PM attends Singapore’s National Day Parade

 Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung attended the 50 th National Day Parade of Singapore on August 9 at the invitation of President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

A visit to Mac Cuu tomb in Ha Tien

 VietNamNet Bridge – Mac Cuu tomb, located at the foot of Binh San Mountain in Binh San Ward of Ha Tien Town, is highly recommended for those who travel to the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang

Retail sector likely to be biggest recruiter this year

The domestic retail sector is expected to be the largest creator of jobs this year, according to a job survey conducted by Navigos Search, a leading provider of executive search and management consultancy services in Viet Nam.

Photos: Haunting bridges in Hanoi

 VietNamNet Bridge – Used for nearly 20 years old, the two pontoons across the Day River in Dai Hung commune of My Duc district in Hanoi are in disrepair.

Vietnam aims to build strong Info-technology outsourcing brands

VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam is one of most competitive choices in the world for ITO (information technology outsourcing), according to market survey from Gartner, thanks to low labor costs, personnel stability and the “golden population” period.

Change to Real Estate Law begets challenges

It has been more than a month since Vietnam’s Law on Real Estate Business came into effect. Investors and their legal advisers had been eagerly anticipating this law, as it sees Vietnam move towards a more transparent legal framework

Hydropower plants choke rivers to death

VietNamNet Bridge - A number of hydropower plants have been gradually killing the rivers which provide the people’s livelihoods. Every river in Ha Giang province has from three to six hydropower plants on it.

In pictures: Ancient Cham towers face big threat

Most of the ancient Cham towers in the central provinces of Quang Nam and Thua Thien - Hue are at risk of being ruined. However, relevant agencies have yet to find the optimal solution to restore the towers.

1 million HCM City dwellers look forward to tap water access

VietNamNet Bridge - Hundreds of thousands of households in the suburbs of HCM City have to save every drop of clean water as they have no access to tap water. 

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 10/8

 Many nations favour Vietnam’s surimi, Vietnam to produce 2.6 bln litres of fresh milk by 2020, VSIP Quang Ngai launches phase II, ASEAN integration to raise job hopes, HSBC: Vietnam’s market share forecast to rise

EVN seeks US$27.51 bln for national grid development

Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) was expected to mobilize VND600 trillion (US$27.51 billion) from local and international sources to meet capital demand for the national power grid development in 2016-2020.

Pheasants make farmers rich

 VietNamNet Bridge – Tran Van Chuc, an official at Duy Thu Commune's People's Committee in central Quang Nam, has a love for pheasants and has taught farmers how to make a living raising them.

Counterfeit TV products popping up

With the proliferation of UHD televisions in the past three years, few markets have been more important to manufacturers and retailers than Vietnam. Likewise, few markets are riper for counterfeits than Vietnam.

Stoking the kilns

 The three villages that long ago formed a pottery triangle in northern Vietnam have each been affected differently by the passing of time.

The temple famous for terracotta statues

Located 30-km east of Hanoi, Nom pagoda belongs to the historic relic in Nom village, Dai Dong Commune, Van Lam District, Hung Yen Province and is a famous pagoda for its old architectural features and its terra-cotta statues.

What will SBV do with banks sold for zero Vietnamese dong?

VietNamNet Bridge - Within the first six months, the State Bank bought three joint-stock banks for zero Vietnamese dong and assigned state-owned commercial banks to restructure the bought banks.

Beautiful beaches in Vung Tau

 VietNamNet Bridge – The most famous beach in Vung Tau is Ho Coc, ranked 8th among the 12th cheapest paradises by Thrillist.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 9/8

Fuel wholesalers increase imports from ASEAN, KIDO yet to invest in DongABank, July manufacturing output grows strongly, Ministry seeks to extend export tax break for sliced cassava, Foreign shipping lines still dominant

Internet-based smart home product launched in Vietnam

 Venture fund DFJ VinaCapital has assisted the US’ Greenvity to launch its smart home technologies in Vietnam.

Vietnam's trademarks worth $172 billion

 The value of Vietnam’s trademarks in 2014 was $172 billion, an increase of 30 per cent compared to 2013 and ranking the country sixth in ASEAN, according to the 2015 Vietnam Trademark Forum.

Portrait drawing business in oblivion

In the past, portrait making was popular in Hanoi, especially during French rule (1887-1945). Back to those days, hundreds of portrait drawing shops were located on Hang Ngang, Hang Dao and Hang Duong streets.

Raising up wild boars on an herbal diet

VietNamNet Bridge – After serving in the army for years, Tran Phuc Dat returned in 1988 and joined the Youth Union in Tan Thanh Commune, Yen Thanh District, Nghe An Province. 

Recovering corrupt assets a struggle

VietNamNet Bridge – Dinh Van Minh, Deputy Director of the Government Institute for Science and Inspection, spoke to the newspaper Tien Phong (Vanguard) about possible changes to the 2005 Anti-Corruption Law.

Exchange rate, budget deficit are high risks for Vietnam economy

The dong/dollar exchange rate and the loss of state budget revenue from tax collections are the two most serious challenges for the national economy, according to a report issued in July by the National Finance Supervision Council.

Junior colleges pessimistic about enrolment plan

The Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) has said that with the mandated floor mark of 15 on entrance exams, there would be enough students for junior colleges and universities. But junior colleges are pessimistic about their enrolment plans.