China’s East Sea claim

Concern has been growing over China’s aggressiveness in claiming a major portion of the East Sea as its own lake, most recently through the deployment of a flotilla into the Spratly archipelago on a three-week military exercise.

Prince Andrew gives scholarships for Vietnamese students

VietNamNet Bridge - Prince Andrew, the UK ’s Duke of York, announced an honorary scholarship fund for Vietnamese students at the British University Vietnam in Hanoi on October 11.

Cooperation in ADMM+ must be led by ASEAN

Malaysian Defence Minister Dato’ Seri Dr Ahmad Zahrid Hamidi said that the role of China and the US is important but defence cooperation in Southeast Asia must be led by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

145 new species discovered in Greater Mekong Region

VietNamNet Bridge - The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has announced the list of 145 new species discovered in the Mekong River region since 2009 as a proof for the “biological treasure” of the river.

Vietnam soccer chief nominated for AFC standing committee

VietNamNet Bridge - General Secretary of the Vietnam Football Federation Tran Quoc Tuan was nominated to represent Southeast Asia at the Asian Football Federation (AFC) Standing Committee for the 2011-15 period on October 10.

Vietnamese fashion’s “Dreaming”

VietNamNet Bridge – The 9th Dep Fashion Show, the largest annual fashion show in Vietnam, named “Dreaming” will take place on October 31 at The Garden trading centre in Hanoi.

Dengue epidemic grips Vietnam, claims 59 lives

VietNamNet Bridge - So far this year the mosquito – borne disease has sickened 80,000 people across the country, 59 of whom have died, said the Health Ministry’s Department of Preventive Health.

Visas fee exempted for foreign tourists

VietNamNet Bridge – Foreign visitors who go to Vietnam under the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism’s (VNAT) promotional program from now to the end of the year will be exempted from visa fee.

Seal dies of cancer at Oceanography Institute

VietNamNet Bridge - A spotted seal has died of brain tumor at the Nha Trang Oceanography Institute.

Sea security is not only ASEAN’s concern

The first ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus opened on October 12, in Hanoi with the attendance of the Defence Ministers of ten ASEAN countries and eight partners - China, Japan, South Korea, India, New Zealand, Australia, Russia and the US.

Youngsters angry with girl bathing in Hoan Kiem Lake

VietNamNet Bridge – A 59-second video clip showing a girl bathing in the Hoan Kiem Lake which was uploaded to the Internet on October 8 has stirred up outrage? among the online community.

Traffic jams after closing ceremony of Hanoi 1000th anniversary

Traffic jams after the closing ceremony of Hanoi’s 1000th anniversary:

Hanoi flooded with rubbish after its 1000th anniversary

VietNamNet Bridge – Roads, pavements, flower gardens, squares, etc. are full of waste left by visitors. Below are pictures taken at the My Dinh square and Nguyen Thai Hoc street on October 10.

Hanoi’s folk festivals in old photos

VietNamNet Bridge would like to introduce more photos about Hanoi’s custom and folk festivals in the past. These photos come from the collection of Doan Thinh and Doan Bac.

130,000 kids return to school after flood

VietNamNet Bridge – Nearly 100,000 students in Quang Binh and over 30,000 others in Huong Khe district, Ha Tinh province have returned to school after a week off due to flood.

Vietnamese contestant’s painting auctioned at Miss World pageant

A gemstone-made painting about Hanoi’s old street brought to Shanghai by Kieu Khanh, the Vietnamese representative at the Miss World 2010 pageant in China, was sold at the highest price at a charity auction on October 9 in Shanghai.

Danube river safe from red sludge spill in Hungary: official

No metallic or organic contaminants have entered the Danube from the red sludge spill in western Hungary due to decontamination efforts made along the Marcal, its tributary, the National Disaster Management said Sunday.

SOCIETY IN BRIEF 14/10

Sleeping driver blamed for accident; Japan finalises port city strategy research; Bird flu returns to Dak Lak ducks; Paper manufacturer caught polluting land

Update on flood in central Vietnam

VietNamNet Bridge - Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and a government delegation on October 9 paid a visit to Quang Binh, the hardest-hit province by flood.

Seminar on global environment held in Hanoi

A seminar entitled “Vietnam Global Environment Fund (GEF) National Dialogue” was held by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on October 14 in Hanoi.

British man to sing with Vietnamese diva

VietNamNet Bridge – Lee Kirby, the British man who is known for his sweet voice in late composer Trinh Cong Son’s songs, will perform at the ATB club on October 16-17 with Vietnamese famous singer Anh Tuyet.

POLITICS IN BRIEF 14/10

Thua Thien-Hue completes border demarcation with Laos; France fosters friendship with Vietnam; Condolences over traffic accident in Ukraine

King Ly Cong Uan moves from Hoa Lu to Hanoi by boat

VietNamNet Bridge – On October 2 afternoon, “King Ly Cong Uan” arrived in Hanoi after a long trip from the former capital Hoa Lu (Ninh Binh province). Hundreds of people stood on the Red Riverside to welcome the “king”.

First ADMM+ Chairman’s Statement

On October 13, the Chairman of the First ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus issued a statement "ADMM-Plus: Strategic Cooperation for Peace, Stability, and Development in the Region".

Royal art treasures on the first display

After more than 50 years preserved at the Museum of Vietnam History, treasures that symbolize the power of feudal dynasties like emperor’s seals, emperor’s swords, etc. are exhibited the first time.