Beautiful lakes in Central Highlands

 VietNamNet Bridge - Poetic Ho Xuan Huong Lake, peaceful Lak Lake or legendary T'nung Lake are famous tourist destinations in the central highlands of Vietnam.

Guarded hopes as Iran nuclear talks kick off in Geneva

 A fresh round of talks on Iran's disputed nuclear programme kicks off in Geneva on Thursday with Tehran saying a deal may finally be possible in the long-running standoff.

Tourism administration agency to issue ‘black list'

VietNamNet Bridge – The Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism, VNAT, has decided to publish online a "black list" of dishonest tourism services and facilities that tend to rip off customers.

Vietnam introduces IAEA Resolution at UN General Assembly

Vietnam, as Chair of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), introduced a Draft Resolution entitled “Report of the IAEA” at a plenary session of the 68 th UN General Assembly in New York on November 5-6.

GSO’s data acceptable: ministry

 VietNamNet Bridge – Minister of Planning and Investment Bui Quang Vinh said that data provided by the General Statistics Office (GSO) is acceptable and the local economy has really seen recovery signs.

Revised land law hopes to solve acquisition angst

VietNamNet Bridge – Lawmakers debated the draft of the revised Land Law yesterday, Nov 6. While bills usually undergo two sessions before getting approval, this bill has been included in three plenary sessions of the assembly.

Eight Vietnam specialty gifts added to Asia Book of Records

 VietNamNet Bridge – Eight specialty gifts produced in localities across the country have been recognised among the ‘top specialty gifts of Asia’ in 2013.

Vietnamese seafood companies silently seeking foreign partners

 VietNamNet Bridge – A series of the “big guys” in the seafood industry are planning to sell stakes to foreign investors, which is considered a good way to seek capital.

Fresh guidelines for foreign interests in education

VietNamNet Bridge –The Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) issued Circular 23/2013/TT-BLDTBXH on foreign co-operation and investment in vocational training in Viet Nam on October 16, 2013.

Fresh policies come into force in November

VietNamNet Bridge – A series of new legal documents came into effect in November, 2013, including new ID cards, conditions on overseas work permit, regulations on illegal marriage, sanctions for fishery violations

Vietnamese technology firms grow rapidly

For a long time, global technology groups like Microsoft, Intel and Qualcomm have their representative offices in Vietnam just to help boost sales. However, the relations between them and domestic enterprises have gone much further in recent years.

Tropical depression disperses, super-storm Haiyan entering East Sea

VietNamNet Bridge - After making landfall, the tropical depression weakened into a low pressure area and faded. However, storm Haiyan, which is said to be the strongest typhoon in the recent ten years, is heading into the East Sea.

Cuc Phuong offers change of pace

 VietNamNet Bridge – Cuc Phuong National Park is one of my favourite weekend destinations. The first national park in the country, it's a relaxing place to enjoy a few days exploring tropical rainforest.

Illegal hunting of sea turtles runs rampant

 VietNamNet Bridge – Even though sea turtles are listed on the endangered species list and are in urgent need of protection, many Vietnamese fishermen capture these rare animals for the big profits to be made. 

VN textile & garment firms may fail to benefit from TPP

While foreign textile and garment companies have geared up with their investment plans in Vietnam to prepare for the Trans Pacific Economic Partnership (TPP) agreement, Vietnamese businesses have been staying put.

Beef jerky sold in Hanoi made from wheat flour

Beef jerky is made from wheat flour not sponge foam, confirmed Nguyen Nhu Tiep, Director of the National Agro-Forestry-Fishery Quality Assurance Department at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, on November 5.

Supermodel Huyen claims second prize at Supermodel International 2013

Vietnamese model Dang Vu Dieu Huyen won second prize at the Supermodel International 2013 contest in Bangkok last Saturday.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 7/11

 Huge potential for cooperation with Middle East, North Africa; Garment and textile exports to reach US$19 billion; 11 export items surpass US$2 billion; Gazprom considers liquefied gas provision to Vietnam

Lacquer exhibition by Japanese artist opens in Hanoi

 VietNamNet Bridge – The exhibition "Japan in Me" introduces the works by Ando Saeko - the Japanese artist who used Vietnam lacquer techniques to show the art of Japan.

Foreign investors flock to the stock market

 VietNamNet Bridge – The authorities have granted nearly 360 individual transaction codes for foreign investors in the January-October period, 2.5 times higher than the same period in 2012.

In pictures: Saigon people combat with flood waters, prepare for storm

The downpour that lasted for several hours in the afternoon of November 5, combined with high tides caused heavy flood on many roads in HCM City. At the same time, people in Can Gio district is preparing to confront the 13th storm.

Vinh, Tu take aim at World Cup Finals

 VietNamNet Bridge – Hoang Xuan Vinh is expected to perform well at the ISSF World Cup Finals, which start today in Munich, Germany.

Export value hit nearly 108 billion USD in ten months

VietNamNet Bridge – The country’s export turnover reached an estimated 11.7 billion USD last month, representing a year-on-year rise of 12.7 percent, said the Ministry of Industry and Trade at an online meeting in Hanoi on November 4.

U23 Vietnam to play champions Malaysia at SEA Games

 U23 Vietnam will clash SEA Games 26 defending champions Malaysia at the upcoming Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Myanmar later this year.

J&J to pay 2.2 bln dollars to settle U.S. drug probes

Global health care giant Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiaries have agreed to pay more than 2.2 billion U.S. dollars to resolve criminal and civil investigations for misbranding antipsychotic drugs and paying kickbacks to pharmacists,