Football wagering project in the pipeline

 VietNamNet Bridge – Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh has given the green light to the Ministry of Finance (MoF) to proceed with a pilot project, allowing wagering on international football matches.

Slow living rhythm with bikes in Hoi An

 VietNamNet Bridge - Since early this month, masses of civil servants and other residents in the ancient town of Hoi An only pedal to get around in the old quarter.

Banks change high-class personnel

 VietNamNet Bridge – Mergers and turnovers in top management are the two outstanding trends in the banking sector of Vietnam this year.

HCM City to celebrate Unification Day with fireworks

 VietNamNet Bridge – The HCM City People's Committee has approved a firework show for the upcoming holidays – the country’s unification (April 30) and May Day.

Disillusioned with authorities’ inaction on polluters, communities turn to “people power”

 VietNamNet Bridge – As local authorities have often been too late or too powerless to deal with environmental pollution, local people have found the need to take matters into their own hands.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 24/4

 Southern industrial zones need revamp; Transport firms can pay road fee in installments; Vinacomin reports low turnover; Violations rampant in state-funded projects; CMC Infosec, Bkav offer free Heartbleed checks

E-textbook can help with education reform

 VietNamNet Bridge – Intel Viet Nam on April 18, in Ha Noi introduced a new generation e-book, which is expected to create a foundation for a revamp in the education system.

Caching in on organic rice

 VietNamNet Bridge - Mr. Vo Minh Khai has spent 10 years and all of his savings in researching organic rice to serve the local market and for export.

Mobile network operators try to develop OTT apps of their own

 VietNamNet Bridge – Mobile network operators, having lost patience in their efforts to join forces with OTT (over-the-top) app developers, are now trying to develop OTT apps on their own.

“Golden Boy” of Vietnam football announces retirement

 VietNamNet Bridge – Pham Van Quyen, who used to be the top player in Vietnam, has unexpectedly announced his retirement at the age of 30.

Theft reported on Vietnam Airlines planes

 VietNamNet Bridge - Representatives of the national carrier Vietnam Airlines have admitted that theft on its flights is on the rise.

Russian man dies in Saigon's hotel

 VietNamNet Bridge - A Russian man was found dead in his hotel room in HCM City early Sunday morning.

Five highlights of V-League Eximbank Round 13

VietNamNet Bridge – The last round of the 2014 V-League first leg, which concluded on April 20, witnessed Thanh Hoa grabbing the overall top spot with 26 points. Let’s take a look at five of the most noteworthy facets of this round of competition.

Hope for a seat at the gaming table?

 VietNamNet Bridge – Three vice chairs of the National Assembly have unexpectedly recommended that Vietnamese nationals be admitted to casinos, thus breathing life back into the dreams of some developers.

Classical drama introduced to foreign friends

 VietNamNet Bridge – A special “tuong” or classical drama programme has been designed recently to serve foreign tourists as part of efforts by the Vietnam Theatre of Classical Drama to promote the traditional art form.

Cancellation of lighting contest darkens Danang tourism

 VietNamNet Bridge – Many travellers have cancelled tours to Danang City after news that the municipal People’s Committee will not hold the International Lighting and Visual Art Contest 2014 (DILVAC).

Central provinces grapple with increasing droughts

 VietNamNet Bridge – Falling water levels in several rivers and increasing salinity intrusion have authorities in the central region scrambling for solutions, local reports say.

Minister clears up confusion over education package

VietNamNet Bridge – On the weekly television show 'People ask, ministers answer', the Minister of Education and Training, Pham Vu Luan, said that widely-reported VND34 trillion price tag for a new education reform plan was a mistake.  

US-backed alliance to protect Ha Long Bay

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Ha Long Bay Alliance, a joint public-private effort between US and Vietnamese government officials, private-sector business partners and key local and national stakeholders, was launched yesterday

First floating school in Vietnam put into operation

 VietNamNet Bridge – A floating school, the first of this kind in Vietnam, with one classroom and modern equipment, has been put into operation in the Mekong Delta Vinh Long Province.

T&T, Arema set for AFC showdown

 VietNamNet Bridge – Hosts Ha Noi T&T coach hopes his team will remain on top in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup after the final group match today in the capital city.

Singer of the year Tung Duong sets a Music Devotion record

 VietNamNet Bridge – Tung Duong continued his record breaking spree at this year's Music Devotion Awards, grabbing the prestigious Singer of the Year and Best Show of the Year prizes.

Minh seeded No 3 for Badminton Asia Championships

 VietNamNet Bridge – The organisers of the Badminton Asia Championships have named Vietnamese Nguyen Tien Minh as the No 3 seed in the absence of the world's top players.

Political News Headlines 23/4

 NA Committee for Social Affairs opens its seventh meeting; Prompt action on petitions called for; President hails Truong Son veterans; Hanoi commemorates first leader of Soviet Union

Investment guru ‘Mr Doom’ to speak in Vietnam

 VietNamNet Bridge – Legendary investment advisor Marc Faber, also known as Mr Doom, will speak to local and international investors whether the terminal phase of a gigantic global credit and asset bubble has been reached