Vietnam continues to deepen its solidarity and cooperation with ASEAN countries in the run up to the establishment of the ASEAN Community in late 2015, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung said on September 16.

 The target to reduce sugar consumption should be much more ambitious, health experts say.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Viet Nam Symphony Orchestra (VNSO) will perform in St. Petersburg tonight after entertaining Moscow audiences on Sunday as part of the Viet Nam Culture Days in Russia programme.

Five Vietnamese girls returned home; Hanoi tackles illegal cigarettes; Oyster breeders remove tires from Lang Co Bay; Quarry blasts rock surrounding neighbourhood; Hundreds of fake iPhones seized; Traffickers receive death sentences

 VN looks to lift shrimp industry; External capital needed in struggle to resolve bad debts; Rubber exports predicted to fall; Textiles and garments top exports again; Lack of foreign language skills disadvantages Vietnamese firms

 VietNamNet Bridge – Passengers on flights delayed by 15 minutes or more will be provided with drinks, food or accommodation from December 1 this year.

 Vietnam plans to send a nano-satellite weighing 10kg to orbit in 2016, Associate Prof. Dr. Pham Anh Tuan, Director of the Vietnam National Satellite Centre (VNSC) has revealed.

  Currently over 4.5 million Vietnamese people live outside of Vietnam, a comparatively high number, a recent workshop in the central province of Phu Yen disclosed. 

 A slow recovery among nations using the euro is holding back the global economy, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has said.

 To make sure every school class in Vietnam has its own space, the Prime Minister, Nguyen Tan Dung, has approved the building of 5,000 classrooms and homes for teachers by 2015. In 2020, the Government will again assess the need.

 Hanoi police today arrested a young man accused of kidnapping three people, including an adult and two children, in a flat at Thanh Xuan Bac living quarter.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Convenience stores are being excluded from the market as they now must compete with big foreign retail chains.

Vietnam Airlines on September 15 announced a codeshare pact with Jet Airways of India for jointly sharing passengers to provide them seamless connections on direct flights from Vietnam to India.

Game show capitalises on mixed marriages in Vietnam; French dance group to perform contemporary work; VN, Belgium artists hold exhibition; Roy Lichtenstein's pop art inspires Vietnamese designer; Vietnamese origin Jennifer Chung honoured in US

 Vietnamese marksman Tran Quoc Cuong has earned a berth in the 2016 Summer Olympics.

 VietNamNet Bridge – If Saigonese are bored of old styles of weekend celebrations like enjoying coffee in differently-styled café, taking fabulous buffet programs in luxury restaurants,

 Chinese online giant Alibaba has increased the price range of its initial public offering (IPO), meaning it could raise more than $25bn (£15bn) when it lists in New York.

 Police in Thailand are continuing to search for a man they want to speak to in connection with the deaths of two British tourists.

Three foreigners arrested over credit card fraud; Maritime search, rescue drill conducted in Saigon–Vung Tau Channel; Russia to woo Vietnamese students; Vietnam-bright spot in SEA fight against HIV/AIDS; Human Development Index slows down

 Typhoon Kalmaegi has swept past Hong Kong, closing schools and disrupting flights as strong winds pounded the territory.