Hom Beach, a pearl in Nui Chua National Park

VietNamNet Bridge – I have been to Nui Chua National Park in Ninh Hai District of the central coast province of Ninh Thuan for several times as this is an ideal location for tourists to discover primitive landscapes and admire turtles

Ministry to manage rail projects

 VietNamNet Bridge – National railway projects worth billions of US dollars, which have been assigned to the Viet Nam Railway Authority and Viet Nam Railways, will be backed by the Ministry of Transport.

Tons of fake squid seized by authorities

 VietNamNet Bridge - Consumers were shocked to hear that they may eaten fake dried squid after reports emerged that the squid was made of cellulose or rubber.

Pianist Anne Chamberlain returns to Hanoi with free concert

 VietNamNet Bridge – American pianist, Anne Chamberlain, is returning to Hanoi for a free concert at the Goethe Institute at 8pm on August 22.

E-commerce sees rapid growth

VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Industry and Trade's Viet Nam E-Commerce and Information Technology Agency (VECITA), has said that total sales for the e-commerce sector have soared to US$2.2 billion in 2013,

Rural farmer designs innovative machinery

VietNamNet Bridge – Barefoot farmer Nguyen Hong Chuong, 39, in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong's Lac Lam Commune has invented a number of machines to help farmers.

Images: A bubbling, polluted canal in Saigon

 VietNamNet Bridge – The 2-km-long Ba Bo Canal that extends between Binh Duong Province and Ho Chi Minh City has been covered by white bubbles that look like snow for many years.

Crucial tests for Vietnam ahead of AFF Suzuki Cup

VietNamNet Bridge – The national football squad will play friendlies against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Pakistan in September in preparation for tough clashes at the ASEAN Football Federation Football Tournament

Social News 20/8

 Committee calls for flood preparations; Tourist's body found in Co To Island; Police seize drug haul in Hai Phong; Delta takes action to protect people, crops; More Vietnamese drowning victim in Japan found

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 20/8

 Foreign funds reap gains of buying domestic stocks; Hanoi to host TPP talks in September; Brokers undeterred by August fears; Australian cattle export to Vietnam up 9,000 pct; Local livestock industry faces import pressure

Hanoi to build new bridge near Long Bien Bridge

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Party Committee of Hanoi has basically agreed on the building of a bridge spanning the Hong (Red) River 75m from Long Bien Bridge.

Travel firm to vie for start-up title

 VietNamNet Bridge – A Vietnamese tourism company has been chosen to represent Viet Nam in an international competition for start-ups, Seedstars World, to be held in Geneva next February.

Overseas fighter wishes to build martial arts school in Vietnam

VietNamNet Bridge – Popular Vietnamese American mixed martial arts fighter/actor Cung Le on Thursday had a meeting with local media in HCMC’s District 7 where he expressed his ambition to instruct local learners

Jackie Chan's son Jaycee in drug arrest

 The son of Hollywood actor Jackie Chan has been arrested on drug-related charges, Chinese state media say.

Adam Williams returns to Next Top Model 2014

 VietNamNet Bridge – Famed Australian catwalk coach Adam Williams has been welcomed back by the board of Vietnam’s Next Top Model to judge the 2014 season.

Venture investment funds pouring more money into startups

VietNamNet Bridge – Venture investment funds in Vietnam have been disbursing more money to targeted firms, particularly startups with potential.

Train collision with rickshaw in Bihar death toll at 21

 A train crash in the Indian state of Bihar on Monday left 21 dead and two injured, officials say.

Prime Minister appoints new deputy ministers

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has signed a decision to appoint deputy ministers for the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Construction, the Ministry of Science and Technology and the deputy governor of the State Bank of Vietnam.

HCM City floods more severe in recent years

 VietNamNet Bridge – HCM City was seriously flooded by a heavy rain that lasted more than half an hour on the evening of August 18. Experts say that flooding is getting worse in the city.

Australia and Indonesia 'to end spy rift'

 Australia's foreign minister says a deal has been reached with Indonesia to end a row over claims Australian agents spied on the Indonesian president.

Poorly dressed customers not welcomed at luxury shops

 VietNamNet Bridge – Salespeople at upscale shops invariably give a warm welcome to smartly dressed customers, but are chilly toward those who do not look well-off.

U19 team receives VND480 million gift from Brunei King

U19 team receives VND480 million gift from Brunei King; Local player tops Int’l billiards tournament; Vietnam enter ASEAN youth football champs semi-finals; Duan keeps hold of yellow jersey

Genetically modified corn approved, farmers still wait for permission to plant

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has allowed the use of four varieties of genetically modified corn, but farmers still need to get permission from the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment to grow them on a large scale.

Binh Hung Island - a blue paradise off Cam Ranh

 VietNamNet Bridge – If someone looks for a primitive landscape to relax or discover the untouched beauty of nature, Binh Hung Island off Cam Ranh City is highly recommended.

T&T set to claim AFC Cup quarters

 The Asian Football Federation Cup's quarter-final first leg match between Ha Noi T&T and Arbil FC is expected to see many goals scored at the capital city today.