Good morning from Vietnam!

Society

-- There are two possible causes of the mass fish deaths in central Vietnam, toxic chemicals emitted from human activities and the ‘red tide’ phenomenon, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Vo Tuan Nhan said at a press conference in Hanoi on Wednesday, angering the press and the public with what is seen as irresponsible response to the issue.

-- More than 14,900 ha of rice crops in the southern province of Bac Lieu have been affected by drought and salinity, resulting in nearly VND170 billion (US$7.59 million) in losses, the province authorities said.

-- A mutual birthday party, backed by Tuoi Tre (Youth) Newspaper, was held Wednesday for 100 child patients with cancer at the Ho Chi Minh City Oncological Hospital, while 20 patient families received support in treatment fees and gifts, with a total fund of VND300 million ($13,393).

-- A 19-year-old student in the southern city of Can Tho was arrested on Wednesday on charge of “confiscation of property,” after he had  secretly filmed many female students taking shower and use the videos to blackmail them.

Business

-- Property developer giant Becamex IDC Corp. and the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam closed Wednesday an agreement to establish the 200-hectare Vietnam – America Industrial Zone in the Bau Bang Urban Area in the southern province of Binh Duong.

Lifestyle

-- Numerous exhibitions opened Wednesday in the central city of Hue, in early celebration of the 9th annual Hue Festival, running from April 29 to May 4.

Education

-- Two students from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Pedagogy have won the first prize at a faculty-level science contest with a handbook intended to consult students on how to prevent violence in school.