Japanese authorities have announced the prosecution against the Japan Transport Consulting Corporation and its three officials in relation to a bribery incident involving railway projects in Vietnam that receive ODA funds.

 The European Union (EU) has committed EUR542 million (US$736 million) in official development assistance to Vietnam this year, and the level of aid would also be maintained for the coming years.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Economic power is second only to "violence" and Official Development Assistance (ODA) is one of the tools demonstrating this great power.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Foreign State Secretary Markus Ederer on June 17 voiced Germany’s support for peaceful settlement of disputes in the East Sea in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi will begin a two-day visit to Vietnam on June 9, in an effort to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries, especially in economics, trade and investment.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Japan still maintains its non-refundable aid and technical assistance for Viet Nam, confirmed an official from the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI).

Few Vietnamese businesses open to outsourcing study; More domestic consumers put purchases on credit; East Sea dispute encourages consumption of Vietnamese goods, deputy minister; Dubai group looks to invest in Vietnam

 Japan will not suspend its official development assistance (ODA)-funded projects in Vietnam, a Vietnamese official has reported.

 HCM City vows to protect businesses targeted by rioters; CT Group launches dragon fruit orchard in Australia; New regulations target multilevel marketing; UOB ready to acquire GP Bank; Petrol re-exports allowed

 VietNamNet Bridge – No one knows how big the “underground”, or unregistered foreign debt is, while the official foreign debt has been found to be increasing steadily.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Public Security took into custody six railway officials last Friday on charges of "abusing power while on duty" and "irresponsibility causing serious consequences" following a one-month investigation.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Construction (MOC) has insisted that the investor, design consultant, project planner and EPC contractor must accept responsibility for the projected cost overruns of the Cat Linh-Ha Dong railway project.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh will make a week-long tour of Sweden and Great Britain and Northern Ireland from April 9-17, to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various areas,

 Vietnamese seafood available in 156 markets; Positive signs for the economy in Q1; Vingroup announces plans to launch into e-commerce; Shrimp industry protests US imposition of anti-dumping taxes

The Ministry of Transport has suspended two depugy general directors of the Vietnam Railway Corporation to verify claims that an executive of the Japan Transportation Consultants Inc. bribed  Vietnamese transport officials with $800,000.

 VietNamNet Bridge – State President Truong Tan Sang will pay a State visit to Japan from March 16-19 at the invitation of Emperor Akihito, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on March 9.

 Crane hits cement gate, three die; Forest fires engulf Hoang Lien National Park; Japan loan helps VN address climate change; Quang Nam offers free bus for air passengers; Fishing ship saved in Truong Sa archipelago

VietNamNet Bridge – Japan will source at least 200 billion Yen in official development assistance (ODA) for Vietnam in 2014 – equivalent to the previous year’s figure.

 VN hopes for increased ties with Japan; Viet Nam affirms consistent commitment to human rights; VN sends condolences over Chinese terrorist attack; Vietnam, Cambodia law-making bodies tighten ties

The Vietnam Development Partnership Forum was held for the first time in 2013, replacing the Consultative Group Meeting of Donors.