The Vietnam Coal and Mineral Industries Group (Vinacomin) launched a coal exploration project in Tien Hai district, the northern province of Thai Binh on September 21.

 As Vietnamese agricultural export is facing challenges in Chinese market, businesses should focus on technological innovation, product quality improvement and price reductions in order to raise their competitive edge.

 Cheap imported steel, primarily from China, has been putting growing pressure on domestic producers, according to a recent report from the Vietnam Steel Association (VSA).

 The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is willing to provide long-term and low-interest-rate loans for Vietnam’s major socio-economic infrastructure projects, its new Country Director Eric Sidgwick assured Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on September 21.

 Outstanding mediums in the Mother Goddess worship have been awarded the “folk artisan” title and the “For the sake of Vietnamese folk arts” insignia in recognition of their contributions to preserving the age-old belief.

 A cultural and tourism event honouring the values of terraced paddy fields and the culture of ethnic groups in the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang will take place in Hoang Su Phi district from September 24-26.

VietNamNet Bridge - More and more provinces have been turning down foreign direct investment (FDI) projects that use outdated technologies or cause pollution.

 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) released the multilingual clip “Welcome to Vietnam” in Hanoi on September 21, which highlights the country’s beautiful landscapes, unique culture and 30-year reform achievements.

 Floods caused by torrential rains over the past few days killed four people in the central province of Nghe An as of September 21, the provincial Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Search-and-Rescue reported.

 The Central Highlands province of Dak Lak has undertaken efforts to protect the precious and rare water pines (scientifically known as Glyptostrobus pensilis).

Vietnam has significantly reduced its consumption of three ozone-depleting substances – Chlorofluorocarbons, Hydro-chlorofluorocarbons and Halon – since joining the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in January 1994.

MIC has decided that Viettel, MobiFone and VinaPhone, the three largest mobile network operators, will apply NMNP (National Mobile Number Portability) from January 1, 2017, though telcos want more delays.

 National Assembly deputies agreed yesterday that changes made to the Law on Import and Export Tax need to be calculated based on harmonisation to the benefit of people, enterprises and the Government.

 The ASEAN Viet Nam portal has begun at three official domains aseanvietnam.vn, vietnamasean.vn and asean.vietnam.vn.

 Female ambassadors, wives of ambassadors and female diplomats from ASEAN countries in New Zealand gathered for an exchange held by the Vietnamese Embassy in Wellington on September 21.

 Vietnam wishes to further develop multi-faced cooperation with Middle East countries, particularly Iran, President Truong Tan Sang said during his meeting with outgoing Iranian Ambassador Hossein Alvadi Behineh in Hanoi on September 21.

 VietNamNet Bridge – In keeping with the ancient Vietnamese adage - Best is to live near a market, next best is a life near a river - Vu Thi Hai, a food seller in Ha Noi, recently went about an exploring tour along the Hong (Red) River

 Annual e-commerce sales expected to reach an average of $350 per person by the end of the decade.

VietNamNet continues its talk with Dr. Nguyen Do Anh Tuan, Director of the Institute for Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development about Vietnam's rice exports.

VietNamNet Bridge - Ton Duc Thang University, a people-founded school in HCM City, has stirred controversy after appointing its own professors and associate professors.