Instant noodle business rebounds after a slumpVietnam’s instant noodle market is once again positioning itself as a fertile ground for both local and foreign producers, as instant noodle sales recovered in 2017 after two consecutive years of decline. Vietnam’s instant noodle market reached its peak between 2012 and 2014, with 5.2 billion packets sold. Masan Consumer, which produces the popular Omachi brand, also saw a recovery in its instant noodle sales up 16. At the peak of the instant noodle market in 2014, KIDO Group made its debut with the Dai Gia Dinh brand. In addition, it had not built a stable output, which is an important factor ensuring low costs for its instant noodle products.

Thai investors jump into renewable energy sector in VietnamIn addition to the retail, beer manufacturing, and plastic sector, Thai investors have increased their investment in the renewable energy sector, with the aim to diversify their operations in Vietnam. At the same time, TTVN Group completed the sale of 80 per cent stake in the Binh Nguyen solar power project in Quang Ngai to Sermsamg International Co., Ltd. for $17.6 million. Vietnam currently has a wind power capacity of 140MW, with a goal to reach 6,000MW by 2030, according to government data. These deals are some of the most recent outstanding transactions conducted by Thai investors in the renewable energy sector. Regarding the wind farm sector, in February, Thailand’s largest solar energy company Superblock Pcl.

Vietnam to manufacture WHO flu vaccinesThe World Health Organisation has ordered seasonal influenza vaccines from Vietnam according to the Ministry of Health. Vietnam to manufacture WHO flu vaccinesDeputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long announced the news during a conference on August 28 about prospects for research and development of vaccines for Vietnam. According to Long, Vietnam is one of 14 countries that produce vaccines for the WHO. Vietnam has produced several types of vaccines including measles-rubella vaccine and H5N1 vaccine. In 2015, the regulatory system that ensures the safety and efficacy of vaccines produced and used was recognised by the WHO.

Great British Bake Off: What the critics thoughtIt's back. This year's Bake Off contestants -- Photo: CHANNEL 4/LOVE PRODUCTIONThe Great British Bake Off has returned in all its glory for a ninth series - the second since decamping to Channel 4. "From the infectious giggles to the contestant camaraderie, from the workbench mishaps to the mouthwatering creations - the Great British Bake Off's return is always a welcome sign that autumn TV schedules are upon us." The TV Times' Emma Bullimore told BBC Radio 5Live: "At the screening, everyone just felt 'ah lovely telly, the worlds a better place when Bake Off's on.' The Daily Mail declared, however, that "Bake Off's much better without the smut."

VN coffee industry feeling the heat from lower pricesVietNamNet Bridge - Since Vietnam mostly exports raw coffee instead of processed products, the sharp coffee price fall in the world market has had immediate impact on its exporters and growers. Coffee merchants said if the coffee price still stays at the low level for this crop, coffee growers may not continue growing coffee. There are over 150 coffee exporters, but only a few process coffee and export coffee products under their brands. “Building up Vietnamese high-quality coffee brand is an important solution to ensure the sustainable and effective development of Vietnam’s coffee value chain,” he said. RELATED NEWSNestle’s capsule coffee production gives push to Vietnam’s coffee industryVietnam’s coffee industry relies on merchantsKim Chi

Vietnam makes biotechnology progressAn international workshop organised by HCM City Open University discusses challenges facing the field of agricultural biotechnology. (Photo courtesy of the Open University)Vietnam’s rapid progress in research and application of biotechnology in agriculture is contributing to the country’s goals for green growth and farmers’ demands, according to experts. Nguyen Ngoc Bao Chau of the HCM City Open University’s Faculty of Biotechnology said that in the last five years “many institutes, universities, centres and startups in the country including HCM City have conducted research and developed effective applications for biotechnology in agriculture”. Chau was speaking on the sidelines of an international workshop on agricultural biotechnology held on August 29 by HCM City Open University. At the workshop, researchers, scientists, and students from universities in Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam gave presentations about their research.

The guest expressed his support for ASEAN’s one-stop shop mechanism which, he said, will facilitate technological application and trade. HCM City and various Japanese localities have fostered the exchange of delegations, cooperation activities, and experience sharing in smart city development and urban management, he added. Trade turnover between the Vietnamese city and Japan hit over 5 billion USD in 2017. According to the diplomat, with the rising position in the global arena, Vietnam hosted the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting in 2017. ASEAN economic ministers are due to meet with their counterparts from dialogue partner countries namely Australia, Canada, China, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Russia and the US.

Miss University 2018 contest opensThe Miss University Vietnam 2018 contest was launched in Hanoi on August 29 for students aged 18-24 nationwide. Miss University 2017 Pham Thi Thu Ha (Source: hoakhoisinhvien.vn)Contestants can register from now until November 2 through the website hoakhoisinhvien.vn or at 64 Ba Trieu street, Hanoi. The contest offers total prize money of 500 million VND (21,500 USD). The winner will receive 200 million VND, while the runner-up will get 100 million VND, while the girl in third will win 50 million VND. Miss University Vietnam was launched in 2014 and has been held annually since.

350kg bomb destroyed successfully in Yen BaiAuthorities of Yen Bai province on August 29 successfully deactivated a bomb weighing 350 kilogrammes. Authorities of Yen Bai province on August 29 successfully deactivated a bomb dropped during the US bombing of northern Vietnam from 1968-1970s. The bomb was discovered in Tan Thanh village, Yen Thai commune, Van Yen district. The provincial Military High Command’s sappers said the US-made bomb was dropped during the US bombing of northern Vietnam from 1968-1970s. Vietnam has already cleared hundreds of thousands of hectares of UXOs so far.-VNA

President’s visits to Ethiopia, Egypt create momentum for bilateral tiesPresident Tran Dai Quang’s state visits to Ethiopia and Egypt from August 23-28 have created new momentum for bilateral relations between Vietnam and the two countries, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Vu Hong Nam has said. Nam stressed that the main purpose of President Quang’s visits was to forge economic, trade, and investment cooperation with Ethiopia and Egypt. During the visits, Vietnam signed several cooperation documents with the two countries, covering trade, agriculture, finance, oil, training, and cooperation between localities. At the end of the visits, Vietnam and the two countries issued joint statements chalking up major orientations to boost bilateral ties in the future, the Deputy Minister said. President’s visits to Ethiopia, Egypt record upbeat outcomesVietnamese President Tran Dai Quang and his spouse arrived in Hanoi on August 29 morning, rounding off their successful state visits to Ethiopia and Egypt.

ASIAD 2018: Vietnam ranked 13th on 11th dayEarning two gold and three silver medals in Pencak Silat on October 29, Vietnam jumped to the 13th place in the medal tally on the 11th day of the ongoing Asian Games 2018 in Jakarta. Pencak Silat athletes Tran Dinh Nam and Nguyen Van Tri grabbed the gold medals for their performance in the men’s Tanding 70-75 kg and 90-95 kg.Meanwhile, the women’s team, consisting of Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, Nguyen Thi Huyen and Vuong Thi Binh, secured a silver medal after earning 464 points in the final round of Seni (artistic) event.Two more silver medals were pocketed by Nguyen Thi Cam Nhi in the women’s Tanding 60-65kg event and Nguyen Thai Linh in the men’s Tanding 55-60 kg event.Overall, the Pencak Silat team concluded its ASIAD participation on August 29, winning two gold, seven silver, and three bronze medals.The same day, Vietnam’s Olympic football squad lost to the Republic of Korea 1-3 in the semifinal match. The team will continue to compete for the bronze medal in their upcoming match on September 1 against UAE, who was defeated 0-1 by Japan.As of 10 pm on August 29, Vietnam had bagged 4 gold, 15 silver, and 13 bronze medals. Vietnam was previously in the 20th place, with two gold, 11 silver and 13 bronze medals recorded as of 10 pm of August 28.-VNA

Hue airport expansion to cost ACV US$95 mlnThe Aviation Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) and local authorities in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue have agreed to invest 95 million USD in the expansion and upgrade of Phu Bai Airport. The two parties agreed in a meeting on August 28 that the investment would support a construction project of a new terminal and expanding the aircraft’s parking space.The new terminal, the airport’s second, will be constructed on a total area of 16,500sq.m. It will have two levels to facilitate arrivals and departures. The terminal will include a parking lot and a green park.The expanded aircraft parking yard will accommodate eight planes at the same time.ACV will cover the total cost of 2.2 trillion VND (95 million USD) while local authorities will provide clear land for construction.ACV official Le Xuan Tung said the process of terminal design and contractor selection is ongoing for work to commence by the second quarter of 2019.According to Phan Ngoc Tho, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, site clearance will begin next month and clear land will be ready for the work in the first quarter of next year.Construction work is expected to last 18 months.Once completed, the expanded Phu Bai Airport will accommodate five million passengers a year, one fourth of which foreign visitors.The airport is the only airline gateway for locals and visitors from Hue to reach Ha Noi, HCM City and Da Lat on daily flights operated by the national carrier Vietnam Airlines and budget carriers Jetstar Pacific and VietJetAir.-VNS

The firm plans to allow all content creators to feature advertising breaks, so long as they hit certain metrics. Another report noted that although some Watch shows had attracted audiences numbering in their millions, they often struggled to retain them. "This seems to be a pattern with most Facebook Watch shows: lots of people sample, few return," wrote Verne Gay for Newsday. The BBC is not providing original content to Facebook Watch, but has not ruled out doing so in the future. "We've got a strong track record collaborating and experimenting with social media platforms to engage with BBC audiences," said a spokesman.

Japan ICT Day 2018 opens in Hanoi to promote VN-Japan cooperationThe Japan ICT Day 2018 was opened in Hanoi on August 29, themed “Vietnam-Japan IT Cooperation in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”At the opening ceremony (Source: http://congthuong.vn)The event is hosted by the Vietnam Software and IT Services Association (VINASA) and the Vietnam-Japan IT Cooperation Club as part of activities to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties. According to the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan is currently facing a shortage of about 171,000 engineers, and is likely to lack a total 369,000 engineers – including 48,000 in the technology sector – by 2020. Held in Hanoi and Da Nang from August 27-31, the Japan ICT Day 2018 event has attracted 350 domestic and foreign delegates, including eight delegates from Japan. During the event, updated reports on the development of IT cooperation between Vietnam and Japan will be released. Japan ICT Day was first organised in 2007 and has been the best platform for Vietnam and Japanese companies seeking business co-operation opportunities over the past 10 years.

Da Nang – most popular summer destination for RoK touristsDa Nang city in central Vietnam is the most popular summer vacation destination of tourists from the Republic of Korea (RoK) this year, a shift from last year’s preference for Japanese cities. Son Tra Peninsula - a tourist destination in Da Nang cityThe RoK media quoted e-commerce website Ticket Monster (TMON) as saying that flight ticket sales in the July-August period showed Da Nang as the top foreign travel location. In this website’s rankings, Da Nang is followed by the Japanese destinations of Osaka and Fukuoka. Da Nang has emerged as a destination of leisure, media and spiritual tourism, as well as entertainment and shopping activities, and a venue of conferences. It welcomed more than 4 million tourists in the first half of 2018, surging by almost 30 percent year on year.