Irish Aid will grant 578,000 euros (US$685,000 ) to support ten partnerships between Irish and Vietnamese higher education institutions on teaching and research co-operation during 2017-2018.

 Viet Nam has a great opportunity to use information technology in teaching English since 70 per cent of the country’s population use the internet and broadband internet connection is available in every village.

VN’s agricultural sector should focus on developing the economic value of domestic plant varieties by ensuring their output and protecting branding, instead of importing large amounts of other plant varieties. 

 Film audiences in the central region will enjoy a week-long film festival screening Vietnam’s best new and old films on the occasion of the 20th Vietnamese Film Festival.

 The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment has asked authorities in Ho Chi Minh City and 10 provinces to develop a master plan on effective management of water resources and environmental protection in the Dong Nai River basin.

 Members of the Central Steering Committee on Anti-Corruption’s Standing Board have agreed on plans to finalise the investigation, prosecution and judgment of 23 corruption and economic cases in 2017 and the first quarter of 2018.

 E-commerce platforms are trying to emulate the famous Black Friday sale in the US with a massive advertising campaign announcing attractive discounts.

 Total lending of the banking sector for securities trading has reached 10 trillion VND (444.4 million USD), according to Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) Le Minh Hung.

The visits to Singapore and Australia by NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan from November 26 to December 2 are of significance, aiming to consolidate Vietnam’s strategic partnership with Singapore and its comprehensive partnership with Australia.

 Sai Gon University and the International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL) Foundation have signed an agreement accrediting the school as the first official ICDL test centre in Ho Chi Minh City.

 Financial technology (fintech) should be used to strengthen regional integration and promote inclusive and sustainable development, speakers said at the 47th ASEAN Banking Council Meeting in Da Nang on November 24.

 Mexico treasures ties with Vietnam, Mexican Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos de Icaza told Vietnamese Ambassador to Mexico Nguyen Hoai Duong at a meeting in Mexican city on November 24.

 The missile frigate KD LEKIU and training ship GAGAH SAMUDERA of the Royal Malaysian Navy arrived in Ho Chi Minh City on November 25, beginning a four-day goodwill visit to Vietnam.

 The Ministry of Education and Training organised a launch ceremony in response to the global initiative to end physical violence against children at home and at school on November 24.

VietNamNet Bridge - Current monetary policies and the strong rise of the stock market have prompted people to pour money into production and investments.

VietNamNet Bridge - China’s policy on focusing on their domestic market has prompted foreign importers to place more orders with Vietnamese enterprises.

 VietNamNet Bridge – A proposal by a National Assembly deputy that some civil servants and other State cadres be allowed to work from home, saving office overheads, has generated a lively, timely debate.  

Though they have official practice cards, freelance tour guides will become unemployed if they cannot satisfy new requirements in the 2017 Tourism Law which takes effect on January 1, 2018.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Nguyen Tien Dinh, former Vice Minister of Home Affairs, speaks to Kinh te & Do thi (Economic & Urban Affairs) newspaper on the need to uphold the law.

The  visit to Vietnam from November 27-30 by President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda is expected to help enhance friendship and cooperation between the two countries.