18 million students enter new school year

 VietNamNet Bridge – This morning, September 5, about 18 million students enter the new school year and 4.7 million children enter kindergartens.

Investors trying to withdraw from unprofitable hydro-power projects

 VietNamNet Bridge – After rushed investment decisions, several hydropower investors in Vietnam have been struggling to sell their investments as a result of inefficient business practices.

Fried pasted squid is Quang Ninh classic

VietNamNet Bridge – The northeastern coast province of Quang Ninh is more known for its beautiful landscapes than its gastronomy. A recent visit to the area helped me discover a local specialty that is not to be missed, cha muc or fried pasted squid.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 5/9

 Manufacturing sector moves closer to stabilization: HSBC; Export tax on coal drops to 10%; Export tax on coal drops to 10%; More state-owned enterprises find salary payment violations

50,000 pirate discs destroyed

Nearly 50,000 CDs, VCDS, DVDs were destroyed yesterday by the capital's Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism as part of a crackdown launched at the start of the year on digital piracy.

World champ to compete in Ha Noi vertical run

 VietNamNet Bridge – Reigning vertical running world champion Thomas Dold will return to Viet Nam to participate in the second edition of the Ha Noi Vertical Run at the country's tallest building, Landmark 72.

82 killed in National Day traffic tragedies

 VietNamNet Bridge – The National Traffic Safety Committee said 82 people were killed and 117 others were injured due to traffic accidents during the National Day holidays.

AFTA-sourced car imports to see sharp falls in prices

 VietNamNet Bridge – From 2018, the import tariffs on the car imports from the AFTA zone under the mode of complete built unit (CBU) will be lowered to zero percent. This will make imports cheaper than domestically assembled cars.

“Too handsome" Arabian man to perform in Vietnamese fashion

The organizers of the program "Connecting Dreams" held a casting to find a man who looks similar to the Arabian guy Omar Borkan Al Gala to attend the show on the evening of September 13 at the Military Zone 7 Stadium.

First Vietnamese smartphone up and running

 VietNamNet Bridge – The VNPT Technology Company has released VIVAS Lotus S1, the first smartphone designed, assembled and produced in Viet Nam.

Denmark opens visa application centre in HCM City

 VietNamNet Bridge – Denmark opened a new Visa Application Centre in Ho Chi Minh City on September 3 in an effort to strengthen exchanges with Vietnam, according to a press release.

Reaction to Nokia transaction mixed among Fins

 Finland, base and origin of mobile giant Nokia, was surrounded by mixed atmosphere filled with hope, watch, doubt and despair on Tuesday, after news came out that the company is going to sell its mobile sector to Microsoft.

Tien Minh competes in Taiwan Open Grand Prix Gold

 Vietnam’s world No5 badminton player Nguyen Tien Minh has flown to Taipei in his quest for the 2013 Taiwan Open Grand Prix Gold title for the third time.

Quiet influential bankers show their faces

 VietNamNet Bridge – The recent released reports by commercial banks have given many people a shock, because the real owners of the banks are the names still unfamiliar to them.

Hanoi in autumn sunshine (photo)

VietNamNet Bridge – Roads covered with yellow leaves, the sun beams through leaf canopies, almond trees with red leaves, the long flaps of young girls flying in the wind, Hanoi has entered the fall with a seductive beauty.

GOVERNMENT IN BRIEF 4/9

 International leaders congratulate Viet Nam; President Sang calls for investment in children; President's message for new academic year; Timor-Leste Prime Minister kicks-off visit to Vietnam

PM Dung holds court at 2013 ASEAN-China Expo

VietNamNet Bridge – Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung yesterday (Sept 3) attended the 2013 ASEAN-China Expo (CAEXPO 2013) and the 10th ASEAN-China Business and Investment Summit (CABIS),

“Forest man” builds his home

 VietNamNet Bridge - Carrying columns, removing nails, dismantling tiles ... "forest man" Ho Van Lang joined the villagers to build a tile-roofed house for his father and himself.

Upexim CEO charged with fraud

 VietNamNet Bridge – Police in HCM City last week charged Truong Vui, 54, former chairman of the Forestry Products Handicraft Production and Export-Import JSC (Upexim) with fraudulent appropriation of US$15 million.

US stocks rise but Syria concerns weigh on market

 US stocks kicked off a holiday-shortened week higher Tuesday, but concerns about a possible US military strike on Syria cut into early gains.

American Professor launches book in Vietnam

 VietNamNet Bridge - Larry Berman, the author of the famous book on spy Pham Xuan An, has come to Vietnam to launch a new edition of the book and present the film-making rights to Vietnamese partners.

2-ton stranded whale rescued on Co To Island

 VietNamNet Bridge - Hundreds of people with the support of two excavators successfully rescued a whale of 7.5 meter long and more than 2 ton in weight which was stranded on the Nam Hai beach of Co To Island, Quang Ninh province, last night.

New viper species discovered in Vietnam

 VietNamNet Bridge - Scientists have recently published a new species of white-head viper found in Vietnam, which can cause death in a short time.

6.9-magnitude quake hits east off Japan

 An earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale hit east off Japan at 9:19 a.m. local time Wednesday, with strong tremor felt in Tokyo.

Five tons of pesticide found buried in Thanh Hoa

 VietNamNet Bridge – A big amount of pesticide has been found under the ground in Thanh Hoa province in the central region. Scientists have also warned about the many tons of pesticide still under the earth in many other localities.