Vietnam cashew industry: Time for a new strategy

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Vietnam cashew industry stands to lose billions of US dollars as a result of the failure to establish a framework to assure product safety of internationally traded foodstuffs.  

Female DJ looks to change public perceptions

The society's perception about female DJs cannot be changed at present because, unlike in developed countries, the Vietnamese people have not been open-minded.  

Tram wins gold medal at national swimming event

VietNamNet Bridge – Nguyen Diep Phuong Tram of the HCM-City-based National Sports Training Centre won a gold medal and broke the national record in the U14 girls' 50m butterfly at the National Youth Swimming Championships in HCM City

Thanh Hoa to protect top place

 VietNamNet Bridge – Thanh Hoa have remained on top of the V-League 1, but have their work cut out for them as they defend their position today, July 19, in a match against Dong Tam Long An in the 17th round match.

Vietnamese ‘irregular’ migrant workers at high risk

 VietNamNet Bridge – Since the inception of the economic reforms in the 1980s, one-clear objective of the Vietnam government has been to use labour migration as a strategy to increase employment and reduce poverty.

Agencies still unable to solve minimum-wage issue

VietNamNet Bridge - Every year, the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) and relevant agencies discuss the minimum wage increase, but both businesses and workers have not seen benefits.

HCM City to launch electric car service

 VietNamNet Bridge – A plan to operate electric cars in downtown HCM City especially targeted at tourists was presented by the Department of Transport at a meeting on Wednesday.

Vocational training at a Buddhist pagoda

 VietNamNet Bridge – Kom Pong Chray Pagoda, also known as Hang Pagoda, in Chau Thanh District, Tra Vinh Province, is famous for its traditional Khmer Theravada Buddhist architecture.

Dutch artist finds friendship, pottery in VN

 VietNamNet Bridge – Adventurous Dutch painter Eric Toebosch travels the world looking for inspiration. He told Minh Thu about his trip across Viet Nam, where he fell in love with the pottery at Bat Trang Village.

Jogging for fun, for health and to help others

VietNamNet Bridge – A "jogging movement" in HCM City is flourishing with the participation of people of all ages and from different walks of life. 

Much more to come: Indochina Capital CEO

Peter Ryder, CEO of Indochina Capital, shares his thoughts on relations between the US and Vietnam since normalization.

Luxury hotels face rising competition

 VietNamNet Bridge – Although the number of foreign guests at four- and five-star hotels in the nation’s south rose 10% last year, upscale hotels saw room occupancy and tariffs declining due to mounting competition,

Thirteen domestic, foreign teams to compete in cycling open

 VietNamNet Bridge – Domestic and foreign teams will compete at the National Women's Cycling Open in HCM City today, July 19.

Facebook does have a social downside

 VietNamNet Bridge – Duong Nga's seven-month-old son is learning to crawl, has grown three milk teeth and weighs eight kilograms. Now, everyone knows, thanks to Facebook.

Vietnam urged to better use int’l aid for climate change

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam should make full use of financial aid from international donors to adapt to climate change,

The “outdoor fitness room” at Hoan Kiem Lake

 VietNamNet Bridge - Every morning or late afternoon, many men gather on the sidewalk of Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem (Sword) Lake to practice fitness. They use homemade weights, single bars, double bars or the benches.

VN's prepared for integration

Nguyen Van Toan, Foreign Invested Enterprises' Association secretary, talks with Hai Quan (Customs) Newspaper about the intense global integration of Viet Nam's investment and business.

New rice ceremony of the Raglai

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Raglai people have several ceremonies relating to the life cycle of a man or a tree. The new rice ceremony is the biggest event of all. After harvesting and stockpiling rice in warehouses, the Raglai organize a ritual to thank

The flip side of the cheap 3G service fee

VietNamNet Bridge - The cheap 3G service fee in Vietnam, the lowest in the world, is blamed for the low quality of services.

Lack of public input takes its toll on Ha Noi's urban development

 VietNamNet Bridge – Professor Nguyen Xuan Mai, an urban sociology expert, spoke to the Hai quan (Customs) newspaper about the importance of consulting the public on urban management and planning.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 19/7

 Social housing falling short of needs, Software glitches wrongly make firms tax debtors, FDI mainly poured in manufacturing, processing, Vinh Long aims for 330 million USD export revenues, Nghi Son refinery complex to double its capacity

Vietnam tops emerging markets for greenfield FDI performance index

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam has topped a performance index for green-field foreign direct investment, leading all other emerging markets by a wide margin, according to the Financial Times.

Disney to bring live music festival to Vietnam

  Local kids will have the opportunity to see a DisneyLive! - Mickey’s Music Festival scheduled at Hoa Binh Theater in HCMC’s District 10 from September 30 to October 6 and the National Convention Center in Hanoi from October 9 to 11.

Lifting the burden

 Many people must have taken a deep sigh of relief as the Ministry of Transport has proposed the Government stop collecting a controversial road maintenance fee from motorbike owners. This move is a clear indication that the measure is flawed.

Sea-island economy - a strong sovereignty marker

 VietNamNet Bridge – A robust sea-island economy will be a strong sovereignty marker, Nguyen Chu Hoi, former General Director of the Viet Nam Administration of Seas and Islands,