VietNamNet Bridge - The year 2016 has been one of the best in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) to the high-technology sector. 

After 10 years of applying the autonomy policy on a trial basis, only 14 universities have been exercising financial self-control. Most schools don’t want autonomy, but would prefer to continue receiving financial support from the state.

 French Cuisine Festival, themed “Balade En France” will take place at Equatorial Hotel, District 5 in Ho Chi Minh City from November 4-5.

 Nghe, a fictional creature with a lion-like head, a long tail and a dog-like body, is important like other mascots such as dragon and phoenix because it symbolises the intelligence.

 As Vietnam works to improve its transport infrastructure, the country has been mulling measures to attract investors to large public-private partnership (PPP) transport infrastructure projects. 

 Low-budget Jetstar Pacific inked a credit contract worth 117 million USD for aircraft purchase with the Industrial and Commercial Bank of Vietnam (Vietinbank) on October 11. 

 Urban infrastructure fails to meet development speed

 Senior officials from ASEAN said on October 10 that they are willing to work towards realising their aspiration to build a comprehensive partnership on the ASEAN Single Aviation Market.

ADB on October 11 released a new partnership strategy with the country, which aims to help Vietnam implement its Socio-Economic Development Plan for 2016–2020 through boosting inclusive and sustainable growth.

 The Vietnamese Foreign Ministry is very concerned about information about a pregnant girl in China who is supposed a Vietnamese national, Deputy Spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry Pham Thu Hang said.

 National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong joined Vice Minister of State of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland Alexandre Fasel in a ceremony to mark the 45th anniversary of Vietnam- Switzerland diplomatic ties.

 About 150 domestic and foreign scientists and scholars are gathering at an international seminar in the port city of Hai Phong to seek solutions to ensure the environmental and maritime security for a blue East Sea. 

 In a fluid world full of imminent risks and challenges, countries have no better choices than cooperating sincerely and substantively with one another, and harmonising their own interests with regional and international interests. 

Vietnam wants the Francophone community to promote economic cooperation, aside from linguistic and cultural diversity, among its member countries, President Tran Dai Quang said.

 Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc called on Denmark to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in green energy, renewable energy, and healthcare, while hosting Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs Kristian Jensen in Hanoi on October 11.

 Hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in 2017 successfully is the focus of Vietnam’s foreign policy, Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Pham Quang Vinh said.

 The Swiss Government has committed to providing 90 million CHF (92 million USD) of non-refundable ODA for Vietnam to implement prioritised joint projects. 

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Law on Sea and Island Natural Resources and Environment, which came into effect in July, is expected to create a breakthrough in the management of marine resources and environmental protection.

VietNamNet Bridge – Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Hong Truong, spoke to the newspaper Thoi bao Kinh te Viet Nam about his ministry’s resolve to enforce law and order in the collection of toll fees.

 VietNamNet Bridge –  “Almost all farmers face difficulties getting bank loans as they struggle to put a security up for loans,” said Nguyen Dang Cuong, a farmer in Thuan Thanh District, northern Bac Ninh Province.