Speaker of the Parliament of Bangladesh Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury left Hanoi on July 24, successfully concluding her five-day official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan. National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (L) welcomes Speaker of the Parliament of Bangladesh Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury During her stay, she held talks with NA Chairwoman Ngan, and paid courtesy visits to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Tran Dai Quang. She also paid tribute to late President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum, and laid wreaths at the Monument to War Heroes and Martyrs. At the talks and meetings, both sides agreed that the two countries’ traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation have developed continually since they set up their diplomatic ties 44 years ago.  The political relations between the two countries have been tightened through visits and … [Read more...]

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (L) welcomes Speaker of the Parliament of Bangladesh Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Speaker of the Parliament of Bangladesh Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury left Hanoi on July 24, successfully concluding her five-day official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan. During her stay, she held talks with NA Chairwoman Ngan, and paid courtesy visits to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Tran Dai Quang. She also paid tribute to late President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum, and laid wreaths at the Monument to War Heroes and Martyrs. At the talks and meetings, both sides agreed that the two countries’ traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation have developed continually since they set up their diplomatic ties 44 years ago. … [Read more...]

ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh (Source: VNA)   Jakarta (VNA) – Norway commits to enhancing and deepening cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as well as its member countries. The message was conveyed by new Ambassador of Norway to ASEAN Morten Hoglund while presenting his credentials to ASEAN General Secretary Le Luong Minh at the ASEAN headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia, on July 21. The ambassador praised ASEAN’s important role in maintaining peace, security and stability, and spurring economic growth in the region. ASEAN General Secretary Minh said Norway is the first sectoral dialogue partner of ASEAN to appoint its ambassador to the association, demonstrating the country’s commitment to strengthening its collaboration with the ten-member group. The same day, the second meeting … [Read more...]

Ho Chi Minh City’s tourism department is slated to organize the first-ever festival to showcase a fusion of fashion and technology in October in a bid to give both its tourism and textile and garment sectors a boost. The inaugural Fashionology Festival 2017 is scheduled to take place from October 20 to 22 at Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street in the downtown area. “This is a modern event, featuring an inspiring combination between fashion and the latest performance technology, enhanced by digital interaction, intended to create a new flagship product for Ho Chi Minh City’s culture-tourism development,” the department said in a statement. The festival is an opportunity for Ho Chi Minh City to spur its tourism, and for textile and garment businesses as well as fashion designers to showcase their products, promote their images and reach more customers. According to the tourism department, the Nguyen Hue … [Read more...]

ASEAN enjoys half century of dynamic, comprehensive development (Source: asean.org) Hanoi (VNA) – After 50 years of development, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been internationally recognised as a comprehensive regional cooperative organisation and a cohesive and dynamic political-economic entity that contributes to global connectivity. The association has an important role and position in the Southeast Asian and Asian-Pacific regions with profound political, economic, cultural and social influences.  A spirit of solidarity, consensus and mutual support and respect, along with harmonious combination of national and community interests have helped enhance the association’s position. Over the past half century, ASEAN has proved itself a leading factor in ensuring a peaceful environment, security and cooperation for regional development, … [Read more...]

French photographer Rehahn and a group of artists and entrepreneurs are pushing to turn Phan Boi Chau Street in Hoi An’s old French Quarter into Rue des Arts. Cover photo of a book by French photographer Rehahn, who along with a group of other artists and businesses plan to turn Phan Boi Chau Street in the old part of town into a street of arts, Rue des Arts. Photo courtesy Rehahn They want the Rue Des Arts to be recognised as a hub for original, high-value creative works. Given the numerous businesses, in the old town selling pirated copies of originals by hard-working artists, it is difficult for visitors to know where to buy authentic work guaranteed by artists. The group wants the ancient town to take a lead in stamping out this nationwide problem. Issuing a free guide to Hoi An’s Rue des Arts to celebrate the culture and art of Viet Nam would help visitors immerse themselves in the city’s … [Read more...]

NDO/VNA - Speaker of the Parliament of Bangladesh Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury left Hanoi on July 24, successfully concluding her five-day official visit to Vietnam, made at the invitation of National Assembly Chairwoman, Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan. During her stay, she held talks with NA Chairwoman Ngan, and paid courtesy visits to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Tran Dai Quang. She also paid tribute to late President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum and laid wreaths at the Monument to War Heroes and Martyrs. During her discussions, both sides agreed that the two countries’ traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation have developed continuously since they first established their diplomatic ties 44 years ago. The political relations between the two countries have been tightened through regular visits and meetings. The two countries have always supported each other in their national building and … [Read more...]

NDO – To achieve the objective of rapid and sustainable development, the central coastal province of Quang Ngai should focus on improving the implementation of ethnic minority support policies, with a priority on poverty reduction, Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh has said. The deputy PM, who is also a Politburo member, held a working session with the key leaders of Quang Ngai province on Monday to discuss the implementation of ethnic affairs in the locality. At the working session, Chairman of Quang Ngai People's Committee Tran Ngoc Cang said that ethnic minority work has received special attention from Quang Ngai leaders across all levels, especially in poverty reduction in ethnic minorities and mountainous areas. The province has effectively implemented programmes and policies, which have resulted in positive achievements in reducing the rate of poor households. By the end of 2016, the rate of poor households in the whole province … [Read more...]

Vietnam’s national U15 team returned home on July 23 with the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Under-15 Championship trophy held in Thailand. Vietnam team celebrates with the AFF Under-15 Championship trophy in Thailand The team beat hosts Thailand 4-2 on penalties to lift only their second crown in the 13-year history of the meet on July 22. “The final between Vietnam and Thailand is over, but I still get the happy feeling. My players beat Thailand on Thai ground. This win is dedicated to all the Vietnamese fans,” coach Vu Hong Viet said to the media at Noi Bai International Airport. "There is no secret to the Vietnam team’s success, but it was my players’ confidence that worked. During the training sessions, before and after every match, I would often tell them ’the training board believes in you, and you will take the title, although your rival is Thailand’,” Viet … [Read more...]

NDO - Prof. Gerardus’t Hooft, the 1999 Nobel Prize laureate in Physics, arrived in Vietnam on July 23 to attend the 'Exploring the Dark Universe' conference held in Quy Nhon city, Binh Dinh province, on July 24-29. The conference, held along with a series of 18 international scientific conferences on the universe, is part of the 13th ‘Rencontres du Vietnam’ programme – 2017 held at the International Centre for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (ICISE) in Quy Nhon in 2017. Prof. Gerardus’t Hooft is the 11th Nobel Prize winner to come to Vietnam to attend the 13th ‘Rencontres du Vietnam’ programme. The 'Exploring the Dark Universe' conference will also see the participation of 70 scientists from 19 countries across the world. The aim of the conference is to discuss the most recent status in the field of dark matter, a lively and exciting scientific domain related to cosmology, astro-particles and particle … [Read more...]

VietNamNet Bridge – A series of Vietnamese art films have been released in recent years, many of which have won international prizes and been highly appreciated by film critics. However, the genre has not yet gained popularity as it has not drawn much interest from domestic viewers and has often been doomed to financial failures. Film for art or film for commercial At least five art films have been released in the second quarter of this year, including ‘Cha Cong Con’(Father and Son), ‘Lo To’ (The Lottery), ‘Co Can Nha Nam Nghe Nang Mua’ (Motherhood), ‘Da Co Hoai Lang’ (Two Fellow Countrymen), and ‘Dao Cua Dan Ngu Cu’ (The Way Station). Based on novels, drama, or inspired from documentaries, the films tell stories of people’s tragedies. However, they have not reached the expected revenue, even the film ‘Father and Son’ lost VND 5 billion (US$220,000) as its total budget was VND 18 billion … [Read more...]

NDO - Twelve artworks by eight renowned Vietnamese painters will be put up for auction on July 30 at the Chon Auction House. The painters include Nguyen Gia Tri, Nguyen Tuong Lan, To Ngoc Van, Tran Van Can, Nguyen Tu Nghiem, Duong Bich Lien, Nguyen Sang and Bui Xuan Phai, who form the two legendary quartets of Vietnamese painting. They are all past students of the École Supérieure des Beaux-Arts de l'Indochine in its formative years. According to Chon, the auction, the fifth session to be held by the auction house, is an opportunity for art lovers to appreciate the paintings, as well as pay tribute to the master painters of Vietnam. Prior to the auction, the 12 paintings will be on exhibition from July 21 to 29. Currently Vietnam’s art trade market is relatively subdued due to a lack of auction houses. Previously, painters or owners of valuable paintings were largely used to the usual way of depositing their works at galleries and … [Read more...]

The team beat hosts Thailand 4-2 on penalties to lift only their second crown in the 13-year history of the meet on Saturday. “The final between Vietnam and Thailand is over, but I still get the happy feeling. My players beat Thailand on Thai ground. This win is dedicated to all the Vietnamese fans,” coach Vu Hong Viet said to the media at Noi Bai International Airport. "There is no secret to the Vietnam team’s success, but it was my players’ confidence that worked. During the training sessions, before and after every match, I would often tell them ’the training board believes in you, and you will take the title, although your rival is Thailand’,” Viet said. "The confidence and focus helped Vietnam develop their fitness, as well as improved their skill and raised their spirits during the match, and they triumphed in the … [Read more...]

Vietnam team celebrates with the AFF Under-15 Championship trophy in Thailand (Photo vff.org.vn)     Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam’s national U15 team returned home on July 23 with the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Under-15 Championship trophy held in Thailand. The team beat hosts Thailand 4-2 on penalties to lift only their second crown in the 13-year history of the meet on July 22. “The final between Vietnam and Thailand is over, but I still get the happy feeling. My players beat Thailand on Thai ground. This win is dedicated to all the Vietnamese fans,” coach Vu Hong Viet said to the media at Noi Bai International Airport. "There is no secret to the Vietnam team’s success, but it was my players’ confidence that worked. During the training sessions, before and after every match, I would often tell them ’the training board … [Read more...]

In the face of the strong development of technical companies in the transportation business, Mai Linh Group is confident in taking the competition to Grab and Uber.  Grab and Uber litigation secondary According to Ho Huy, chairman of Mai Linh, in reality, blaming technical companies like Uber and Grab only shows how traditional taxi brands are unable to renew themselves. If these traditional taxi brands cannot find a solution, they will lose their brand’s value and will be slowly drifting towards bankruptcy. “Instead of harassing Grab and Uber, it is important for Mai Linh to review the company’s operation mechanism as well as to learn from the advantages of Grab and Uber. Mai Linh agrees with Vinasun’s taking Uber and Grab to the court, however, it is not our major target. The group will focus on investing in technology as well as changing the management … [Read more...]

Handed over by her mother to an agent at the age of 10, Titi was crammed into a truck in the tiny West African nation of Benin and driven across the border into southwest Nigeria. Titi feared the worst. She recalled how a previous employer in Nigeria had welcomed her with a thin mat and a leather whip. "Sometimes, she beat us," said Titi, recounting the businesswoman who had flogged the girls for the smallest mishaps, such as breaking a plate. Bed had been the floor. "Sometimes, she didn't give us breakfast till after 1 p.m.," Titi, now 14, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation from Lagos, where she works for a "nicer" family - cleaning, cooking and caring for children for 18 hours a day. Titi is one of countless young girls working as domestic servants in cities across the nation, far from their own homes in rural Nigeria or neighboring countries such as Benin. Many girls are sent away by their parents who cannot afford to feed or school them, while others provide for … [Read more...]

That is nearly a 50% increase over the number of Chinese outbound tourists for 2016, the report noted, adding that Hong Kong, Thailand, the Republic of Korea and Japan are the most-visited destinations. Vietnam was the 10th most visited country by Chinese tourists for 2016 after a policy change by the Chinese government loosened the requirements to allow increasing numbers to visit its southern neighbour. Other factors driving the spike in the Chinese tourist numbers included eased travel restrictions, a greater desire for experiencing diverse cultures and activities as well as a change in employment policies where workers are getting extra holiday time each year. The numbers of tourists crossing the China-Vietnam border in the first half of 2017 have continued to mount—increasing by 42% year-on-year to an estimated 4.66 million, according to the Xinhua News … [Read more...]

NDO/VNA – On July 23 more than 100 youngsters from Ho Chi Minh City travelled to Laos to undertake voluntary activities until August 5. The volunteers, who had been involved in the “Green Summer” and “Red Holiday” campaigns in the city, will tour Lao provinces of Attapeu, Champasak and Xiangkhouang, to do good deeds. They will support the building of two Vietnam-Laos youth friendship houses, coordinate with health workers to provide medical check-ups and treatment for poor people, transfer agricultural techniques, and present gifts to needy students. The youngsters are also expected to help with building playgrounds for children, guiding locals to use electricity economically and safely, improving the power system, and visiting contributors to the Vietnamese revolutionary cause in Laos. They will participate in a wide range of culture, sport and art activities with local youths and residents to study the … [Read more...]

At 1,050 meters above sea level, Moc Chau plateau has a moderate climate. It is the largest and the most beautiful plateau in northern Vietnam. Home-stay options are new but the ideal method of experiencing Moc Chau it enables visitors to learn more about the culture by living and working with local people. Vu Thi Ngoc Anh from Hanoi said “We are very happy. This is the first time we’ve ever picked tomatoes and cabbages. We have had a wonderful experience.” The Tourism Management Board of Moc Chau district has cooperated with local communes and cooperatives to organize tours of growing and harvesting agricultural produce. Dinh Thi Huong, Head of the district’s Culture Section, said “Moc Chau wants to promote tours of the dairy farms and tea plantations. We try to preserve our culture in order to attract more visitors.” Moc Chau … [Read more...]

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development reaffirmed the goal at a conference to launch the Target Program on Sustainable Forestry Development from 2016 to 2020 and review the National Forest Inventory from 2013 to 2016. Vietnam now has 14.3 million ha of forest, covering 41.19% of its land area. To achieve its target of 42% forest coverage by 2020, it must fine tune mechanisms and laws to ensure a firm legal foundation for forest protection and development.  The revised law on Forest Protection and Development should be approved soon and financial initiatives should be carried out to generate resources for forestry development. The agro-sector should review the areas of different types of forests such as protective forests, special forests, and plantation forests.   Pham Sinh, Vice Chairman of Lam Dong Province’s … [Read more...]