosphere and daily chores of local fishermen make the beach area unique.

 With the trend towards deeper integration, Vietnamese firms in logistics and supply chain management need to become more competitive to stay afloat, according to the Viet Nam Logistics Association.

VietNamNet Bridge – Siam Cement Public Company Limited (SCG) has acquired Batico, a large packaging company in Vietnam. Many people are not aware that SCG is the name behind a number of large acquisitions in Vietnam.

 Foreign direct investment inflows into Vietnam are expected to spike in the coming months thanks to the new legal investment framework and free trade agreements in effect.

HCMC Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera (HBSO) will organize a concert called “Khachaturian and Prokofiev” at HCMC Opera House on August 9.

 Come to Vietnamese American Music Festival 2015 with two concerts on 20 and 22 Aug 2015.