Unreasonable education system makes the youth squander their time

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese youth are wasting years of their lives in university lecture halls. In most cases, say experts, university graduates find themselves accepting jobs which do not require such lengthy educations.

National action plan aims to further green growth

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Planning and Investment on Friday announced a national action plan on "green growth" that focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing the use of clean and renewable energy.

Wildlife education added to syllabus

 VietNamNet Bridge – The last Javan rhino in Viet Nam was found dead at the Cat Tien National Park in April 2010: It had been shot by poachers for its horn, Le Thi Thuy Dung, a biology teacher at a HCM City school, tells her class.

Ear implant may help regrow auditory nerves: study

 Electrical pulses delivered from cochlear implants, which have been commercially available since the 1970s, can be used to regrow auditory nerves in people with severe hearing loss, Australian researchers said Wednesday.

Hanoi debuts six more pedestrian-friendly streets

 VietNamNet Bridge – Hoan Kiem District has inaugurated an additional six walking streets, including Hang Buom, Hang Giay, Luong Ngoc Quyen, Ma May, Dao Duy Tu and Ta Hien.

E-commerce sector rapidly expanding

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese e-commerce sales are expected to hit more than US$4 billion in 2015, thanks to growing internet users, reports the Viet Nam E-commerce and Information Technology Agency (VECITA).

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 25/4

 Many SOEs in HCM City fare poorly; SMEs, farmers vulnerable to FTAs; Pharmaceutical violators under fire; Vietnam software outsourcing sector grows strongly, in world’s top 10; Aeon to have new mall in Binh Duong

Risk seen of hailstorms and whirlwinds in Southern Vietnam

 VietNamNet Bridge – Whirlwinds and hailstorms may occur in the southern provinces and the Central Highlands in the last days of April and early May, says the Central Hydro-meteorological Forecast Center.

Japanese police discover illegal Vietnamese money transferring

 VietNamNet Bridge - Japanese police say that an underground money transfer network from Japan to Vietnam may have existed for the past three years, with a scale of nearly $5 million.

Political News Headlines 24/4

 President praises Chinese support; German parliamentarians visit Vietnam; PM Dung demands all means to eliminate measles outbreaks

Bankers hesitant on upgrading ATMs to Windows 7

 VietNamNet Bridge – Though Microsoft ended its support for Windows XP on April 8, Vietnamese banks are making no move to tighten security by upgrading their ATMs to Windows 7.

Facebook earnings surge on mobile advertising

 Social networking giant Facebook has reported profits of $642m (£383m) during the first quarter of 2014, beating analyst expectations.

Concert celebrates famous victory

 VietNamNet Bridge – A musical work celebrating victory in Dien Bien Phu battle by composer Nguyen Thien Dao will premier in a concert at Ha Noi Opera House on May 7 and 8.

Death toll rises to 171 in S.Korean ferry sinking disaster

 Death toll in South Korea's ferry sinking disaster continued to rise to 171 on Thursday, but those recovered from the sunken ferry grew at a relatively slower pace as search operations were hampered by the unexpectedly swift currents.

VN exhibition to open in France

 VietNamNet Bridge – Images of Viet Nam captured in photos, newspapers and films will go on display at an exhibition in France that starts this Saturday.

Expert tips for university students from SCG’s “Future Engineers Program”

 Making the jump from high school to university isn’t just about moving to a new educational institution - it’s about taking the next step in your life, and working out the way in which you want to contribute to the world.

HCM City youth show surprise taste in music

 VietNamNet Bridge – A revolutionary-music singing contest has attracted a large number of young people in HCM City, where romantic songs rule the roost, taking some by surprise.

Large rice exports to Philippines helps Vietnam boost export to China

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam’s agreement to provide 800,000 tons of rice to the Philippines will help raise the domestic price of the product, which should allow farmers to make higher profits, and help regain the Chinese market.

Three-wheelers help Ly Son lure more tourists

 VietNamNet Bridge – Visitors to Ly Son Island in the central province of Quang Ngai can now enjoy the beauty of the land from a different perspective, thanks to a new service run by local residents.

Ha Noi T&T defeats Arema 2-1

 VietNamNet Bridge – Midfielder Nguyen Ngoc Duy scored twice to lock in a glorious victory for hosts Ha Noi T&T during a match against Arema Indonesia in Ha Noi yesterday afternoon, April 23.

Experts concerned about strange behavior of measles this year

 VietNamNet Bridge – At a Hanoi conference this week evaluating the ongoing outbreak of measles, experts said that they have seen many strange things in the epidemic this year.

Officials go to Kuwait for withdrawal as the host of 18th Asian Games

 VietNamNet Bridge – A Vietnam delegation led by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr. Hoang Tuan Anh, yesterday met with officials of the Olympic Committee of Asia (OCA) to withdraw from hosting the 18th Asian Games.

Legislators call for better quality laws

 VietNamNet Bridge – Members of the National Assembly Standing Committee yesterday (April 23) urged for better quality draft laws to match the revised Constitution before they are presented to the National Assembly (NA).

Tourists discontented with the entrance fees to Hoi An

As soon as TripAdvisor, a popular travel forum, posted information that the Hoi An town government had decided to impose an entrance fee of VND120,000 (about $6) for tourists to step into the ancient town, many foreigners reacted immediately.

Former CEO of Bao Viet Group prosecuted

VietNamNet Bridge – Accused of irresponsibility in causing losses worth hundreds of thousands of US dollars, Mr. Tran Trong Phuc, former general director of the Bao Viet Insurance Group, is being prosecuted.