Higher education 2.0 proposed

 VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam has had universities 1.0 and it needs to build universities 2.0 with digitalized systems of documentation, students, teachers and the classrooms becoming cinemas.

TRAVEL IN BRIEF 24/6

 Additional flights will increase tourism in Mekong Delta; My Son Sanctuary to display G tower; Spiritual park inaugurated in HCM City; South Korea targets Vietnam as potential tourism customer

HPV vaccine significantly lowers infection rates in girls: CDC

 The introduction of a vaccine against the human papillomavirus (HPV) in 2006 has reduced the prevalence of the cancer-causing virus among U.S. teenage girls by 56 percent,

GOVERNMENT IN BRIEF 24/6

 President to visit Indonesia; Party chief’s visit to lift Vietnam-Thailand ties; Co-operative ties with Cuba cemented; Vietnam, China conduct joint naval patrol

Vietnam and China issue joint statement

VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam and China on Friday, June 21, issued a joint statement on the occasion of President Truong Tan Sang's State-level visit to China from June 19-21 at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

SOCIETY IN BRIEF 24/6

 Highway 1 expansion projects begin; Project helps 1,400 people living with AIDS gain employment; Workshop debates health law changes; Vietnam attends ASEAN Family Day in New York

Drug makers accused of collusion

 VietNamNet Bridge – Experts have called for more inspections to prevent collusion between drug producers and distributors in Viet Nam that is allegedly pushing up retail prices for medicines.

Law amended, FIEs escape suspended sentence

VietNamNet Bridge - Thousands of foreign invested enterprises have escaped from their suspended sentence because they did not make the re-registration as required by the Enterprise Law.

Bebinca storm hits mainland nine hours early

At 7pm last night, June 23, the second storm in the East Sea made landfall in the northern port city of Hai Phong and Thai Binh province, nine hours earlier than previously forecast.

Day of action as fifth session of the National Assembly closes in Ha Noi

VietNamNet Bridge – Nine bills and three resolutions important for the country's socio-economic development, national defence and security were discussed and passed at the 5th session of the 13th National Assembly, which closed on Friday.

Low cost smart phones still live well amid their predicted ill fate

Contrary to all predictions that low cost smart phones would soon disappear from the market because of their low quality, the products still have been selling very well and become more and more favored by customers.

Paintball shooting tours stopped to protect ecosystem

The Da Nang People’s Committee has finally decided to stop paintball shooting, the game organized for the travelers to the Son Tra natural reserve area, so as to avoid possible harming of the wildlife.

Ignoring criticism, Nam Dinh says “no” to in-service training graduates

In a notice about the 2013 civil servant recruitment plan, the Nam Dinh provincial people’s committee stated that it would not accept the candidates who finish in-service training courses.

Businesses worried sick about minimum wages

 VietNamNet Bridge – A lot of businesses say they have to borrow money from commercial banks to pay to workers.

Congress delays adoption of revised Land Law

 VietNamNet Bridge – The National Assembly (NA) did not approve the revised Land Law on the final day of the NA session as expected.

Seeking stem cell donators to save Vietnamese girl in France

 VietNamNet Bridge - Joon, an 18-year-old Vietnamese-origin girl who currently lives in France is a leukemia patient and needs an urgent donation of stem cells.  asking for help to save the girl.

Ecotourism water world gushes with beauty

 VietNamNet Bridge – Home to a delicate blend of ethnic tribes, exotic wildlife and breathtaking scenery, Mang Den Ecotourism site in Kon Tum Province offers an unforgettable sensory experience as yet untouched by the outside world.

Composers sought for Southeast Asia festival

 VietNamNet Bridge – Composers under 35 years old from Southeast Asian countries have been invited to compete in a regional music competition and festival in December in Thailand.

HCM City admin reform plan gets approval

VietNamNet Bridge – A two-tier administrative system that will do away with legislative bodies and administrations below the district level is the highlight of a plan that HCM City will implement in the future.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 24/6

 Chandler Corp. pours $99 mln into Vietnam medical deal; Garment sector dressed for success; Cooking oil products fry local competitors; Coal exports likely to fall this year

Programme to promote ‘Soul of Vietnam’ to foreigners

VietNamNet Bridge – Foreigners have an opportunity to enjoy Vietnamese traditional art performances at a programme entitled ‘The Soul of Vietnam’, which is a weekly event at the Hanoi Opera House every Monday starting from July 1.

Cars without black boxes to be fined from August 1

 VietNamNet Bridge - The transport firms having cars without the black box will be fined from VND500,000 to VND2 million ($25-100) or even have their business licenses revoked from August 1, 2013.

Retirement homes catch on among elderly

 VietNamNet Bridge – Social welfare is becoming a more pressing issue in Viet Nam as the years go by, including the establishment of nursing centres for the elderly.

The beautiful flowers of Vietnam

 VietNamNet Bridge – Flower production has always been a traditional activity of the Vietnamese and cut flowers are mainly produced by small holders in their garden plots.  

Setting groundwork to resolve land issues

 National Assembly’s Institute of Legislative Research deputy director Dinh Xuan Thao chews over the amended Land Law’s diverse aspects.