Farmer kills fungus spores with electric current

 VietNamNet Bridge – A farmer in Da Lat City has successfully cultivated “clean strawberries” by using an electric current to kill insects.

Ngo Hoang Bao Vi and truc chi art

An exhibition on truc chi art themed “Truc Chi - Symbiotic - Return” is taking place at Sao La Gallery in HCMC’s District 1 until next Tuesday.

Vietnamese businessmen raise wild animals as a hobby

 VietNamNet Bridge – Raising wild animals for fun or profit has become a hobby of wealthy Vietnamese businessmen.

Inefficient State staff face the axe

 VietNamNet Bridge – If the head of a public sector office fails to perform assigned duties, he/she may be transferred to another position, Tran Anh Tuan, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs tells Nguoi Lao dong (The Labourer).

Landslide, flashflood map available

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Vietnam Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has handed over a detailed map of the areas prone to landslides and flash floods

Mountain pass offers stunning panoramic vista of Ha Giang

 VietNamNet Bridge – On a cool autumn day, my friend and I were lucky enough to visit Ma Pi Leng Pass, considered the king of all passes in Viet Nam, which locates in Meo Vac District in the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang.

US wishes to boost comprehensive partnership with Vietnam

 US Deputy Secretary of State Heather Higginbottom has affirmed that her country wishes to further promote its comprehensive partnership with Vietnam.

Pictures: The largest whale skeleton in Southeast Asia

 VietNamNet Bridge – This is a 200-year-old skeleton with a length of 22m and a weight of 65 tons at Van Thuy Tu Temple in Phan Thiet City of Binh Thuan Province.

New master plan targets sustainable iron ore mining

The Government has approved a master plan for iron ore exploration to 2020 with a view to 2030, which aims at ensuring the industry’s sustainable development while meeting to the maximum demand of the domestic metallurgical sector.

US fast food worker protests expand to 190 cities

 US fast food worker protests expanded to 190 cities on Thursday as the movement to raise the minimum wage in the US to $15 (£9.57) an hour reached a two-year anniversary.

Vietnam’s efforts for a peaceful and prosperous ASEAN Community

With the motto of being “active, proactive and responsible”, Vietnam made important contributions to the outcome of the 25th ASEAN Summit and other related meetings held in Myanmar on November 12-13.

Southern specialty: Pia cake

 VietNamNet Bridge – To many families in southern Vietnam, enjoying pia during the mid-autumn holidays has been a tradition since the early 19th century.

Southwest provinces struggle against border smuggling

VietNamNet Bridge – Authorized agencies have found it tough to fight against smuggling traditionally flourishing by the end of every year along the southwest border in Vietnam.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 7/12

 US investment at US$248 million in 11 months; Japanese bank helps facilitate investment in Vietnam; Vinacomin sets new record in pit excavation; Phu Yen licenses luxurious tourism project; 80% investment in real estate projects come from banks

Tourism sector focuses on promoting national brand

 Brand development has the utmost significant role in tourism promotion and marketing, requiring the involvement of different stakeholders across sectors.

Speakers paint ‘gloomy' picture of fine arts market

Streets such as Nguyen Thai Hoc, Hang Trong and Hang Gai had many shops selling paintings, but the real picture was gloomy, journalist Dao Mai Trang said at an international conference yesterday.

Flying butterfly motifs in Adrian Anh Tuan’s designs

VietNamNet Bridge – On December 3, Vietnamese designer Adrian Anh Tuan opened the third night of the international fashion weeks in HCM City with the collection "Butterfly Effect".

Car prices to drop next year on import tariff cuts

 The Finance Ministry on December 3 issued an order amending the vehicle import tariff, in keeping with Vietnam's commitment to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on tax reduction.

Information security index inches up

 The Information Security Index of Viet Nam in 2014 increased slightly by 1.5 per cent year-on-year to 39 per cent.

Female entrepreneur dreams of promoting VN's fashion

VietNamNet Bridge – Entrepreneur Le Thi Quynh Trang, founder of the Multimedia Joint Stock Company, has realised her dream of promoting Viet Nam's fashion industry.

Transport minister urges regulations for taxi service

 Transport agencies needed to research policies to legalise Uber, a new ride-sharing taxi service in Viet Nam, Minister of Transport Dinh La Thang said at a conference on Tuesday.

Ha Giang’s beauty through black and white photos

 VietNamNet Bridge - Located in northeastern Vietnam, Ha Giang Province is a paradise for nature lovers, trekkers and eco-tourists.

Tea exports expected to reach 245 million USD

The Vietnam Tea Association expects the country will earn $245 million from tea exports by the end of the year thanks to efforts to promote trade activities, reorganise production, diversify the product range, and improve the quality of tea.

VN logistics firms urged to cut costs

 VietNamNet Bridge – Reducing logistics costs is important to enhance further integration into global value chains and increase Viet Nam's competitiveness, speakers said at a forum held on Thursday in HCM City.

Vietnam, US hold labour dialogue

Vietnam, US hold labour dialogue; Floods kill two children, inundate Hue's low-lying areas; Illegal teaching centers disbanded in HCMC; Vietnam takes active measures to prevent bubonic plague; Vietnam works to improve information security