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.

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.