VN commits to fighting illegal wildlife tradeVietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam is one of the many countries in the world committed to fighting illegal wildlife trade, a meeting in Hanoi was told on May 31. Two years ago, Vietnam pledged its support at the Ha Noi International Conference on Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT). They have also increased training to improve capacity for law enforcement agencies such as police, customs and border guards to help enhance the efficiency of their inspection and patrol work at hot “spots” of wildlife trade. The report is a bridge between the Ha Noi Conference on Illegal Wildlife Trade in 2016 and the upcoming London Conference on Illegal Wildlife Trade in October 2018 hosted by the UK government. According to the Ha Noi Statement, illegal wildlife trade is increasing the risk of extinction for many endangered and protected terrestrial and aquatic species and over exploitation of others.

Vietnam in Group E of AFC U19 Women’s ChampionshipVietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam are in Group E of the AFC U19 Women’s Championship 2019 qualifiers, according to the AFC’s draw held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Wednesday. The draw of the AFC U19 Women’s Championship 2019 qualifiers. This group is rather favourable for Vietnam, and they are expected to top the group. According to the AFC, the qualification will conclude after two rounds. Round 2 commences on April 22, 2019 through April 30, 2019 where the top four teams will then advance to the finals.

Belarus Museum to host exhibition on Vietnamese handicraftVietNamNet Bridge – Traditional Vietnamese handicraft products will be displayed at an exhibition at the Belarus National History Museum in Minsk from June 11-18 as part of Vietnamese Culture Days. Bamboo lacquer seiling pendant by Ha Thai Bamboo Lacquer Company. — Photo lacquerhomevn.comBelarusians will have the chance to see handmade Vietnamese products such as silk, brocade and fine art handicraft and lacquer paintings. Lacquerware by Ha Thai Bamboo Lacquer Company in Thuong Tin, Hanoi, including vases, jewellery boxes, trays, photo frames and planters, will also be showcased. The village in the southwest of Hanoi is one of the famous traditional handicraft villages in the country.

Court sentences former Trust Bank senior advisor to 30 years in jailVietNamNet Bridge – Twenty-eight former officials of Dai Tin Bank (Trust Bank - now the Viet Nam Construction Bank) charged with "abusing trust to appropriate property" and "intentionally violating State regulations on economic management and causing serious consequences" were sentenced to three to 30 years in jail by the HCM City People’s Court on May 31 after a three-week trial. She was sentenced to 30 years in jail and must pay compensation of VND16.7 trillion (US$733 million) on both charges. Phan abused her holding of nearly 85 per cent of the bank’s charter capital to take over the management of all Trust Bank activities. She abused trust to appropriate and misuse more than VND12 trillion (nearly $530 million), the court said. She also asked Trust Bank to illegally invest in four other real estate projects, embezzling over VND1 trillion ($44 million), and raised the value of another 25 properties sold to Trust Bank, embezzling over VND1 trillion ($44 million), according to the court.

Railway officers suspended following train accidentsVietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam Railways (VNR) has suspended the officers, chiefs and drivers responsible for two train accidents in Thanh Hoa and Quang Nam provinces recently. The scene of the accident after a train collided with a truck in Thanh Hoa province on May 24. — Photo dantri.com.vnAn officer and two employees in charge of ensuring safety at a level crossing in the central province of Thanh Hoa have been suspended, Dan Tri online newspaper reported. Following the accident, the head and officers of Nui Thanh railway station have been suspended for investigation. VNR also asked the other managers at Nui Thanh station to review their responsibility and report to VNR for consideration.

Of the figure, export earnings hit 93.1 billion USD, up 15.8 percent while import value rose 8.2 percent to 89.7 billion USD. Apparel export reached 10.68 billion USD, up 13.3 percent while computers, electronics and spare parts brought home 10.9 billion USD, up 14.2 percent year-on-year. Another 13 billion USD was used to buy machinery, equipment, and tools while 5.18 billion USD was spent on mobile phones and accessories, up 1.3 percent. The country ran a trade deficit of 500 million USD, but a trade surplus of 3.4 billion USD for the January-May period. The US came second with 39 million USD (up 12.3 percent), followed by Japan at 36.55 million USD (up 15.9 percent) and the Republic of Korea 34.78 million USD (up 13.28 percent).

The EU would assist Vietnam in improving capacity to fully and effectively deliver on commitments mentioned in the deal. The host leaders pledged to continue supporting Vietnam – EU comprehensive partnership, including the early signing, ratification and full implementation of the EVFTA. The Vietnamese side expressed readiness to help Belgium enhance cooperation with ASEAN and its member states. During his stay, Binh also visited and held a working session with the Vietnamese embassy in Belgium. The Greek leaders spoke highly of the visit by the Vietnamese Party delegation, believing that it will contribute to bolstering the bilateral relations.

Ninh Thuan grants investment licences to nine solar power projectsThe People’s Committee of Ninh Thuan province has granted investment licences to nine solar power projects worth over 12 trillion VND (527.4 million USD). So far, the province has counted 15 wind power projects and 27 solar power ones with designed capacity of nearly 800 MW and over 1,808 MW, respectively. Ninh Thuan is a typically hot and dry area in the south central part of Vietnam. It holds good solar energy potential with average sunshine hours of 2,600-2,800 per year. The province is finalising a master plan for solar energy from 2016 to 2020 with a vision to 2030, which aims to generate some 2,000MW of electricity by 2020.-VNA

Vietnam wins bronze medal at international volleyball tourneyVietnam bagged bronze medal at the first LienVietPostBank International Men’s Volleyball Tournament which wrapped up in the northern province of Ha Nam on May 31. At the award ceremonyVietnam came third at the event after defeating Kazakhstan 3-0. Earlier, Vietnam lost to Kazakhstan 1-3 in the qualifying round. Indonesia was crowned the champion following a 4-1 victory over Thailand, and walked away with 15,000 USD in cash. The one-week volleyball tourney drew the participation of six teams from China, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Japan pledges more support for Vietnam’s sustainable developmentJapan will continue its strong support for Vietnam’s sustainable development, focusing on constructing high-quality infrastructure, improving economic competitiveness and training human resources for the country, said Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Regarding regional and international issues, the two leaders agreed on the importance of a free, open, stable, rules-based and peaceful Indo-Pacific region. President Quang affirmed: ”Vietnam consistently considers Japan a leading, long-term partner.”He appreciated the country’s effective cooperation and support for Vietnam in various realms. The visit of President Quang and his spouse is made at the invitation of the State of Japan. While in Japan, President Quang held talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and met with political and economic leaders of Japan.

HNX nets $431mil. in auctionsThe Hanoi Stock Exchange (HNX) said it has organised 19 auctions so far this year, including three for capital withdrawal, five for initial public offerings (IPO) and one for purchase rights. A total of more than 1 billion shares were auctioned, of which over 627 million shares were traded, equivalent to 63 percent. The auctions for capital withdrawal remained attractive to investors. Up to 14.99 million shares were ordered during the capital divestment auction as compared with only 10.5 million shares auctioned, which were sold out at the end of the auction.

NA deputies debate revised Anti-Corruption billNational Assembly deputies gave opinions on reports on the verification and adjustments of the draft Anti-Corruption Law (revised) and a bill on the amendments and supplements to some articles of the Law on Physical Training and Sports on May 31 as part of their ongoing fifth session. They focused on issues related to physical training and sports in the community and schools, as well as land for physical and sport activities. In the afternoon, they discussed in group the draft Anti-corruption Law (revised). The 14th-tenure National Assembly (NA) continued its fifth session on May 31 morning with a focus on the draft amended Anti-Corruption Law. Presenting a report verifying the draft revised law, Chairwoman of the NA’s Committee for Judicial Affairs Le Thi Nga said the document has absorbed opinions raised by deputies.

Ly Son to celebrate First Culture Tourism WeekVietNamNet Bridge – Quang Ngai Province will hold the 1st Ly Son Culture Tourism Week from June 29 to July 3, the Ly Son District People’s Committee said recently. The 1st Ly Son Culture Tourism Week will include traditional boat race. An exhibition entitled Ly Son - Di San Van Hoa Bien Dao (Ly Son - Islands and Sea Culture Heritage) will be one of the highlights of the week. Be Island (Small Island) is one of three islands in the Ly Son Island District. "Different kinds of vehicles in Ly Son Island are also prepared to serve about 3,000 people every day.”The opening ceremony will be held at the Ly Son District centre at 7 pm on June 29.

Discovering the beauty of Ba Lang An PeninsulaVietNamNet Bridge – Summer has come, and many tourists are flocking to Ba Lang An Peninsula to immerse themselves in the crystal clear water, listen to the musical sounds of nature, enjoy ancient rock formations, and eat fresh seafood. I’m going deeper underground: The entrance to Dam Toai Tunnel, a historical landmark in Ba Lang An Peninsula. Next to Ba Lang An Peninsula is the 30 sq.m crater of an inactive volcano. A day visiting Ba Lang An Peninsula can be concluded with a visit to the historical landmark Dam Toai Tunnel. The primitive beauty of nature has tempted an increasing number of visitors to Ba Lang An Peninsula in recent years.

Man walking around world enjoys VietnamVietNamNet Bridge – While pushing his caddie around the streets of Vietnam for three months, Nicolas Queune took the time to observe its landscapes and its people. Walkin’ blues: Nicolas Queune in a café in Hanoi in March. He arrived in Vietnam in March as part of his journey on foot around the world, which he began in 2013. “In Vietnam, life is not expensive. Manga manga: Nicolas Queune has travelled around many regions of Vietnam, pushing his caddie, and wears a red T-shirt and a straw hat like his favourite comic character, called Luffy, from the Japanese manga, One Piece.