Saigon man catches giant barb, sold for nearly $10,000

 VietNamNet Bridge - Hundreds of people blocked the Rach Muong Bridge in District 9 in Ho Chi Minh City on the morning of Thursday, October 16, to see a giant barb of nearly 130kg, caught by a Saigonese fisherman in a branch of the Dong Nai River.

Websites’ loss of access raises questions about information security

Six online newspapers could not be accessed by readers on October 13 (Vietnamese Entrepreneurs Day), resulting in a loss of VND2.5 billion a day for VC Corporation, the service provider host that runs the websites.

Political News 17/10

 RoK to sign FTAs with Vietnam, China, New Zealand this year; Vietnam observes Mozambique’s general election; France backs Vietnam’s stance on East Sea issue; Vietnam, Cambodia agree to boost defence cooperation

Vietnam to play crucial role in Asia-Europe economic network: PM

 Vietnam is to become an important link in the large Asia-Europe economic network comprising 56 partners, including 47 Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) member states, once the 14 free trade agreements (FTA) are finalised and implemented by 2020.

PM co-chairs unofficial ASEAN-EU Summit

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung co-chaired an unofficial ASEAN-EU Summit with President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy and President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso in Milan, Italy, on October 16.

Germany to bring East Sea issue to 10th ASEM, Merkel says

German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced that Germany and other European Union member states will raise the East Sea issue at the 10th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) taking place in Milan, Italy on October 16-17.

PM Dung meets Chinese, Japanese counterparts

 Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung held meetings with his Chinese and Japanese counterparts in the Italian city of Milan on October 16 on the sidelines of the 10th Asian-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit.

Literature to be included on medical-school entrance tests

Health Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien has drawn public attention by suggesting that medical and pharmaceutical schools should admit students based on their high school finals and university entrance exam results, including tests in literature.

PM highlights ASEM sustainable development

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has suggested the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) define sustainable development as an important content of collaboration in coping with global challenges, with people playing a central role.

Vinalines loses $3 billion lawsuit to South Korean E&C

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vinalines, the country’s largest shipping firm, has asked the Hanoi People’s Court to annul the judgment of the Vietnam International Arbitration Center (VIAC).

The EU’s role in East Sea disputes

On the occasion of PM Nguyen Tan Dung’s visit to Europe, VietNamNet talks with researchers Bruno Hellendorff and Felix Heiduk, about the role of EU in settling the East Sea disputes and the possibility of cooperation between EU and ASEAN.

Da Nang to develop resort for elderly Japanese

 VietNamNet Bridge – Local government in the central city of Da Nang is calling for companies to invest in a resort project exclusively for elderly Japanese,

An island of rich culture, picturesque sites

 VietNamNet Bridge – Phu Quy Island off mainland Binh Thuan Province is a must-visit destination to tourists thanks to its rich culture and beautiful scenes of mountains and beaches.

The haunting eyes of wild animals at Cu Chi animal rescue station

 VietNamNet Bridge - Even after a long stay in captivity, wild animals transferred to a wildlife rescue station in Cu Chi District in HCM City still occasionally feel anxious and nervous.

Australian scientists reveal "unprecedented" sea level rise over past 150 years

 Australian scientists have made the alarming discovery that sea levels have risen more in the past century than at any other comparable period in the past 6,000 years.

Thai firms spot opportunities in Viet Nam

 VietNamNet Bridge – The recent increase in investment flows from Thai enterprises has shown that Viet Nam is vital for Thailand's economy, especially after the ASEAN Economic Community comes into effect in 2015.

Social insurance debts cause for alarm

 VietNamNet Bridge – Businesses that evade paying social insurance premiums for workers should be punished more harshly, the deputy general-director of Viet Nam Social Insurance, Do Van Sinh, said at a meeting on Wednesday.

Hanoi to host Asia-Pacific public administration conference

 The 60th Meeting and Conference of the Eastern Region Organisation for Public Administration (EROPA) will be held in Ha Noi from October 19 to 24.

VN needs young underwater archaeologists

VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam should train more young people in underwater archaeology research, said Mark Staniforth from La Trobe University of Australia at the International Symposium on Underwater Archaeology in Viet Nam and Southeast Asia,

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 17/10

Q3 growth rises faster than expected, says ANZ; Vung Ang 3 Thermal Power Plant to be constructed; Int’l textile industry exhibition to open in HCMC; VN to import coal in bid to meet demand; Nippon Paint opens third plant in Viet Nam

Authorities work with China to tackle illegal drug trade

 VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam and China are expected to reach a new agreement on their common fight against illegal drugs at their fourth bilateral meeting on drug control which began here yesterday.

Vietnam public debt close to “risky level”

VietNamNet Bridge - The ratio of public debt reported by the Government to the National Assembly is "almost" 64% of GDP, according to NA Vice President Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan. 

100 couples get married in mass wedding

 VietNamNet Bridge - A mass wedding for 100 couples was held in HCM City on October 15.

Quang Ngai exhibits 500 underwater antiques

 More than 500 antiques uncovered from underwater archeological excavations are on display at an exhibition that opened at Quang Ngai provincial Museum on October 13.

Google readies Android Lollipop release

 Google is to begin rolling out version 5.0 of its Android operating system, codenamed Lollipop, on Friday.