Wild elephants destroy crops in central highlands

 VietNamNet Bridge – Farmers in the central highland province of Dak Lak are losing their crops as wild elephants from local forests continue to feed on their crops.  

Forests destroyed to grow rubber

Investors always reason the local economic development when registering rubber growing projects. However, they just try to make profit for themselves by exploiting rich forests and selling precious wood.

Customs agencies remain distrustful, banks’ guarantee becomes useless

 VieNamNet Bridge – Customs agencies refuse commercial banks’ guarantees for enterprises’ tax payment, requesting enterprises to pay tax before getting customs clearance.

The destiny of the education technology program

 The education technology is the research work at the national level by Professor Ho Ngoc Dai. The program was put into application in 1978 at the Hanoi Experiment Secondary School.

GOVERNMENT IN BRIEF 17/9

 President on landmark Hungary trip; VN wishes to broaden NZ links across wide range of sectors; Deputy PM Nhan travels to Russia for special working visit

Hue provides free wifi services

VietNamNet Bridge – People in the former imperial city of Hue will be provided with free wifi in the administrative area of the city and tourism spots as part of a six month pilot programme, starting from September 22.

ASEAN, China senior officials talk East Sea code of conduct

 VietNamNet Bridge – A Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh, attended the sixth ASEAN-China Senior Officials' Meeting, held in Suzhou city, Jiangsu province.

Shooting spree at Washington naval base leaves 13 dead

 A former US naval reservist killed 12 people in a shooting rampage at a military base in the heart of Washington, exchanging fire with police before losing his own life.

MoET tightens operations at local private pre-schools

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Education and Training has urged educational departments and local authorities to quickly re-examine the facilities standards at all private pre-schools to assure the safety of children,

Authorities fail to tackle pollution woes

 VietNamNet Bridge – Lack of legal framework and supporting tools have posed difficulties in resolving conflicts arising from environmental polluters and people living in polluted areas.

ODA commitments for Vietnam reach USD80 billion

 VietNamNet Bridge – The international community pledged to provide Vietnam total official development assistance (ODA) of nearly USD80 billion over the past two decades.  

Three longtime banh mi shops in Saigon

 VietNamNet Bridge - Each shop has its own style. Although they are luxury or sidewalk shops, they have been existed for a long time and have become part of the memories of Saigonese.

Remains of the ancient citadels in Vietnam

 VietNamNet Bridge - The laterite walls or the ruined gates covered by moss are the traces of original structures in ancient times.

Cancer drug might help treat diabetes: researchers

 A cancer drug already approved for use in humans might also be effective in the treatment of diabetes, U.S. researchers said Sunday.

Vietnam: Biggest rhino horns transit nation

Vietnam is the largest transit nation of the illegal transportation of wild animal samples such as rhino horns and elephant tusks.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 17/9

 HCM City Metro wins investment; Tax cuts likely for micro financiers; Belgian Minister prepares to study Hiep Phuoc Port complex; PM demands dairy hike explanation

Mexican ballet dancers to tour local cities to celebrate National Day

 VietNamNet Bridge – Beautiful ballet dancers from Mexico promise to entertain audiences in Ha Noi, Hai Phong and Ha Long cities to the fullest with free performances from September 17-21.

Authorities suspicious of Suzuki tax scandal

 VietNamNet Bridge – Dong Nai tax authorities are considering opening a tax investigation into Suzuki Vietnam as the company’s continuous losses do not reflect its confident investment attitude.

Harvest season on the only highland field in southwestern region

 VietNamNet Bridge - These days Khmer people are harvesting rice on the Bay Nui fields in An Giang Province.

Australian guitarists to perform Vietnamese folk music

 VietNamNet Bridge – Two renowned Australian classical guitarists will perform Di Cay (Working on the Field), a piece of Vietnamese folk music at a special one-off concert at Radio the Voice of Viet Nam Theatre on September 26.

New bankruptcy law to help defaulted businesses die more easily

 VietNamNet Bridge – A new bankruptcy law is being compiled which is hoped to help declare death for tens of businesses which do not exist in reality, but still exist on papers. However, some provisions of the laws prove to be more complicated.

Ministry wants review of two hydro projects

VietNamNet Bridge – Two proposed hydro-power plants on the Dong Nai River would have such a serious environmental impact that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment asked the Prime Minister to review the plans.

Gymnast Nguyen Ha Thanh wins Grand Prix gold medal

 VietNamNet Bridge – Male gymnast Nguyen Ha Thanh scored 15.013 points to win a gold medal in the men’s vault at the Grand Prix Osijek 2013 in Croatia on the closing day, September 15.

New species of scorpion found in Vietnam

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources has discovered a new species of scorpions in the northern mountainous province of Bac Kan.

Complicated tax refund procedures put businesses against the wall

 VietNamNet Bridge – The delay in refunding VAT to enterprises has pushed a lot of them to death.