Vietnamese top leaders meet RoK President Moon Jae-inGeneral Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong hosted a reception in Hanoi on March 23 for President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea, during which the host highlighted the significance of Moon's current visit to Vietnam. President Moon, for his part, attributed the bilateral relations’ strong development over the past 25 years to common efforts of the two countries’ leaders and peoples. President Moon invited Party General Secretary Trong to visit the RoK at a convenient time. PM Phuc made the statement during a meeting in Hanoi on March 23 with RoK President Moon Jae-in, who is on a State visit to Vietnam from March 22-24. Vietnam, RoK delighted at progress of bilateral tiesChairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan meets with President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea in Hanoi on March 23.

Vietnam, Russia agree on steps to boost tiesDeputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov agreed on measures to effectively boost bilateral ties during their talks in Hanoi on March 23. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (R) and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey LavrovThey lauded growing bilateral ties over the past years, especially political relationship with high trust which has laid solid foundation for sustainable and dynamic development of Vietnam – Russia comprehensive strategic partnership. The two officials agreed to successfully hold the Year of Vietnam in Russia and Year of Russia in Vietnam scheduled for 2019 on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of a treaty on basic principles for bilateral friendship. The Party chief stressed that the deepening reliable political relations between senior leaders of Vietnam and Russia is a firm foundation to further step up cooperative ties in other fields. Minister Lavrov stressed that his country is willing to create favourable conditions with special mechanisms for Vietnamese expats who are living and working in Russia.

Vietnamese enterprises try to squeeze into global production chainsVietNamNet Bridge - In the last 30 years, Vietnam has attracted massive amounts of FDI but has missed opportunities to develop supporting industries. In joint ventures, Vietnamese enterprises hoped to learn from foreign partners and later become the ‘backbone’ of the national economy. An expert from Samsung in Vietnam said this was a good policy to encourage the development of supporting industries in Vietnam. However, Vietnamese enterprises could not take full advantage of the opportunity to develop supporting industries. However, very few Vietnamese enterprises are capable of joining their supply chains.

Young doctor volunteers to work in poorest districtVietNamNet Bridge – It takes nearly seven hours to travel from Muong Lay District to the Muong Nhe District Medical Station, where doctor Nguyen Van Hieu examines and treats local children and other residents. Leaving Hanoi, Hieu volunteered to work in Muong Nhe District. Taking about Hieu, an owner of a small restaurant in Muong Nhe District smiled and said, “Hieu is specialised in paediatrics. Doctor Nguyen Van Hieu gives examination to 18-month-old Giang Thi Du Lam, from Nam Ke Commune, Muong Nhe District, the northern mountainous province of Dien Bien. On the night before Hieu went to Muong Nhe District, Hieu spoke with his wife.

VN firms push food safetyMore and more livestock farming companies are adopting VietGap and Global Gap standards to improve their efficiency as well as ensure food safety, according to global quality certification agency Bureau Veritas. Johan den Hartog, managing director of GMP+ International, speaks at conference on food safety of meat products in Viet Nam in HCM City yesterday. In Viet Nam, there is growing interest in complying with international quality standards, and that is why GMP+ International developed the current GMP+ Country Note for Viet Nam, he said. Every company and transport and storage service providers in the GMP+ feed chain should control possible hazards and risks to prevent contamination of feed products, he said. The association has signed an agreement with GMP+ International, under which GIS would link with GMP+ FSA to ensure safety of animal and fish feed, she said.

State dials up reforms of property market rulesThe State will have breakthroughs in the reform of legal regulations and business investment conditions for the domestic real estate market this year, according to experts. This is an important database to follow developments in the property market, propose solutions to promote those developments and enhance inspection and supervision to implement laws on housing and real estate market, Ha said. Nguyen Tran Nam, chairman of the Viet Nam Real Estate Association (VNREA), said the domestic real estate market has had a stable and healthy development. According to Nam, State Bank of Viet Nam this year should apply a more active and flexible credit mechanism for the real estate market. These solutions are expected to create favourable conditions for an impressive growth of the property market this year, Nam said.

The sweet aroma of Pleiku’s coffee flowersVietNamNet Bridge – I arrived in Pleiku on time when the coffee flowers are blossom with fragrance spreading across the central highlands city. Coffee flowers are purely white-the colour could make anybody thrilled and overwhelmed with emotion. In my garden in France there is a Serenga bloom but its fragrance is not as comfortable as coffee flowers in Pleiku. Most of coffee flowers in Pleiku are Robusta coffee planted in the red soil and often blossom like others flowers during Tet (Lunar New Year) to welcome spring. Fragrant aroma of coffee flowers attracted flocks of honey bees hovering around.

NA Chairwoman sets off for attendance at IPU-138, Netherlands visitChairwoman of the National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan left Hanoi in the morning of March 24 for Geneva, Switzerland, to attend the 138th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly (IPU-138) and related meetings from March 24-25. NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim NganChairwoman Ngan’s attendance at the IPU-138 is made at the invitation of IPU President Gabriela Cuevas Barron. Afterwards, the top legislator will pay an official visit to the Netherlands from March 26-28 as guest of Speaker of the House of Representatives Khadija Arib. Notably, in April 2015, Vietnam hosted the 132nd IPU Assembly, where the Hanoi Declaration was adopted, contributing to devising the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development. In October 2016, at the 135th IPU Assembly in Switzerland, Chairman of the NA’s Committee for External Affairs Nguyen Van Giau was elected to the IPU Executive Committee for 2016-2019.-VNA

Vietnam National FinTech Day in MayThe State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV) will organise the National FinTech Day in May. The National FinTech Day will be held in May. — Photo cafef.vnThis is the first major event of FinTech in the country, with the participation of FinTech management agencies, the start-up community, commercial banks, experts from Viet Nam, as well as foreign countries. Banking and finance is a pioneer sector in rapidly adopting and applying the superior features of technology solutions to enhance innovation, improve products and services, and reduce costs, thereby bringing benefits to customers, he said. "On the other hand, the financial and banking system may face many challenges due to the presence of machines and automation solutions, competition from FinTech companies or new risks from the technology environment," the governor said.

Vietnam, RoK resolved to advance relationsPresident Tran Dai Quang and President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea (RoK) affirmed their commitments and political determination to advance the relationship between Vietnam and the RoK in both depth and width during their talks in Hanoi on March 23. Meanwhile, President Moon affirmed that the RoK will increase support for Vietnam in material and spare part manufacturing industries, thus building a sound foundation for trade ties. The two Presidents also outlined orientations for development cooperation as well as affiliation in training, industry, energy, environment, labour, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchange. President Moon said the RoK will employ more measures to support and protect multicultural families, helping them have a more stable life. Vietnam is also the most important country in the New Southern Policy which is being implemented by the RoK government, he said.

Duc Vincie to design costumes for Miss Mexico 2018Duc Vincie has accepted the invitation of National Director of Miss Mexico Organization Adán Sotelo Ortíz to be one of the main designers for the beauty pageant. Duc Vincie has gained popularity for his designs for Miss Grand Mexico 2017 Yoana Gutierrez at the Miss Grand International 2017 and for Samantha Leyva at Miss Supranational 2017. Duc Vincie has worked in the fashion industry for 10 years. He has designed a number of costumes for Vietnamese celebrities, including Ky Duyen, Nguyen Thi Loan, Lan Khue, Thanh Ha, and Diep Bao Ngoc. In late 2017, he held a “Night Dream” fashion show which featured Ky Duyen and Lan Khue as vedettes.

Party leader’s visit to France to show resolve to strengthen multifaceted tiesThe upcoming official visit to France by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong will reflect the two countries’ respect for each other and their resolve to enhance multifaceted cooperation, opening a new period of flourishing ties in the years ahead. The ambassador said the two countries set up diplomatic ties on April 12, 1973. He expressed his belief that trade links between Vietnam and France will also grow in the time ahead. The French Government has annually granted 80 scholarships for Vietnamese students to study in France, mostly for training programmes at master and doctoral levels. Regarding the Vietnamese community in France, Thiep said they have greatly contributed to the homeland and the two countries’ relations.

IPU values ties with Vietnam: IPU Secretary GeneralThe Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and Vietnam share a long-standing, sound relations based on mutual trust and respect, stated IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong. IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong (L) and Vietnamese National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim NganHe made the statement in an interview with Vietnam News Agency at the outset of the 138th IPU Assembly (IPU-138) and related meetings in Geneva, Switzerland, from March 24-25. Over the years, relations between the Vietnamese National Assembly and other parliaments have been strengthened. In October 2007 at the 117th IPU Assembly also in Geneva, Switzerland, Vietnam’s NA was elected to the IPU Executive Committee - the forum’s highest body - for the first time. The Vietnamese delegation to the meeting is headed by National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.-VNA

Viet Nam Futsal League to begin on March 31VietNamNet Bridge – The Viet Nam Futsal League season is scheduled to kick off on March 31 and will conclude on April 22, the event’s organising board has announced. Six players of six teams taking part in the Viet Nam Futsal League. They include Thang Long Warriors, Hanoi Buffaloes, Danang Dragons, Saigon Heat, HCM City Wings and Can Tho Catfish. There will be a total of 19 matches in Hanoi, HCM City and Da Nang. In the opening matches on March 31, Thang Long Warriors will meet Danang Dragons and Hanoi Buffaloes will face HCM City Wings.

Exhibition held to promote the memory of SapaVietNamNet Bridge – Artist To Ngoc Thanh doesn’t paint from his mind. “My childhood is those days following my dad traveling to Viet Bac (Northen Vietnam) military base,” he recalls as his 19th solo exhibition opens. This latest exhibition, Duyen No voi Sapa (Predestined Love Tile with Sapa), features 63 carefully crafted works. They include oil paintings of landscapes, scenery and the people of Sapa. The exhibition is being held at the Exhibition Hall of Viet Nam Fine Arts Association, 16 Ngo Quyen Street, Hoan Kiem District and lasts until March 26.