Livestock farms pose a threat to environment, public health

 VietNamNet Bridge – The fast development of livestock farms may have produced a lot of food, but they are also causing environmental pollution and health risks in rural areas,

Cordyceps fungus successfully cultivated in Vietnam

VietNamNet Bridge - A Vietnamese company announced it has successfully cultivated and provided commercial cordyceps sinensis products at competitive prices.

Plants from Monet's garden bathed in blue

 The images of botanical and geological specimens from the garden of Claude Monet, founder of French Impressionism, are part of an exhibition by artist Pipo Nguyen Duy in Ha Noi.

Tube houses, old buildings are fire hazards

Most people living in old apartment buildings and the so-called "tube houses" lack basic fire prevention knowledge, including the need for emergency exits, officials say.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 24/6

 National power plan falls behind schedule, June CPI picks up in major cities, State Treasury issues bills to raise funds, Philippines may buy more rice from Vietnam, Rubber exports register slight growth

Lam Dong: Suspected MERS-CoV case quarantined

 A Russian visitor is currently being quarantined at the Lam Dong General Hospital in Da Lat city due to possible infection with the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus (MERS-CoV).

Storm Kujira to roll in Quang Ninh’s waters

 Storm Kujira’s centre is likely to hit the waters off Quang Ninh province on late June 23, said the National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting, warning of flash floods and landslides in northern mountainous areas.

Buddhist monk bids high for painting of Gac Ma island battle

 A Buddhist monk recently offered 400 million VND (about 18,600 USD) for a painting recalling the bloody naval battle in Vietnam’s Gac Ma Island, the highest bid for the picture so far.

Vietnam welcomes foreign investors: PM

 Vietnam continually welcomes foreign enterprises and investors to do business in the country, affirmed Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

PM highlights agricultural cooperation at ACMECS Summit

 Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has proposed Ayeyawadi-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) member countries focus on agriculture as an affiliation priority.

Vietnam prepares for field hospital as part of peacekeeping missions

 As many as 95 delegates gathered at a seminar in Ho Chi Minh City on June 23 to discuss preparations for setting up a level 2 field hospital as part of the country’s participation in UN peacekeeping missions.

Review of Doan Nguyen Duc’s huge assets in Laos

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Hoang Anh Gia Lai Group is now the biggest Vietnamese investor in Laos. The following is a review of the company’s brand building and its current assets in Laos.

Foreign tourists do not return to Vietnam despite many top attractions

The local media recently reported that speaking at the National Assembly session, the Minister of Culture - Sports and Tourism "sighed and wondered why Vietnam has many things that are “top of the world", but foreign tourists do not want to come".

Cardboard-made furniture factory in Saigon

 VietNamNet Bridge - Cardboard-made furniture is priced at just VND500,00-VND600,000 ($23-28)/item, equivalent to 1/4 of similar products made from wood or plastic.

Ocean Group loses $60.5 million in 2014

Ocean Group Joint Stock Company (OGC) reported a loss of VND1.319 trillion (US$60.5 million) in revenue in 2014 last Saturday when its annual shareholders' general meeting failed to convene.

Vietjet Air cancels flights to Da Lat

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietjet Air had to cancel flights between HCM City and Da Lat, and Ha Noi and Da Lat due to strong winds in the Central Highland Da Lat City yesterday, June 22.

Vietnam issues Typhoon Kujira alert

 The National Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention and Control sent an urgent document this morning, asking coastal provinces and cities to take measures to cope with Typhoon Kujira.

Skinny jeans given health warning

 Skinny jeans can seriously damage muscles and nerves, doctors have said.

Finance Ministry to issue treasury bills to ‘rescue’ state budget

VietNamNet Bridge - The State Treasury has announced a plan to put VND6 trillion worth of treasury bills out to tender and another VND6 trillion this week to mobilize capital for the state budget.

Apple Music changes policy after Taylor Swift stand

Apple Music has reversed its payment policy, a day after the singer Taylor Swift said she was refusing to allow the company to stream her album 1989.  

Social News 23/6

 Dong Nai farmers battle pepper seedling thieves, Vietnam police seize almost 2,000 meth tablets, Golden rains save farm produce in Quang Tri, Large container ship passes through Soai Rap waterway, Hanoi handicraft design competition launched

Runway clear for the rise of Vietnam's first private airline

 VietJet’s recent order for more Airbus fleet reflects the airline’s determination to reach its new growth goal, while continuing to offer their customers greater flight opportunities.

Visa free policy can attract millions of tourism dollars

 VietNamNet Bridge – Tourists from Italy, Germany, Spain, the UK and France will not need a visa to travel to Viet Nam starting July 1, after Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung approved a proposal on Thursday

Japan's Nikkei hits 15-year high on Greece deal hopes

Japanese shares hit a 15-year high, following the global rally elsewhere on hopes Greece will reach a deal with its creditors to prevent from defaulting on payments due at the end of the month.

Image: Congestion at largest lychee market in Vietnam

During the litchi season, the roads to the litchi market in Luc Ngan district, Bac Giang province are congested every morning because of hundreds of trucks and motorcycles flocking to the market. Some pictures of the largest litchi market in Vietnam.