OTT apps to thrive when Vietnam deploys 4G

 VietNamNet Bridge –  Voice call and SMS services will be provided free of charge when Vietnamese mobile network operators join hands with OTT (over the top) app developers to earn money from data services.

Pictures: Cycling for bear protection 2014

Over 100 Vietnamese and foreigners have joined in the program “Cycling for Bear Protection 2014”, during which they took a 132km trip by bicycle from Hanoi to the Vietnam Bear Rescue Centre in Tam Dao National Park in Vinh Phuc Province.

A visit to the Northwest

Each time tourists visit the Northwest, they have different emotions. This is shared by many people who joined tours to explore well-known tourist sites in the region.

New law hinders rehab efforts

 Certain provisions in a new law on administrative violations that took effect ast July is causing difficulties in running rehabilitation centres for drug addicts and providing community-based treatment.

Three streams of “sacred fish” in Thanh Hoa are tourist attractions

VietNamNet Bridge –  The central province of Thanh Hoa is known for three special streams which are home to the “fish gods”.

Legal Advice: The competence of Board of Directors & General Meeting of Shareholders

When entering into contracts, changing the legal representative of the company or participating in transactions and other activities, enterprises should ascertain the competence of Board of Director and General Meeting of Shareholder.

Con Son-Kiep Bac festival to take place in September

VietNamNet Bridge – The Con Son – Kiep Bac Autumn Festival in Hai Duong Province, one of the largest of its kind in the north of Vietnam, will take place from September 8-13

Social News 1/9

 274 waterway offences detected in one month; Petrol stations get safe tank upgrade; Autumn-winter crops yield high earnings; Lao Cai strives to wipe out A/H5N6 influenza virus; MoH launches new online registration service

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 1/9

1,000 businessmen to attend CEO forum; MoF bends again on rubber tax, now zero; Husbandry sector reliant on imports; Experts optimistic of apartments market; Land-use projects stuck in red tape

Vietnam to issue international bonds for debt swap

 Vietnam is mulling issuing around US$1 billion worth of Government bonds on international capital markets for debt rescheduling, Minister and Chairman of the Government Office Nguyen Van Nen said at a news briefing in Hanoi on August 28.

Vietnam – Cambodia maintain solidarity and traditional relations

 Cambodian NA Chairman Samdech Heng Samrin paid an official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of Vietnamese NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung. It was the second visit of Cambodian National Assembly Chairman Samdech Heng Samrin to Vietnam in 2014.

EVENTS SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 1-10 (daily updated)

 Updated information about cultural events in big cities of Vietnam.

Car industry faces development roadblocks

 VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam's ambitious master plan for the development of its fledgling automobile manufacturing industry for 2020 to 2030, which the government recently endorsed, is facing major stumbling blocks.

Travel News 31/8

 VN agencies offer short inbound tours; Malaysia eyes Viet Nam tours; More ships visit distant island; Undeveloped Binh Ba Island boasts tourism potential; Whale Worship festival held in HCM City coastal district

Universities still have little autonomy

 Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has bemoaned the slow process of delegating more power to universities to enhance their autonomy, saying relevant agencies should accelerate the process to increase the quality of education.

Carpooling makes inroads in crowded Hanoi

VietNamNet Bridge – Nguyen Thuy Hang, a young woman living in Ha Noi, appreciates the ride sharing or car pooling service which, in Vietnamese, is called di chung.

IZs told to protect environment

 VietNamNet Bridge – Ha Noi authorities will ban or limit investment in economic and industrial zones that have failed to install waste-water treatment systems, the municipal People's Committee has said.

Gov’t approves use of IT outsourcing by enterprises, organisations

 VietNamNet Bridge – The government has given approval to enterprises and organizations to use information technology (IT) outsourcing, but many businesses remain hesitant to use such services.

SNSD to perform at Lotte Centre Hanoi inauguration

 The heart throbbing famous Korean girl band SNSD is set to perform and exchange with fans at the grand opening of the country’s second tallest building – Lotte Centre Hanoi – on September 2.

Photos: Weather forecasters in Truong Sa Archipelago

 Truong Sa Lon Meteorology Station was built in 1977 as part of the hydro-meteorology station of Vietnam’s central southern region. It is one of the 26 international weather forecast stations coded 48920 by the World Meteorological Organization.

Government bond transactions near US$1bil

 The total value of State treasury bill transactions have reached nearly VND21 trillion (US$1 billion), the Hanoi Stock Exchange has reported.

School brings learning to mentally disabled

 VietNamNet Bridge – In a 20-square-metre classroom, 15 students ranging in age from seven to 23 years are divided into two groups.

Businesses sue state agencies for incompetence, harassment

 VietNamNet Bridge – More and more lawsuits, in which businesses are the plaintiffs and state management agencies the defendants, have been occurring in Vietnam.

Phuc named Quang Nam coach

 Coach Hoang Van Phuc has agreed to lead V-League side Quang Nam in the next season.

Village teacher sculpts stories of the sea

VietNamNet Bridge – Sculptor Ku Kao Khai creates pieces that offer a glimpse into the lives of Viet Nam's hardworking fishermen.