Representatives from 21 member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum have showed their support for priorities proposed by Vietnam for APEC Year 2017 while attending a meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, on February 20.

 Strengthening comprehensive cooperation with Thailand, including in the field of defence, is one of the priorities of Vietnam, affirmed Defence Minister Ngo Xuan Lich at a meeting with Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha in Bangkok on February 22.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said he hopes Vietnam and New Zealand will work to elevate their relations to a strategic partnership, during a reception in Hanoi on February 22 for the new Ambassador of New Zealand, Wendy Irene Matthews.

 Chairwoman of Russia’s Federal Council Valentina Ivanovna Matvienko has told Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong that her country will do everything possible to develop the comprehensive strategic partnership with Vietnam.

VietNamNet Bridge - Renewable energy, especially wind power, is believed to be the solution to Vietnam’s increasingly high demand for power.

VietNamNet Bridge - The volume of freshwater on canals in the Mekong Delta has decreased quickly, while saline intrusion has begun in many areas.

The severe weather conditions in the first months of 2016 with drought and saline intrusion dealt a strong blow on Vietnam’s agriculture, leading to minus growth rate of the sector in the first half of the year. 

VietNamNet Bridge - The Examinations and Education Quality Assurance Department has announced the draft regulation on higher-education establishment accreditation, under which universities would be ranked based on 111 criteria.

 Nghe An authorities presented eight investment certificates and signed 15 memorandums on investment with total capital pledges of VND22,628 billion (US$1 billion) at a meeting with investors in the north-central province on Sunday.

 The collection of fees for the use of infrastructure, service facilities and public utilities at all ports in northern Hai Phong City is as per the laws and regulations.

 A new strategy should be applied in HIV/AIDS prevention and control, with a focus on early treatment in HIV-positive cases, ambulatory treatment, and extending treatment services to jails and remote and poor areas.

 Vietnam’s cashew export in 2017 is hoped to reach 3 billion USD, an increase of 160 million USD from 2016, according to the Vietnam Cashew Association (VINACAS).

 As many as 100 Japanese cherry trees were planted in Nguyen Van Cu Park, Bac Ninh city of the northern province of Bac Ninh on February 22. 

 The Hanoi Department of Transport has proposed launching a second Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route connecting Lang – Hoa Lac hi-tech zone and Kim Ma street, Ba Dinh district, Deputy Director of the Department Ngo Manh Tuan said on February 21.

 The transfer of State enterprise ownership to the State Capital Investment Corporation (SCIC) has been disappointing, Nguyen Dinh Cung, Director of the Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM), said at a conference in Hanoi on February 21.

 The National Assembly Standing Committee convened its 7th session in Hanoi from February 20-21, where deputies discussed a range of issues, including a draft law on amendments and supplements to the 2015 Penal Code.

 Experts underscored the necessity and significance of the Finance and Disaster Risk Insurance Initiative within the framework of APEC at a seminar that concluded in Nha Trang city, the central province of Khanh Hoa on February 21. 

 Representatives from 21 member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum have showed their support for priorities proposed by Vietnam for APEC Year 2017 while attending a meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, on February 20.

 The medal "For the Cause of Culture, Sports and Tourism" was awarded to two Czech politicians at a ceremony held at the Vietnam Embassy in the Czech Republic on February 22.

 Shareholders of Vietnam Airlines have approved a plan to sell and lease back four new aircraft of which the corporation will take delivery this year.