Vietnamese, Thai parties tighten ties; President gets behind female empowerment; Vietnam to make positive contribution to APEC 21; NA Chair prioritises education

 VietNamNet Bridge – Though admitting that the Vietnamese real estate market has great potentials, Japanese property firms still keep hesitant with the investment opportunities in the market.

 New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra confirmed Wednesday it was in dispute resolution talks with French food company Danone over compensation regarding the false botulism scare in August.

VietNamNet Bridge – Foreign direct investment attraction in the January-September period has exceeded the year’s target and amounted to over US$15 billion, with a large amount seen flowing into science and technology. 

 VietNamNet Bridge – Metalworkers recently cast the world's biggest bronze drum at the private workshop of artisan Le Van Bay in the central province of Thanh Hoa's Thieu Hoa District.

 VietNamNet Bridge - The indicators on height show that the Vietnamese are shortest in the region. Compared to neighboring countries, the height of the Vietnamese is far behind.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Thousands of people have been in a state of anxious suspense as an afforestation yard sprayed herbicide in big quantities to treat the vegetation cover before the afforestation.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has given the nod to the Ministry of Industry and Trade's proposal to stop the production and sale of petrol A83 as of January 1 next year.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Stretching for 6km along National Highway No 1, far from the noisy city, Sa Huynh offers a quiet escape along the central coast.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The UK Government launched a priority visa service for business, investor and work visa applicants in Hanoi on September 30.

 VietNamNet Bridge – A public debate has begun heating up over whether or not a new stimulus should be launched to prop up the struggling economy and views against the stimulus have been gaining traction.

 VietNamNet Bridge – J Morell, one of Asia's rising DJs, will bring techno beats for just one night to Park Hyatt Saigon's 2 Lam Son Martini Bar this month.

VietNamNet Bridge – The prevalence of US dollars in the Vietnamese economy had decreased significantly since the end of 2011 and the exchange rates had been stabilised, according to a State Bank of Viet Nam statement.

More than two-thirds of young children in developing nations could identify at least one cigarette brand logo, according to a U.S. study released Monday that examined the reach of tobacco marketing to five and six year olds in countries

 Around one million Vietnamese children currently suffer from malnutrition, causing thousands of deaths.

 Around 100 ancient items from 10 Asian countries will be exhibited at the National History Museum in Hanoi from October 8, 2013 to the end of January 2014.

 India imports more tra fish from Vietnam; Vietnam-Singapore trade turnover picks up; Two localities promote investment in the RoK; Halong-Fangchenggang cruise route back in service

 Asian markets rose Tuesday but early gains were pared in a muted reaction from investors after the US government partially closed down as Congress missed a deadline to agree a new budget.

 Vietnam has sent a team of seven elite gymnasts to the 2013 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, taking place in Antwerp, Belgium from September 30-October 6, with the objective of winning at least one medal.   

 Eight endangered kiwi birds have died from respiratory infections while being treated at New Zealand's Wellington Zoo, in what authorities said on Tuesday was a "tragedy" for conservation efforts.