The Standing Committee of the 14th National Assembly will convene its 15th session in Hanoi from October 11-13, with many important issues to be discussed, including preparations for the legislature’s fourth meeting in October. 

 Vietnamese consumers are the second-most optimistic in Asian-Pacific markets, according the latest survey on consumer confidence conducted by MasterCard.

 Agro-forestry-fishery exports hit nearly 72 billion USD in nine months

 The Dong Bang temple festival in An Le commune, Quynh Phu district, the northern province of Thai Binh kicked off on October 9 and its organizers received a certificate recognising the festival as a national intangible cultural heritage.

 The Vietnam Business Summit will kick off in the central city of Da Nang on November 7 within the framework of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, heard a press conference in Hanoi on October 9. 

 Rains up to 250mm are forecast along the coastal central provinces from Thanh Hoa to Quang Ngai on October 9 evening.

 About 300 international and domestic delegates will gather for the APEC Finance Ministers’ Meeting and Related Meetings slated for October 19-21 in the central province of Quang Nam.

The General Statistics Office of Vietnam (GSO) held a press conference in Hanoi on October 9 to announce the Rural, Agricultural and Fishery Census 2016. 

 Van Don island district in the northern province of Quang Ninh has received approval to set up a special administrative-economic zone. With open policies and incentives, the zone is set to become a dynamic area in the country.

 Displaying more than 200 traditional musical instruments, a music hall of artist Vu Ba Pho has drawn attention since its debut in Phu Tho province.

Deputy Minister of National Defence Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh and Singaporean Permanent Secretary for Defence Chan Yeng Kit co-chaired the 8th Vietnam-Singapore Defence Policy Dialogue in Hanoi on October 9.

The 12th Party Central Committee (PCC)’s sixth plenary meeting entered its fifth working day in Hanoi on October 9.

Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar Pacific and VASCO will adjust schedule of flights to and from Dong Hoi in Quang Binh and Chu Lai in Quang Nam due to the impacts of tropical low pressure in the central region. 

Vietnam has collected $48.4 million from forest environment service fees from water suppliers, hydropower companies and tourist agencies, accounting for 66.3 percent of the yearly plan.

VietNamNet Bridge - Scientists don’t believe that using a large-capacity pump to suck water will help combat  floods, a heady problem for HCMC for many years.

VietNamNet Bridge - Most special economic zones (SEZs) around the world have to experience at least one decade before gaining success.

VietNamNet Bridge - While the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) reports that students’ performance has improved considerably, many teachers and parents doubt the figures.

BPhone 2 was introduced by BKAV Corporation on August 8 and officially hit the market on August 19 with the retail price of nearly VND10 million. Just one month later, used BPhone 2s were being offered for less than VND8 million.

 VietNamNet Bridge – It was raining heavily as Nguyen Tan Truong, an 11-year-old fourth grader at the Chu Van An Primary School in Dong Nai Province, walked home.

If HCM City doesn't take more initiatives and the Government doesn't give more assistances, it will be difficult for the city to tackle the currently complicated traffic jam.