Experts said there is not enough evidence to confirm all Vietnamese enterprises and individuals named in the Panama Papers are involved in illegal activities, but stressed authorities should act to ease public concerns.

The Vietnam Rivers Network has suggested the Government scrap a trans-Asia waterway and hydropower project planned to be executed in the Red River due to its low efficiency and negative impacts on local communities and biodiversity.

 Esther Maasdam, Global Latte Artist for Le Méridien brand, on Tuesday had a meeting with local media to share her knowledge and inspiration for coffee at Latitude 10 Bar and Lounge of the Le Méridien Saigon Hotel in District 1.

 Central Group has agreed to sell a 25% stake in hypermarket chain operator Big C Supercenter Plc in Thailand to its rival TCC Group, a move which is believed to help the former raise funds to complete the purchase of Big C assets in Vietnam.

 The zero rate policy of the State Bank of Vietnam for dollar deposits by enterprises and individuals has made banks’ operations less transparent and distorted the currency market, a lecturer at the Fulbright Economics Teaching Program said.   

 Chairman of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung on May 10 received Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel R. Russel to make preparations for U.S. President Obama’s upcoming visit to Vietnam in late May.

An exhibition of photos, reportage and documentary films on peoples in the ASEAN Community is scheduled to be held from May 14-17 in Tuan Chau Island in Ha Long, Quang Ninh province.

 A total of 42 paintings honouring the beauty of the lotus flower are on display at an exhibition which opened in Hanoi on May 12.

  The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has sent an inspection team to analyse the waste water treatment systems at three companies following the mass fish deaths on the Buoi River in Thanh Hoa Province.

  Funded by International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the State budget, project to be implemented from 2016 to 2020.

 Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung chaired a meeting on May 11 with ministries and departments to discuss appropriate mechanisms and incentives to develop solar energy.

 The VND8 trillion ($361.4 million) Thai Nguyen iron and steel plant-phase 2, invested by Thai Nguyen Iron and Steel JSC (TISCO), is finding potential investors, according to newswire Tuoitre.vn.

The latest collection by designer Li Lam is inspired by Indian fashion. The colourful dresses were featured on Nguyen Hue walking street.

 Viettel is inviting interested investors to buy part of its Cambodian operation Metfone, according to newswire vneconomy.vn.

Laos appreciated the Vietnamese Party’s support for training personnel for the country’s political system, said Phankham Viphavanh, a politburo member and standing member of the Secretariat of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee.

  Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith’s official visit to Vietnam from May 15-17 looks to bolster the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations.

 The property market in Vietnam has seen an influx of Japanese capital recently, with many projects carried out under partnerships between the countries’ enterprises.

VietNamNet Bridge - The competition among students for seats at star secondary schools is expected to be ‘scorching hot’ this year as schools plan to reduce enrollment quotas in an effort to improve education quality.

VietNamNet Bridge - The huge assets worth $40 billion owned by three Thai billionaires will become larger thanks to the market of 90 million Vietnamese.  

VietNamNet Bridge - An ecological & spiritual tourism development project in Bach Ma could damage the national park, experts say.