EC launches investigation of steel importsThe European Commission (EC) has decided to initiate a safeguard investigation concerning imports of 26 steel products, including those from Vietnam, to its member countries. The European Commission (EC) has decided to initiate an investigation into imports of 26 steel products to its member countriesThe investigated product categories include alloy hot rolled sheets and strips, organic coated steel, stainless cold rolled sheets and strips, and metallic coated sheets. The Ministry of Industry and Trade said the safeguard investigation was being initiated, because the imports of certain steel products have increased sharply recently, necessitating safeguard measures. Similarly, imports of the products increased by some 65 percent between 2013 and 2016. The EU has imposed the general system of preferences of zero percent for all steel products imported from Vietnam while applying anti-dumping tariffs on some steel products from China.-VNA

Stem cell banks face shortage as demand rises rapidlyVietNamNet Bridge - The clinical application of stem cell therapy in Vietnam remains modest because of a shortage of stem cell products and high costs for research and application. Prior to that, Vietnamese research on use of stem cells in treating osteoarthritis was made public in Stem Cells Translational Medicine journal in July 2016. The Hermatology and Blood Transfusion Hospital stores umbilical cord blood, while Mekostem accepts both umbilical cord blood and umbilical cord membranes. There are also private centers which store stem cells to provide to the healthcare and beauty care market, including GeneWorld Ltd, Tri PhuocBiotechnology, Van Hanh and Vinmec Stem Cell Centers. Dr Pham Van Phuc from the HCMC Stem Cell Institute said the demand for using stem cells in treatment and beauty care has increased rapidly.

Pham Hiep, an education analyst, said that non-traditional university leaders have been hired and this will be more common in the future because of the commercialization and privatization of tertiary education. In most universities in Vietnam, leaders are those who were either prestigious lecturers with high academic titles in the past or high ranking state officials. However, more and more high-ranking university leaders have come from business. In most universities in Vietnam, leaders are those who were either prestigious lecturers with high academic titles in the past or high ranking state officials. However, more and more high-ranking university leaders have come from business.

“Classical music made me an unselfish man”: award-winning pianistVietNamNet Bridge - Luu Duc Anh, 26, has won many prizes, including first prize at the 2017 Stockholm International Piano Competition and Special Prize in the Alain Marinaro Competition in Collioure, France. Art is an invisible world existing with the real world. The task of the artists is to go to that world, bring the knowledge to the audience in the real world to make it better. The most valuable thing that classical music brings to me is helping me become a good, unselfish man, someone who is willing to share with people and love people. This is a reminder that I have a mission with music and I have to make every effort to devote myself to music.

China hits back with tariffs on US imports worth $3bnChina has imposed tariffs of up to 25% on 128 US imports, including pork and wine, after US President Donald Trump raised duties on foreign steel and aluminium imports earlier in March. The tariffs affecting some $3bn (£2.1bn) of imports kick in on Monday. Beijing said the move was to "safeguard China's interests and balance" losses caused by new US tariffs. China had previously said it did not want a trade war but would not sit by if its economy was hurt. China said the new tariffs were a retaliatory measure in light of Mr Trump's decision to raise duties on steel and aluminium imports.

Thai ethnic people’s ritual re-enactedA crucial ritual among Thai ethnic community to tribute witch doctors was re-enacted recently in Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism. It features distinctive cultural identities of Thai ethnic people in general and those in Son La province in particular,” said Lo Van Nhao, a Thai ethnic in Son La province. By participating in the event, I have gained knowledge on Thai ethnic people and also other communities residing in the village”. Visitors to the culture village will also have chances to experience other interesting activities, including traditional customs of different ethnic groups. The culture village today is a popular destination for recreation, sports and cultural activities and continues to promote the cultural values of Vietnam’s ethnic minorities.-VNA

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc to attend Mekong River Commission SummitPrime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc will lead a Vietnamese delegation to attend the third Mekong River Commission (MRC) Summit in Siem Reap, Cambodia on April 4-5. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan PhucThe attendance will come at the invitation of Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen. The 4.800km - long Mekong River flows through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. In 1995, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam signed an Agreement on the Cooperation for the Sustainable Development of the Mekong River and set up the Mekong River Commission (MRC) as a replacement for the Mekong Committee. The third MRC Summit is themed “Joint Efforts and Partnership towards Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in the Mekong”.-VNA

Vietnamese fashion brands wither away as designs remain stagnantVietNamNet Bridge - The appearance of foreign fast-fashion brands in Vietnam has dealt a strong blow to Vietnamese brands. Vietnamese fashion brands, such as Foci of Nguyen Tam Fashion Company, NinoMaxx of Thoi Trang Viet, BlueExchange of Xanh Co Ban Fashion, and PT2000 of Pham Tuong 2000 Company, once controlled the domestic market in early 2000. “Vietnamese fashion companies need more money and a character of their own,” said Le Tien Truong, CEO of Vinatex, when asked how to help Vietnamese brands survive the competition with foreign brands. RELATED NEWSHow are Vietnamese fashion brands faring? Domestic fashion brands seek foothold in $3.5 billion marketMai Nam

Real estate market to prosper thanks to stock upswingVietNamNet Bridge - The Vietnamese stock market is in the “most optimistic situation in the last 11 years”, according to analysts. Analysts said the listing can bring big benefits to real estate firms, and that now is the golden time for them to list as the stock market has been prospering. In August 2017, Netland acquired 95 percent of shares of Danh Khoi Real Estate JSC, one of the major real estate distribution company. Analysts said the listing can bring big benefits to real estate firms, and that now is the golden time for them to list as the stock market has been prospering. RELATED NEWSWhat’s behind the strong performance of the stock market in 2017?

Property developers eye SEZs: new real estate trend in 2018VietNamNet Bridge - Van Don, Bac Van Phong and Phu Quoc - three special economic zones (SEZs) – are new destinations for large real estate developers. Real estate developers in the three SEZs are listed among the investors to enjoy big incentives in tax, land and customs procedures. The State will also exempt land and surface water rentals for resort real estate projects which can meet certain requirements. Real estate developers in the three SEZs are listed among the investors to enjoy big incentives in tax, land and customs procedures. Great opportunities for real estate developersAccording to Le Hoang Chau, chair of the HCMC Real Estate Association, real estate developers have been eyeing the three zones for many years because of the beautiful landscapes and coastline.

OBM, ODM modes considered for Vietnam’s textile and productionVietNamNet Bridge - Foreign-invested enterprises have organized production according to the OBM mode (original brand manufacturer), in which they undertake all important phases of the production chain, from design and production to distribution. Analysts said if Vietnamese enterprises followed the ODM (original design manufacturer) and OBM modes, they would be able to increase the profit margin by 30-40 percent or even 100 percent. Experts commented that in order to enhance Vietnam’s position in the global value chain, Vietnamese enterprises have no other choice than to change the production method. According to the Vietnam Textile & Apparel Association (Vitas), 70 percent of enterprises are still following OEM and 20 percent follow FOB. Vietnamese enterprises need to take the initiative in building a supply chain with emphasis on input material supply.

Vietnamese CEOs at multinationals – who are they? More Vietnamese have been appointed to important positions at multinationals recently in the so-called ‘personnel localization movement’. From 2007 to 2008, when the global financial crisis occurred, many Vietnamese names appeared in the key personnel structure of multinationals. More recently, Pham Hong Hai became the first Vietnamese CEO at HSBC Vietnam, while Pham Van Dung became CEO of Ford Vietnam. These Vietnamese CEOs at multinationals have spent many years living and working overseas.

Hanoi to pilot running observatory in JuneThe Vietnam National Space Centre (VNSC) will start the pilot run of its observatory and space centre in Hanoi’s Hoa Lac high-tech park in June, 2018. The first photo taken by the telescope at the Vietnam National Space Centre (VNSC)'s observatory and space centre in Hanoi’s Hoa Lac high-tech park (Photo: VNSC )The observatory is equipped with a space telescope of 0.5m in diameter inside a dome that is 12m in diameter. VNSC Director Associate Prof. Dr. Pham Anh Tuan said the observatory will serve basic studies on optical astrophysics, and disseminate knowledge of the universe in the community. The observatory is one of the two observatory projects in Vietnam, costing a total of 120 billion VND (5.3 million USD). The other one is placed on Hon Chong islet in Nha Trang city, the central province of Khanh Hoa.-VNA

Party chief presents Golden Star Order to Cuban leaderGeneral Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong has presented the Golden Star Order to First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) Central Committee and President of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers of Cuba Raul Castro Ruz. General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong presents the Golden Star Order to First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and President of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers of Cuba Raul Castro Ruz. Speaking at the ceremony, Raul Castro highlighted the time-tested relationship between the two countries. Raul Castro thanked the Vietnamese Party, State and people for the noble prize, and described it as a vivid manifestation of the bilateral special solidarity. The Cuban leader expressed his wish that Vietnamese people, under the leadership of the CPV, will obtain greater achievements in national construction and development, and that the Cuba-Vietnam will continuously yield fruits.-VNA

Taste of Australia to highlight music, wine pairingThe Australian embassy and consulate in Viet Nam will host the third Taste of Australia programme next month (April). Taste of Australia ambassador and celebrity chef Luke Nguyen demonstrates how to cook lamb cutlets with cháo (Vietnamese porridge). The annual celebration of Australian food, beverages, cuisine, and culture around Viet Nam is led by Taste of Australia Ambassador and renowned chef Luke Nguyen. This year the event would be bigger as it celebrates the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Karen Lanyon, Australian Consul-General in HCM City, said. For the first time Australian music would be a focus of the programme, she said.