A road accident in Hanoi on Friday turned violent as a foreigner was engaged in a fist fight with two locals. A video that went viral on social media in Vietnam on Saturday captured an affray between a foreigner and two Vietnamese men. The foreign man, wearing a black helmet, and a Vietnamese man in a navy blue T-shirt could be seen charging at each other despite onlookers’ attempts to disengage the two. Shortly after, another Vietnamese man wearing black shades arrived on a motorbike and immediately jumped at the foreigner. Though outnumbered, the bloodied foreigner refused to back away, but instead removed his helmet and continued the fight. A young Vietnamese woman in a gold dress, reportedly the foreign man’s girlfriend, tried in vain to push her boyfriend away from the fight. One of the Vietnamese men with tattoos covering his left arm also got a bruise around his right eye from … [Read more...]

Locals said there were around 100 grey-shanked douc langurs (Pygathrix cinerea) in the province, but now only a few dozen can be spotted. Nguyen Van Cuong, a farmer in the mountainous district of Nui Thanh, said around 10 years ago, many people in the area cleared forest to plant acacia trees for wood, driving the primates away. Then poaching made it worse for the rare animals, he said. “The monkeys used to jump around beautifully in this vast area of jungle. It’s very easy to recognize them as they would be making a lot of noise,” Cuong said of the animals, which he described as gentle. The grey-shanked species, which has been listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, is native to Quang Nam and several other central provinces. Last year the Fauna and Flora International announced a … [Read more...]

Hang pagoda is in the north of Thoi Loi mountain where a crater helped form a large lake and is not far from the island’s downtown. The path winds around mountains giving visitors the unexpected experience of beautiful landscapes. From the mountain, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Ly Son island. Hang pagoda was founded under the King Le Kinh Tong regime from the late 16th century to early 17th century. It is called Hang (Cave) pagoda because it is located in a large cave.  Carvings on the limestone mountain show that the first visitors to Ly Son island founded An Hai and An Vinh village and built this pagoda. Tran Vy is a caretaker of Hang pagoda: “Hang pagoda which was founded nearly 400 years ago by first inhabitants worships Buddha and the founders of nearby villages. Local people come here to pray for good luck and … [Read more...]

Thien spoke about the competitiveness of Vietnam’s tourism after an NA deputy’s question about making Vietnam’s tourism on par with neighboring countries such as Thailand and Singapore.  In 2016, Vietnam received 10 million foreign travelers, while Thailand received 32 million and Malaysia 26 million. Meanwhile, 16 foreign travelers visited Singapore, 12 million in Indonesia, and less than 6 million in Philippines.  The gap between Vietnam and Thailand is large, considering the number of foreign travelers. However, the number of travelers to Vietnam is only 6 million lower than  Singapore. The number of foreign travelers to Vietnam has been increasing rapidly in the last two years, by 30%. The high growth rate is expected to be maintained in upcoming years as the government has created measures to lure … [Read more...]

The American Civil Liberties Union asked a U.S. judge on Saturday to expand an order that temporarily blocks the deportation of 114 Iraqis in Michigan to cover Iraqis nationwide, according to a court filing. The advocacy group filed an amended complaint seeking to keep Immigration and Customs Enforcement from deporting Iraqis from anywhere in the United States while a federal judge weighs the case of the Iraqis in Michigan. U.S. District Judge Mark Goldsmith on Thursday ordered a stay in the Michigan Iraqis' deportation for at least two weeks while he decides whether he has jurisdiction. The ACLU, which had sued to block the Michigan deportations, asked Goldsmith to rule by Monday on expanding his order to cover the more than 1,400 Iraqis facing expulsion across the United States. The immigration agency has indicated it might start those deportations as soon as Tuesday, the ACLU said. Those being deported could face persecution or torture because many are Chaldean … [Read more...]

Quyet fell to the second spot as his stock assets dropped by VND20 trillion within one month. Quyet is president of FLC and FLC Faros. His US$2 billion in stock assets began to fall when the day ROS shares of FLC Faros plunged in price. ROS make up 95% of Quyet’s stock assets.  ROS price decreasing on May 17, when its market price stayed at VND160,600 per share. At that time, Quyet’s assets were worth VND47.5 trillion, or nearly VND20 trillion higher than the asset value of the second richest stock billionaire Pham Nhat Vuong. Just after five trading sessions, ROS price decreased by VND27,000 per share, making Quyet’s assets decrease by VND8 trillion. In the next trading sessions, though ROS price continued decreasing, foreign funds continued buying ROS with the net sale of hundreds of billions of dong.  On June 16, … [Read more...]

Thousands of people lined up and squeezed into the small shop in downtown Ho Chi Minh City, trying to buy snacks and light meals. The chain has said it will open around 20 outlets in Vietnam by the end of this year and 100 in the next three years. The important question here is not about whether similarly big crowds will be coming to its stores in the future. It's where to put these stores. 7-Eleven is entering a market that has become increasingly packed in recent years. Its arrival is intensifying the heated competition for both customers and for retail space. After all, the choice of location can make or break a convenience store. In big cities, many of the best spots are either too expensive or already taken. Crowded market The A.T. Kearney’s Global Retail Development Index this month named Vietnam the sixth most attractive retail market. The … [Read more...]

VietNamNet Bridge - The Vietnamese have a love of coffee that is bordering on obsession – and for good reason. Preparation and delivery of the hallowed, roasted bean is unique and the taste is the best in the world. Whether you drink it over ice or steaming hot; sweet and milky or bitter and black, the many, many coffee shops dotted around Saigon have got you covered. Below are popular coffee shops in HCM City. ID Cafe  ID Cafe has an unassuming frontage, but once inside this two storey coffee shop the modern-retro theme is really funky.  The 70s style armchairs are comfy as well as stylish and the decor of vinyl records and stencils lining the walls, and period radios and typewriters positioned here and there mean there’s always something to catch your eye.  Located just one block north of Ben Thanh Market, Id Cafe offers shoppers the perfect respite from the … [Read more...]

HCM City (VNA) – Miguel Rodrigo was appointed as head coach of Vietnam National Futsal Team from 2017 - 2020, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) announced in a ceremony in HCM City on June 24.  Speaking at the event, new national coach Rodrigo said leading the Vietnam National Futsal Team is a big challenge to him and his goals are to guide Vietnam to Top 4 in Asia and to the final round of the 2020 Futsal World Cup.  According to VFF Secretary General Le Hoai Anh, Rodrigo will start coaching the Vietnam team on June 25 when the team is preparing for the 2017 Southeast Asian Games.  The VFF believes as a new coach of Vietnam Futsal Team, Rodrigo will together with national players achieve success in the upcoming SEA Games, 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games and the 2020 Futsal World Cup, Anh said.  Miguel Rodrigo is the world’s well-known Futsal coach. Born in … [Read more...]

Hanoi, June 24 (VNA) – National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan delivered a speech at the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam-Cambodia diplomatic ties held in Hanoi on June 24. Following is the full text of the speech translated by VNA. Exellency Samdech Heng Samrin, Honorary President of the Cambodian People’s Party, President of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Chairman of the Solidarity Front for the Development of Cambodian Motherland National Council, Exellency Leaders, former Leaders of the Party and State of Vietnam, Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Cambodian and Vietnamese friends, In the celebration of the 50th year of the Vietnam – Cambodia diplomatic ties, we are happy to be here today in this ceremony, with pride in the bright future of the “good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and … [Read more...]

NDO - French director Oliver Lorelle’s ‘Ciel Rouge’ (Red Sky), which is set in Vietnam in the early years of the Indochina War and shot entirely in Vietnam’s northern mountainous areas, will be shown in mid-July in France and in October in Vietnam. The film tells the story of a French soldier committed to pacifying an unknown country made up of dense forests and spectacular mountains. His ideals collapse when he is forced to torture and kill a young Vietnamese woman, who is fighting for national independence. In order to escape carrying out his orders he decides to flee with her on an unpredictable journey to the heart of the jungle. Crossing the forests and hiding in breath-taking natural surroundings, the two unlikely partners distance themselves from the world and the war. Left to their own devices, they discover who they really are. Ciel Rouge’s filming locations include Ba Be Lake in Bac Kan province and the spectacular mountains of Ha … [Read more...]

NDO - The government has issued an action plan on measures to restructure the State budget and manage public debt in an effort to keep spending deficit in check and guarantee national financial security. Under the programme, the government aims to gradually reduce budget deficit to 3.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) or lower by 2020. Vietnam’s budget deficit in the last four years has continuously exceeded 5% of GDP, specifically 5.4% in 2012, 6.6% in 2013, 5.64% in 2014 and 6.11% in 2015. During the 2016-2020 period, the government aims for the ratio of public debt to be at 65% of GDP or lower, of which government debt will not exceed 55% of GDP and national foreign debt 50% of GDP. The government also aims to keep the ratio of regular spending under 64% while spending on development investment will account for about 25-26% of total expenditure. Regarding sources of income, domestic tax revenues will make up about 84-85% while the ratio of revenues … [Read more...]

NDO – Hanoi FC continued to maintain pressure on leaders FLC Thanh Hoa after brilliantly downing Hai Phong 2-0 in the 14th round of the V-League 2017 on June 24. Loris Arnaud opened the scoring for Hanoi in the 24th minute following an accurate right-wing cross by Hung Dung. Four minutes later, Hanoi was forced to play with ten men after Ngoc Duc was given a red card and sent off. However, Hai Phong failed to make use of the advantage to overwhelm the home team, solely relying on long passes or long-range strikes for opportunities, with only one of them concretised by Fagan with a header at post. The match was already decided by first-half stoppage time when Van Quyet beat goalkeeper Dang Van Lam on the spot for Hanoi’s second goal. The convincing victory helps reigning champions Hanoi FC maintain their second place with away from leaders FLC Thanh Hoa, who edged out SHB Da Nang 3-2. In other matches, Hoang Anh Gia Lai and Saigon recorded a … [Read more...]

NDO – A groundbreaking ceremony was held on June 24 for a high-quality medical service area under the Quang Ngai provincial General Hospital, the first health service section to meet international standards in the central province of Quang Ngai. The high-quality medical service section will feature 500 beds, 40 checkup rooms and 10 surgery rooms, with full expertise departments and a staff of highly qualified doctors. The key part of the VND1.1 trillion (US$48.4 million) project is a 12-storey building, to be built on over 11,000 square metres of a total area of 42,000 square metres. At the same time, the project will also offer a system of diverse service products, towards meeting the various demands of patients and their relatives, including the provision of nutritious food rations, supermarkets, hotels, laundry and shuttle bus services. Once put into official operation in September 2018, the high-quality medical service area under the Quang Ngai General … [Read more...]

An overturned oil tanker exploded killing at least 123 people in Pakistan on Sunday, as most of the victims had gathered round when spilt fuel from the stricken vehicle ignited, officials said. The tanker overturned after trying to make a sharp turn on a highway on the outskirts of the city of Bahawalpur. A large crowd of people gathered at the scene when it caught fire and exploded, rescue workers said, adding about 80 people had been injured. "People of the area and passersby had started gathering fuel when the tanker exploded, burning everybody on and around the spot," provincial government spokesman Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan told Reuters. Serious burn victims, several in critical condition, were airlifted by helicopter to hospitals in Bahawalpur and nearby cities for treatment. "According to the initial reports, somebody tried to light a cigarette, and when the spilt fuel caught fire, leading to the tanker's explosion," Jam Sajjad Hussain, spokesman for the rescue … [Read more...]

Launched a year ago, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's brutal war on drugs has resulted in thousands of deaths, yet the street price of crystal methamphetamine in Manila has fallen and surveys show Filipinos are as anxious as ever about crime. Thanks to his campaign, government officials say, crime has dropped, thousands of drug dealers are behind bars, a million users have registered for treatment, and future generations of Filipinos are being protected from the scourge of drugs. "There are thousands of people who are being killed, yes," said Oscar Albayalde, Metro Manila's police chief told Reuters. "But there are millions who live, see?" A growing chorus of critics, however, including human rights activists, lawyers and the country's influential Catholic Church, dispute the authorities' claims of success. They say police have summarily executed drug suspects with impunity, terrorising poorer communities and exacerbating the very lawlessness they were meant to … [Read more...]

President Tran Dai Quang (R) meets President of the National Assembly of Cambodia Samdech Heng Samrin (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – President Tran Dai Quang hailed visit by President of the National Assembly of Cambodia Samdech Heng Samrin on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties (June 24) during a reception in Hanoi on June 24. The State leader said the two nations need to further boost solidarity, friendship and cooperation by facilitating economic, trade and investment ties while enhancing people-to-people diplomacy, especially among young generations. He believed that under the sound rule of King Norodom Sihamoni and leadership of the Senate, National Assembly and government of Cambodia  in which the Cambodia People’s Party plays a crucial role, the fraternal Cambodian people will continue reaping greater successes in the cause of building … [Read more...]

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (L) receivea President of the National Assembly of Cambodia Samdech Heng Samrin on June 24 (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc received President of the National Assembly (NA) of Cambodia Samdech Heng Samrin in Hanoi on June 24. The PM welcomed the Cambodian delegation’s official visit to Vietnam on the occasion of the 50th founding anniversary of the countries’ diplomatic relations (June 24, 1967). He also informed the visiting President about the success of the recent working session and meeting with Cambodian PM Samdech Hun Sen, who retraced his revolutionary path in Vietnam four decades ago. The last 50 years is a special period in bilateral relations when the two people were united and ready to sacrifice their lives for the sake of each other, he said, considering this as a priceless and … [Read more...]

Following is the full text of the speech translated by VNA. Exellency Samdech Heng Samrin, Honorary President of the Cambodian People’s Party, President of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Chairman of the Solidarity Front for the Development of Cambodian Motherland National Council, Exellency Leaders, former Leaders of the Party and State of Vietnam, Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Cambodian and Vietnamese friends, In the celebration of the 50th year of the Vietnam – Cambodia diplomatic ties, we are happy to be here today in this ceremony, with pride in the bright future of the “good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term sustainability” between Vietnam and Cambodia. On behalf of the leaders of the Party and Government and the people of Vietnam, I would like to … [Read more...]

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan delivers a speech at the ceremony (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan delivered a speech at the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam-Cambodia diplomatic ties held in Hanoi on June 24. Following is the full text of the speech translated by VNA. Exellency Samdech Heng Samrin, Honorary President of the Cambodian People’s Party, President of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Chairman of the Solidarity Front for the Development of Cambodian Motherland National Council, Exellency Leaders, former Leaders of the Party and State of Vietnam, Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Cambodian and Vietnamese friends, In the celebration of the 50th year of the Vietnam – Cambodia diplomatic ties, we are happy to be here today in this ceremony, with pride in … [Read more...]