Lack of foresight by the authorities in their crackdown on businesses that were encroaching on pavements for commercial gain has seen local homeowners suffer.

 The Ministry of Industry and Trade has denied reports that a rice company had to pay US$20,000 for a rice export licence.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Environmental services co-operatives have been operating for years in the northern province of Vinh Phuc, providing a cleaner living environment for residents.

 Vietnam boasts a diverse, rich culture of 54 ethnic groups. As Vietnam integrates internationally, preservation of its cultural heritage should be part of its sustainable development strategy.

 An exhibition featuring a “3D World” themed “Discovering 3D, Passion for Creativity” opened in Hanoi on March 18.

 Vietnam basketball Saigon Heat team has defeated Singapore Slingers 88-71 to officially earn a ticket to compete in the playoffs of the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) in the OCBC Arena.

 India will lift its suspension of the import of some Vietnamese agricultural products, which was enforced on March 7.

 Shares may rebound this week on high investor attention to annual shareholders’ meeting of listed companies, as well as their reports on estimated first-quarter results.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Portraits of flowers and daily life, and the beauty of HCM City are the themes of a painting exhibition that opened at the HCM City Fine Arts Museum on Saturday.

 VietNamNet Bridge – An automated car parking technology will be piloted on two streets in the capital city in the second quarter of this year.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on March 19 held a meeting with 10 winners and 10 young prospects of the Vietnam Outstanding Youth Faces Award 2016.

 A series of serious traffic accidents throughout the country on March 18 left eight people dead and dozens injured.

 Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Nguyen Tien Minh commented on the prospects of Vietnam-Singapore ties amid the current globalisation and digitalisation during a recent interview granted to Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Singapore. 

 Only a few stunted saplings have been planted in the new urban areas in Hanoi. While the area of Hanoi has increased by fourfold, the green area has not increased accordingly.

 More than 1,500 volunteers collected garbage along Xuan Thanh beach in central Ha Tinh province’s Nghi Xuan district on March 19 following the launching of a beach clean-up campaign.

 A tornado swept through Dong Ha city in the central province of Quang Tri on March 18, though no injuries were reported.

 The fourth Ao Dai (traditional long tunic) festival in Ho Chi Minh City, which attracted 70,000 visitors during its two-week course, was rounded off with a concert on the evening of March 17.

 The Vietnamese Embassy in India and Hyatt Regency Hotel co-organised an event in New Delhi on March 18 to promote Vietnamese cuisine.

 A ceremony was held on March 19 to honour ten outstanding youths selected by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union’s Central Committee and the Fund for Vietnamese Young Talents in 2016.

 The upcoming visit of the Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong will be a chance for Vietnam and Singapore to discuss strategic orientations and specific measures to deepen their strategic partnership.