Skytrax ranks Noi Bai among top 100 global airportsNoi Bai International Airport in Hanoi has been ranked 82nd among 500 airports worldwide surveyed by the UK–based aviation consultancy Skytrax. Terminal T2 of Noi Bai International Airport in HanoiThis was the third time in a row Noi Bai has been listed in Skytrax’s top 100 best airports in the world. At present, the airport receives 25 million passengers a year. The figure is estimated to grow to 34.5 million passengers in 2020, 54 million in 2025, and 65 million in 2030. The upgrade of Noi Bai’s domestic terminal T1 will be completed this year.-VNA

Former PM Khai – pioneer in int'l integrationFormer Prime Minister Phan Van Khai passed away on March 17 in his home in Cu Chi district, Ho Chi Minh City. “Phan Van Khai is our comrade, a great brother of the Cuban Party, Government and people. Im Hen, Consul General of Cambodia in Ho Chi Minh City, also lent his deepest condolences at PM Phan Van Khai passing, saying: “Former Prime Minister Phan Van Khai left a great imprint during his leadership tenure. The former Prime Minister deserves credit for boosting Vietnam’s international integration. Former Prime Minister Phan Van Khai was one of the leaders who laid the foundation for Vietnam’s international integration.

Domestic fashion brands seek foothold in $3.5 billion marketVietNamNet Bridge - Domestic brands are expected to have opportunities to prosper in the local market amid the massive arrivals of foreign brands. The Vietnamese fashion market is worth $3.5 billionPessimistic forecasts have been given about the fate of Vietnamese fashion brands which have to compete with powerful brands like Uniqlo, Zara and H&M. Vietnamese brands, such as Blue Exchange, Ninomaxx, PT 2000, Couple TX and Canifa, once dominated the domestic market. The value of the Vietnamese fashion market (clothing & footwear) is estimated at $3.8 billion in 2018, of which expenditures on clothing are $3.5 billion. The value of the Vietnamese fashion market (clothing & footwear) is estimated at $3.8 billion in 2018, of which expenditures on clothing are $3.5 billion.

Vietnam universities use software to uncover plagiarismVietNamNet Bridge - To deal with the increasingly serious problem of plagiarism, several top-tier universities in Vietnam have begun to use software to discover plagiarized work. DoIt has been used by the Hanoi National University since 2016The universities include state-owned Hanoi National University, Hanoi Foreign Trade University, Hanoi Economics University, Hanoi University of Education, HCMC Economics University, and non-state owned universities such as Ton Duc Thang and Hoa Sen.DoIt, the software used by Hanoi National University since 2016, can discover identical paragraphs in different documents. According to Hieu, software is being used by all the member schools of Hanoi National University to discover plagiarism, and its database has been updated and developed. DoIt, the software used by Hanoi National University since 2016, can discover identical paragraphs in different documents. Turnitin, a popular software used around the world, has also been used by many Vietnam schools.

Technology sector sees rising number of startupsVietNamNet Bridge - With nearly 3,000 startups, Vietnam is entering a startup boom similar to Europe’s in the 2010-2011 period, according to Max Scheichenost, the co-founder of 15 startups. Most startups are in the technology sector as Vietnam has many technology talents. However, this is also a barrier because startups focus on technology rather than solutions to life issues. Mai Huong, the founder of Coco Sin, Fibér and 8870 Link brands, also showed interest in technology, especially Big Data. “With huge information about users, you need Big Data to better understand clients.

Work begins on Vietnam-RoK institute of science, technologyVietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology and the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) on March 22 co-organised a ground-breaking ceremony for Vietnam-Republic of Korea (RoK) Institute of Science and Technology in Hanoi-based Hoa Lac High-Tech Park. RoK President Moon Jae-in, who is on a State visit to Vietnam from March 22-24, and Vietnamese Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh, at the ceremony. The enhancement of cooperation to spur Vietnam’s economic development through science and technology is evidence of the RoK’s New Look South Policy towards prosperity of both sides, he stressed. In her remarks, Vice President Thinh noted with pleasure the breakthrough development of Vietnam-RoK cooperative ties over the past 25 years, especially after the two countries established the strategic cooperative partnership in 2009. Vietnamese Minster of Science and Technology Chu Ngoc Anh said his ministry, which has been assigned to construct and manage the operation of the institute, hopes that the institute will soon become a model for the Vietnam-RoK friendship.

Finding peace in Loc Yen villageSituated in Tien Phuoc District in the central province of Quang Nam, Loc Yen village is characterized by a slow pace of life and a tranquil atmosphere. Travelers might be captivated by centuries-old houses in the village. The village has more than 10 old houses that are up to 200 years old, surrounded by stone pathways, small gardens and paddy fields. The village is around 40 kilometers from Tam Ky City. Upon arrival at the village, visitors can get a feel of peaceLoc Yen village looks like a hidden gem of Quang Nam Province, with a dozen of centuries-old housesVietNamNet/SGT

Plastic patch in Pacific Ocean growing rapidly, study showsA collection of plastic afloat in the Pacific Ocean is growing rapidly, according to a new scientific estimate. Discarded fishing nets were part of the haul -- Photo: THE OCEAN CLEANUPPredictions suggest a build-up of about 80,000 tonnes of plastic in the "Great Pacific Garbage Patch" between California and Hawaii. One trawl in the centre of the patch had the highest concentration of plastic ever recorded. "Plastic concentration is increasing - I think the situation is getting worse," said Laurent Lebreton of The Ocean Cleanup Foundation in Delft, Netherlands, which led the study. Waste accumulates in five ocean areas, the largest being the patch located between Hawaii and California.

Sovico registers to buy 13.7 million Vietjet sharesSovico Holdings Company registered to purchase nearly 13.7 million shares of Vietjet Aviation Joint Stock Company (VJC) between March 26 and April 25. If the transaction is successful, Thao and her related companies and individuals will likely hold nearly 52 per cent of Vietjet’s capital. If the transaction is successful, Sovico will increase its ownership to 34.3 million shares, equivalent to 7.59 per cent, and become a major shareholder in Vietjet. Currently, Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, Vietjet’s general director and chairman of Sovio, holds 8.76 per cent of Vietjet’s capital. Thus, after the transaction, Thao and her related companies and individuals will likely hold nearly 52 per cent of Vietjet’s capital.

Diem village festival honours creator of love duet singingDiem village festival which honours the creator of quan ho (love duet singing) opened in the northern province of Bac Ninh on March 22 (the sixth day of the second lunar month). Diem village festival opened in Bac Ninh province on March 22 (the sixth day of the second lunar month). A house dedicated to Diem village’s quan ho was inaugurated in the province on the occasion, aiming to preserve traditional house and create a new space for the art of quan ho in the locality. The art of love duet singing was inscribed in UNESCO’s representative list of intangible cultural heritage in September 2009. Many have become national intangible cultural heritage, such as Lim Festival, Diem Village Festival, Dong Ky Village Festival.

Vietnam protests Chinese Taiwan’s live-fire drills on Ba Binh IslandTaiwan (China)’s repeated launch of live-fire drills in the waters surrounding Ba Binh (Itu Aba) Island in Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago seriously violated the territorial sovereignty of Vietnam over the archipelago, stated Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang. Ba Binh (Itu Aba) Island in Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago (Source: scmp.com)That action also threatened peace, stability, maritime safety and security, caused tensions, and complicated the situation in the East Sea, the spokesperson said at the ministry’s regular press conference on March 22while responding to reporters’ question about the recent live-fire drill of Taiwan in Ba Binh island area. “Once again, Vietnam resolutely opposes Taiwan’s moves and requests it to not repeat similar actions,” Hang said. “Vietnam has sufficient legal foundation and historical evidence testifying to its sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa archipelagos,” she stressed.-VNA

Commenting on the potential of bilateral ties in the near future, Thien stressed the need to further lift bilateral relations and fully tap each one’s potentials. Economic and trade cooperation has played a key role in bilateral ties. He expressed his delight at the development of bilateral cooperation since ties were set up in 1973. Economic and trade cooperation has played a key role in bilateral ties. Rear Admiral Denis Bertrand pledged to contribute more to enhancing defence ties between Vietnam and France, especially via navies.

Photo book of female beauties releasedVietNamNet Bridge – A photo book of female nude shot by veteran photographer Thai Phien of HCM City has been released in HCM City. Growing art form: Cover of Mien Co Tich (Fairytale Land), a photo book of 95 images of female nudes shot by photographer Thai Phien, a member of the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP) and Viet Nam Photographers Association. — Photo by Thai PhienThe 465-page book, Mien Co Tich (Fairytale Land), includes 95 black-and-white and colour pictures selected from his collections. In 2007, photos from his Springtime by Thai Phien, the country’s first photo book of nudes, were shown at an exhibition in HCM City. Last year, Nhien organised the country’s first photo exhibition of female nudes at the HCM City Fine Arts Association.

Food-checking cars to be deployed in HanoiVietNamNet Bridge – Hanoi will deploy five cars this year to check the quality of food in markets, supermarkets and food stores in an effort to prevent low-quality food from being consumed, said Tran Van Chung, deputy director of the municipal Health Department. Food products contaminated with chemicals will be seized immediately, which will make the public aware that the Government is serious about food safety, Chung said. Two cars are currently managed by the local Health Department, while two others are under the management of the city’s Department of Industry and Trade. According to Chung, Hanoi this year has continued to develop safe food supply and production chains. Last year, Hanoi deployed three cars to check food quality on the spot.

UN study looks into discrimination against rape victimsThe United Nations (UN) in Vietnam on March 21 launched a study on the criminal justice system response to sexual violence in Thailand and Vietnam, shedding new light on discrimination against rape victims. Participants at the launch of the UN study in Hanoi on March 21 (Photo: daidoanket.vn)The study, “The Trial of Rape: Understanding the criminal justice system response to sexual violence in Thailand and Vietnam”, is the first such comparative study in the Asia-Pacific region. The study found that most of victims in Thailand and Vietnam face a number of difficulties and challenges in accessing justice, which is partly attributable to attitude and discrimination. The findings of this study reveal that the main factors in reported cases of rape contradict numerous commonly held myths and beliefs about rape. These findings have important implications for how justice systems handle sexual crimes and interact with victims of sexual violence.