Logging, mining destroy Quang Nam's lake resort

VietNamNet Bridge – A recent uptick in illegal logging and gold mining operations have affected several mountains and hills located in Phu Ninh lake resort in central Quang Nam Province, one of the largest irrigation reservoirs in Viet Nam

More than 10 percent minimum wage increase could lead to massive bankruptcies: VCCI

The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) has said that if the minimum regional wage increases by more than 10 percent, an increasing number of businesses will dissolve. 

Art & Entertainment News 13/8

 Choir Festival to honour 1945 revolution, Music Story of the Old Quarter out today, Artist Sac to unveil new paintings, London-based DJ debuts at Observatory, Rapper, Japanese DJ hit Chill Sky Bar

Six unspoiled destinations in Binh Phuoc

 VietNamNet Bridge – Wild, unspoiled places in the central province of Binh Phuoc worth visiting:

Boy injured, three killed in separate building accidents

 VietNamNet Bridge – A seven-year-old boy was seriously injured after falling from the balcony of a 10th-floor apartment on Tuesday in Hong Mai District, Ha Noi.

Overseas Vietnamese actress to star in X-Men sequel

 VietNamNet Bridge – Lana Condor, an actress of Vietnamese origin, will be part of the group of superheroes in the upcoming sequel of the successful Hollywood film franchise X-Men.

China blasts: Casualties in Tianjin port city explosions

 Massive explosions have hit China's northern city of Tianjin, leaving at least 17 people dead and hundreds more injured.

One-night stand for UK trance trio Above & Beyond

 The British trance trio Above & Beyond will take the stage at a one-night only show next month at the Ho Tram Resort Casino Viet Nam, Asia's only beachfront integrated resort.

Metro to stay in Vietnam after store chain sale

 Germany’s Metro AG will stay in Vietnam by launching a new business after it sells its wholesale store chain to a Thai firm.

Party, NA, Gov't agencies coordinate on external information

The Foreign Ministry, the Party’s Central Committee's Commission for External Relations and the NA Committee on External Relations signed an Agreement on their coordination on diplomatic information of VN overseas representative agencies Tuesday.

Deputy PM asks to optimize ODA

 Ministries, agencies and localities are requested to drastically strengthen management works to take advantage the Official Development Assistance (ODA) in the most efficient manner.

Social News 13/8

 Ben Tre: Serious pollution at Phu Hung garbage dump, Central province taps renewable energy sources, High costs blamed for low LED usage, Over sixty commercial projects shift to social housing, New policy helps upgrade houses for those in need

Viettel's Lumitel signs up 10th of Burundian population

 Lumitel, Viettel Group's mobile operator in Burundi, has signed up 1 million subscribers, or 10 per cent of the African country's population, in the four months since it began operations.

Gold price and the US rate sharply increase

 Gold prices jumped in the markets on August 12. Each tael of the State-owned SJC gold was listed at VND33.72 million (US$1,528), an increase of VND800,000 (US$36.2) from previous day's rate.

EVN complains about coal shortage, puts high hopes on Red River coal basin

VietNamNet Bridge - The discussions about the coal supply for Duyen Hai 1 and Vinh Tan 2 Thermal power Plants have come to a deadlock. 

Government backs start-up businesses

 Legal and administrative procedures were the biggest challenges facing start-up businesses, according to a forum attended by Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam yesterday.

NA discusses Law on Access to Information

 National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee members yesterday said that the Law on Access to Information was meant to enable people to exercise their rights and strengthen policy transparency.

HCM City leader receives Bangladeshi President

Ho Chi Minh City will do its utmost to promote the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Bangladesh, Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Hoang Quan told Bangladeshi President Abdul Hamid on August 12.

Vietnam heritage photo contest launched

Vietnam’s nature and daily life coupled with tangible and intangible culture will be featured at the fourth Vietnam Heritage Photo Awards through the lens of photography aficionados.

Vietnam clinches four first prizes at piano contest

 Students from the Vietnam National Academy of Music brought home four first prizes from the recent China – ASEAN youth piano competition in the Chinese city of Nanning.

Music lovers to enjoy Autumn Melodies in HCM City

 The 10th Art Festival Autumn Melodies will run in Ho Chi Minh from August 25-30, gathering more than 100 artists.

Vietnam, Japan hold high-level dialogue on agriculture

 Vietnam and Japan have agreed to boost agro-forestry-fisheries product trade during their second high-level dialogue on agricultural development cooperation in Hanoi on August 12.

China’s yuan devaluation to have delayed export impacts

Vietnam’s export activities will not be immediately affected by the devaluation of the yuan in China, one of the country’s biggest trade partners, said several Vietnamese exporters when being asked about the impacts of the adjustment.

Quang Binh calls for investment in 34 tourism projects

 The central province of Quang Binh has announced a list of 34 tourism projects calling for investments from 2015-2020 with total capital of over 23 trillion VND (1.03 billion USD).

Dark Cave – miniature version of Son Doong

 The Phong Nha – Ke Bang tourism centre has launched a programme to explore Toi (Dark) Cave in the world heritage Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park as part of the Quang Binh Cave Festival 2015.