According to the magazine, the list features 30 young influencers, innovators, and entrepreneurs across Asia, who are challenging conventional wisdom and rewriting the rules for the next generation. Nguyen Van Quang Huy, 28, is the co-founder and CTO of Holistics, providing data infrastructure and business intelligence (BI) services for B2B customers. He also co-founded Grokking Vietnam – a not-for-profit organization that supports Vietnamese IT programmers and engineers. Pham Anh Duc, 29, is the co-founder and CEO of online healthcare discovery and listing platform ViCare.vn. Launched in 2015, ViCare currently has a listing of some 50,000 clinics and around 40,000 doctors.

Thousands of Vietnamese online stores to go bankcrupt by Facebook blocking APIFacebook has just blocked API, affecting a large number of Vietnamese online businesses utilising the social network as a trading platform. A large number of online sellers are affected due to Facebook's blocking APIOn March 27, many large fanpages and online services simultaneously announced problems related to applications developed on Facebook and Messenger in Vietnam. Almost none of the relevant apps like Facebook Shop and third party apps using application programming interface (API) collecting user data work. Tung also said that all the websites’ features and apps related to Facebook user data are affected. API currently cannot work in VietnamOn March 26, Facebook announced changes related to APIs and third-party applications to all developers using the Messenger platform.

Senior officials meet in Hanoi ahead of GMS-6The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Senior Officials’ Meeting convened in Hanoi on March 29 in preparation for the upcoming sixth GMS Summit (GMS-6) on March 31. Senior officials reviewed the last-minute preparation work and finalised draft documents for submission to GMS leaders. Reports on the 25-year cooperation of GMS and GMS e-commerce cooperation will be recorded at the GMS-6. Senior officials from Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand highly evaluated the careful preparation of Vietnam and welcomed the host’s initiatives. The GMS Programme is the most complete cooperation programme that involves Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, and China’s Yunnan and Guangxi provinces.

U.S. transfers six metal shark patrol boats for VNVice Admiral Midgette’s visit coincides with the official handover of the Coast Guard Region 4 Station from the U.S. to Viet Nam, comprisingUS$20 million worth of infrastructure and equipment. Region 4 Metal Shark boatsThe handover includes a training center, a maintenance facility, a boat lift, vehicles, a navigation simulator, and six brand-new fast-response Metal Shark boats—capable of reaching up to 50 knots. This official transfer of Region 4 Station on Phu Quoc Island is another significant milestone in the bolstering partnership between the U.S. and Viet Nam and demonstrates U.S. support for a strong, prosperous, and independent Viet Nam that contributes to international security and the rule of law. Ambassador to Viet Nam, Dan Kritenbrink said, “This fall, we plan to break ground on the Region 3 facility in Vung Tau” and hailed that this is “a truly exciting moment” in the fruitful U.S.–Viet Nam partnership. Region 4 Metal Shark boats will serve to deter bad actors from committing crimes against or near Viet Nam.

This year’s theme for the annual regional tourism event is “Online travel, Vietnam tourism looks toward the fourth industrial revolution”. The fair offers many opportunities for visitors to discover new tourism products and services through hi-tech applications. A KTO representative says the number of Vietnamese tourists to the RoK increased from 160,000 in 2014 to 320,000 in 2017. The VITM attracts thousands of visitors on its first day, as travel agents launch an impressive range of promotional programs. There are also spaces for art performances and to sample the cuisine of Vietnam and other countries.

Hanoi to host international piano festivalThe 2018 International Piano Festival will be held at the Vietnam National Academy of Music in Hanoi from August 11 – 18. The 2018 Hanoi International Piano Festival will be held from August 11 – 18. Le Anh Tuan – Director of the Vietnam National Academy of Music, while Professor and People’s Artist Dang Thai Son will be Art Director of the event. The council of international professors include: Prof. Susumu Aoyagi from Japan, Prof. Tai-Cheng Chen (the US-Chinese Taipei), Prof. Tran Thu Ha (Vietnam), Prof. Katarzyna Popowa-Zydron (Poland), and Prof. Dang Thai Son (Vietnam – Canada). Prof. Dang Thai Son will present ten scholarships worth US$300 each to ten outstanding competitors, along with a number of other awards.

Vietnam International Travel Mart 2018 underwayThe Vietnam International Travel Mart (VITM) 2018 opened on March 29 and will last until April 1 at the Friendship Cultural Palace, 91 Tran Hung Dao Street in Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem district. Vu The Binh, Deputy Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association (VITA), told the opening ceremony. An exclusive exhibition area has been set up by online travel businesses as well as agencies providing technological solutions for tourism. VITM is the leading travel fair in Vietnam and one of the key travel shows in the region. Participating in VITM creates an unparalleled chance to engage and expand business, especially for the outbound travel segment.

Stock market thrives, expectations soar for “emerging market” statusVietNamNet Bridge - The VN Index has been increasing sharply since the beginning of the year with capital flowing to finance and banking, real estate, and shares with a high capitalization value. The VN Index has been increasing since the beginning of the yearWith the sharp price increases in 2017 and the strong rise this year, coupled with lifting of the foreign ownership ceiling and state’s divestment from state-owned enterprises, Vietnam now can satisfy requirements in market scale and liquidity. However, some believe that this may happen sooner, possibly in the assessment period in June 2018.Meanwhile, a local newspaper quoted Vo Tri Thanh from the Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM) as saying that Vietnam’s stock market has a 25 percent chance of being upgraded to the “emerging market” status by 2021.Reports show that the VN Index has increased by 15.2 percent so far this year, while the VN 30 Index has increased by 14.1 percent, of which 28.2 percent increase has been reported for bank shares, 21.7 percent for real estate and 19.3 percent for finance services.It is still unclear when Vietnam will be upgraded to an emerging market. However, the price increase of shares with big capitalization values (banking, securities, insurance and real estate) which would help increase Vietnam’s proportion in the MSCI index after the upgrade.Analysts estimate that Vietnam stock market may obtain a 30-40 percent growth rate after the upgrade, which happened with the Arab Emirates, Qatar and Pakistan. RELATED NEWSHow will the Vietnam economy be in 2018?

Education sector urged to solve pressing issuesVietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam’s education sector has been ordered to shape up and improve its public image. Vietnam’s education sector has been ordered to shape up and improve its public image. — Photo dantri.com.vnThe Government asked the Ministry of Education and Training to take measures to solve cases related to teacher redundancy and teacher recruitment in some localities at a meeting between the Government’s working group and the ministry yesterday. The Government asked the ministry to review the case and not allow universities to ignore quality to fill in recruitment quotas. Nguyen Van Phuc, Education and Training deputy minister affirmed that training quality must be ensured, threatening to name and shame universities which fail to follow admission regulations.

Ho Chi Minh City Court turns down lawsuit against AppleHo Chi Minh City People's Court has just turned down a lawsuit by two Vietnamese lawyers against Apple Company over their software that they claim slows down older iPhones. "Apple have violated Vietnamese Consumer Protection Law," the lawyers said in their document. Hung and Tung demanded Apple to issue solutions to stop the slowdown or offer free battery replacements to all users. They also created a website to encourage iPhone users to register and join in the lawsuit. He also enclosed an apology letter from Apple to iPhone users, an investment license certificate and a business registration certificate of Apple Vietnam Company which represents Apple.

Innovative model ‘smart school’ in HCMC needing more resourcesIn the conference ‘The application of 4.0 technology into building a smart school in Ho Chi Minh City’, held by Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) Department of Education and Training on March 27, leaders of many high schools stated that the model ‘smart school’ would have very positive effects on learners. If approved by HCMC People’s Committee, the supposed model will be piloted in the academic year 2018-2019 in Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted and Tran Dai Nghia High School as well as some primary schools, junior high schools, and high schools in District 1 and District 12. The smart school will operate on the basis of applying information and communication technologies into management and organization of educational activities. Leaders of many high schools stated in the conference that the model ‘smart school’ would have very positive effects on learners. Yet the project is left undone although it seems even more feasible than the ‘smart school’ project.

He made the statement at a reception for Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Umeda Kunio in Hanoi on March 28. Chung said Hanoi is looking forwards to Belarus’ support and cooperation human resources training for management of public transportation. President Keita showed his warm sentiments to Vietnam as well as his admiration towards President Ho Chi Minh. According to him, Agriterra sent experts to Vietnam and welcomed a Vietnam Farmers’ Union delegation to the Netherlands for training. The Vietnamese and Belarusian economies can supplement each other, which will contribute to the growth of both countries, he added.

Vietnam, Cuba look to boost economic relations to new heightA new trade agreement along with other deals between Vietnamese and Cuban ministries, sectors and businesses are set to help bring the two countries’ relations to a new stage. The new trade agreement and other deals are expected to be signed during the trip, which Thanh said is a special visit to promote the time-tested relations. They have a resolve to foster economic, trade and investment partnerships so as to meet each country’s demand and people’s aspirations. Despite their geographical distance, there is not only potential but opportunities for Vietnam and Cuba to boost economic links in many fields, from energy, telecommunications and tourism to industry, agriculture, food, hotel construction, aviation services and science-technology. Thanh said he believes that with the sentiment of Vietnamese people and the CPV leader, the speech will encourage young people of Cuba.

Pharmacy to fill 40% of FPT Retail revenue in four yearsFPT Digital Retail JSC (FPT Retail) hopes its pharmaceutical unit will contribute 30-40 per cent of the company’s total revenue in the next three to four years, chairwoman and general director Nguyen Bach Diep said on Wednesday. FPT Digital Retail JSC (FPT Retail) hopes its pharmaceutical unit will contribute 30-40 per cent of the company’s total revenue in the next three to four years, chairwoman and general director Nguyen Bach Diep said on Wednesday. For the current 450 FPT Shop stores, FPT Retail will improve the quality of existing services, expand the customer network and deploy new sale channels to attract more customers. FPT Retail to list on HoSEFPT Retail has filed for listing on the HCM Stock Exchange (HOSE) and it expects to debut in April 2018. In 2017, FPT Retail posted VND13.1 trillion in total revenue and VND290 in post-tax profit.

Vietnamese artistes to perform at charity concertTop Vietnamese vocalists will perform at Spring Concert: The Warm Arms, which will be held at the Friendship Cultural Palace on April 8. (From left to right) Singers Tan Minh, My Linh, Thanh Lam and Tung Duong. They will perform at a charity concert, the proceeds of which will be donated to the Mountainous Underprivileged Students Fund. — Photo courtesy of the organisation boardThe singers who will take part in the concert include Tan Minh, My Linh, Thanh Lam,Tan Minh, Khanh Linh and Tung Duong. Spring Concert: The Warm Arms is a live show jointly organised by the Mountainous Underprivileged Students Fund, Media Max Joint Stock Company and Thang Long Song and Dance Theatre.