Portuguese Finance Minister Vitor Gaspar, the architect of the country's reforms under its EU-IMF bailout, resigned as the economy reels and social discontent mounts under the impact of austerity measures.

VietNamNet Bridge – The local software outsourcing industry has posted strong growth this year, contradictory to the slackened performance of local hardware makers and retailers,

VietNamNet Bridge – Under great pressure to realize the economic growth target, the Government and localities are seeking ways to spur investment demand and unblock the capital flow. A measure tabled now is to bolster public investment.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Up to 42% of farmers insist that they are dissatisfied with their current living conditions, according to a household resource survey on Vietnamese rural areas and farmers.

VietNamNet Bridge – The Government should boost public investment via government bond issuance to the major projects currently in financial distress, all for the sake of economic growth,

 VietNamNet Bridge – Truong Thi My, 82, from the central province of Binh Dinh, has been painfully suffering from a huge tumor on her face for more than 40 years.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Rampant copyright violations have long been a thorn in the side of Vietnamese authors who often miss out on valuable royalties because of counterfeit goods.

According to Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Su, Chairman of the Management Board of the Vietnam Shipbuilding Industry Group (Vinashin), the group has a feasible plan to restrict its debts and the plan is scheduled to complete in 2014.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Vietnamese men’s Futsal team was held to a goalless draw with Lebanon in a match on June 30 at the fourth Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG).

VietNamNet Bridge – The municipal administration plans to reduce and ban exploitation of underground water in phases beginning in 2015, in order to protect its natural water sources and minimise environmental pollution.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Deputy PM Nguyen Thien Nhan has ordered local People's Committees to set up tourist support centres to help prevent tourism scams.

 VietNamNet Bridge – An expansive new book tracking the attire worn by Vietnamese people from all levels of society throughout the last 1,000 years was released on Thursday to critical fanfare.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The National Centre for co-ordinating Human Organ Transplants, which opened in Ha Noi on Saturday, is a long overdue service that facilitates both organ donors and their recipients.

 Construction sector declines 5.4 percent; Asset management company established; Mekong Delta promotes trade and investment; VN Tourism Culture Festival in RoK; Ho Chi Minh City records 7.9% economic growth in six months

Affirming that teaching of literacy and calculations for preschoolers is unscientific, the Ministry of Education and Training has issued an instruction prohibiting teachers from teaching the first-grade curriculum to preschoolers.

According to Vietnamese customs agency, the country exported 23,600 tons of iron ore to China in 2012, at $46 per ton on average while the Chinese customs body said China imported 1,748,566 tons at $92 per ton from Vietnam.

 VietNamNet Bridge – HCM City has earmarked VND70.54 trillion (US$3.3 billion) for 36 projects to mitigate the effects of climate change, which is expected to severely affect the city.

Central Binh Thuan Province is famous for cactus trees, white sand dunes and the special cultural identities of Cham people, especially the Ramuvan New Year festival of the Islamic Cham which will take place from July 7-9 this year.

The Government has issued regulations on financial supervision, business evaluation and information transparency for State-owned enterprises and those with State-owned capital contribution, listing four types of enterprises

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam is one of the first pioneers to implement the 2003 Convention for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage, said UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova.

 VietNamNet Bridge - From July 1 to 10, Da Nang City will make a raid on disguised beggars and those who employ children as street vendors.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Information and Communications inspectors punished four websites using the gov.vn domain name for granting visas illegally.

VietNamNet Bridge – Two vessels belonging to the Vietnam People’s Navy returned to the central province of Khanh Hoa on June 30, following the end of a successful joint patrol with Chinese naval forces.

 Vietnam, Laos strengthen labour cooperation; Over 1.6 Youth Union members receive incentive loans; Residents slow to accept City's strict smoking ban

VietNamNet Bridge - Hundreds of ancient houses in Hoi An town – a world cultural heritage site - are facing the risk of damage due to termite attacks.