VN customs sector gets tough on corruptionThe General Department of Vietnam Customs has issued a working plan designed to achieve vigorous changes in detecting, preventing and handling of corruption, towards well performing its anti-corruption related-tasks between now to 2020. Under the plan, announced by Decision 1355/QD-TCHQ, the customs sector will focus on overcoming remaining shortcomings and weaknesses in the fight against corruption through enhancing the role and responsibility of customs staff, especially those holding top positions in combating corruption. The sector will strictly carry out the rotation, transfer, and change of working positions in line with relevant regulations, whilst intensifying internal and specialized inspections, especially in areas drawing public concern. Besides, the department will research and pilot the reform of the process to select and appoint personnel for managerial positions at all levels; and create a healthy competitive environment in the appointment of leaders and managers in order to select those who really have good morality, management ability and professional skills. Attention will be also paid to implementing regulations concerning officials’ declaration of asset and income; and promoting publicity and transparency in the operation of agencies and organisations.-VNA

Water wheels stun visitors to northwestern regionVisitors going to the northern mountainous province of Lai Chau to admire the beauty of the Nam Mu river flowing through the pristine mountainous area are also attracted by the stunning sights and cascading sounds of 35 huge water wheels on the river bank. People passing by large fields in mountainous provinces often catch sight of water wheels continuously spinning to take water to a higher place for irrigation of the rice during the growing season. These water wheels, particularly those in Na Khuong village, Ban Bo commune, Tam Duong district, create a simple yet beautiful image closely connected to the local life for visitors to admire and explore. The water wheels here are stunning so many visitors are attracted. According to the commune’s statistics, Ban Bo water wheels tourism site welcomed 40,000 tourist arrivals in 2017 and so far greeted 12,000 visitors in the first three months of 2018.-VNA

First Vietnamese martial art Grand Prix event in AlgeriaThe first Vovinam (Vietnamese martial art) Viet Vo Dao Grand Prix was held successfully in Algeria on May 4-5. Martial artists compete at the eventThe event was sponsored by the Vietnamese Embassy and Vovinam Viet Vo Dao Federation in Algeria. It attracted a large number of martial artists from Vovinam clubs in Algiers city and neighbouring provinces. Addressing the award ceremony at the end of the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Algeria Pham Quoc Tru encouraged martial artists to increase teaching and learning of this sport to spur the development of Vovinam Viet Vo Dao in Algeria as well as promote the relations between the two countries. Vovinam Viet Vo Dao was founded by Nguyen Loc (1912-1960) in 1936 but developed in 1938 with a view to providing practitioners with an efficient method of self-defence after a short period of study.

Vietnam advance to quarters at women’s futsal champsVietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam claimed the top spot in Group B of the Asian Football Confederation Women’s Futsal Championship 2018, after defeating Malaysia 3-1 yesterday in Bangkok, Thailand. Vietnam finish on top of Group B at the Asian Women’s Futsal Championship in Bangkok. — Photo the-afc.comDo Thi Nguyen opened the score for Vietnam just 17 minutes after the first whistle. As Group B leaders, Vietnam will face the Group A runners-up in the quarter-finals on Wednesday. Our team played a good controlled game and tried hard to win this game, but we couldn’t do it.”Source: VNS

Five foreign clubs to take part in VTV volleyball tourneyVietNamNet Bridge – The annual international volleyball tournament, VTV9-Binh Dien 2018, will see five of the best foreign clubs competing, according to organisers, speaking at a press briefing yesterday in HCM City. Host VTV-Binh Dien Long An will play against five foreign and two local clubs at the VTV-Binh Dien tournament. — Photo sggp.org.vnThe teams to compete in the tournament are BIP (US), Almaty (Kazakhstan), Est Cola (Thailand), Jiangshu and Fujian (China). They will be playing against three local leading clubs, including Thong tin Lienviet Post Bank, Vietinbank and VTV Binh Dien Long An. They will compete in a round robin format with two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals.

Ha Giang gets ready for love market festivalVarious activities showcasing the unique culture of ethnic groups will be included in the Khau Vai Love Market festival. Young women and men dance at Khau Vai Love Market. The annual festival will be held in Meo Vac District’s Khau Vai Commune in the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang on May 11-12 this year. The festival will be held in Meo Vac District’s Khau Vai Commune in the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang on May 11-12. The Khau Vai Love Market is a popular attraction in Ha Giang, even though it is held only once a year at a distance of nearly 200km from the city.

Finance Ministry floats securities streamliningThe Ministry of Finance (MoF) has proposed slashing 38 business conditions and simplifying 40 administrative procedures in the securities sector in its law review this year. The securities sector will witness the largest streamlining process if the ministry’s proposal is accepted. — Photo tapchitaichinhvietnam.vnThe securities sector will witness the largest streamlining process if the ministry’s proposal is accepted. The finance ministry currently manages 370 business conditions. Late in April, the Ministry of Industry and Trade also decided to simplify business conditions and administrative procedures in 10 sectors under its management.

Alliances aim to control drug distribution marketVietNamNet Bridge - Pharmaceutical companies are hiring retail chains to distribute their products, rather than develop distribution networks of their own. In Vietnam, there are about 300 foreign drug distributors. Many Vietnamese companies have also joined the drug distribution market, namely Vimedimex, Dapharco, Khuong Duy, Hapharco, Eco and Sapharco. FPT Retail and The Gioi Di Dong, hi-tech product distribution chains, have also joined the drug distribution market. RELATED NEWSDrug market bounces back with M&A dealsHealth Ministry says ‘no’ to opening drug distribution market to foreignersKim Chi

Some locals said most of the snakes and turtles for sale are bought from the delta along the banks of Mekong River and Tonle Sap area. The snakes and turtles are caught in a wild in Cambodia, then sold to merchants who bring the animals to Vietnam for sale. Strings of birds were hung upside down, while numerous buckets of snakes were on the ground. Customers could see animals and choose which they wanted.Khanh An Shopping Center, a few kilometers from An Phu, is a ‘twin’ of An Phu. RELATED NEWSThe underworld of wildlife trafficking: The largest vault of wildlife skulls and horns in HanoiLaw on wildlife crimes takes effect, but enforcement still weakKim Mai

Education Ministry curtails teacher training as graduates flood marketVietNamNet Bridge - The Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) estimates that 40,264 teachers will become redundant when Vietnam applies the new general education program. The seven key pedagogical schools (the Hanoi University of Education, the Hanoi University of Education No 2, Thai Nguyen University of Education, Vinh University, Da Nang University of Education, Hue University of Education and the HCM City University of Education) received only 10,000 students. Seven regular pedagogical schools are a modest figure if noting that there are 152 universities (4-year training), junior colleges (3-year training) and intermediate schools (2-year training). Meanwhile, the other 107 schools are local multi-disciplinary schools, or 2.4 times more than specialized pedagogical schools. RELATED NEWSPedagogy school enrollment declines despite lax admission standardsEnrollment declines at pedagogy schools, education reform in dangerMai Thanh

Vietnam deforestation cases in declineAs many as 200 forest destruction cases were reported in April, down by 42% compared to the same period last year, according to the Vietnam Administration of Forestry. The Vietnam Administration of Forestry said they had asked local forest ranger units to actively patrol and deal with the fires. 14 wildfires broke out last month and destroyed 23 hectares of forestland in the north. Quang Ninh Province topped the list with two fires and 8.9 hectares of destroyed forest land. Two wildfires in Lai Chau Province destroyed 8 hectares of forest land and two wildfires destroyed one hectare of forest in Bac Giang Province.

Vietnam to gain $4.8 billion from shrimp exportsVietnam’s shrimp industry is expected to gain an export value of 4.8 billion USD in 2018 due to the many advantages of export promotion, experts said. Vietnam expects to earn 4.8 billion USD from shrimp export in 2018These advantages from existing mechanism and policies include a programme on sustainable development of the fisheries economy during 2016-20. Under the programme, the shrimp industry will actively produce varieties of black tiger shrimp and white leg shrimp to meet the demand of market demand. In 2017, Vietnam gained 3.85 billion USD in seafood export value, a year-on-year surge of 22 percent, with large contribution from white shrimps at 2.5 billion USD. Last year, Vietnam exported shrimps worth 1.48 billion USD to the European Union, 1.41 billion USD to the US, 1.3 billion USD to Japan, 1.2 billion USD to China and 780 million USD to the Republic of Korea.-VNA

19th Asian Physics Olympiad launched in HanoiThe 19th Asian Physics Olympiad (APhO) kicked off at Hanoi’s University of Science and Technology on May 6, attracting the participation of 188 contestants from 25 countries and territories. Vietnamese students attending the 18th Asian Physics Olympiad welcomed when returning homeAPhO, held annually since 2000, is currently the premier physics competition for pre-university students aged below 20 from Asian countries. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vietnamese Minister of Education and Training Phung Xuan Nha said that this year, Vietnam is honoured to be the host of the 19th Asian Physics Olympiad, after 14 years, which reflects the international community’s recognition of and belief in the Vietnamese education’s development. Vietnam sends eight contestants to the 19th APhO, which is taking place from May 6-13. The 18th Asian Physics Olympiad 2017 took place in Yakutsk, Russia, from May 1-9, with the participation of 153 contestants from 22 countries and territories.

Skyscraper race heats up in Da NangVietNamNet Bridge - Taller, larger and more imposing buildings are what real estate developers are striving for in the central city of Da Nang. The buildings with height of hundreds of meters are now commonly seen in Da Nang. These include the 166.8 meter Da Nang Administration Center; the 37-storey Novotel Danang Premier Han River, Muong Thanh hotel and high-end apartment complex, Son Tra high-end apartment complex, and the 34-storey Azura apartment building. In November 2017, the twin towers Movenpick Hotels & Residences – Risemount Apartment Da Nang, a complex of hotel, high-end apartment and condotels, kicked off with investment capital of VND1.8 trillion. The buildings with height of hundreds of meters are now commonly seen in Da Nang.

Co Island, home of the storks in Hai Duong ProvinceVietNamNet Bridge – Co Island is a must-see place for travellers to the northern province of Hai Duong. Spot the storks: Co Island in Hai Duong Province. — VNS File PhotoNestled in the middle of An Duong Lake in Chi Lang Nam Commune, Co Island (Stork Island) is a stunning natural destination endowed with great bio-diversity and it is home to more than 10,000 storks, bitterns and many other bird species. Visitors to the island can see huge flocks of storks and bitterns flying away early in the morning to feed themselves and returning in the evening. Tourists often take boat trips to the islet to admire the birds and enjoy a tranquil time there.