Asiana pilot 'couldn't see runway' before US crash

 The flight crew of the Asiana Airlines Boeing 777 that crashed at San Francisco Airport couldn't see the runway just seconds before the accident, given how far the plane was out of position, US investigators said.

Food safety probe uncovers violations

 VietNamNet Bridge – More than 1,100 businesses out of 7,000 that produce and trade in agricultural products were found to have broken food safety regulations during the first half of the year.

GOVERNMENT IN BRIEF 10/7

NA Standing Committee meets for 19th session; Seminar discusses State agencies’ role in corruption fight; Foreign Minister visits India for 15th JCM

S Korean filmmakers help children realise movie-making dreams

 VietNamNet Bridge – South Korean director Kim Ji-hoon and actress Han Ga-in will come to Viet Nam to work as special mentors at the Toto Filmmaking Class programme.

Vietnamese aristocratic students go to schools by cars

 VietNamNet Bridge – The scenes of Vietnamese students, aged 18-20, drive cars to school, have been seen more regularly. They belong to the new class of students – the aristocratic students.

June diplomacy in spotlight

VietNamNet Bridge – The highlights of diplomatic work in June include the acceleration of regional integration, establishment of strategic partnership with Thailand and Indonesia, and enhancement of the relations with China.

Vietnam prepares to go digital

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Information and Communications says it will issue a set of digital TV standards in preparation for the digitalisation of TV broadcasting in Viet Nam.

Escape the hustle of Ha Noi at scenic Ba Vi National Park

VietNamNet Bridge – As a nature lover, I take a trip to Ba Vi National Park almost once every two months. I am lured not only by the convenient road leading to the nearest "green world" to the capital,

Amsterdam film festival funds landmark Vietnamese documentary

VietNamNet Bridge – Work on a Vietnamese documentary about the possible legalisation of same-sex marriage in Viet Nam has received funding from Amsterdam's International Documentary Festival (IDFA).

Windows 8.1 to be finished by August

 Microsoft expects to finish Windows 8.1 by the end of August, the company executive said here on Monday at its Worldwide Partner Conference.

Dying village: Groping on the path of integration

The President of Vietnam Craft Villages Association said the sense of artisans is limited and they do not have a global vision, while the artisans complained that they were not supported by the state so they could do business only on emotions.

Liquid milk brings lucrative profits to dairy producers

 VietNamNet Bridge – The turnover from liquid milk products in 2012 reached VND15.5 trillion, which was 10 times higher than the revenue from powder milk.

Irrigation works cause crop losses

 VietNamNet Bridge – Sluggish progress on two irrigation projects in southern Kien Giang Province have caused major crop losses in Binh Son Commune of Hon Dat District.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 10/7

 Southern sales ignite property market; Vietnamese businesses seeks stronger foothold in Lao market; Ministry projects cross-sector growth; MobiFone offers discounts for roaming fees; Information disclosure set to go digital

Two students swept away in heavy rain in Saigon

 VietNamNet Bridge – Returning to the dormitory of HCM City National University under heavy rains, two female students were swept away while crossing a stream. The accident occurred in the afternoon of July 8.

Binh Dinh seeks the source of oil spills

The oil spills on the coast of Quy Nhon city has caused serious damage to the environment and fishermen. To quickly find the cause and prevent further damage, the local government has used divers.

Vietnamese line-up announced for Arsenal friendly

 VietNamNet Bridge – Chief coach Hoang Van Phuc has selected 22 out of 32 training players for the national squad to play a long-awaited friendly against English Premier League FC Arsenal next week.

ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 9/7

 Exhibition displays photos of Vietnamese beauty; Festival in Hoi An to mark ties with Japan; Kim Hong invited to judge Mrs. America; Vietnamese models appreciated at Asian Contest

SOCIETY IN BRIEF 9/7

 Methadone treatment a success; Scholarships for poor students; Residents move from hydro catchment area; Over 20 quarantined with suspected flu virus

SPORTS IN BRIEF 9/7

 Arsenal tickets almost sold out; Kazakhstan triumph at Vietsovpetrol Volleyball Cup; Women's team receive financial boost; Quang Ninh, An Giang gain promotion

Corruption seen on the rise, global study finds

 More than half of respondents in a global corruption survey released Tuesday think that graft has worsened over the past two years, and a quarter reported having paid officials a bribe in the last 12 months.

The matrix of fruit preservatives in Vietnam

 VietNamNet Bridge – Chemicals used to ripen and preserve fruit are rampantly used in Vietnam but the Plant Protection Agency confirms that it has not licensed any chemical of this kind.

Behind the acquisition of Pho 24

 VietNamNet Bridge – Nurturing the ambition of turning Pho 24 into a world class brand, eventually Mr. Ly Quy Trung decided to sell this brand for $20 million.

Miss Ethnic Vietnam proved innocent from bad rumors

A contestant of the Miss Ethnic Vietnam 2013 pageant has confessed to be incited by a makeup artist to release rumors that Ngoc Anh – the winner – paid VND1.5 billion for the crown.

Death toll in hotel collapse in S. India rises to 11

 At least 11 people have been killed and 14 others injured in a three-storeyed hotel collapse in the city of Secunderabad in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh Monday,