Teachers worried about passing refresher English courses

 VietNamNet Bridge – English teachers fear that they may lose their job if they fail the upcoming exam re-sits.

Rammasun claims six lives, three missing, causing severe floods in north VN

At least six people were confirmed dead and three others remain missing after typhoon Rammasun hit northern mountainous localities on July 19.

Exxon Mobil triggers new US investment wave

 VietNamNet Bridge – The world’s largest oil and gas group Exxonmobil based in the US has moved ahead with its $20 billion gas power project in the provinces of Quang Ngai and Quang Nam, a sign of a new investment wave from the US.

Japanese cuisines on Saigon’s Japanese street

 VietNamNet Bridge - Saigon is a miniature world with multinational cultures of both the West and the East. Besides Pham Ngu Lao – the street for Western visitors, it has a Japanese street – Le Thanh Ton.

Criminals target smartphone users

 VietNamNet Bridge – Hi-tech crime is on the rise, causing losses for individuals and organisations.

The legend of China’s bogus "cow tongue"

 VietNamNet Bridge – The "cow tongue" or "nine dotted line" or “U-shaped line” is a product that has surprised the world, including some Chinese researchers, with some calling it "incomprehensible".

Montenegro pianist to perform in city

  Acclaimed pianist and piano professor Boris Kraljevic will perform in the concert ‘Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5’ of the HCMC Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera (HBSO) at the HCMC Opera House at 8 p.m. on August 9.

Women are still the family's cornerstone

 VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam is not like the West, where both men and women usually share the domestic chores, such as cooking, cleaning and washing. Here, women do all the household work - and then have to do extra jobs to earn money

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 21/7

Number of super-rich Vietnamese on the rise; WB provides soft loans for five projects in Vietnam; Vietnam expects to earn 146 billion USD from exports in 2014; Cashew exports increase in volume and value

Feedback sought on tax exemption for fizzy drinks

 VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam's policy-making bodies may reconsider a proposal to exempt non-alcoholic carbonated drinks from the list of products subject to an excise tax rate of 10 per cent.

Vietnam urged to diversify funding options

 Official Development Assistance (ODA) has been a key source of funds, helping Vietnam make great socio-economic strides in its renewal process.

Small-sized reservoirs in Vietnam prove unsafe during floods

 VietNamNet Bridge – An estimated 90% of reservoirs in Vietnam are small-sized, and many of them are substandard in quality, have not been reinforced and do not undergo regular maintenance.

EVENTS SCHEDULED FOR JULY 20-31 (daily updated)

 Updated information about cultural events in big cities of Vietnam.

Budget smartphone sales soar

 VietNamNet Bridge – Budget smartphone sales have risen significantly in the domestic market following the narrowing price gap between mobile phones and smartphones.

Hanoi to host 2014 Oktoberfest

 VietNamNet Bridge – Hanoi will host its fifth Oktoberfest at the JW Marriott Hanoi Hotel late this October.

Heart-stirring photos of emergencies at communal health station

VietNamNet Bridge - "Emergency at communal health station" is the title of a set of photos that won first prize in a photo contest held by xomnhiepanh, a major website on photography in Vietnam.

Vietnam aims to reduce reliance on foreign imports

 Vietnam is a developing country, and it has lacked equipment and materials to improve infrastructure to develop a market for domestic consumption and exports.

Foreign visitors enchanted by ethnic minority girls with gold teeth

  VietNamNet Bridge – Visiting the northern mountain province of Ha Giang, French photographer Tristan Savatier was “mesmerized" by ethnic minority girls with seductive sparkling smiles.

More Vietnamese tourists expected to visit Japan

 VietNamNet Bridge – Many travel firms are awaiting the Embassy of Japan to announce the list of firms singled out to enjoy the loosened visa policy intended to lure more Vietnamese tourists.

Museum makes school stuff fascinating

 VietNamNet Bridge – A newly-opened museum has been an eye-opener for children, exciting curiosity about the world around them.

Vietnamese banks on track for listings

 A majority of Viet Nam's commercial banks are planning to list on one of the two national indices by 2015, according to HCM City Stock Exchange deputy general director Tran Anh Dao.

Vietnam to host International Chemistry Olympiad 2014

VietNamNet Bridge – Over 291 students from 75 countries around the globe have registered to compete in the 46th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO 2014) scheduled to be held in Hanoi from July 20-29.

Branded goods traders

 VietNamNet Bridge – Despite economic difficulties that have forced the majority of consumers to tighten their budgets, producers of branded goods have reaped steady profits because of high-income earners.

Jessica Minh Anh and "phenomenal" catwalks

 VietNamNet Bridge – Jessica Minh Anh has become famous for organising "phenomenal" catwalks at iconic avenues, and for gaining access to such sites. Today, the Vietnamese-born director of J Model Management will turn America's One World Trade Center

Vietnam’s marine ecosystems in danger

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam’s diverse marine ecosystems are being threatened by human activity and natural disasters, affecting the lives of many people, especially the poor.