Khoi leads U12 group in Asian chess championship

 FIDE master Nguyen Anh Khoi is leading in the U12 category at the Asian Youth Chess Championship which is ongoing in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Vietnamese photo and writing contest invites entries

All Vietnamese people and foreigners of all ages and occupations are invited to participate in a photo and writing contest about their feelings for Viet Nam's people and natural landscape.

Central region fights against drought

 VietNamNet Bridge – Currently, the central provinces face to water shortage because of heat waves accompanied with highest temperature during previous days.

Number of road accidents, fatalities decline in H1

The first half of the year saw fewer road accidents, with just around 12,800 cases compared to over 14,800 cases in the same period last year.

National Assembly's press release considered as statement on East Sea, says spokesman

 VietNamNet Bridge – The National Assembly’s spokesman said on Tuesday that the NA’s press release on May 21 can be considered as an official statement on the East Sea dispute.

China buys Vietnam’s rice in record amounts

 VietNamNet Bridge – Despite the escalating tensions in the East Sea, China is importing large quantities of Vietnamese rice. Opinions vary about China’s motivations in making the purchases.

EU pledges US$736 million in ODA for 2014

 The European Union (EU) has committed EUR542 million (US$736 million) in official development assistance to Vietnam this year, and the level of aid would also be maintained for the coming years.

Teachers in HCM City “unchained”

 VietNamNet Bridge – General school teachers in HCM City are now breathing a sigh of relief, as city authorities have given their consent to teachers giving private lessons without needing to obtain permission.

Vietnam's 'Successful Lady' winner prosecuted for swindling

 VietNamNet Bridge – People’s Supreme Procuracy decided to prosecute Truong Thi Tuyet Nga, winner of Vietnam’s Successful Lady Contest 2009, for alleged swindling.

Political News Headlines 26/6

 President hails Vietnam-Japan agriculture cooperation; Vietnam, Laos unveils La Lay border gate; Vietnam vows to enhance economic ties with Francophone states; Vietnam, Norway ink MoU on diplomacy cooperation

Dr. Doom tips Vietnam investments

 VietNamNet Bridge – Legendary global investor Dr. Marc Faber has recommended Vietnam as a solid investment as he believes the country offers attractive opportunities in the long run.

Vietnam Air denies waiting for privileged passenger

 VietNamNet Bridge – National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines (VNA) said on June 23 its flight on June 21 took off later than schedule due to technical problems and that the delay had nothing to do with a privileged passenger as rumored.

China fabricates false tale regarding attack

 At a press conference on June 24, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying concocted a false story to distract from China’s aggressive attack on a Vietnam fishing vessel and attempt to lay the blame on Vietnam.

Lee Hsien Loong: Might not right in handling sea disputes

 Prime Minister Lee Hsien Long has underlined the need to resolve territorial disputes in the East Sea in accordance with international law rather than the notion “might is right.”

Lawyers Association ready for legal action against China

 The Vietnam Lawyers’ Association has announced it will support the government in drawing up necessary legal documents to file a petition against China’s provocations in the East Sea.

Chinese vessels fiercely defend illegal rig

 Up to 123 Chinese vessels on June 25 aggressively approached Vietnamese law enforcement ships to prevent them from getting close to rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 that is illegally standing in Vietnam’s waters.

River, community suffer at the hands of local paper manufacturer

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Lo River, which runs across Tuyen Quang Province, has turned black over the last few years. It is now called the dead river as no living organism can survive in its waters.

The haunting beauty of the Northwest in the rainy season

June, when the summer rains cool the northwestern mountains, is the time for a new rice crop in the Northwestern region. It is also the time when terraced fields in Yen Bai Province have an exotic beauty.

Wiretapping, eavesdropping enter the smartphone market

Spyware has been around for years, if not decades. Software that secretly logs your spouse’s keystrokes, monitors employees’ activities at work, or plunders your contacts and accounts, sits quietly on millions of PCs around the world.  

Draft decree supports fishermen

 VietNamNet Bridge – Hai Quan (Customs) Online spoke with Viet Nam Fishery General Secretary Tran Cao Muu about the Government's latest draft decree on developing the fisheries sector.

Hospitals struggle to win over the public, doctors

 VietNamNet Bridge – Local hospitals and health centres at wards and communes in Ha Noi's suburban districts are struggling to acquire enough patients and doctors despite boasting well-built facilities, local media has reported.

Western witnesses of Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa

In the 15th century, Western missionaries and traders set foot in the "mysterious East". In Vietnam, commercial stations and commercial ports for European traders were set up in Dang Trong (the south) and Dang Ngoai (north).

System to evaluate e-commerce sites

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Department of E-commerce under the Ministry of Industry and Trade on Sunday introduced a system to assess the trustworthiness of e-commerce websites in Viet Nam in a bid to protect local customers from online trade frauds.

Beautiful tile-covered bridges in Vietnam

 VietNamNet Bridge - The unique bridges of Hue, Hoi An and Nam Dinh have retained their original beauty for centuries.

East Sea tensions warned to get out of control

 VietNamNet Bridge – The international community has expressed deep concern about escalating tensions in the East Sea caused by China, and several scholars even said the situation may get out of control unless a viable solution is introduced.