VietNamNet Bridge – Ngo Xuan Hien, chairman of the People’s Committee of Cat Tien District, on March 24 attributed unchecked and illegal sand dredging to the frequent landslides along the banks of the Dong Nai River

 The HCM City Fine Arts Museum is hosting a permanent exhibition showcasing sketches by Nguyen Gia Tri, a pioneer in the art of lacquer painting in Viet Nam, to mark the 20th anniversary of his death.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The number of Vietnamese traveling abroad has grown 20% in the year’s first half, with more tourists preferring long-haul tours, according to travel firms.

 At the Liberty Hotel No. 4 in HCM City, non-smoking signs can be seen on all of the lobby's tables and at the receptionist's desk. Such signs are a familiar sight in many countries, but in Vietnam, they are relatively new.

 VietNamNet Bridge – "You'd better visit Ho Thai Thiet's garden of statues." I remember the advice from one of my friends on my way to Phan Thiet City in the central province of Binh Thuan.

To speed up the restructuring of state-owned enterprises (SOEs), the Ministry of Planning and Investment has issued the draft classification criteria to ensure the implementation of the roadmap of divesting State capital from SOEs.

 VietNamNet Bridge – A few women hurried to water vegetable sprouts before leaving home to have their blood filtered.

 VietNamNet Bridge – As many as 338 hydro-power projects, which theoretically could generate a combined capacity of over 1,000MW of electricity, would be put off.

 Cell phone export to UAE reaches US$1.36 billion; Garments and textiles to enjoy zero percent tariffs; Major infrastructure investment priorities discussed; SOE cutbacks expected as State tightens belt

VietNamNet Bridge – The latest statistics show that Vietnam is on track to keep inflation under control. However, experts warn there is no room for complacency as market prices fluctuate in the second half of the year.

 VietNamNet Bridge – PM Nguyen Tan Dung on Wednesday attended the conference to review one-year implementation of the pilot project on recruiting 600 vice chairs for poor communes nationwide.

 VNA opens new flights from Da Nang to Seoul, Siem Reap; Holidaymakers rocket up in summer; Da Nang kicks off tourism stimulus program; Tam Dao to provide free wireless internet service

 Vietnam, along with the US, India and Germany, have the greatest number of Internet users affected by phishing attacks, with the total number doubling since last year, computer security company Kaspersky Lab says.

VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries are now subject to a large-scale relaxed visa program issued by the Japanese government in a bid to increase the number of tourists from these nations to the East Asian country.

 The Ministry of Finance submitted a proposal to the Prime Minister to help troubled coffee exporters by extending the period when they could receive loans.

 Faldo Series nurtures aspiring golfers;  Minh targets success at this year's US Open; Nation to compete in AYG handball contest; Football champs for youths kicks off in HCM City; Viet Nam win four gold in Asian chess

 Vietnamese students proved too strong for the rest of the field at the ASEAN Schools Games' (ASG) which closed yesterday in the capital.

 Vietnamese table tennis players’ three gold medals have secured them first place at the 5th ASEAN Schools Games (ASG5), which concluded on June 28.

 Poet Tran Dang Khoa awarded abroad; International kite exhibition opens in Nam Dinh; Czech Republic hosts Sao Mai 2013 singing contest; Danish Embassy showcases Vietnamese paintings

 Vietnamese students win scholarships; Illegally imported weapons seized; Minimum salary increases since July 1; Hau Giang confirms first A/H1N1 death; Lam Dong police bust drug den

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Italian magician will give performances in Ho Chi Minh City from July 5-7.

 VietNamNet Bridge – “Pho Tay” (street of foreigners) is a familiar address as well as the gathering place of foreign visitors in Ho Chi Minh City.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Industrial parks (IPs) and economic zones (EZs) in Viet Nam had attracted more than US$110 billion from foreign investment by the end of June.

 State President Sang’s activities in Indonesia; Vietnam-Indonesia joint statement released; Fatherland Front delegation visits France; Leaders meet with voters in Hanoi, Ha Tinh

 Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has pledged that the Government will persist in drastically implementing set objectives, tasks and measures in an effort to fulfill the 2013 socio-economic development plan at the highest level.