Twins born almost a month from each other

 VietNamNet Bridge – Having delivered a boy on May 4, nearly a month later Mrs. Lu Thi Bien, 27 years old, in Ha Giang province, gave birth to a girl. Both babies were born at home, with the second birth monitored by health workers.

France helps develop eco-tourism in Thua Thien-Hue

 A project on developing eco-tourism in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue was launched on July 4 with the assistance from the

Sports News

 Vietnam to compete at Asian volleyball championships; Vietnam falls short at shooting competition; Nam prepares for Thailand test; Minh seeded four at Taipei Open; Young masters compete; VN shooters miss the mark  

Australian multicultural band returns to Vietnam

The Music of Joy- an Australia's unique and multicultural band will return to Vietnam for free performances from July 12 to 19.

US enhanced airport security checks target electronics

 American officials have ordered some overseas airports with direct flights to the US to intensify screening of electronic devices.

HCM City, Hanoi police bust online football gambling rings

Ho Chi Minh City police on July 3 smashed a huge online betting ring for allegedly taking more than VND1 trillion (US$47.6 million) in bets on football matches.

Ukraine says forces retake two more rebel-held cities

 The Ukrainian government says its forces have retaken two more eastern cities from pro-Russian rebels.

18 world heritage sites: Vietnam “losing” billions of dollars?

 VietNamNet Bridge - Billions of US dollars of foreign investment in projects related to the 18 World Heritage sites in Vietnam seem to be "forgotten".

Speculative stock trading helps to push market up

 Robust growth of speculative stocks, particularly realty, construction and securities, helped push up both stock indices and liquidity on the two exchanges last week.

Chinese ships continue aggressive acts around oil rig’s site

 On July 6, the Chinese side continued its aggressive acts at the site where its oil rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 is illegally standing in Vietnamese waters to prevent Vietnamese law enforcement ships from approaching the rig.

Political News Headlines 7/7

 Vietnam, Turkey look towards stronger parliamentary ties; FM Minh welcomes new Polish diplomat; HCM City Party Committee holds 18th conference; Vietnam leaders congratulate US on Independence Day; Advisory council for administrative reform meets

Summer on Ngoc Vung Island

 VietNamNet Bridge - After riding for more than two hours on the boat from the port of Van Don, you reach Ngoc Vung to experience days of fun on the unspoiled island.

Foreign Ministry asks China to explain fishermen’s arrest

 The Foreign Ministry’s Consular Department on July 6 asked the Chinese Embassy in Hanoi to give reason for China’s arrest of Vietnamese fishing boat QNg 94912 TS with six fishermen on board on July 3.

Vietnam, Germany increase crime prevention cooperation

 The Vietnam Ministry of Public Security and the Germany Ministry of Interior will work closely together to finalise the legal framework for cooperation in crime prevention and control.

Vietnam, Chile strengthen all-round cooperation

 Vietnam and Chile will increase high-level reciprocal visits and implement specific areas of cooperation to fully tap their potential.

Viet Nam has second slowest Internet connection in Asia

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Vietnamese may be one of the most globally-connected people, but they still need a faster Internet connection.

Hanoi suffers from lacklustre waste management

 VietNamNet Bridge – Secretary of the Ha Noi Party Committee, Pham Quang Nghi suggested raising the environmental levy on households in the capital, arguing the current fee is too low.

The road to the Gac Ma Reef event

 VietNamNet Bridge - Compared with the battle in Hoang Sa (Paracel) Islands, China was more prepared for its attack to seize Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) in 1988. It chose a time when Vietnam was in a difficult situation.

Incentives not key to FDI attraction

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam is weighing up the pros and cons of offering more incentives to foreign investors.

Pictures of most delicious food

 VietNamNet Bridge - A website specializing in Vietnamese cuisine, Viet Street Food, recently posted attractive images together with the introduction of the most delicious street cuisine of Vietnam.

Maps show VN's sovereignty over Hoang Sa, Truong Sa

 VietNamNet Bridge – The following maps, published by China, Viet Nam and foreign countries, all show that the southernmost part of China is Hainan island.

Noi Bai to close one runway for maintenance in August

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Transport said Runway 1A of Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi will be closed from August 21 to December this year for upgrade.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 7/7

 Industry ministry gets tough on energy guzzlers; ICDREC targets 150,000 SG8V1 chips this year; Techcombank, Generali ink bancassurance deal; Semen Indonesia to build new $300m plant; Bond market spikes on improved CPI

Vietnam plans to compile, use pool of experts by 2016

 VietNamNet Bridge – A pool of at least 1000 experts in different fields that can be tapped for consultative and analytical services for various projects will be developed by 2016, it was reported at a recent workshop.

Fansipan fir and rhododendron trees to be honoured

 VietNamNet Bridge – Leaders of Hoang Lien National Park near Sapa Town in Lao Cai Province is proposing to honour the groups of fir and rhododendron trees on the Fansipan Mountain as the heritage trees of Vietnam.