TV market turns sour with World Cup uncertaintyDomestic television retailers are on the edge because VTV or other televisions have yet to announce securing the 2018 World Cup’s TV rights, with only 10 days to go. Dien May Xanh website's TV promotional programme“Buy a TV and receive a keg of beer or Coca-Cola,” “Buy a TV with 0 per cent interest rate,” and “VND2 million ($88) off every TV set,” are just some promotions TV sellers use to boost sales in the World Cup season. thegioitiepthi.vn stated that as the World Cup approaches, retailers and market research company GFK expect TV sales to reach three million this year. However, TV retailers are getting desperate as only 10 days remain until the World Cup. “If the average monthly TV sales are about 240,000, sales during the World Cup will be 600,000 units,” Thach added.

Photographic Society of America opens photo exhibition in HanoiThe Association of Vietnamese Photography Artists (AVPA) and the Photographic Society of America (PSA) are jointly hosting the PSA international photo exhibition in Hanoi through June 17, news website Vietnamplus reports. The PSA international photo exhibition is open to visitors at the Vietnam Art Photograph Archives and Exhibition Center until June 17The exhibition, taking place at the Vietnam Art Photograph Archives and Exhibition Center, featuring 148 snapshots taken by professional and amateur photographers from 43 countries . The exhibition also offers a chance for domestic and international photographers to introduce their works, and discuss photography trends and techniques. The PSA international photo exhibition will visit HCMC from July 21 to August 5. Founded in 1934, the Photographic Society of America (PSA) is a worldwide organization providing a wide range of services that promote the art and science of photography as a means of communication, appreciation of images and cultural exchange.

HCM City shooting kills one, leaves one injuredHCM City police are investigating a shooting which has killed a man and injured another. The scene of the incidentThe case happened on the afternoon of June 3 on National Highway 1 section running through District 12. When Kiet and his friend were approaching the group, two other people tried to overtake the group and then opened fire using a shotgun to shoot the group. Kiet later died at hospital, while his friend faced light injuries. After leaving school, Kiet left his hometown for HCM City to earn his living.

Hanoi’s special lotus teaNguyen Thi Dan has made lotus tea in Hanoi's Tay Ho District for 70 years. This long process is probably why West Lake lotus tea is one of the most expensive teas in Vietnam. In recent years, the tea makers have used whole lotus flowers to make a type of tea called tra xoi. To many households in Quang An Ward, making lotus tea is a way of preserving one of Hanoi's oldest crafts. Nguyen Thi Dan separates the lotus petals, stamen and pistil to make teaSpecial lotus tea in HanoiTra xoi is much cheaperDan Viet/Dtinews

Vietnam jumps ahead of Myanmar to lead ASEAN PMI rankingsVietnam has overtaken Myanmar to lead the ASEAN manufacturing PMI rankings, as growth in its manufacturing sector picked up in May. Vietnam at top of an ASEAN region posting its highest PMI for four years. ASEAN manufacturing growth gained further momentum midway through the second quarter, with the headline Nikkei ASEAN Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI™) reaching the highest level since July 2014. May data showed six of the seven countries covered by the survey indicating an improvement in manufacturing conditions, up from five in April. Malaysia was the only country signaling a decline in the health of its manufacturing sector, with the pace of deterioration the steepest for nearly a year.

Nghe An transplant rice seedlings at nightMany farmers in the central province of Nghe An had to transplant rice seedlings at night to avoid scorching hot weather. At around 7:30 pm, fields in Hau Thanh Commune, Yen Thanh District remain full of people and light. Nguyen Thi Huong said that it was too hot during the day when temperatures reached 38 degrees centigrade, so she had to work in the fields at night. Tran Thi Minh in Dien Ky Commune, Dien Chau District also choose to work at night for the same reason. Famers in Nghe An work at night in the fields to avoid scorching hot weatherThe fields brightened with lampsDan Viet/Dtinews

Singaporean investment fund divests from VinasunAfter losing more than VND125 billion (US$5.5 million) in Vinasun, Singaporean investment fund Government of Singapore (GIC) announced a full divestment from Vietnam Sun Corporation (VNS). — Photo enternews.vnAccordingly, the fund no longer holds any shares of Vinasun, reported Tien Phong (Vanguard) newspaper. The investment fund of the Government of Singapore invested in Vinasun in August, 2014, when car-hailing applications had not been popular in Viet Nam. The development of Uber and Grab has since put pressure on traditional Vietnamese taxi companies, including Vinasun. The goal for before-tax and after-tax profit also decreased by 50 per cent to VND119 billion and VND95 billion, respectively.

Photo exhibition in VN captures global culturesVietNamNet Bridge – Cultural activities and portraits of people from all over the world are on display at an international photo exhibition in Hanoi. Fantasia of Colours by Mustapha Meskine (Morocco)The exhibition showcases 148 photos by 148 photographers from 43 countries and territories. Eight Generals by Wang Lung-Tsai (Taiwan)The exhibition is a collaboration between PSA and the Viet Nam Association of Photographic Artists (VAPA). “The photos will help enhance mutual understanding between Vietnamese people and international cultures,” said VAPA chairman Vu Quoc Khanh. PSA representative Agatha Bunanta said she appreciated the idea of organising the exhibition and expressed the willingness to enhance cooperation between PSA and VAPA.

Education Dept’s request on praising bravery of ‘street knights’ creates public stirVietNamNet Bridge - The HCMC Education & Training Department has sent a dispatch to schools, asking them to commend the courage of five ‘street knights’ who were stabbed to death when trying to arrest armed thieves. If you don’t, please don’t encourage others to do this,” a parent in HCMC commented on her Facebook. A member of an education forum commented that the officials of the education department do not understand all the aspects of the issue. “Instead of teaching them (students) bravery, students should be advised to run away and seek the help of police,” he continued. In the case mentioned by the education department, two knights were stabbed to death and three others were serious wounded and hospitalized.

VN must up the pace on waste sortingVietNamNet Bridge – Everyone has their own set of qualities to look for in an ideal partner, but what if the ability to classify garbage is the only trait one is seeking? The high-rise apartment where Ngoc lives offers no waste sorting bins. Plastic garbage accounts for 5 to 7 per cent of overall waste, posing a real challenge for the waste treatment facility as it is not sorted at the source, but rather mixed with other types of trash. Duong Thi Phuong Anh from MoNRE stressed upon the significance of administrative mechanisms in dealing with plastic garbage. Improving the environment in Vietnam, they say, starts with garbage sorting and is followed by reducing, reusing and recycling.

Rainy season begins, 10 landslides already occurVietNamNet Bridge - Landslides are occurring in many localities in Mekong River Delta, though the rainy season has just begun. “The landslides in the Mekong Delta no longer follow natural law. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) reported that riverbank landslide and coastal erosion in the Mekong Delta has increased in both sphere and scale. Because of the tradition of setting up houses near roads and rivers, Mekong Delta has had to pay a heavy price. RELATED NEWSCan Tho riverbank landslide destroys five housesMeasures to prevent landslides in the Mekong DeltaThanh Mai

Diageo-backed Halico may prove unmarketable on UpCOMDespite being backed by the world's biggest spirits company Diageo, Hanoi Liquor JSC (Halico)’s massive losses may make its shares unmarketable. Currently, Habeco holds 54.3 per cent and Diageo 45.5 per cent in Halico. In 2014, the company reported a revenue of VND397 billion ($17.4 million) and profit of VND30 billion ($1.3 million) only. Current performance, in collaboration with the abysmal prospects, may make Halico’s shares unmarketable, unless Diageo wants to take the opportunity to acquire the remaining stake in Halico. Acquiring a large stake in Halico was meant to tap into its growth potential and success to increase its sales in the Vietnamese market.

Vietnamese woman wins Belgium cycle raceVietnamese first ranked racer Nguyen Thi That overtook the competition on the track, becoming the winner of the first stage of 2018’s one-day woman’s cycle race Dwars door de Westhoek, held and concluded in Belgium on Sunday (June 3). Vietnamese first ranked racer Nguyen Thi That won at the first stage of 2018’s one-day woman’s cycle race Dwars door de Westhoek. — Photo mediacdn.vnThe race is hosted by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the world governing body for sports cycling and overseas international competitive cycling events. That competed in the jersey of the UCI World Cycling Centre (WCC), where she received her training. At the 125km long first stage of the race, she successfully took the first group, then beat other competitors at the finish line.

Vietnamese gymnast won gold at World Challenge Cup 2018Top Vietnamese gymnast Le Thanh Tung won gold at the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup, held in Koper, Slovania from May 31 to June 3. Vietnamese first rank gymnast Le Thanh Tung won gold at 2018 FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup. At the World Challenge Cup held at Doha, Qatar last year, Tung also won gold in the vault category. The 23-year-old from HCM City previously won three gold medals at SEA Games 29, is the Asian champion and a shining star of Vietnamese gymnastics. Besides Tung, the second gold medal for the Vietnamese team was won by Dinh Phuong Thanh in the parallel bars.

Emergency landing at Da Nang Int'l Airport saves ill passengerA plane on the way from Hanoi to Da Lat City had to make an emergency landing at Da Nang International Airport as a male passenger fainted at 10,000m in the air. A plane of Jestar Pacific lands at Da Nang International Airport yesterday as a male passenger fainted. Crew members were called to assist the victim on the plane, and the pilot decided to land at Da Nang Airport at 11.25am yesterday. The flight was allowed to leave Da Nang airport for Da Lat in the Central Highland province of Lam Dong Province at about 12pm the same day. Last month, a Jetstar Pacific plane had to stop at the taxiway of Da Nang Airport and go back to the terminal after a pregnant Czech woman fell ill on-board.