VN Airlines shoots for $107 million consolidated profit in 2018Vietnam Airlines (VNA) will propose its shareholders the target of VND2.421 trillion ($107.6 million) in consolidated pre-tax profit for the 2018 financial year at the upcoming annual general shareholders’ meeting (AGM). At its overseas market, VNA expects a growth of 10 per cent in market share and maintain its position in international markets, while ensuring business efficiency. In 2018, VNA plans to operate on average 92 aircraft. Considering the effect of the fuel price hike, VNA targets consolidated pre-tax profit and post-tax profit of $107.6 million and $85.2 million, respectively. The parent company reported VND64.920 trillion ($2.88 billion) in sales and VND1.911 trillion ($84.93 million) in pre-tax profit.

Red carpet, tax incentives not enough for SEZ: expertsVietNamNet Bridge - Phu Quoc, Van Don and Bac Van Phong, in order to develop into powerful SEZs, need to have an outstanding business environment and new institutional policies, experts say. “The investment incentives are competitive and we will have to change them regularly to create higher competitiveness to attract multinationals,” he said. Analysts say that investors expect not only tax incentives, but an open business environment and transparent institutional policies and procedures. However, analysts say that investors expect not only tax incentives, but an open business environment and transparent institutional policies and procedures. He said the degree of liberalization in the goods and service flow, and the institutional system are two prerequisites, while tax incentives will be just a secondary condition.

Hanoi Flag Tower marred by graffitiHanoi Flag Tower which is one of the symbols of the city has been covered in graffiti for years. The 33.4-metre flag tower is part of the Thang Long Citadel on Dien Bien Phu Street and a World Heritage Site. It was built in 1812 under Gia Long Emperor during Emperor Gia Long's reign and is the largest intact construction of the imperial citadel. There's no comment from the authorities yet on how to restore the tower or deal with the issue. Photos of the tower:The flag tower is a symbol of HanoiThe walls cracking and peelingGraffiti cover the towerDtinewsThe flag tower is a symbol of Hanoi The walls cracking and peeling Graffiti cover the tower

The Carina Plaza apartment complex in District 8 after a fire on March 23 which killed 13 and injured 47. After the fire, the district People’s Committee set up a team which, in concert with the complex’s investor, is in charge of helping affected residents. However, residents living there, like the parents of Pham Nguyen Thanh Chung in block C, have bought rechargeable lights. A new standard fire prevention system will be replaced as soon as possible to ensure safety for residents when they return, he added. At a press briefing held on March 29, Vo Van Hoan, chief of the committee’s secretariat, said that actions to help residents return to their apartments were time-consuming but necessary.

A touch of BelgiumVietNamNet Bridge – Eleven members of the Brussels-based Majoretteketet will perform at the event A Touch of Belgium at Ly Thai To Statue Garden on May 12. To the streets: Eleven members from Majoretteketet will walk around Hoan Kiem Lake from 2pm to 6pm. The majorette’s performance is a part of A Touch of Belgium which is organised by the Belgian Embassy on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Belgium and Vietnam. Coming to the event, people will be greeted by the beloved Smurfs – who are celebrating their 60th birthday this year. A performance by Belgian DJ Simon Medard and live visuals by producer Daniel Day Long will take place from 7.15pm to 10pm.

Performing arts festival kicks off in HanoiVietNamNet Bridge – Two teams perform on stage. This is one among many activities to be held at the PAS – Ha Noi Performing Arts Festival (Festival des Arts du Spectacle) which will take place on May 18-21 in Hanoi. On the stage: The PAS – Ha Noi Performing Arts Festival gathers many amateurs and professionals in performing arts, particularly those aged 10-15. The festival gathers 23 amateur and professional teams who work in the field of performing arts, including Kinergie Studio, The Run and ViPlayback. Other organisers include actors responsible for the Ha Noi Theatre Workshop; and Anne Boulo, professor at the French School of Ha Noi and director of the “Les Phap’bulateurs” theatre company.

U23 team coach awarded house in Da NangVietNamNet Bridge – Coach of Viet Nam U23 football team, Park Hang-seo was awarded a township house in the central city, worth VND2 billion (US$88,000), from a donor in Da Nang on Sunday. Coach of Viet Nam U23 football team, Park Hang-seo (left) receives a symbol key of a house in Da Nang. The award was donated by a local company in honour Park for his contribution to the development of Viet Nam football. The donor, the Phuc Ngoc Hoang Construction Consultancy and Design Company, said the award honoured Park’s contribution for Viet Nam football when he helped the U23 team rank second at the Asian Championship in China in January. Park will take charge of the Vietnam senior squad to compete at the upcoming 2018 ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup and the 2019 Asian Cup.

Activities highlight culture of Central Highlands’ ethnic groupsVietNamNet Bridge – Rituals and cultural practices of ethnic groups in the Central Highlands provinces will be depicted during activities held at the Viet Nam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism, in Son Tay Town, Hanoi. During the festival paying gratitude to the water god, the ethnic people clean the water source and present offerings to the god. The event doesn’t just highlight the uniqueness of the diversified culture of the region, but it also reflects the strong bond between President Ho Chi Minh and those in the Central Highlands. An exhibition of photos, newspaper stories and documents depicting the close relationship between Uncle Ho and indigenous communities in the Central Highlands will run between May 12-31. Tourists will have a chance to experience cooking traditional foods of the Central Highlands ethnic groups.

Wet wipes could face wipe-out in plastic clean-upWet wipes, used for sticky fingers and removing eye make-up, as well as on other parts of the anatomy, could themselves be wiped out over the next couple of decades. Wet wipes are a key component of fatbergs - like this giant one that weighed as much as 10 double decker buses -- Photo: THAMES WATERThe government says its plan to eliminate plastic waste "includes single use products like wet wipes". Wet wipes are behind 93% of blockages in UK sewers, a key element of the infamous giant obstacles known as fatbergs, according to Water UK, the trade body representing all of the main water and sewerage companies in the country. That has prompted the government and industry to focus on persuading consumers not to flush them into the waste water system. Prime Minister Theresa May pledged in January to eradicate all "avoidable plastic waste" by 2042.

Alabama 'miracle' boy wakes before doctors pull plugA 13-year-old boy in the US state of Alabama regained consciousness just after his parents signed the paperwork to donate his organs. According to his mother, Jennifer Reindl, Trenton has since undergone several craniotomy surgeries, suffering kidney failure and cardiac arrest. At one point, Ms Reindl said, Trenton died on the table for 15 minutes, after which doctors told her he would "never be normal again". Ms Reindl told CBS News that she agreed to sign the organ donation papers when she learned her son's organs could save five other children. He has been walking and talking, even reading and doing maths, Ms Reindl said, calling it "a miracle".

Foreign shipping agents raise freight feesVietNamNet Bridge - Foreign shipping lines have been raising freight charges, putting a heavy burden on goods owners. Foreign shipping lines have raised freight chargesDo Xuan Quang, chair of the Vietnam Logistics Association (VLA), said that shipping fees account for 50-60 percent of total logistics services. The import/export transportation market is controlled by foreign shipping firms. Besides the official fees, goods owners are also burdened by surcharges set by shipping firms. Vietnamese agents transmit data to overseas agents via websites, but Vietnamese goods owners have to pay the fee, VND750,000-850,000 per consignment.

Is Diageo interested in gobbling up Halico? As Hanoi Liquor Joint Stock Company (Halico) is flooded by massive losses, the company's shares will likely fall, giving an opportunity to the world's biggest spirits company Diageo to acquire the remaining stake in Halico, if it still wants to. In mid-April, the State Securities Commission of Vietnam (SSC) approved Halico to list on the Unlisted Public Company Market (UpCOM) with the code “HNR.” Currently Habeco holds 54.3 per cent and Diageo 45.5 per cent in Halico. In mid-2012, Diageo increased its holding in Halico to 45.5 per cent via buying an additional 26.83 per cent stake from VinaCapital and became the second largest shareholder of Halico, following Habeco (54.3 per cent). The question is whether Diageo is interested in acquiring the remaining stake in Halico at this lower cost?

Extending mandate of tax authorities may halt tax evasion? Handing over the right of prosecution and investigation to the tax authorities is expected to hinder tax evasion as well as delayed tax payments by enterprises, especially multinational firms in Vietnam. A number of these enterprises have been delaying tax payments, while others took advantage of loopholes to evade tax obligations. Notably, in 2011-2015, the tax authorities sent 16,087 cases to intermediary authorities, however, only 395 of these were prosecuted, while the rest were dropped as not enough evidence could be collected. Meanwhile, in 80 countries where tax authorities are permitted to investigate and prosecutre firms, tax evasion is far rarer due to constant monitoring and quick action.

Paragliding festival to take place in Yen BaiA paragliding festival is scheduled to take place from May 18-20 on Khau Pha mountain pass in Mu Cang Chai district of the northwestern province of Yen Bai. Mu Cang Chai terraced paddies are in form of glittering ponds before locals transplant rice seedlings. The three-day event will be co-organised by the Vietwings Hanoi Club and Yen Bai Department for Culture, Sports and Tourism. Terraced fields in Mu Cang Chai are beautiful all year round. During the harvest in October, the golden rice fields stand out amidst green forests.-VNA

Cannes Film Festival rings in the changesThe Cannes Film Festival kicks off later, one day earlier than normal, with a number of new measures set to ensure it won't be business as usual. The festival will also work with the French government to set up a helpline for women to report sexual harassment. This year's festival is the first to be held since the entertainment industry became engulfed in a sexual harassment scandal. The theatre and film director was put under house arrest last year after being arrested on fraud charges. Selfies are a major bugbears of festival director Thierry Fremaux, who has branded them "trivial" and "grotesque" in interviews.