Indian scholars: President’s visit adds impetus to Vietnam-India tiesIndian scholars have highly valued Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang’s State visit to India early this month, affirming that it created a new momentum for sustainable relations of the two countries in the future. President Quang’s speech raised the question of how to diversify trade, towards fostering two-way trade between the two countries, he stressed. She also highlighted that President Quang’s speech at Nehru Memorial Museum conveyed a message of win-win cooperation, and mentioned challenges facing the two sides. He spoke of President Quang’s speech at Nehru Memorial Museum, saying it set out a roadmap for cooperation between the two nations in all domains. President Tran Dai Quang paid a State visit to India from March 2-4 at the invitation of Indian President Ram Nath Kovind.

Old books retain strong value to readersIn the context of technology booming, it is easier for people to access information via Internet. I sell books as a way to meet other old book lovers," Le Van Hop, a book collector said. Despite the digital era, old book fairs still exist, offering a good opportunity for book lovers to share their interests. For book lovers, old books not only contain knowledge, but great cultural and mental values as well. Therefore, although society is developed and how reading habits change, old books still are popular among some readers.-VNA

Vietnamese farmers expect higher profits with CPTPP trade agreementVietNamNet Bridge - The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is expected to help Vietnam boost exports of seafood and farm produce. Vietnam’s farm produce export turnover was $36 billion last year. Minister of Agriculture Nguyen Xuan Cuong said that Vietnam’s farm produce is exported to 180 countries and territories. A $40 billion export turnover is quite within reach this year, though farmers have higher expectations,” Cuong said. RELATED NEWSVietnam trusts new CPTPP trade agreementThe CPTPP is not just TPP version 2.0Mai Lan

Vietnam, Australia cooperate in vocational educationThe Vietnamese Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs and the Department of Education and Training of Australia have inked a memorandum of understanding in vocational education. During the meeting, the Australian official affirmed Vietnam is becoming Australia’s important partner in international cooperation on vocational education. Minister Dung visited several vocational education establishments in New South Wales and attended a round-table seminar on vocational education between the two countries. Over the past years, cooperation between Vietnam and Australia in vocational education is increasingly developed through such forms as: joint training; vocational managers training; workshops, fact-find tours on vocational training; the implementation of the Australia Programme for Skills (Aus4skills). The freshly-signed MOU on cooperation in vocational education between the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs and Australia’s Department of Education and Training is expected to expand and strengthen bilateral collaboration in the field of vocational education in the time ahead.

HCM City may fail in old apartment restoration targetHCM City may fail to reach the target to restore 50% out of the city’s total old apartment building number of 474, according to the municipal Department of Construction. Bui Vien old apartment building in HCM CityDuring the 2007-2017 period, HCM City could only dismantle 32 old apartment buildings which have seen the quite slow pace of being upgraded. HCM City Department of Construction said that at present around 15 old apartments in the city face serious deterioration. Districts 5 and 10 account for the highest number of old apartment buildings, most of them located in populous areas. Experts said that the city must show how investors – who rebuild apartment buildings -can benefit by offering them incentives to attract them.

State funeral of former PM Phan Van Khai on March 20-21A State funeral will be held on March 20-21 for former Prime Minister Phan Van Khai, who passed away on March 17. Former Prime Minister Phan Van Khai. The burial ceremony is scheduled at 11:00 am the same day in his hometown – Tan Thong Hoi commune, Cu Chi district, Ho Chi Minh City. Former Politburo member and former Prime Minister Phan Van Khai passed away at 1:30 on March 17 at Cu Chi, Ho Chi Minh City, aged 85. Phan Van Khai was born on December 25, 1933 in Cu Chi district, Ho Chi Minh City.

ASEAN, Australia sign MoU on counter-terrorismOfficials of Australia and the ASEAN member states signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on strengthening co-operation to counter international terrorism within the framework of the ASEAN – Australia Special Summit in Sydney, Australia on Saturday. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of ASEAN leaders and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Via signed framework agreements, ASEAN and Australia agreed to enhance counter-terrorism co-operation in terrorist financing and violent extremism. Australia was the first nation establishing official dialogue partnership with ASEAN in all three fields of politics, economics and specialised co-operation. He hoped that the “smart cities” initiative would create a bank of knowledge that brings together ideas for sustainable urban planning from Australia and ASEAN nations.

Sapa status upgrade creates opportunities for property investorsSapa’s upcoming achievement of town status will pave the way for more opportunities for investors in the real estate market. As Sapa’s land funds are growing increasingly scarce and land prices are going through the roof, investors are eyeing areas within a two-kilometre radius from Sapa centre. Investors claim this is the right time to step ahead because once Sapa district officially receives the town status, the central area will grow and current bordering areas will further appreciate. In the past three years, Sapa land price has triple, from VND90 million per square meter (m2) to VND150-160 million m2. Besides, experts also claim that with strong transport infrastructure and the planning of the town, Sapa will certainly become an attractive destination for real estate investors.

Viettel grabs 10 percent market share in TanzaniaThe Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority has reported that Halotel, Viettel’s subsidiary, has achieved a 10 per cent of market share equivalent to 3.8 million subscribers within just two years of inception. The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority has reported that Halotel, Viettel’s subsidiary, has achieved a 10 per cent of market share equivalent to 3.8 million subscribers within just two years of inception.— Photo ViettelHalotel has risen from seventh place to fourth in terms of subscriber numbers. In Viet Nam, Viettel Post has been providing box delivery services since early March. Viettel also provides cartons for sending packages, and they are free this month. Besides, this month the fee is uniform for delivering anywhere in the country, but from next month it will be higher for non-urban destinations.

VN struggling to protect water resourcesViet Nam is struggling to find solutions, especially ‘green’ solutions to address challenges in water resources management with environmental damage, climate change and unsustainable water exploitation driving the water-related crisis. Natural Resources and Environment Deputy Minister, Trần Quý Kiên, gives a speech at the workshop on water resources management in Hà Nội on Friday. Deputy Minister Trần Quý Kiên said the negative impacts of climate change and unreasonable exploitation of water resources seriously affected water resources. Abedalrazq Khalil, senior water resources specialist of the World Bank, said Việt Nam had done much to manage its water resources wisely but was facing challenges. According to him, Việt Nam should strengthen water resources management to respond to emerging water risks, better control pollution, protect the environment, invest more efficiently and align incentives with objectives.

VN fall in FIFA rankings, still top ASEANDespite dropping one spot in the world rankings, Viet Nam are still the Southeast Asia’s top football team. Việt Nam’s football are No 1 in the Southeast Asia, according to FIFA’s latest rankings. — Photo laodong.vnAccording to FIFA’s latest rankings, Việt Nam are No 113, down one spot as they didn’t play any matches in the last month. Thailand, the regional champions, sit at No 129 in the world, and third in ASEAN. Việt Nam, who play Jordan in the Asian Cup 2019, on March 27, are No 16.

Hanoi goes vibrant with activities response to Earth HourOver 1,000 people came together at the walking and painting events held on the pedestrian streets around Hoan Kiem (Returned Sword) Lake, Hanoi on March 17 in response to the Earth Hour 2018. Over 1,000 people c​ome together at the walking and painting events in response to the Earth Hour 2018. Earth Hour is the largest social event in the world, which has been observed in 7,000 cities of 172 countries and territories. Responding to the event in 2018, which is themed “Go More Green”, Hanoi, Da Nang city, Ho Chi Minh City and other 60 cities and provinces across the country will turn off the lights from 20:30-21:30 on March 24. The event is held by the Ministry of Industry and Trade with support from the Electricity of Vietnam (EVN), Hanoi Beer, Alcohol and Beverage Joint Stock Company and Daikin Air Conditioning Vietnam Joint Stock Company.-VNA

Community football joins Common GoalFootball for All in Việt Nam (FFAV) has been selected as one of 27 organisations to be part of the first Common Goal collaboration cycle, where professional footballers and managers team up with football for good organisations to advance social change. Children play football in the Football for All in Việt Nam (FFAV). FFAV is recognised for the work of quality education by Common Goal member Shinji Kagawa (of Borussia Dortmund FC). Together with the Common Goal players and media partners, Common Goal reaches a global audience of more than 200 million football fans. Common Goal is a global movement run by Streetfootballworld that was launched with the support of Manchester United star Juan Mata.

HCM City takes steps to ensure food safetyPham Khanh Phong Lan, head of the HCM City Food Safety Management Board, speaks to Liberated Sai Gon about the positive results of the board’s work. Phạm Khánh Phong Lan, head of the HCM City Food Safety Management BoardHCM City is the first location to pilot the establishment of a Food Safety Management Board. Since its launch on March 11 last year, has progress in food safety occurred? A new food safety system covering all 24 districts and wholesale markets in the city was also set up. This has made it more convenient for food manufacturers and managers to monitor food safety.

Vietnamese PM busy in AustraliaPrime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (standing) has meeting with Australia’s leading enterprises. Vietnamese, Lao PMs meet on ASEAN-Australia Special Summit sidelinesPrime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) meets with his Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith on the sidelines of the ASEAN - Australia Special Summit in SydneyPrime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc met with his Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith on the sidelines of the ASEAN - Australia Special Summit in Sydney, Australia on March 17 morning. PM attends launch of VOV Australia in SydneyThe VOV Australia was launched in Sydney on March 17 in the presence of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. PM meets with Vietnamese businessmen, intellectuals in AustraliaPrime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc meets with the Vietnamese Business Association in Australia (VBAA). VBAA President Tran Ba Phuc, for his part, said that the Vietnamese businesses have proactively popularised Vietnamese agricultural products in Australia.