Mist in Ham Rong Mount

 VietNamNet Bridge – Ham Rong Mountain, which belongs to the majestic Hoang Lien Son Range in Sapa District, Lao Cai Province and is about 30 kilometers from Lao Cai Town, looks like a jaw of a dragon opening wide to the sky.

Gold tourism month launched in Hue

VietNamNet Bridge – The central province of Thua Thien-Hue has launched a special tourism promotion programme “Gold Tourism Month” from September 2-30 on the occasion of the National Day (September 2).

Vietnam’s largest film studio approved to be built in Quang Ninh

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Quang Ninh provincial People’s Committee recently approved an ancient Vietnamese themed film studio construction project in the Yen Tu historical site in Uong Bi City.

Miura selects 26 players for AFF Suzuki Cup

 VietNamNet Bridge – Japanese coach Toshiya Miura has formed a 26-member team that will train and compete for the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup to be held here, beginning November 22.

Late-night liquor sales ban stirs up debate

VietNamNet Bridge – Summer showers or even super typhoon Rammasun, which swept through northern Viet Nam last month, could not cool the heated debate over a draft law proposed by the Ministry of Health.

Breweries in race to spur output

VietNamNet Bridge – Though Vietnam produces billions of liters of beer a year, such volume does not seem sufficient as breweries have shown little sign of keeping local beer production and importation unchanged.

Proposed hydropower plant could affect beautiful Ba Be Lake area

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Bac Kan provincial authorities are considering building a hydropower dam 33 meters high, which could affect the popular Ba Be Lake and the surrounding eco-system.

Rules on compulsory military service may be changed

The NA Standing Committee has just discussed making changes to the draft law on compulsory military service.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 19/8

 Saigon Tax Trade Center to close down; 889 FDI projects licensed; Nearly US$600 million for expressway construction; New customs system will launch soon; PetroVietnam hits 65% of yearly goal; SOEs slash costs by $638.5 million under gov't plan

Poor infrastructure holding back central provinces: Deputy PM

VietNamNet Bridge – Central coastal provinces are, to a certain extent, trapped by underdevelopment and poverty as well as poor infrastructure and economic connections, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said.

Experts discuss promotion of VN culture on the international stage

 VietNamNet Bridge – Experts in the field of art and cultural management have gathered at a workshop in Ninh Binh to discuss ways to promote Vietnamese culture abroad.

Vietnam exporter seek contracts to sell rice to the Philippines

 VietNamNet Bridge – The rice price in the domestic market has been increasing sharply, which may lead to losses for exporters if they bid for the contract to provide 500,000 tons of rice to the Philippines.

Pictures: Gold plated phone cover priced $10,000

 A Hanoi resident has embellished a Mobiado mobile phone with a four tael gold cover, adorned with gems, at a cost of over VND200 million (nearly $10,000), creating a quite expensive and luxurious finish.

Prostate cancer drug ruling a 'fiasco', says charity

 A charity says a decision by the NHS in England to reject a drug for men with prostate cancer is a "fiasco".

Will casinos bring in billions of USD if Vietnamese are allowed entry?

 VietNamNet Bridge – Some say that casinos could potentially make up five percent of Vietnam’s GDP and create 30,000-50,000 jobs, but will the new proposal to allow local citizens to play at casinos really be that lucrative?

Dutch Members of Parliament visit Vietnam

 VietNamNet Bridge - A delegation from the Netherlands’ Parliamentary Committee for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, headed by Chairman Raymond de Roon, will visit Vietnam from 17 August to 24 August 2014.

Dance drama premieres with a bang in Saigon

 VietNamNet Bridge – A contemporary dance drama deconstructing the phases that everyone goes through in their lives has captured the imagination of HCM City audiences since it premiered at Ben Thanh Theatre last weekend.

Vietnam to buy 10,000 Ebola protective clothing

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Health is working on a plan to buy 10,000 personal protective clothing for those facing high-risk exposure to the deadly Ebola virus.

Non-state owned high schools in HCM City lack students

 VietNamNet Bridge – About 20 non-state owned high schools in HCM City have fewer than 100 students, according the HCM City Education and Training Department.

Canadian mining company flees country, still owes taxes

  VietNamNet Bridge – Many Vietnamese businesspeople who have been the creditors for Besra Vietnam, the Canadian gold mining company, are concerned they might not bet their money back.  

Saving tourist sites from tourism

VietNamNet Bridge – Many experts are worried that too much tourism can lower the quality of heritage locations – and even lead to its destruction.

Huffington Post cites Vietnam a top 5 tourist destination

 The Huffington Post website has named Vietnam as a top five tourist budget destination, which can be visited for less than US$50 per day.

Can Tho official stays in US to study after overseas business trip

 VietNamNet Bridge – After a 13-day training course in the US, the deputy director of the Can Tho City Department of Foreign Affairs’ International Relations and Cooperation Division has not returned home and says he is studying in the US.

China’s “pun” trap a ruse to justify expansion in East Sea

The Chinese are using "the trick of puns" to "trap" Vietnam by saying that their operations in the Paracels took place within the territorial waters and the contiguous zone of this archipelago, says the former head of the National Border Committee.

Saving rhinos in Vietnam - Awareness through artworks

 VietNamNet Bridge - HSI, WildAct Vietnam and the Hanoi Education and Training Department recently organized an event called Rhino Art Vietnam to raise awareness about rhino conservation and reducing rhino horn consumption.