5-star products also rejected by state agencies

The unhealthy competition has exterminated the creativeness of enterprises and discouraged them to spend money to develop software products.

Young singer starts to realize world ambition

 VietNamNet Bridge – Singer Duc Tuan is starting to realise his world ambition. The pioneer of classic crossover music in Viet Nam, he is about to sign a three-year contract with a foreign company.

Five-seat cars would be much cheaper with low taxes

If the automobile industry development plan is implemented as expected, cars would get much cheaper in just some years.

Online wildlife market bustling

Staying out of the reach of the state agencies, remaining anonymous and bearing no limitation, the wildlife market on Internet has got more bustling than ever.

20 percent of Da Nang’s civil servants are employed as talents

Thanks to the first grant of VND15 million, monthly allowance of VND1.5 million, leasing apartments at cheap prices and the promotion opportunities, Da Nang has attracted more than 1,000 qualified civil servants over the last 15 years.

Higher education and non-core investment

Why do the agencies that are not involve in education and training try to keep for themselves a number of colleges and universities? Is the Ministry of Education and Training incompetent in management?

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 29/4

Cruise tourism to get popular in coming years; FTA talks may bring GI assistance; VN slaps extra duty on veggie oil imports; Stanchart: SBV to cut rates further; Banks announce reduction in executive pay

Mangrove trees protect villagers from hard times

VietNamNet Bridge – All their neighbours were cutting down trees, attracted by the prospect of making money quickly. But people in one village refused to let their forest be destroyed.

SOCIETY IN BRIEF 28/4

President honours former prisoners of Con Dao who fought for independence; Rice aid combats skin disease epidemic; Green growth strategy under review; Weasel coffee perks up tourism

Performances open 2013 Ha Long Carnival

The 2013 Ha Long Carnival opened on April 27 with an arts performance in the northern coastal province of Quang Ninh’s Ha Long City which was attended by local and regional leaders, as well as thousands of visitors.

GOVERNMENT IN BRIEF 28/4

President meets Japanese parliamentarian; Friendship train to start journey; Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam discuss development; Lower Mekong Initiative meeting wraps up; Friendship train to start journey

PM calls for greater inflation control

VietNamNet Bridge – Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has emphasised the need to intensify macroeconomic stabilization measures with a particular focus on keeping inflation in check.

Flu worries boost inspection efforts

VietNamNet Bridge – Officials on Friday, April 26, raided a wholesale poultry market in Ha Noi, in an effort to prevent the smuggling of poultry from China.

Viet Nam stands up for East Sea

VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam has reiterated that it will adopt every suitable peaceful measure to defend its sovereignty, jurisdiction and legitimate national interests in the East Sea in accordance with the UN Charter, international law

Computer market may not recover until Q3

VietNamNet Bridge – Not until the third quarter will the computer market recover and regain growth, said retailers.

SPORTS NEWS 28/4

Minh keeps hold of 10th spot in world badminton rankings; Vietnamese women footballers tie with Jordan; National futsal competition to kick off in HCM City; Quang Ninh hosts women's beach volleyball tournament

VN modernises tax administration

VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam's General Department of Taxation is speeding up a project to modernise the country's tax administration so that it can be completed by 2015.

The painter who draws by mouth

VietNamNet Bridge - After an accident, Mr. Do Minh Tam was quadriplegic but he still draws by his mouth. He has sold a lot of paintings, which are priced several millions dong/painting.

Bangladesh tragedy toll hits 352, rescuers find 29 more alive

More than 84 hours after the horrendous tragedy, Bangladeshi rescuers Saturday pulled 29 more people alive from beneath the rubble of the collapsed building that has left 352 persons dead so far.

First VN, ASEAN UNESCO Heritages Festival to open later this year

 VietNamNet Bridge – The first Festival of Viet Nam-ASEAN UNESCO Heritages is scheduled to take place later this year in the central highlands province of Lam Dong.

M&A in banking sector: who will be next?

The number of Vietnamese commercial banks would decrease from 39 currently to 13-15 by 2017, according to Stoxplus, a finance information service firm.

VN must adapt to climate change

 VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam's response to climate change will focus on adaptation, which would be mainly funded by State budget.

H7N9 vaccine needs international cooperation

Chinese studies of a H7N9 bird flu vaccine needs technical support and cooperation from the World Health Organization as well as related professional institutions,

Another suspect arrested over ricin letter addressed to Obama

Another Mississippi man was arrested over ricin-laced letter sent to President Barack Obama and two others, the U.S. authorities confirmed Saturday, four days after a previous suspect was released from custody.

Visit the only dioxin detoxification “oven” in Vietnam

VietNamNet Bridge – On the morning of April 24, the local and foreign media was permitted to visit the dioxin detoxification site, which is in the first phase of operation, in the central city of Da Nang.