Asian Cup 2019 qualifiers: Vietnam hold Jordan to a 1-1 drawNguyen Anh Duc scored the opener to put Vietnam in front before half-time, but Abu Amara’s second-half equaliser prevented coach Park Hang-seo’s side from pocketing a victory against Jordan in their last Group C match as part of the 2019 Asian Cup qualifiers on March 27 night. Ahead of the match, Vietnam was standing at second in Group C with nine points, two behind the group leaders, Jordan. A victory would gift Park Hang-seo’s side the top spot, thus holding the advantage in the draw for the final stage. With the draw, Park Hang-seo’s side have officially wrapped up their 2019 Asian Cup qualification campaign in second place of Group C with ten points, two points behind the leaders, Jordan. The draw for the final stage of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup is scheduled to be held on May 4, 2018 in Dubai.

A glimpse of Khmer pagodas in Soc TrangThe Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang is home to many ancient pagodas such as Doi (Bat), Dat Set (Clay) and Chen Kieu (Porcelain bowl), with a touch of typical architectural features of Khmer ethnic people. Chen Kieu PagodaWorshippers are seen inside Chen Kieu (Porcelain bowl) Pagoda in Soc Trang ProvinceConstruction of the pagoda started in 1815 on a spacious area with green lines of trees but it was damaged by war and underwent restoration in 1969. The gate is decorated with two giant stone lion statues and the sanctum has 16 pillars carved with images of the legends of the Khmer culture. Located on Highway 1A at Dai Tam Commune, My Xuyen District and just 10 kilometers from Soc Trang Town, the pagoda was acknowledged as a national cultural relic in 2012. Located on Le Hong Phong Street, Ward 3 in Soc Trang Town, Doi Pagoda has gained popularity as one of the oldest pagodas in the province.

Vietnam expect promotion in Davis CupVietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam target a berth in the higher group when they take part in the Davis Cup, Asia/Oceania Zone Group III competition next week. Ly Hoang Nam practises in Hanoi to prepare for the Davis Cup. This is the first time such a major tournament is being organised in the capital after four previous editions in HCM City. Vietnam, with a world ranking of 67, are the top seed in Pool A, while Kuwait, World No 73, are the top seed in Pool B. Four teams that rank the lowest in the group round will compete in play-off matches.

Vietnamese painter’s work auctioned at record priceVietNamNet Bridge – A silk painting by Nguyen Nam Son (1890-1973), one of the leading artists in modern Vietnamese fine art, was auctioned at 205,000 euros. Photos thethaovanhoa.vnThe auction was held by the Aguttes company at the Drouot auction centre in Paris, France, on March 26. The painting, titled Thon Nu Bac Ky (Peasants of Tonkin), is an ink and watercolour work on silk, measuring 65x52.5cm, with the painter’s signature on the upper right and lower left and the title on the lower left. It was auctioned at an initial price of 35,000 euros and was expected to be sold for 50,000 euros at the most. A painting by Mai Trung Thu (1906-1980), titled Khoanh Khac Am Nhac (Instant Music), ink and watercolour on silk, was sold at 230,000 euros.

Free TB screening for high-risk groups in HCMCVietNamNet Bridge – Free X-rays and TB skin tests for people at high risk of contracting TB were provided last Sunday by medical staff working in a mobile healthcare vehicle in HCM City’s Tan Binh District. High-risk groups include relatives who live with TB patients; those who live in and near areas with many TB patients; others living in areas with high population density and poor labourers; people with HIV; drug addicts; and others with chronic disease. The aim is to detect and treat more TB patients to reach the target of zero number of TB cases in Vietnam by 2030. Unlike last year, participants who are relatives of TB patients are given a skin test because some of them are infected but have no symptoms. The remaining 19 per cent of TB patients need to be tested as early as possible for treatment and prevention of transmission, the association said.

Hundreds of poor constructed level crossings to be upgradedVietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Transport (MoT) will remove hundreds of below-standards level crossings countrywide to improve rail travel and reduce accidents. — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyen ThanhThe new regulation on level crossings and construction in railway safety is being built up by MoT. Level crossings leading to headquarters of Viet Nam National Coal and Mineral Industries Holding Corporation Limited and Viet Nam Cement Industry Corporation suffer the same problem. And it is not just the level crossings with signs and automatic warning systems that have caused problems. Responsibility of stakeholders in managing, constructing, maintaining and exploiting level crossings will also be clearly indicated.

Drinks bottles and can deposit return scheme proposedPeople in England will soon have to pay a deposit when they buy drinks bottles and cans in a bid to boost recycling and cut waste. UK consumers use around 13 billion plastic drinks bottles a year but more than three billion are not recycled. Scotland has already announced plans for a deposit return scheme and Wales has launched a study to consider it. It may be asked to pick up the bill for the deposit return scheme. Ministers have visited deposit return schemes in several north European nations.

Lotus design chosen for Long Thanh AirportThe Ministry of Transport has officially selected the lotus design for Long Thanh International Airport in Dong Nai Province. ACV held a design contest for Long Thanh International Airport in 2016. Despite Heerim's proposed bid costing more than rival submissions, the Ministry of Transport and experts in the appraisal board chose the lotus design. Long Thanh International Airport will cover 5,000 hectares with an investment of USD16.03bn. Long Thanh is also intended to become a key regional aviation hub.

Vietnam, France issue joint statementVietnam and France issued a joint statement on the occasion of the official visit to France from March 25-27 made by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong at the invitation of French President Emannuel Macron. Vietnam and France repeated their respect for the objectives and principles UN agencies pursue, including UNESCO. They also underlined the significance of the Vietnam-targeted projects of the Centre for International Cooperation in Agricultural Research for Development of France. Vietnam and France wanted to continue their dialogues on building a global environment convention, and reaffirmed their determination to effectively implement the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. Through activities of the French Development Agency (AFD), France is committed to supporting Vietnam's low carbon and sustainable growth.

Dien Bien police seize 48kg of heroin, 500,000 synthetic drug pillsPolice from the northern mountainous province of Dien Bien have arrested three people trafficking 135 bricks of heroin (48kg) and 500,000 synthetic drug pills. Besides the drugs and synthetic pills, the police also seized a car, a mortorbike, and other objects of evidence. This is the large drugs trafficking case with the largest quantity of synthetic drug pills seized in the country so far, according to the police. According to the investigation agency, two out of the three arrested are residing in Dien Bien province while the other is a foreigner. Nearly 21,471 drug-trafficking cases were reported in 2017, up 14.5 percent from 2016, according to a report on collaboration among the Police General Department, the General Department of Vietnam Customs, Vietnam Border Guard High Command and Vietnam Coast Guard.

The Hungarian official promised that the National Office for the Judiciary will create conditions for Vietnamese students to practice in local courts. It also welcomes the Hungarian Ministry of Human Resources’ helping Vietnamese court workers to study in the country. He also applauded his host’s proposal to boost cooperation between Vietnamese and Hungarian universities. Vietnam, Madagascar beef up cooperationNational Assembly Vice Chairman Phung Quoc Hien (second from right) shakes hands with President of Madagascar Hery Rajaonarimampianina. The two sides affirmed the sound political relations between Vietnam and Madagascar and mutual support at multilateral forums.

China and N Korea confirm Kim Jong-un visitAfter days of speculation, it has been confirmed that North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un has visited China. The visit, confirmed by China and North Korea, was Mr Kim's first known foreign trip since taking office in 2011. Mr Kim held "successful talks" with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing, China's Xinhua news agency reported. During the visit, Mr Kim assured his Chinese counterpart he was committed to giving up his nuclear weapons, China's Xinhua news agency reported, but with conditions. Last month, Mr Trump accepted an unprecedented invitation to meet Mr Kim, after months of hostility and North Korean missile tests.

Karaoke shop owner gets 9 years in prisonVietNamNet Bridge – The People’s Court of Hanoi on Tuesday sentenced 32-year-old Nguyen Dieu Linh, the owner of a karaoke shop to nine years in prison for violating regulations on fire-fighting prevention and control. Three defendants at the court on Tuesday.— VNA/VNS Photo Doan TanA blaze that occurred in Linh’s nine-storey karaoke shop in late 2016 killed 13 people, including 12 customers and one staff. Under the indictment, Linh was found operating the shop without a business licence and verification of the fire-fighting system of the shop by authorised agencies when the fire reportedly happened. Linh had hired Hoang Van Tuan, 25, and Le Thi Thi, 56, to weld an iron frame on the karaoke shop’s ceiling on November 1, 2016. The court also gave Tuan and Thi seven years in prison each for the same offence.

Party General Secretary Trong said enhancing the Vietnam-France relationship matches the demand and interest of the two countries’ people, noting that Vietnam and France are the important partner of each other. He called on the French side to keep doors open for Vietnamese goods and French businesses to increase their investment in Vietnam. The same day, Emmanuel Macron held a grand banquet for the Vietnamese Party leader and the high-ranking delegation from Vietnam. Briefing about Vietnam’s situation and the outcomes of his talks and meetings with French leaders, General Secretary Trong said Vietnam-France relations have developed in an increasingly effective manner. General Secretary Trong welcomed his guest’s idea and wished the PCF to successfully organise its congress later this year.

Vietjet signs MoU with Safran, finance deal with GECASVietjet Aviation Joint Stock Company and Safran Aircraft Engines on March 27 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on comprehensive collaboration under the witness of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong and French President Emmanuel Macron. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Vietjet’s Deputy General Director Dinh Viet Phuong said: “Today agreement marks a new milestone in strategic partnership between Vietjet and Safran – CFM. “This MoU is in line with our recent commercial agreements with VietJet Air and also reflects the relationship of mutual trust between the airline and Safran Aircraft Engines and CFM. Vietjet is the first airline in Vietnam to operate as a new-age airline with low-cost and diversified services to meet customers’ demands. To prepare for this plan, Vietjet has signed agreements with the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers to purchase more brand-new and modern aircraft.