The case involves top managers of the Hanoi-based Khai Thai Consultant Limited Company (KTIC). KTIC General Director Hsu Ming Jung (also called Saga) from Taiwan and his six Vietnamese accomplices have been tried on charges of swindling VND264 billion (US$11.7 million) from more than 700 investors. Hsu Ming Jung, 42; Doan Thi Luyen, 30, managing director of the company; Nguyen Manh Linh, 30, director of the company; and Trinh Hoang Binh, 42, the company’s chief accountant, have been charged with fraud pursuant to Article 139 of the Penal Code. Two other Vietnamese people, the managing directors of the company’s branches at the Plaschem Building in Hanoi, Dinh Thi Hong Vinh, and at the Lotte Building in Hanoi, Tang Hai Nam, have been also charged with the same offence. They were arrested in … [Read more...]

Accordingly, all contestants as well as organizers of the beauty contest will fly with Vietjet. The airline will present the winner of Miss Universe Vietnam 2017 one year of free flights on all domestic and international routes operated by Vietjet and also be invited to be Vietjet’s special guest for all the airline’s on-board activities. Miss Universe Vietnam is a prestigious contest with the international copyright of Miss Universe Organization, which aims at honoring charm, confidence, bravery and intelligence of Vietnamese women in the new era.  The winner of this year contest will represent Vietnam to participate in Miss Universe – one of the most prestigious, famous and attractive beauty pageants in the world. Apart from bringing flight opportunities for millions of Vietnamese people with reasonable and affordable air fares, Vietjet … [Read more...]

Chairing the ninth session of the Steering Committee for marine incident recovery in Hanoi on August 21, Binh said Taiwan’s Hung Nghiep Formosa Ha Tinh steel company, which accepted responsibility for causing last year’s mass fish deaths in four central provinces, basically fixed 52 flaws, restored production and joined social activities.  He demanded that its manufacturing activities continue to be closely monitored to prevent violations.  On compensation for rising fisheries inventories, provincial authorities and the Ministry of Industry and Trade were asked to inspect the situation to report to him this month, adding that the origin of seafood must be clear when it comes to seeking compensation.  Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Vu Van Tam reported that as of August 18, as much as VND5.95 trillion in compensation was … [Read more...]

VietNamNet Bridge – Karate is back in the SEA Games this August, following its absence in Singapore two years ago. Nguyen Thi Hong Anh in a training shift in Ha Noi. She is the national hope for karate gold medal at the SEA Games. — Photo zing.vn Viet Nam’s athletes are hoping to secure four gold medals and stay in the top three after a successful 2016 season. Malaysia, the hosts, would be the biggest challenge. They topped the medal tally at the 27th Games in Myanmar winning seven out of 17 titles, while Viet Nam bagged three to stand second. The young martial artists, it is hoped, will make a bang. “Our team are in the process of rejuvenation. However, the athletes have made remarkable improvement, especially the women. It is the reason we believe we will win gold medals in Kuala Lumpur,” Vu Son Ha, head of Karate … [Read more...]

People are testing the limits of the Earth and its resources, and to achieve a good life for everyone on the planet, they will have to share things like food, water and energy in a more equal and sustainable way, scientists said on Monday. Nearly 1,000 researchers have gathered in Stockholm this week to work out ways to halt deforestation, protect coral reefs, avoid the collapse of fish stocks, make food healthier, and build cities that can cope with climate change. The Resilience 2017 conference aims to chart a path through today's turbulent times, by bolstering "resilience" - which means becoming more adept at living with pressures like a financial crisis or a flood, and using that ability to transform societies and economies for the better. "If we are serious about our human wellbeing - from local communities to the global world economy - we need to now reconnect our entire world to the planet," said Johan Rockström, director of the Stockholm Resilience Centre … [Read more...]

Cardanol is a natural phenol obtained from anacardic acid, the main element of cashew nut shell oil. The oil is highly effective against metal corrosion and is used in many industries. Cashew nuts are one of Vietnam’s important industrial crops. According to the 2013 statistical yearbook, the total output of cashew in Vietnam reached 289,900 tons. However, after harvesting and processing of cashew nuts, the shells have usually been thrown away. Scientists believe that if the shells can be properly treated, the waste will turn into ‘gold’ and bring high profits.  It is estimated that one ton of dried cashew can produce 700-750 kilos of shells from which 154 kilos of cashew nut shell oil is created. Cashew nut shell oil can be used as industrial fuel which is 60% less costly than FO.  The oil can also be used as … [Read more...]

While President Donald Trump opened the door on Monday to beefing up U.S. forces in Afghanistan, he provided few details on how sending more troops will hasten a conclusion to America’s longest war. “There is no quick fix to this problem,” said Bill Roggio, an insurgency expert with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a Washington-based policy institute, speaking before Trump's speech. “Things will continue looking bleak for some time.” In his approximately 30-minute nationally televised address, Trump said he would "expand authority" for U.S. commanders to target militant networks that "sow violence and chaos throughout Afghanistan." That paves the way to an increase in the 8,400 U.S. troop level in Afghanistan and broader rules of engagement as part of his plan to end a military conflict that began in 2001, U.S. officials said. But he declined to say how many more U.S. soldiers will be deployed or how long the U.S. force will be … [Read more...]

Nguyen Thi Hong Anh in a training shift in Hanoi. She is the national hope for karate gold medal at the SEA Games. (Source: zing.vn)   Hanoi (VNA) - Karate is back in the 29th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 29) this August, following its absence in Singapore two years ago. Vietnam’s athletes are hoping to secure four gold medals and stay in the top three after a successful 2016 season.  Malaysia, the hosts, would be the biggest challenge. They topped the medal tally at the 27th Games in Myanmar, winning seven out of 17 titles, while Vietnam bagged three to stand second.  The young martial artists, it is hoped, will make a bang. “Our team are in the process of rejuvenation. However, the athletes have made remarkable improvement, especially the women. It is the reason we believe we will win gold medals in Kuala Lumpur,” said Vu … [Read more...]

Beijing (VNA) – China and Indonesia on August 22 held the sixth vice-premier-level dialogue in Beijing, pledging to foster comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. The dialogue was co-chaired by China’s State Councillor Yang Jiechi and Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto. Yang urged the two sides to implement agreements reached by their leaders. He said relations between China and Indonesia have developed rapidly and the two countries have maintained frequent high-level visits while expanding cooperation in various fields. China is willing to work with Indonesia to integrate development strategies and enhance cooperation, he added. Indonesian Minister Wiranto said his country regards China as a strategic partner in the Asia-Pacific region and is ready to work with China to … [Read more...]

At the meeting (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh has urged that compensation for four central coastal provinces hit by marine incident must ensure openness, transparency and democracy.  Chairing the ninth session of the Steering Committee for marine incident recovery in Hanoi on August 21, Binh said Taiwan’s Hung Nghiep Formosa Ha Tinh steel company, which accepted responsibility for causing last year’s mass fish deaths in four central provinces, basically fixed 52 flaws, restored production and joined social activities. He demanded that its manufacturing activities continue to be closely monitored to prevent violations. On compensation for rising fisheries inventories, provincial authorities and the Ministry of Industry and Trade were asked to inspect the situation to report to him this month, adding that … [Read more...]

A skyscraper in downtown Saigon has been seized by the government’s asset management company as collateral for the VND7 trillion ($308 million) debt the investors owe. The central bank said on Monday that the Vietnam Asset Management Company has taken over the Saigon One Tower following years of construction delays. It is the first building to be seized under a decision established by the country’s legislators last June to deal with bad debt. The 42-story tower, standing 195 meters (640 feet) tall along major thoroughfare Ton Duc Thang, was designed to be the third tallest building in the city. Construction started in 2007 and was scheduled for completion in 2009, but the bare frame of over 6,700 square meters has been left untouched since 2011, the year the city’s housing market crashed. A city spokesperson said last June that construction had ground to a halt due to conflicts between investors. He said the project has found a new investor and … [Read more...]

Illustrative photo (Photo: nld.com.vn)     Hanoi (VNA) - The Government Office last week sent a written document to the central bank governor, referring to the mobilisation of idle gold and foreign currency sources from the people. Under the document, the Prime Minister required the governor to “continue focusing on doing research and implementing appropriate solutions to mobilise sources of foreign currency and gold among the people to serve development and investment”. At a meeting with the Prime Minister’s working group led by Minister – Chairman of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung last month, the request to mobilise sources of foreign currency and gold was also stressed upon. At the meeting, Governor Le Minh Hung also expressed his views on the mobilisation of foreign currency and gold from the people by means of … [Read more...]

NDO - Documentary heritages of the Nguyen Dynasty will be introduced to people in Hanoi through an exhibition called 'Accessing world's documentary heritages in Vietnam through Nguyen Dynasty's documentary heritages'. The documentary heritages including printing woodblocks, imperial rescripts and imperial literature on Hue imperial architecture will be showcased at the Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam (the Temple of Literature) beginning on August 26. More than 70 archives and photos on printing woodblocks, imperial rescripts and imperial literature on Hue imperial architecture in addition to 16 reproductions of woodblocks will provide information about the official names of the country, imperial examinations of the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945), the national spirit through poems on Hue imperial architecture, among others The exhibition will be jointly organised by the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre, the Centre for Scientific and Cultural activities of Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam, the … [Read more...]

Representatives of Quang Binh Province and McKinsey & Company sign a consultancy contract for the province’s socio-economic development master plan until 2030 with vision till 2050. — Photo baodautu.vn Quang Binh Province signed a consultancy contract with the McKinsey & Company Viet Nam for developing its socio-economic development master plan by 2030 with vision to 2050 on Monday. The provincial People’s Committee has assigned its Department of Planning and Investment to be the investor for the VND35.68 billion (US$1.6 million) consultancy package. The duration of the package lasts from the date the contract is signed until the master plan is approved by the Prime Minister. The planning stage of the package is 70 working days from the contract signing day. Chairmain of the committee Nguyen Huu Hoai said this master plan was very significant for achieving the … [Read more...]

NDO/VNA – Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong arrived at the Soekarno-Hatta airport in Jakarta on August 22, beginning a three-day official visit to Indonesia at the invitation of President Joko Widodo. The Party leader was welcomed at the airport by Indonesian Minister of Commerce Engatiato Lukita, Co-Chair of the Indonesia-Vietnam Joint Committee on economic, science, technology cooperation and other Indonesian officials, as well as Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia Hoang Anh Tuan. This is the first visit of a General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam to Indonesia, and the first made by a senior leader of Vietnam since the two countries set up their strategic partnership in June 2013. Vietnam is the only ASEAN country that Indonesia has a strategic partnership with. In recent years a two-way trade has grown well. Import-export turnover has increased from US$4.6 billion in 2012 to US$5.6 billion in 2016 with an average growth of 5 percent. … [Read more...]

NDO/VNA – Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong arrived at the Soekarno-Hatta airport in Jakarta on August 22, beginning a three-day official visit to Indonesia at the invitation of President Joko Widodo. The Party leader was welcomed at the airport by Indonesian Minister of Commerce Engatiato Lukita, Co-Chair of the Indonesia-Vietnam Joint Committee on economic, science, technology cooperation and other Indonesian officials, as well as Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia Hoang Anh Tuan. This is the first visit of a General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam to Indonesia, and the first made by a senior leader of Vietnam since the two countries set up their strategic partnership in June 2013. Vietnam is the only ASEAN country that Indonesia has a strategic partnership with. In recent years a two-way trade has grown well. Import-export turnover has increased from US$4.6 billion in 2012 to US$5.6 billion in 2016 with an average growth of 5 percent. … [Read more...]

At the signing ceremony (Photo: VNA)    Can Tho (VNA) - The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) on August 21 signed a letter of intent to enhance bilateral cooperation in agricultural research.   The letter was signed by Le Quoc Doanh, MARD deputy minister, and Peter Horne, ACIAR’s general manager for country programmes, on the sidelines of the APEC Food Security Week now underway in the Mekong city of Can Tho.   Speaking at the signing ceremony, Doanh said that many joint projects between ACIAR and Vietnam had added value to Vietnamese agricultural products, and had enhanced Vietnam’s agribusiness sector and capacity of scientists and researchers. "The signing of the letter of intent today is the result of great bilateral cooperation, with joint efforts from researchers and policymakers on both … [Read more...]

NDO - The Party and State always give the utmost attention to children, particularly those living in difficult circumstances, expressed Chairwoman of the National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan. The NA leader made the statement while hosting a reception for 200 outstanding children around the country and 63 cadres in the children’s movements who attended the 2017 National Ethnic Children Festival from August 21-22. The NA Chairwoman praised the efforts made by children to overcome the difficulties in their lives to gain outstanding achievements in their study as well as activities launched by the Central Council for the Young Pioneers. She also emphasised that the 2017 National Children Festival was an opportunity to honour outstanding children from 54 Vietnamese ethnic groups as well as a forum for children to meet and uphold their solidarity. In addition, the event is expected to attract more attraction and investment from agencies and organisations at … [Read more...]

At the exhibition (Photo: VNA)   Can Tho (VNA) - Six APEC member economies are displaying agricultural products and advanced agri-production technologies required to address food security and sustainably develop agriculture at an exhibition that opened in Can Tho city on August 21.  Besides Vietnam, the other economies joining the exhibition are Japan, Australia, the US, China and Taiwan. Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Quoc Doanh said the exhibition showcases technologies for sustainably increasing agricultural productivity and incomes, adapt to climate change and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. [APEC 2017: workshop talks sustainable food system] It also focuses on the relationship between food security and climate change, sustainable natural resources management, sustainable rural–urban development, facilitation of … [Read more...]

The Vietnamese Ministry of Finance redoubled efforts to draw ties closer with Japan, aiming to ramp up cooperation on the intergovernmental and private investment levels at the same time. To this end did the two sides hold a meeting of the two nations’ ministries of Finance and an investment promotion conference for Japanese enterprises. Corporate big guns join Japan investment promotion delegation Can Tho, Japan seek cooperation opportunities in agriculture Japanese firms eye Vietnamese market The Vietnamese Ministry of Finance's delegation hard at work in Japan On August 21, at the meeting with Soichiro Imaeda, Japanese Deputy Minister of Finance cum Japanese Secretary of State, Minister … [Read more...]