VietNamNet Bridge – On the occasion of the US Independence Day July 4, the United States Ambassador to Vietnam David B. Shear spoke to VIR’s Thanh Tung about the two countries’ trade and investment prospects.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese cartoonists have expressed their views about the Chinese oil rig illegally planted in Viet Nam's territory in the East Sea.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Dutch Government has been closely monitoring the situation in the East Sea and is deeply concerned over the tension caused by China’s illegal placement of Haiyang Shiyou-981 in Vietnam’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Fishermen in some coastal provinces have recently been provided with loans to build steel-hulled boats.

 Sugar inventories up over 56,000 tonnes; Investors keen on Vinatex’s shares; State bank toughens stance on capital issues; Over 2.37 trillion VND for developing high-tech agriculture

 Facebook has acquired LiveRail - a tech start-up that helps companies place more relevant ads in the videos that appear on their websites and apps.

VietNamNet Bridge – The HCM City Education and Training Department has announced its decision to institute a new integrated English teaching curriculum for general school students.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam should strengthen the management of businesses operating in the IT and Internet sector in order to curb the increasing hi-tech security threats.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Vietnamese national football team's new head coach, Toshiya Miura from Japan, had a perfect debut as his team thrashed Myanmar 6-0 in a friendly at Go Dau Stadium in Binh Duong last night, July 2.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese scientists have announced the discovery of a new endangered plant species called Cap Dak Nong (Capparis daknongensis DT Sy) in Vietnam’s Central Highlands.

 VietNamNet Bridge – At a regular press conference of the Government on Tuesday, Minister-Chairman of the Government Office Nguyen Van Nen denied the rumor that China is exporting litchi to Vietnam.

The government spokesman said that Vietnam has no regulation that allows foreign investors to set up special economic zones and would not accept Taiwanese investor Formosa’s proposal to establish a steel economic zone.

From January to May this year, up to 25 percent of the total flights of local air carriers were delayed or canceled, compared to 16 percent during the same period last year, according to the Vietnam Civil Aviation Administration.

 Azerbaijani Minister of Youth and Sport Azad Rahimov on July 2 hosted a reception for visiting Vietnamese Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh during which they discussed bilateral cooperation in the field.

VietNamNet Bridge – TripAdvisor, the US’s premier travel website, has rated the best 95 attractions in Hanoi in 2014 based on the reviews from people who have visited the capital city of Vietnam.

Tax incentives offered by Vietnam to foreign direct investors help attract business and improve the competitiveness of the country in the global economy. However, when things go beyond the framework, there will be a “competitive race to the bottom”.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Fourteen overseas Vietnamese musicians have returned to Viet Nam to perform at a zither festival organised by the HCM City Conservatory of Music and the city's Labour Cultural Palace from June 30-July 4.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Grandmaster Le Quang Liem is seeded No 5 in the International Chess Federation's blitz chess category in the July list.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Both foreign and local travellers involved in a EU-funded survey in Vietnam say all the destinations they arrive at are environmentally friendly, and visitors respect local cultures and environments.

 The People’s Committee of northern Bac Ninh province on July 2 granted an investment license to Samsung Display Co, Ltd for a US$1 billion project in the Yen Phong Industrial Park.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Socio-economic goals set at the beginning of the year should not be changed despite several challenges facing the country, participants at a Government meeting said on July 1.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam Cartoon Studio (VCS) and its associates are screening 60 animation films for children in Ha Noi as part of the 2014 Cartoon Film Week to usher in the summer holidays.

 VietNamNet Bridge – China has warned that it may close some border gates it shares with Vietnam, claiming it as intended to strengthen its supervision of trade activities. However, economists believe this is just a hollow threat.

 Mozambican defence delegation visits Vietnam; Nicaragua ties may strengthen; Belarus hopes for strategic partnership with Vietnam: Ambassador; Vietnam, Australia cooperate in crime prevention

 Minister and head of the Government Office Nguyen Van Nen fielded questions about steps against negative impacts on socio-economic development arising from the ongoing East Sea dispute at the Government’s monthly press briefing in Hanoi on July 1.