* Russia detected 23 foreign aircraft flying close to its border for surveillance purposes over the past week, the Russian Defense Military's newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda reported Friday. * US President Donald Trump unveiled Thursday at Pentagon this year's Missile Defense Review which contain's the country's intention to expand its missile defense capabilities. * France would carry out its military offensive against the Islamic State (IS) fighters in Syria this year, French President Emmanuel Macron said on January 17, warning that "any rush to withdraw (troops) would be a mistake." * NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has confirmed his attendance at the informal meeting of defence ministers of the European Union (EU) member states, to be held in Bucharest at the end of January, Romanian Defense Minister Gabriel Les announced on January 17. The meeting is the first ministerial level event to be hosted by Romania since it took over the Presidency of the EU Council. * Russia and … [Read more...] about World News in Brief: January 18
VietNamGo travel app launched
Within the framework of the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2019 taking place in Ha Long city, on January 16 the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) cooperated with the Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) to introduce a tourism app for smartphones called VietNamGo. VietNamGo is the official app of Vietnamese tourism and supervised by VNAT, with features including travel information handbooks on transport, climate, prominent destinations, and food at destinations such as Hanoi, Da Nang, Hue, Lao Cai, Ninh Binh, Phu Quoc Island, and Ho Chi Minh City. The app is in English and Vietnamese and supports modern technologies such as 360-degree photos and 3D and VR tours. According to Mr. Ngo Dien Hy, General Manager of the VNPT-IT Company, the app has already been introduced in 27 cities and provinces nationwide. “VietNamGo is a national application for tourism and will help to connect tourism data within cities and provinces,” he said. “Through … [Read more...] about VietNamGo travel app launched
Cambodia, Myanmar against EC’s rice tariff decision
Cambodia and Myanmar have raised their objections against the European Commission (EC)’s decision to impose tariffs on their rice. (Photo: AFP/VNA) Phnom Penh (VNA) – Cambodia and Myanmar have raised their objections against the European Commission (EC)’s decision to impose tariffs on rice imports from the two Southeast Asian countries. In an announcement, the Cambodian Ministry of Commerce stressed that the inspection by the EC which found imports of indica rice from both nations have increased by 89 percent in the past five rice-growing seasons was made based on inaccurate information. The decision will hurt farmers in one of the most impoverished countries in the Southeast Asia, it said. Meanwhile, the Myanmar Rice Federation called on the European Union (EU) to continue supports for the country which is facing a wide range of challenges. According to the EC’s decision, from January 18, the EU will reinstate the normal customs duty on this product of … [Read more...] about Cambodia, Myanmar against EC’s rice tariff decision
Nestle commits close cooperation with Vietnamese partners
General Director for Vietnam Ganesan Ampalavanar speaks at the Vietnam Economic Forum 2019. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Nestle, the world’s largest food and beverage company, has committed to close relations with its Vietnamese partners to create shared value, said the company’s General Director for Vietnam Ganesan Ampalavanar. Attending the Vietnam Economic Forum 2019, themed “Strengthening the fundamental drivers for rapid and sustainable economic development”, Ampalavanar stressed that long-term growth target requires the joint effort of all economic sectors based on the principle “Creating Shared Value”. As the private sector has contributed largely to the country’s economic growth, mutual understanding and collaboration between state-owned and private firms, as well as between domestic and FDI businesses, should be promoted. Developing a “common voice” between policymakers, policy enforcement agencies, and economic … [Read more...] about Nestle commits close cooperation with Vietnamese partners
Book ‘Tourism Stories – The Vietnam Edition’ launched
At the launching ceremony of the "Tourism Stories-Vietnam Edition" (Photo: VNA) Quang Ninh (VNA) – A book themed “Tourism Stories – The Vietnam Edition” was launched on January 18 within the framework of the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2019 taking place in Ha Long city, the northeastern province of Quang Ninh. Addressing the launch, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Quang Tung stressed the book meets criteria of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). It consists of 20 stories highlighting efforts to overcome difficulties, as well as creativeness in the way to think about and do tourism of outstanding individuals across Vietnam, he said. Tung hoped the book with interesting stories on Vietnam would help domestic and foreign readers to have an insight into Vietnam’s tourism. The launch of the book showed the Vietnamese Government’s commitments toward the development of national cultural identity, socio-economic development, … [Read more...] about Book ‘Tourism Stories – The Vietnam Edition’ launched