Universities are given more financial freedom

The Draft Law No. 3 on university training would let schools decide their own tuition fees.

Business group reaffirms Japan ties

The increasing number of members of the Japanese Business Association, sharp rise in Japanese tourist arrivals, and Japan's ODA grants to Viet Nam are signs of enhanced economic relations between the two countries, a Japanese diplomat says.

Province to crack down on unlawful coral exploitation

VietNamNet Bridge – The central province of Khanh Hoa will inspect the purchasing and harvesting of coral in Van Ninh District to curb the illegal activities in the area, said deputy chief inspector Le Van Dung on Thursday.

5.1 magnitude quake hits Italy, some buildings collapse

No casualties were reported but some buildings collapsed in central-northern Italy as a magnitude-5.1 quake on Sunday evening shook the same area that was hit by two powerful fatal quakes on May 20 and 29.

Foreign arrivals on the rise

Viet Nam this year will likely receive a record number of foreign tourists and foreign-currency turnover, according to a report from the General Statistics Department.

New island, sea records get nod

VietNamNet Bridge – Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh Province has been recognised as setting a national record for the bay with highest number of islets.

Bears escape fate worse than death

VietNamNet Bridge – Thirty-five bears have been rescued by a wildlife conservation organisation based in HCM City that protects bears from trafficking and being raised in household cages.

Ex-champs fight for top spot in V-League

VietNamNet Bridge – Leaders Ha Noi T&T will take on second-placed SHB Da Nang at home today in the most anticipated match of the Eximbank V-League's 20th round.

Local sects to receive support

VietNamNet Bridge – Local authorities in central Binh Dinh Province have attempted to restore the popularity of local martial art sects in the area, where the sport was once famous.

Choir festival returns to Hoi An next year

Thomas Schule, managing director of Germany’s Interkultur Association, has reached an agreement with the government of Quang Nam Province to organize the third International Choir Festival from June 19-22 in Hoi An.

Vietnam’s entertainment robot to conquer Spanish toy market

Vietnam’s brand new entertainment robot ‘Tosy’ will soon conquer the Spanish toy market, according to the TOSY Robotics Company.

Vietnam celebrates 20 years since first viscera transplant

A ceremony was held in Hanoi on June 1 to mark 20 years since the first viscera transplant surgery took place at the Military Hospital 103 (June 4, 1992).

4th IT Awards presented to 17 individuals, enterprises

The Department of Information and Communications in Ho Chi Minh City presented the 4th IT Awards to 17 individuals and enterprises at a ceremony in Quang Trung Software City in District 12 on June 2.

High-school students satisfied with first graduation exam

Almost one million students sat for their first high-school graduation examination in Literature and Chemistry on June 2, reported the   Ministry of Education and Training.

Vietnam active at Shangri-La Dialogue 11

VietNamNet Bridge – The Vietnamese delegation to the Shangri-La Dialogue 11 has had a number of bilateral meeting to promoting ties with partners, including India, China, the US, Singapore, Australia, Canada, the UK and the European Union.

Veteran writer releases new kids' book

VietNamNet Bridge – Veteran author Nguyen Nhat Anh's latest book for children has been released in HCM City.

Chinese people farm fish in Vietnamese Cam Ranh bay

Chinese people have been flocking to Cam Ranh City, which is considered the biggest grouper fish farming area in Vietnam, not only to collect aquatic products, but also to raise valuable aquatic creatures such as grouper fish and lobster.

Nation joins in celebration of World Environment Day

VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam joins the 150 or so countries around the globe to celebrate World Environment Day on June 5th with a series of events starting yesterday in Quang Ninh Province.

GOVERNMENT IN BRIEF 4/6

President works with Military Zone 2; Deputy PM pushes for closer Vietnam-Yunnan ties; President honours city of Viet Tri; Vietnam actively integrates into the world

British Queen celebrates Diamond Jubilee with 1,000 boat flotilla on Thames river

British Queen Elizabeth II on Sunday took part in the largest event held to celebrate her 60 years as queen by leading a flotilla of boats in a pageant down the River Thames through central London.

State-owned rubber trees illegally sold by contractors

VietNamNet Bridge – Hundreds of hectares of State-owned rubber tree have been illegally traded by subcontractors in the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum, causing billions of dong in losses.

Ninh Binh beat Kien Giang in V-League match

VietNamNet Bridge – Ninh Binh demonstrated their skills in defeating Kien Giang 4-1during their round 20 match on their home turf yesterday, June 3.

People live in pollution, authorities, and agencies powerless

VietNamNet Bridge – Environmentalists have pointed out that Vietnam has fallen into the “environment trap” when it compliantly accepts foreign direct investment projects in dirty industries.

Having English names now in fashion at general schools

VietNamNet Bridge – Every Vietnamese student at English centers is given an English name. This has brought pleasure to small children, but has not satisfied their parents.

“Big guys” don’t applaud MNP

VietNamNet Bridge – The mobile number portability (MNP) policy planned by the Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC) has made small network operators excited, but has not been applauded by big operators.