VN-Index nosedives to under 1,000 points in gloomy atmosphereA gloomy atmosphere spread across the stock market on May 22 when all groups of stocks fell, forcing VN-Index to tumble to below 1,000 points. The benchmark VN-Index fluctuated around 1,000 points in the morning and plunged in the afternoon when a supply pressure appeared in all groups of shares. Property, insurance and bank stocks witnessed the strongest decreases of 6.47 percent, 5.74 percent and 4.7 percent, respectively. The VN-Index lost 29.07 points to 985.91 points at the end of the trading session. While the HNX-Index on the Hanoi Stock Exchange (HNX) ended at 116.72 points, down 2.94 points, the UpCoM-Index on the Unlisted Public Company Market (UpCoM) fell 1.05 points to 53.73 points.-VNA

Vietnamese franchisers market brands to the worldVietNamNet Bridge - Some Vietnamese businesses are trying to make domestic brands better known internationally through franchise contracts. Vietnamese franchisers are trying to market brands to the worldRedSun ITI, the company which owns Thai Express, Khao Lao and King BBQ, has officially brought its Truly Viet restaurant chain to Australia. All kinds of Vietnamese products, from food to healthcare services, could reach the world through franchising. Vietnamese students in Singapore said they can find many restaurants specializing in Vietnamese dishes in the country. Nguyen Phi Van, a franchise and retail expert, said that all kinds of Vietnamese products, from food to healthcare services, could reach the world through franchising.

Vietnam has many professors, but few conduct researchVietNamNet Bridge - Over the last 40 years, Vietnam has had a total of 1,600 professors and 10,000 associate professors, but only 200-300 professors and a quarter of associate professors are still doing research. Van thinks that retired professors/associate professors are not doing research because they cannot get funding. The problem is that Vietnam gives the professor/associate professor titles to many people who do not conduct research, but are only managerial officers. According to Pham Tat Dong, former head of the Central Propaganda Committee, there is no relation between the low proportion of professors/associate professors doing research and the appointment of professors/associate professors at an older age. The problem is that Vietnam gives the professor/associate professor titles to many people who do not conduct research, but are only managerial officers.

Ben Tre Province is home to many enterprises which process products of different kinds from coconut, including coconut milk powder, coconut candy, coconut oil and activated carbon. However, the coconut production and processing is mainly carried out on a small scale, with old technology and outdated equipment. That is why a project on extracting coconut oil with non-heating technology was implemented as part of the national program on technology renovation. That is why a project on extracting coconut oil with non-heating technology was implemented as part of the national program on technology renovation. According to the Ben Tre Coconut Association, in 2016 Vietnam exported 193 tons of VCO (cold pressing technology).

Yok Don forests “attacked” from all four sidesVietNamNet Bridge - Migrants have step by step encroached on forests from the outside, while illegal loggers have been dismantling trees in the core area. The Yok Don forests are withering and shrinking. The Yok Don forests are withering and shrinkingAt the Forest Rangers’ Unit No 10, dozens of self-modified motorbikes were parked at the back door. Forest rangers said the area is inaccessible and they must obtain a license to enter, when necessary. Deputy director of the Yok Don National Park Huynh Nghia Hiep admitted that deforestation, which has been occurring for the many years, cannot be stopped.

Lawmakers look into coast guard, national defence lawsThe draft law on Vietnamese coast guard force and the draft revised law on national defence were among issues National Assembly (NA) deputies discussed on May 22, the second day of the ongoing fifth session of the 14th tenure parliament. Minister of National Defence Ngo Xuan Lich, on behalf of the Prime Minister, presented the draft law on Vietnamese coast guard force. After that, Vo Trong Viet delivered another report on revisions to the draft revised law on national defence, which later continued to be scrutinised by legislators at the discussion. A draft law amending some articles of the laws relating to the Law on Planning and a verification report on this draft is set to be submitted to the NA. Later, lawmakers will work in groups to discuss the draft law amending some articles of the laws relating to the Law on Planning and the draft law on crop production.-VNA

President Tran Dai Quang to pay state visit to JapanVietnamese President Tran Dai Quang and his spouse will pay a state visit to Japan from May 29 to June 2 at the invitation of the State of Japan. President Tran Dai QuangJapanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko are scheduled to meet with and hold a state banquet in honour of President Tran Dai Quang and his spouse. During the visit, President Quang will also hold talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Vietnam and Japan have closely and effectively coordinated in multilateral forums such as the UN, ASEAN, APEC and ASEM. Japan was also the largest ODA provider for Vietnam, and the fourth biggest trade partner of the country, with bilateral trade hitting 33.4 billion USD last year.-VNA

Vietnamese currency security faces big challenges from technologyModern technology remains a challenge for Vietnamese authorities in managing currency security as recently the northern province of Quang Ninh discovered illegal money transferring activities via Chinese points of sale (POS) installed in a local store. Chinese tourists used their domestic bank cards or e-wallets such as Alipay and WeChat Pay to pay. These POS devices directly connecting to AliPay, WeChat Pay, and Chinese banks are released by some Chinese banks, but have been illegally installed in Vietnam. Afterwards, Vi Mo Technology JSC’s e-wallet VIMO announced becoming the first intermediate payment unit allowing Chinese tourists to pay in VND via the WeChat Pay application. Many financial experts warned that the illegal payment method is quite common and affect the country’s currency security.

Vietnamese students win prizes at int’l science contest in the USVietnamese students won one third prize and one consolation prize at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) 2018 which was held in Pennsylvania, the US, from May 13-18. This year, the contest attracted 1,793 students from 79 countries and territories with 1,401 projects. The Vietnamese delegation brought eight projects to the competition and was one of 43 countries and territories that won prizes. Deputy Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Huu Do lauded the achievements of Vietnamese students and hoped they will promote their creativity in scientific research. Vietnamese students have engaged in the contest since 2012 and have won prizes at every event since then.

Islanders face limited fresh water in early dry seasonVietNamNet Bridge – Half of the farming area on Ly Son Island, 30km off the coast of Quang Ngai Province, has been salinised in the early dry season this year, reducing coverage of the key crop purple onion from 170ha to 50ha. A farmer waters for a farm of onion and garlic in Ly Son Island, off the coast of Quang Ngai Province. Farmers on the island have been facing limited sources of water in early dry season of 2018. “We have called for saving daily fresh water use among 22,000 residents and tourists, while dredging wells to seek deeper water,” Huong said. “Water for farming will face a serious deficiency if local farmers do not cut farming area in the summer-autumn onion crop.

Sony buys controlling stake in EMI Music PublishingSony says it has agreed to buy a controlling stake in EMI Music Publishing for $2.3bn (£1.71bn) as it looks to boost its music portfolio. It is one of the world's biggest music publishing firms. Mubadala's private equity arm has controlled and managed EMI Music Publishing on behalf of Mubadala and other third-party investors since 2012, Sony said on Tuesday. "We are thrilled to bring EMI Music Publishing into the Sony family and maintain our number one position in the music publishing industry," Sony's president and chief executive Kenichiro Yoshida said on Tuesday. The deal to buy up a controlling stake in EMI is very much part of Sony's plans to realign its business, analysts said.

Dozens of taxes, fees burden VN car usersVietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam is among the countries with the highest selling price of cars in the world. As for road maintenance fees, car owners have to pay twice, when they register as owners of the vehicles and when going through BOT fee collection stations. The car prices in Vietnam are among the highest in the world because of too many kinds of taxes and fees. The car prices in Vietnam are among the highest in the world because of too many kinds of taxes and fees. Decree 116, with its strict regulations, restricts car imports.

Land erosion wreak havoc in Ca MauVietNamNet Bridge – Land erosions have caused major damage to property in Ca Mau Province’s Nam Can District, the Vietnam News Agency reported on May 20. Reprentatives of the local authority visit the location of land erosion in Nam Can District of Ca Mau Province. — Photo tienphong.vnThe erosion wreaked continuous havoc for three days in the riverside communes of Lam Hai, Hiep Tung, and Nam Can Township, causing a number of houses to fall into the river. Previously, 24 households in Nam Can Township were also affected by a major land erosion. “The landslides in the district have become more and more complicated,” To Hoai Phuong, chairman of the Nam Can District, said.

HCM City triumph at national swimming eventVietNamNet Bridge – HCM City topped the medal tally at the National Age Groups Swimming Championship, which concluded in Da Nang yesterday. HCM City swimmers perform at the National Age Groups Swimming Championship in Da Nang. — Photo trungtamthethaotuoitre.comThe squad brought home 64 medals -- 30 golds, 20 silvers and 14 bronzes. The National Defence Sports Centre 5 finished second with 25 golds, 11 silvers and 15 bronzes. The four-day event saw the participation of 230 swimmers from 29 teams across the country.

$100m programme to train teachersVietNamNet Bridge – Nearly 28,000 high school teachers around the country are set to benefit from a programme meant for continuous professional development of teachers and principals to improve their capacity to teach the new curriculum. Nearly 28,000 high school teachers around the country will benefit from the Enhancing Teacher Education Program. The HCM City University of Education will be in charge of training 7,489 teachers in the 19 southern provinces and cities. The programme will also train the 70,000 school managers around the country. Nguyen Van Phuoc, deputy head of the Education Division of HCM City’s District 3, said the programme should also focus on English training.