Ministry rejects proposal to raise plane ticket prices in 2018In its urgent document to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam and three carriers, the Ministry of Transport ordered not to increase plane ticket prices in 2018. It said in the document that rise in oil prices and exchange rate fluctuation in recent months have put pressure on the profitability of airlines. However, to take on the National Assembly and the government’s mission of keeping consumer price index below 4 percent for macroeconomic stability , the Ministry requested airlines not to raise fare price in the year. Before, Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air and Jetstar Pacific Airlines sent document proposing an adjustment in fare price to suit the current situation. Only Jetstar Pacific suggested a rise of 25 percent than the present level.

HCM City's schools face new term overcrowdingMany public schools in HCM City and Hanoi have had to stop providing lunch and allowing pupils to sleep while doubling the number of pupils per class. Pupils at Quang Trung Secondary School, HCM City, ready for new school yearThe Increasing population and superstitions about lucky birth years are putting huge pressure on big city schools. Statistics from HCM City Department of Education and Training show that the city will have over 1,677,000 pupils this school year. Only 11 new classrooms have been built at primary schools and five new classrooms for secondary schools. Due to lack of secondary schools, graduated primary pupils from Binh Tri Dong B Ward are sent to schools in nearby wards.

FLC launches Bamboo AirwaysBamboo Airways’ first flights are scheduled for October and the airline plans to open 37 domestic and international routes in the future. FLC Group introduces Bamboo Airways. "Bamboo Airways is expected to be a new option for experiences in Viet Nam, with good quality services and reasonable prices,” he added. On July 9, the Prime Minister officially approved the establishment of Bamboo Airways. Previously, FLC Group signed a US$5.6 billion agreement to buy 20 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners in June.

Cash moving around, but not to productionVietNamNet Bridge - Investors successfully bought 5-year government bonds at a 3.45 interest rate at a bid organized on July 11 at the Hanoi Stock Exchange (HNX). Also at the trading session, the 10-year and 15-year bonds had interest rates of 4.43 percent and 4.73 percent, respectively. However, analysts warn that cash flow is moving unreasonably, with latent risks for implementation of monetary policies. As the disbursement for public investment has been going slowly, the State Treasury has to deposit undisbursed money at banks. The cash is ‘moving around’ but it doesn’t flow to production and business.

Vietnam beat Thailand at ASIAD 2018VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam’s women beat Thailand 3-2 in their first match of Group C at the Asian Games (ASIAD) 2018 in Indonesia yesterday to qualify for the knock-out stages. Moving on: Vietnam celebrate beating Thailand 3-2 in their first match in Group C at the Asian Games (ASIAD) 2018 in Indonesia yesterday. — VNA/VNS PhotoGroup C consists of only three teams, and after Thailand lost to Japan, the result confirms Vietnam will progress. Thailand controlled the first half, but lost their cool in front of goal to allow Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung to open the scoring for Vietnam in the 21st minute. In the 40th minute, Nguyen Thi Lieu got her name on the scoresheet to make it 3-1.

Robot Robotacon 2018 launched in HCMCThe sixth robot talent contest ‘Robot Robotacon – WRO 2018’ took place on August 18 – 19, 2018 in the Military Zone 7 Competition Center, in Phu Nhuan District of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). The Robot Robotacon is a large-scale competition for students of all gradesThis contest is meant for students aged 8 to 20 who are interested in Robot technology and S.T.E.M (science, technology, engineering, and math). It also aims at choosing the best team to take part in the World Robot Olympiad 2018. All teams were divided into groups in accordance with the model of World Robot Olympiad (WRO) contest. $42,950)The champions will represent Vietnam to take part in the upcoming WRO 2018 in November in Thailand.

Farmers take losses in tilling riceVietNamNet Bridge - Policies supporting rice growers remains ineffective as the production cost remains high. The rice production cost remains highThe Ministry of Finance (MOF) estimates that the production cost of the 2018 summer-autumn rice crop in Mekong Delta is VND3,261-4,985 per kilogram. Also according to MOF, in many provinces, the rice production costs are higher than VND4,000 per kilogram. Other farmers receive support, but they tend to use land for cultivating other crops and fruits which promise higher profits. Chin thinks that Vietnam needs to encourage farmers to export safe high-quality products, because people are getting richer, and have become choosier in selecting rice products to buy.

Bat Xat Fall Festival 2018 kicks off in Lao CaiThe Bat Xat Fall Festival 2018 opened in Muong Hum commune, Bat Xat district of the northern mountainous of Lao Cai on August 19, offering visitors a series of ethnic tribal life experience and adventure activities. Terraced rice fields in Bat Xat, Lao Cai. Nestled against 2,700 m Nhi Cu San Mountain, Y Ty, one of the poorest communes in Bat Xat, rarely sees the sun and is often covered by dense white clouds. “Cho phien Y Ty” is organised every Saturday, where ethnic minority people come to exchange goods, sell handmade brocades and farm produce, and buy items they need. The 2nd Bat Xat Fall Festival will also host for the first time a parachute show, a tour of a silver carving village in Seo Po Ho, Muong Hum commune and an off-road bike racing in Lung Po.

California wildfires: Ferguson Fire near Yosemite containedA huge, deadly wildfire that burned for weeks and threatened the Yosemite National Park in California has finally been contained. The Ferguson Fire has burned through nearly 97,000 acres (39,250 hectares) of land to the south-west of the park since 13 July. Two firefighters have lost their lives fighting the Ferguson Fire -- Photo: REUTERSThe Ferguson Fire is one of several wildfires that have raged across California in recent weeks. Park officials urged visitors to exercise caution, warning that sporadic fires still burned within containment lines. Further north, the Carr Fire, which has killed at least seven people, is now 83% contained according to officials.

VN garment companies are selling better abroadVietnam’s textile and garment industry is doing well abroad, but struggling at home, according experts. Meanwhile, other foreign fashion brands such as Mango, Stradivarius, Massimo Dutti and Topshop has recently joined Vietnam’s market. However, local textile and garment enterprises need to overcome weaknesses in design, materials and distribution systems, according to Chuong. If they use foreign design and imported materials, Vietnam would never have a developed fashion industry, he said. Le Tien Truong, general director of the Vietnam Textile and Garment Group, suggested the group’s member companies could share their distribution systems and sell products in each other’s stores.-VNS

Various activities celebrate August Revolution and National DayA wide variety of activities have been held across the country to mark the 73rd anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day (September 2). The programme highlighted the glorious tradition of the People’s Police Force and the People’s Army in the cause of national construction and defence. * On the same day, an inauguration ceremony for a monument dedicated to the People's Police Force was held in the central province of Quang Tri. The monument aims to educate younger generations on the revolutionary traditions, patriotism, and national construction and defence. * A tournament between traditional martial arts clubs concluded in the central province of Thanh Hoa on August 19 after three days of competition.

Low-cost Thai, Indonesian autos flood into VietnamVietnam imported 1,287 automobiles of different kinds worth 31.3 million USD from August 3-9, 81 percent of them were from Thailand and Indonesia, according to the General Department of Customs. As many as 1,024 have below 9 seats, each worth more than 420 million VND (18,200 USD). In addition, the country bought six vehicles with over 9 seats, 209 trucks and 48 other autos valued at over 12.6 million USD. Businesses imported spare parts and accessories worth 74.3 million USD, up 38 percent week-on-week, predominantly from the Republic of Korea, Japan, China and Thailand. It was also the first month in a year that auto imports, inclusive of spare parts and accessories, surpassed 100 million USD.

Great hope for organic food in VietnamThe shortage of organic foods in the country is both an opportunity and a challenge for growers, a forum on organic agricultural development was told on August 18. A consumer buys pork at a supermarket“Solving problems related to brand and distribution” forum in HCM City heard how Vietnam has optimal conditions to produce organic items such as vegetables, fruits, rice, tea and fish. The increasing demand for organic products means retailers are seeking partnerships and investment opportunities in the organic agricultural sector. Pham Phuong Thao, the founder of Organica, which grows and sells organic produce, said everyone can see the great demand for organic food, especially among high-income and health-conscious people. He cited an example of the “Phien cho Xanh - Tu te” (Green-Nice Market Day) organic produce market held every Saturday and Sunday, where consumers can buy directly from farmers.

VN Central Bank approves project on green bank developmentThe State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has recently issued Decision No.1604/QD-NHNN on approving a project on green bank development. The project aims to raise the banks’ awareness and social responsibility for environment protection and climate change prevention, gear capital flows into eco-friendly projects, and promote green production, services and consumption, towards boosting green growth and sustainable development. Accordingly, all banks will strive to issue regulations on environment and social risk control by 2025. At least 10 -12 banks will have specialised units on environment and social risk control while 60 percent of the banks will access loans used for green projects. The SBV will issue guidelines on developing green banks and credit, provide them with incentives such as preferential loans from international organisations and development partners.

Kerala floods: Relief teams rescue 22,000 as rains easeAbout 22,000 people were rescued from the flood-hit Indian state of Kerala on Sunday, officials say, after monsoon rains finally eased. Military teams as well as disaster response forces and local fishermen reached some of the worst hit areas. More than 350 people have been killed, most of them in landslides, since the monsoon started in June. Kerala's chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the number of people taking refuge in the 5,645 relief camps now stood at 725,000. Initial estimates suggest the floods have caused £2.3bn of damage, AFP reports, but this is expected to rise.