President Moon’s VN visit to expand RoK’s economic market worldwideThe Republic of Korea’s media has highlighted the significance of President Moon Jae-in’s visit to Vietnam, saying it reflects his initiative to expand the RoK’s economic market around the world. The Republic of Korea’s President Moon Jae-in (Photo: Yonhap/VNA)President Moon Jae-in embarks on a seven-day trip to Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from March 22-28, with Vietnam his first destination. Moon Jae-in and his spouse are on a State visit to Vietnam from March 22-24. Vietnam’s exports to the RoK reached 14.8 billion USD, while its imports from the East Asian country stood at 46.7 billion USD, up 30 percent and 45.3 percent against 2016, respectively. The two countries have set a target of 100 billion USD in two-way trade by 2020.

Toyota Vietnam recalls almost 20,500 cars over airbag flawsToyota Motor Vietnam is recalling 20,490 Corolla and Lexus cars nationwide over airbag flaws, the firm said on March 21. 20,490 Corolla and Lexus cars are being recalled over airbag flaws (Photo: toyota.com)The recall includes 16,964 Corollas assembled in Vietnam from January 4, 2010 to December 29, 2012. The company said the Takata airbag inflator module of these cars could be affected by humidity. Toyota Vietnam will examine and replace the airbag inflator module of the cars’ front seats free of charge. The airbag sensor examination and replacement will also be conducted free of charge, the firm said.-VNA

Manufacturers’ new strategies aim to compete with big foreign brandsVietNamNet Bridge - Amid a massive invasion of foreign goods in the domestic market, experts remain optimistic about the strong rise of some Vietnamese brands. The Vietnamese brand has to compete with many well known foreign brands from the US, Europe, Thailand and Japan. Amid a massive invasion of foreign goods in the domestic market, experts remain optimistic about the strong rise of some Vietnamese brands. Saigon Food, a strong frozen food and fresh gruel brand, has also decided to focus on the domestic market. RELATED NEWSForeign goods enter domestic market via trade liberalizationCheap foreign goods to flood VN marketThanh Mai

Former PM Phan Van Khai laid to restA memorial service for former Politburo member and former Prime Minister Phan Van Khai took place at Thong Nhat Hall in Ho Chi Minh City and International Convention Centre in Hanoi on March 22. Former PM Phan Van Khai, born on December 25, 1933, native to Tan Thong Hoi commune, Cu Chi district, Ho Chi Minh City, residing at No.24 Tu Xuong street, Ward 7, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, passed away at 1:30am on March 17 at his home due to illness and old age. Memorial services hosted for former PM overseasVietnamese Embassy holds memorial service for former Prime Minister Phan Van Khai in the USVietnamese embassies in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Mexico on March 20 and 21 held solemn memorial services for former Prime Minister Phan Van Khai who passed away last weekend, aged 85. In New Zealand, Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Viet Dung conveyed his greatest condolences over the loss of former PM Phan Van Khai’s family at a memorial service held in Wellington. By the end of March 21, a total of 2,046 delegations with 108,000 people came to the two venues to pay tribute to former PM Phan Van Khai.

Russian foreign minister to pay official visit VietnamVietNamNet Bridge – Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s official visit to Vietnam has been rescheduled for March 22-23. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s official visit to Vietnam has been rescheduled for March 22-23.– Photo VNA/THXThe official had been scheduled to arrive on Monday, but the trip was postponed for an undisclosed reason. The visit will be made at the invitation of Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh. Vietnam and Russia have enjoyed growing ties in all fields, especially economy. Meanwhile, Vietnam has invested in18 projects in Russia worth a total $2.4 billion.

Passenger opens escape door, flight delayedVietNamNet Bridge – A male passenger accidentally opened an exit door of Vietnam Airline flight VN319, headed to Da Nang, Vietnam from Narita, Tokyo, during the process of boarding on Monday. To avoid unfortunate incidents and ensure flight safety, Vietnam Airlines recommends passengers to strictly follow the instructions of the airline. Immediately after the incident, Vietnam Airlines provided services and compensation to assist the affected passengers, according to regulations. "The opening of the exit door will affect the safety and travel of all passengers on the flight, and violate regulations of air safety and security. Violators will be subject to administrative sanctions under Decree No.147/2013 / ND-CP dated October 30, 2013, of the Government," a representative of Vietnam Airlines said.

RoK President begins State visit to VietnamPresident Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea and his spouse began a three-day State visit to Vietnam on March 22. President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea (Source: Embassy of the Republic of Korea)This is the first official visit to Vietnam by President Moon Jae-in. Vietnam hailed as core in RoK’s New Southern PolicyRoK President Moon Jae-in (L) and President Tran Dai QuangPresident of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Moon Jae-in’s upcoming visit to Vietnam will provide momentum in seeking new emerging trade partners for the RoK in Southeast Asia. The official said President Moon will seek ways to strengthen practical cooperation in various fields, including trade, transportation, infrastructure and energy. On the second day of his visit, Moon will pay floral tribute to late President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum.

Memorial, burial services held for former PM Phan Van KhaiThe memorial and burial services for former Poiltburo member and former Prime Minister Phan Van Khai were held in Ho Chi Minh City on March 22 morning. Manh wrote in the book of condolences that PM Phan Van Khai paid great attention to external affairs and greatly contributed to the country’s international integration. At the respect paying ceremony held by the Vietnamese Embassy in Chile, representatives of the Chilean Foreign Ministry and the Chile-Vietnam culture institute recalled the visit to the South American nation by then PM Phan Van Khai in October 2002. On March 20-21, the Vietnamese Embassy in the Republic of Korea held a memorial service for former PM Phan Van Khai. On March 21, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa issued a press release stating that South Africa extends condolences to Vietnam over the death of former PM Phan Van Khai.

Hue struggles to protect its relicsVietNamNet Bridge – The central city of Hue is struggling to conserve relics located along the Huong (Perfume) River as development proliferates in the area. “Thus changes in the ecology of the river have a negative impact on the relics,” Hai told a seminar on the conservation of the relics located along the river held in the former imperial capital city on Tuesday. The exploitation of stone and minerals on the upper riverbanks also affected the river in general and the relics in particular, he added. “We made many efforts to give explanations to UNESCO for these developmental impacts, especially the construction of new bridges spanning the river,” Hai said. “Local authorities should work to make Hue a museum of ecology, with harmony between ancient buildings and nature.

Dak Lak seeks to inventory damaged, encroached forestlandVietNamNet Bridge – Dak Lak province’s People’s Committee has requested local forest owners to examine all natural forest areas and inventory in all parts that have been destroyed or illegally encroached upon since 2014. Trees are chopped down by illegal loggers in Yok Don National Park in Dak Lak Province. However, in recent days, natural forest areas have seen severe deforestation without any preventive measures being taken. The reason, according to the provincial authority, was the loose management of the forest owners, local forest protection units, local forest rangers and local authorities. Dak Lak Province has 86,000 hectares of forestland.

Vietnam’s footwear boasts competitive edges in few decadesDespite challenges, Vietnam’s leather and footwear sector will still have a competitive edge for the next two decades, according to Deputy Chairman of the Vietnam Leather, Footwear and Handbag Association (LEFASO) Diep Thanh Kiet. During the Vietnam Footwear Summit held in Ho Chi Minh City on March 21, Kiet said Vietnam has moved up to the second place globally in leather and footwear exports and third in manufacturing. Last year, Vietnam earned more than 18 billion USD from leather exports, 16.4 billion USD of which was leather footwear, up 12 percent annually. Duncan Scott of New Balance Athletic Shoe Inc, said countries moving up the value chain could stop making footwear and those continuing to make footwear would need “sophistication”. John Graebin from US footwear company Deckers Brands said more and more automation solutions will be used, and that is an opportunity for Vietnam to compete for decades to come.-VNA

Facebook's Zuckerberg 'sorry' over Cambridge Analytica 'breach'Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has admitted that the social network "made mistakes" that led to millions of Facebook users having their data exploited by a political consultancy. Cambridge Analytica is accused of improperly using the data on behalf of political clients. In a statement, Mr Zuckerberg said a "breach of trust" had occurred. In a later interview with CNN he said he was "really sorry", and pledged to take action against "rogue apps". "We have a responsibility to protect your data, and if we can't then we don't deserve to serve you," Mr Zuckerberg said.

HAGL aim to win int’l U19 football tourneyVietNamNet Bridge – Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) will win the International U19 Football Tournament which will kick off today, according to their coach Guillaume Graechen. — Photo thethao247.vnThe French retired footballer said his team will improve compared to the recent National U19 Football Tournament, in which HAGL were ousted from the qualification round. “In comparison to the national U19 event held in Hue, our line-up has the great change in midfield and defence. Goalkeeper Kimura Go, who plays for the national U19 team and competes in J2 League, is set to feature. Defending champions Vietnam U19 team will aim to protect their title.

Vietnam’s important trade partners in CPTPPVietNamNet Bridge - The current two-way trade turnover between Vietnam and most of the CPTPP member countries is $1 billion or more. In 2017, two-way trade turnover between Vietnam and Japan reached $33.4 billion, while Vietnam gained a trade surplus of $250 million. The total trade value between Vietnam and 10 trade partners in CPTPP alone reached $67.33 billion in 2017, amounting to 15.8 percent of total import/export turnover of the country. In trade relationships with 200 countries and territories, Vietnam’s average trade turnover was $2 billion for each market in 2017. RELATED NEWSVietnam expects stronger foreign investment flow in CPTPP periodVietnam trusts new CPTPP trade agreementKim Chi

Ly Hoang Nam stops in India F4 FuturesVietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese No 2 seed Ly Hoang Nam was defeated in the second round of the India F4 Futures tennis tournament on March 21. Ly Hoang Nam. — Photo hcmcpv.org.vnNam, who is ranked 465th in the world, lost to Abhinav Sanmugam of India, world No 968, 2-6, 6-2, 3-6. In the India F3 Futures, Nam finished second in the men’s singles after losing to Prajnesh Gunneswaran of India, world No 235, in the final. The southern province of Tay Ninh-born Nam will be the key player for the Vietnamese team in singles and doubles.