Chamber music growing more popular among locals

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese people have long thought chamber music is just for foreigners, especially those rich and noble, so they have had neither habit nor passion to go to concerts.

Ministry takes emergency measures to protect wild Asian elephants

 VietNamNet Bridge – Wild elephants’ traditional habitats in the forests of Dong Nai province are diminishing as locals vie for space with the animals.

Oil refinery projects feared to cause glut in Vietnam

 VietNamNet Bridge – Many oil refinery projects have been put forth recently, arousing concerns over a glut in supply as well as potential hazards to the environment caused by production on outdated technology.

Child marriage still common in rural areas

 VietNamNet Bridge – It has been the tradition for generations of girls of Ro Coi Commune to tie the nuptial knot while still under the age of 18.

“Banh gio” – Triangular rice dumpling

 VietNamNet Bridge – There’s an old remark: “Not everyone can eat banh gio. But it is very easy to get addicted to it”. That’s true. This simple dish sold in country markets has become a favorite breakfast of many Hanoians.

A visit to twin towers in Binh Dinh

VietNamNet Bridge – It’s a must for travelers to the central coast province of Binh Dinh to visit Doi Tower (twin towers) as the towers have a unique architecture of both Cham and Khmer peoples.

State-owned nursery schools not allowed to recruit teachers

The Ministry of Education and Training says that a shortage of nursery school teachers is a major problem in all cities and provinces, but the Ministry of Interior Affairs believes recruitment of more teachers is unnecessary.

Experts discuss climate change

 VietNamNet Bridge – With around 75 per cent of Viet Nam's urban population living in low elevation coastal zones, many people will be affected by rising sea levels, experts have warned.

Vietnamese contender for Miss World not yet licensed

 Although Nguyen Thi Loan has been posted on the website of Miss World 2014 as representing Vietnam in their pageant in London this December, local authorities say they have not licensed her yet.

How do the Vietnamese get rich?

 VietNamNet Bridge – A new class of Vietnamese with total assets of at least one million dollars emerged over the last 30 years.

Genetically-modified technology no magic wand for Vietnam’s agriculture

 VietNamNet Bridge – Scientists warn that genetically modified (GM) technology is not the “magic wand” that many people assume will increase crop yield and save domestic agricultural production.

The land of buffalo skulls in Ha Giang

 VietNamNet Bridge - On Tay Con Linh mountain range at an altitude of nearly 2,000 m, there is a mysterious area full of buffalo skulls. The area is the homeland of the La Chi ethnic minority people.

Na Hang Lake, a primitive and mysterious beauty

VietNamNet Bridge – Na Hang is a mountainous district in Tuyen Quang Province and is the home of beautiful Na Hang Lake. With its primitive and mysterious beauty, Na Hang Lake has become a wonderful destination for tourists.

Index improves administration reform

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Public Administration Reform Index, a standardised assessment tool introduced in 2011, is making monitoring of reforms less subjective,

Images: Inside the oldest post office in Saigon

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Central Post Office is an architectural icon in Ho Chi Minh City, which welcomes both clients and tourists.

Petrol market prepares for the world

 VietNamNet Bridge – The domestic petroleum market is expected to become more competitive and closer to world standard following the issuance of Decree 83.

Dutch poet Dick Gebuys: “Vietnam is second home country”

 VietNamNet Bridge – A collection of poems about Vietnam, named ‘Giong Nhu Ban Vua Cham Vao’ (It just looks like you touch things now), written by Dutch poet Dick Gebuys has been published.

Social News 27/9

 Vietnam’s oldest woman receives Asian record certificate; Police bust transnational drug ring in HCM City; Vietnam facilitates foreign investment in minority communities; Vietnam loses 5.5% of GDP to environmental pollution

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 27/9

 Bright prospects for food and beverage exports in the US; Mekong Delta region exports over 4 million tonnes of rice; Derivatives market framework in progress; ADB revises growth estimate; Viet Nam achieves $2.5b trade surplus in 9 months

HBRE to develop wind farm in Central Highlands

 VietNamNet Bridge – HBRE Wind Power Company Ltd. (HBRE) will invest in a wind farm project in the Central Highlands province of Daklak with technology and equipment supplied by GE.

Local firms can spend more on ads

 VietNamNet Bridge – The removal of the cap on the tax deductibility of advertising will help Vietnamese businesses integrate into the world economy, attract foreign investment and effectively compete in other markets.

VN assesses dam impact on Mekong

VietNamNet Bridge –Viet Nam held its first national preliminary consultation seminar in Can Tho yesterday to assess the impact of the construction of the Don Sahong hydropower plant on the Mekong River in Laos.

Learning to become an artist at VinSpace

 VietNamNet Bridge – HCMC-based VinSpace Art Studio has been running a bimonthly event “Canvas & Wine” to give art enthusiasts an opportunity to become an artist.

American famed for “Humans of New York” series visits Vietnam

 VietNamNet Bridge - Brandon Stanton, American photographer and blogger, most known for his photo blog “Humans of New York”, which has inspired a worldwide movement "Humans of ..." , visited Vietnam on September 20 as part of a around-the-world trip.

Islamic State crisis: 'More than 3,000' Europeans join IS

 The number of Europeans joining Islamist fighters in Syria and Iraq has risen to more than 3,000, the EU's anti-terrorism chief has told the BBC.