Conquering Fansipan promotes inclusion

 VietNamNet Bridge – A group of young disabled people will take on the challenge of conquering Mount Fansipan in an event that draws people from all walks of life to the famous destination in northern Viet Nam.

Hoang Hai to showcase his designs in London

 VietNamNet Bridge – Fashion designer Hoang Hai has been invited to the "Vietnam Open Festival 2013" in the UK. He will introduce the collection entitled "Hanoi - London" at this event.

French-infused Fete de la Music comes to town

 VietNamNet Bridge – Ha Noi will join hundreds of cities all over the world in celebrating the Fete de la Music – an all-night music celebration to mark the beginning of the summer solstice on June 21.

SOCIETY IN BRIEF 20/6

 Gang busted for making pen guns; Meeting marks Vietnam’s Revolutionary Press Day in Laos; Prepare for storm, heatwave; Flights cancelled due to bad weather

Leading French warship visits Vietnam

The French amphibious assault ship and helicopter carrier Tonnerre dopped its anchor in Baria - Secere Port in Vung Tau City on June 18 to start its visit to Vietnam.

Vietnam, China agree on oil and gas exploitation in Tokin Gulf

 VietNamNet Bridge – The two sides’ commitment to joint cooperation in oil and gas exploitation in the Tokin Gulf is just for their economic benefits, not related to any third nation.

15-year-old boy saves 5 kids from drowning

VietNamNet Bridge - Swimming across the river to round up buffaloes, five little girls became exhausted midstream when they swam back. Hearing the shouts, a 15-year-old boy jumped into the water to save the five kids.

Vietnam, China hold high-level talks

 VietNamNet Bridge – The two countries have discussed major orientations and measures to promote the friendly neighbourliness and comprehensive strategic partnership.

Rice unsalable, farmers in big distress

 VietNamNet Bridge – Millions of farmers in Mekong Delta never dream of making a profit of 30 percent as promised by the government. They just wish to sell out the rice.

EU faces tough talks on bank sector reform, bailouts

 Eurozone finance ministers meet Thursday amid sharp differences over banking sector reforms -- trying to resolve whether taxpayers or creditors pay for future bailouts.

Hanoi: Young people enchanted by lotus

This is the blooming season of lotus in Hanoi’s West Lake. In the early morning and late afternoon, particularly the weekend, young people flock to this area to take photos with lotus.

Clips on Vietnam tourism by American man praised by local netizens (video)

Kyo York, who is popular in Vietnam as an American who can sing Vietnamese songs very well, has made a short video clip on Vietnam tourism. The clip has immediately attracted the attention of Vietnamese netizens.

OV conferred certificate of merit for collection of ancient maps

Da Nang authorities yesterday granted a Certificate of Merit for Tran Thang, a Vietnamese American, for painstakingly collecting historical maps and contributing to affirm Vietnam's sovereignty over the islands of Hoang Sa and Truong Sa.

Students practice reading at preparatory class for university entrance exams

 VietNamNet Bridge – This odd thing took place in a preparatory class for university entrance exams in Hanoi.

Rent for My Dinh stadium in VND-Arsenal match fixed at VND800 million

 VietNamNet Bridge - My Dinh stadium management board and the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) on June 18 agreed with the price of VND800 million ($40,000).

VFF asks Arsenal to add Paracels and Spratlys into Vietnam map

Yesterday Chairman Nguyen Trong Hy of the Vietnam Football Federation signed an official letter to Arsenal FC, asking them to edit the clip posted on the FC website (Arsenal.com).

Tour vouchers: the cheapest is the dearest

While tour vouchers have become too familiar to travelers in developed countries, they still have been refused by Vietnamese travelers, who believe that the cheapest is the dearest.

Hoi An prepares for week-long festivities

 VietNamNet Bridge – Forty cultural events will be held during the fifth Quang Nam Heritage Festival, which runs from this Saturday until next Wednesday.

Hanoi to host ASEAN student sports festival

 VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam is all set to host the Southeast Asian (SEA) student sports festival in Ha Noi on June 23-30, officials said.

Assembly cuts corporate income tax

 VietNamNet Bridge – National Assembly deputies yesterday, June 19, adopted four laws, one of them will regulate a lower corporate income tax from next year.

Beijing welcomes President Sang

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang yesterday, June 19, started a three-day state visit to China at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

East Sea Conduct key to ‘regional stability'

VietNamNet Bridge – To establish and enhance regional trust and co-operation as well as ensuring a peaceful and stable East Sea, Viet Nam is keen to encourage closer links during the search and rescue of stricken vessels in the sea.

State budget earns nothing from $8 billion of phone exports

Phone and phone part exports prove to be the biggest dollar earner in Vietnam, with the export turnover of $8.1 billion in the first five months of the year. However, a very small percentage of the sum of money went to the state budget.

U.S. Fed holds steady on stimulus to support economy

 The U.S. Federal Reserve said on Wednesday that it will continue its 85-billion-dollar monthly bond purchase program to spur economic growth.

GOVERNMENT IN BRIEF 20/6

 Prime Minister meets with newly-assigned diplomats; ASEAN, China work on search, rescue in East Sea; Vietnam congratulates Iran’s new president