Viettel, Microsoft sign IT deal; ODA disbursements climb 10% in nine months; Vietnam a key production base for RoK firms; HCM City calls for investment in high-tech agriculture sector; Businesses faces capital problems

VietNamNet Bridge – The HCMC People’s Court on Monday handed down prison and probation terms on former employees of China Airlines’ HCMC branch for embezzling a total of more than VND17 billion

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Monsoon Music Festival, dubbed the first ever "Made in Viet Nam" event of its kind, presented a curtain riser in Ha Noi last night that thoroughly whetted the appetite of an audience with high expectations.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on Wednesday approved an investment report on the construction of Long Thanh International Airport near HCM City.

 Hanoi to mark liberation day with 30 firework displays; Ethnomusicologist honored with PM's Certificate of Merit; Japan to host final round of Miss Vietnam World 2014;

 Overseas destinations attractive to Vietnamese despite economic difficulties; Vietravel cited ‘Best Vietnam Travel Agency’; Vietnam’s tourism in 2013 draft report introduced; Vinpearl to launch new island resort

 ‘House for Trees’, a construction designed by Vietnam’s Vo Trong Nghia Architects Company, was named the award winner of ‘House’ category at the World Architecture Festival, being held in Singapore October 1-3.

 Thai Police have said two Burmese men have apparently confessed to killing two British tourists on Koh Tao island.

 According to the Vietnam Astronomy Association– a total lunar eclipse will occur on October 8 and the entire event will be visible in Vietnam.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The US dollar price in Vietnam has increased slightly, but this is not alarming as demand has always increased in the third quarter of the year.  

 US State Secretary John Kerry announced that the US was partially lifting its ban on the sale of lethal arms to Vietnam during talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh in Washington on October 2.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Some of the most prestigious universities in Vietnam are considering new policies that would admit students based on their capacity instead of knowledge of facts learned at school.

 UFC suspends Cung Le for nine months; Saigon Heat lose to Singapore Slinger 65-79; ASIAD 17: Vietnam wins two bronze medals in taekwondo; Vietnam readies for U19 AFC Championship; Vietnamese players crash out in badminton tourney

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has launched the fourth round of their Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research program to support and build scientific and technical capacity.

 Protesters blockading key parts of Hong Kong have accepted talks with the government, hours after Chief Executive CY Leung rejected calls to step down.

VietNamNet Bridge – Responsible tourism, which is common in western countries, is still in its infancy in Vietnam, with tour operators and hospitality providers starting to join the initiative.

VietNamNet Bridge – The Central Bank of Myanmar has announced the names of nine foreign banks that were licensed in the first phase in this country, without any representatives of Vietnam.

With the votes of over 95.5%, Mr. Tran Van Ron was elected as the Chairman of the southern province of Vinh Long at an extraordinary meeting of the Vinh Long Provincial People’s Council.

 VietNamNet Bridge - In addition to horror and thriller movies, many action and romance films will be released in Vietnam this month, including "Outcast" and "Fury".

VietNamNet Bridge – Low-cost carrier VietJet on October 1 celebrated its burgeoning relationship with South Korea in a ceremony marked by the attendance of Vietnamese and Korean officials in Seoul.