Da Nang launches tourism logo and slogan contest

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Da Nang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has launched a logo and slogan design contest for the city’s tourism sector.

IMF still sees risks in Spanish economic situation

 The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported on Monday in its third report on the financial reform carried out in Spain that there were still risks for the Spanish economy and its banking system.

UNESCO Vietnam honours cultural champion

VietNamNet Bridge – Pham Thi Hoa, 71, has been honoured by UNESCO associations for her dedication to restoring and preserving folk culture in Ca Temple, located in Pho Chau Town in the central province of Ha Tinh.

Campaign to cull nylon bags launched in Hanoi

 VietNamNet Bridge – Ha Noi People's Committee heralded a new programme to ‘limit the use of nylon bags to protect the environment' on Saturday.

Three Vietnamese websites accused of US copyright infringement

 VietNamNet Bridge – The US Motion Picture Association has asked the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to deal with three websites that violated US copyright regulations.

Two nations produce drama without script

VietNamNet Bridge – A scriptless drama titled Stranger, a joint theatre performance by Vietnamese and British artists, will be held at the World Stage Design (WSD) Festival from September 5-15 in Cardiff, Wales.

The big guys and the “tax payment delay syndrome”

 VietNamNet Bridge – After Truong Hai Automobile got the permission to delay the payment of the VND1.2 trillion worth of import tax, a lot of other manufacturers have sent letters to the Prime Ministers asking for the same favor.

Experimented high-quality schools’ failure raises doubts about the model

 VietNamNet Bridge – In the eyes of parents, high-quality schools simply mean the schools which require high tuitions.

Many online newspapers become DDoS victims

A series of Vietnamese online newspapers incurred a lot of DDoS attacks in early July. Internet security experts noted that the attacks are “violent,” “well organized” and “purposeful.”

Local businesses hire foreign PGs to boost beer sales

 VietNamNet Bridge – “Adversity brings wisdom”. Vietnamese businesses, who feel worried about the slow sales of beer products in the economic recession, have decided to hire western PGs.

Industrial stench hits angry Phu Tho residents

 VietNamNet Bridge – Residents close to an industrial park in northern Phu Tho Province have to wear face masks when they go to sleep to keep the stink of deadly waste-water out of their nostrils.

Restored historic houses to be journey back in time for tourists

 VietNamNet Bridge – Le Van Vinh used pieces of shells from 3 million coconuts to make roofs for three houses in central Quang Nam Province's Dien Ban District.

Enjoy vivid ceramic works by blind students

 VietNamNet Bridge - Looking at life through the heart, the blind students at Nguyen Dinh Chieu School (Hanoi) have created lively ceramic works.

The poor need a rod, not fish!

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam is implementing 17 policies to help the poor but these policies are not very effective. There should be stronger measures to assist needy people to escape poverty in a sustainable way.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 16/7

 Wood exports forecast to reach US$5.5 billion in 2013; Wastewater from seafood firms pollutes fish farms; Dragon Capital funds fall in June on ETF redemptions; Shoes, leather products showcased

WB forecasts 5.3% growth for Vietnam

VietNamNet Bridge – Weighing domestic and global trends, the World Bank has predicted that Vietnam’s economy is likely to grow at a moderate rate of around 5.3% in 2013 and edge up 5.4% in 2014.

Da Nang win U17 football championships

VietNamNet Bridge – SHB Da Nang became the new champions of the national U17 football championship after beating PVF HCM City 10-9 in penalty shootout at Thong Nhat Stadium in HCM City on Friday.

Tien Minh wins US Open 2013 championship title

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese badminton player, Nguyen Tien Minh triumphed over his Chinese rival, Wing Ki Wong 2-1 in the US Open Prix Gold’s final clash on July 14, winning the championship title.

Traffic accidents kill six in southern provinces

 VietNamNet Bridge – Three people died yesterday, July 14, when a 16 seater bus collided head on with a motorbike travelling in the opposite direction in Tan Thanh District, Binh Duong Province.

Vietnam wins gold at Korea Open karate champs

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam’s female martial artists won four gold medals at the Korea Open karate championships that concluded on July 12.

Namkung collects yellow jersey

 VietNamNet Bridge – South Korean Namkung Soyoung won the final stage and overall yellow jersey of the International Women's Cycling Tournament on Saturday.

Thieves steal exotic reptiles from Australian zoo

 Thieves stole a horde of exotic reptiles from an Australian zoo, including a baby alligator, leaving their keepers fearing they could be destined for the black market.

Nature Museum adds new exhibition hall

 VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam's National Museum of Nature is building a new exhibition hall dedicated to the evolution of living things, which will help it become the leading museum of its kind in Viet Nam.

TRAVEL IN BRIEF 15/7

 Two Vietnamese hotels boast world’s best spas; Vietnam increasingly popular with Russian tourists;  Da Lat Flower Festival to highlight Truong Sa Archipelago; Operators offer cash prizes to drum up travel demand

SOCIETY IN BRIEF 15/7

 Bright young Vietnamese head home for summer camp; Japanese-funded stretch of highway temporarily opens to ease congestion; Charity responds to Mandela Day; Costly resettlement zone barely occupied