The recent spikes in the region-based minimum wages have put great pressure on employers. However, the coming rises will be less sharp as the current wages almost meet workers’ minimum living needs.

The 100-year-old alley in HCMC’s District 5, better known as Hao Si Phuong, is worth visiting as tourists can take a close look at Chinese-influenced unique architectural features. 

 The average room rate at three to five-star hotels in HCMC was VND1.9 million per night in the first half this year, 11.3% lower than in 2014, as there were new hotels up and running in the city, resulting in price competition.

 The government of HCMC, which is facing rising inundation triggered by rain and flood tides, is seeking an allocation of US$43.96 million from the central State budget to fund 36 flood control projects in 2016-2020.

 A Vietnamese passenger was arrested at Ho Chi Minh City-based Tan Son Nhat International Airport on August 8 for allegedly transporting cocaine from Brazil to HCM City. 

 A museum featuring thousands of antiques related to Buddhist culture and nationality in Van Hanh Zen Monastery in Da Lat City is regarded as the largest valuable private museum in the central highlands province of Lam Dong.

 Medical workers have been run off their feet in these days when the number of dengue patients nationwide escalated to 71,000 cases with 19 deaths.

HCM City Finance and Investment state-own company, Vietcombank and the Saigon Water Corporation co-signed an agreement on implementation of the water supply program worth $158 million.

 The National Steering Committee on Natural Disaster Prevention received 30 tons of aid relief to help flood victims in the northern mountainous provinces at Noi Bai International Airport yesterday. 

 The 29th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games is scheduled to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from August 19 to 31. Let’s take a look at some of the interesting features that make the 2017 version of the Games so special.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Consuming magic mushrooms has emerged as the latest trend among Vietnamese youth who are into mind-altering substances.

The director of the National Eye Bank, Dr Nguyen Huu Hoang, has strongly condemned the recent trend of sending children to “eye-training centres” and “yoga practice for eyes” as exploiting parents’ desire ...

The HCM City Department of Taxation has said it has put tamper-proof seals on fuel pumps in seven petrol stations in District 1 and will cover the rest of the district besides Districts 3, 4, 5, and 10 by August 11.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Customs officers may have colluded in the disappearance of 213 containers full of electric appliances, electronics and other goods, 

 VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam’s top tennis player Ly Hoang Nam is believed to have the best chance ever to win a gold medal at the upcoming Southeast Asian Games in Malaysia.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Farmers in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta are harvesting their summer-autumn rice crop earlier than usual because of earlier than usual flooding.

The Deputy Minister of Defence has urged all military units to comply with the Central Military Commission’s regulations on management and use of military land near HCM City’s Tan Son Nhat Airport.

 With high-end smartphones like Bphone 2 or affordable smartphones like Mobiistar, will Vietnamese smartphones survive amidst the vicious competition?

The HCM City Stock Exchange approved the registration for listing of VPBank shares on August 8, with the lender most likely to follow its plan of debuting on the country’s main bourse in the third quarter under the “VPB” ticker.

The U.S. Navy’s USS San Diego (LPD 22) arrived in the Cam Ranh International Port on August 6 for a routine technical stop and for the crew to have an opportunity to experience Nha Trang.