The number of Vietnamese students granted New Zealand visas in the past 12 months increased 15 percent compared to the same period last year, according to data from Immigration New Zealand.

 Vietnam is facing a worsening urban water environment amid a growing urban population, rising water supply and drainage demand, and unplanned construction.

 The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment plans to launch an “Action month for the environment” later this year to encourage stronger engagement of organisations, enterprises and the community in environmental protection.

 Vietnam has so far recorded no infections of human A/H7N9 avian flu, however, the country is promoting efforts to prevent the entry of virus, which caused a new outbreak in neighbouring China.

 The Government will issue a new decree on mechanisms for the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park, enabling it to play an extremely important role in enhancing the country’s science and technology capacity, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has said. 

 Pagodas can be seen across Vietnam. They not only play an important role in Vietnamese spiritual life, but are also a unique tourism product for the country. Let’s join us for a tour of renowned pagodas in the country.

 Vietnam Traditional Festivals (Part 2)

 The Vietnam Online Business Forum – VOBF 2017, the first and largest of its kind in the country, will be held in Hanoi on February 24 and in Ho Chi Minh City on March 3 by the Vietnam E-Commerce Association (Vecom).

 Airline stocks may ride a rising wave this year with the debut of budget airline Vietjet on the HCM Stock Exchange later this month, in a scenario similar to the impact of Sabeco’s 2016 listing on of beer stocks in general.

 Vietnam’s hopes for a FTA-driven economic rise within ASEAN must now rely on the only free trade agreement seen as realistically achievable, the EU-Vietnam FTA, experts said at a conference held on February 16 in HCM City.

 Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh has asked G20 members to increase support to developing countries in infrastructure and human resource development, technology transfer and climate change response.

Fresh flowers, colourful decorations and the APEC logo can be seen everywhere these days in Nha Trang city, the central province of Khanh Hoa, as the first official event in 2017 of the APEC forum is set to open here on February 18. 

 Hanoi wants to enhance the friendly ties and wide-ranging cooperation with Buenos Aires, Chairman of the Hanoi municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung told President of the ruling Republican Proposal Party of Argentina Humberto Schiavoni.

 Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue has lauded the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) for boosting ties with Vietnam in policymaking, administrative reform, education and personnel training. 

 The foreign ministries of Vietnam and Germany will work to enhance the two countries’ cooperation in various fields, particularly trade, investment, education, labour, vocational training, tourism, and technology.

 The Netherlands attaches importance to further developing relations with Vietnam, senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Vietnam’s newly-appointed ambassador to the country Ngo Thi Hoa. 

NA deputies of Ho Chi Minh City need to continue improving the quality of their activities in building drafts law, President Tran Dai Quang has said. 

 National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan has vowed the Vietnamese legislature will do its best to promote ties with Japan in diverse areas.

 Chairman of Cuban National Assembly (NA) Esteban Lazo Hernandez held a reception on February 15 for Vietnam’s NA Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong who is in Havana for an official working visit.

The Hanoi People’s Court opened a first instance trial on February 16 on the asset embezzlement at the State-owned Vinashin Ocean Shipping Co. Ltd (Vinashinlines), which is awaiting bankruptcy.