A 72-year-old Japanese photographer Ohsaku Eiichirou has taken 394 photos of birds and butterflies during his two-week visit to Vietnam.

 The nation got two big  prizes at a March 1 awards ceremony of the 2015 Shell Eco-marathon Asia competition taking place in Manila, the Philippines, attended by more than 100 teams from 17 countries.

VietNamNet Bridge – Although there are many well-off Vietnamese who are willing to spend money on expensive items, luxury malls may still not succeed in the market.

 The central region is likely to face a severe drought this year and regional localities have been carrying out several measures to mitigate the impact.

 Six decrees and one circular are scheduled to take effect in March.

 Dry weather and crop diseases could affect the rice output and quality in the northern provinces, warned an agricultural official at a conference held in Hanoi on March 2.

The Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security for the US State Department had a working session with officials of Quang Tri on cooperation activities to overcome consequences of bombs and mines left by the war.

 VietNamNet Bridge – At least 3,000 hectares (ha) of the Cajuput forest in U Minh Ha National Park in Ca Mau Province is quite dry, with 1,200ha facing high risk of catching fire.

 Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen The Thao pledged easier access to loans, removal of bureaucratic delays, and stimulation of tourism investment during a meeting with hundreds of business representatives in the capital on March 2.

Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang revealed Vietnam’s preparation progress for the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community in an interview granted to VNA on the conclusion of the 21st ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat in Malaysia.

 Deputy Defence Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh and Director-General of the Israeli Ministry of Defence Dan Harel signed a memorandum of understanding on bilateral defence cooperation after their talks in Hanoi on March 2.

  HCM City transport department wants the transport ministry to deal with unlicensed operators using the Uber taxi service.

 VietNamNet Bridge – One chilly Sunday morning, Nguyen Thu Phuong gets an e-mail. She quickly goes to the Old Quarter's Hang Dao Street, where two foreign tourists are waiting for her.

The debate about Nem Thuong pig-chopping ritual

 Future economic impacts of climate change in the Lower Mekong Basin, including Vietnam, are likely to be wide-ranging and could top US$34 billion annually, according to a report recently released by USAID.

"The pig-chopping festival has been a traditional event for hundreds of years for the villagers of Nem Thuong, so it is not easy to stop it immediately," the deputy director of the Department of Culture of Bac Ninh Province has said.

 VietNamNet Bridge - Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien has become the first cabinet member to make public her personal fanpage on Facebook.

VietNamNet Bridge - While Vietnamese shrimp exporters have not agreed with the POR8 (period of review) results of the eighth dumping inspection, the US Department of Commerce has announced it will carry out the POR9.

 VietNamNet Bridge – On the occasion of the country’s 40th reunification anniversary (April 1975 - April 20 2015), a parade and 20-minute firework displays will be held in HCM City.

 VietNamNet Bridge – About five kilometers of coast in the southern city of Vung Tau was covered by oil clumps on the morning of March 2, preventing tourists from swimming in the sea.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) has released new regulations for high school finals, but students are worried the tests will be difficult and prevent them from attending university.

VietNamNet Bridge – There will be no major obstacles for Vietnamese businesses in the global market in 2015, but the biggest difficulties will come from the domestic market, economists say.

 2015 Vietnam Movie Day (March 15) featuring free screenings, seminars and discussions between artists, film producers and moviegoers, will be held by the Vietnam Cinema Association.

A selection of noteworthy arts and culture events in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from March 2 to 8.

VietNamNet Bridge - Phuong My is the only representative of Vietnam at the fifth Korea Style Week 2015.