ASEAN agrees deal on bloc's tourism workers; Vietnam, Bulgaria step up defence links; WB asked to continue support for VN's economic reforms

 Dozens of same-sex couples said "I do" Monday as New Zealand became the first Asia-Pacific country, and only the 14th in the world, to legalise gay marriage.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Central Da Nang City is turning to technology to improve the manageability and efficiency of the city's infrastructure and become a smarter city where citizens and visitors can enjoy a higher quality of life and services.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Southern provinces are grappling with a dire shortage in teachers as the new school year approaches.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Ba Vi National Park is the nearest "green world" to the capital city of Hanoi, where nature-lovers can find an ideal escape from the hustle and bustle of city life in all four seasons.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Four well-known works by writer Vu Trong Phung, which accurately and vividly reflect Vietnamese society under French rule, have been turned into a film called Tro Doi (Game of Life).

 VietNamNet Bridge – No one could imagine before that tapering trousers would become the main topic in the arguments among Vietnamese educators.

 VietNamNet Bridge – As soon as the Ministry of Information and Communication laid down as a policy the socialization of the TV transmission and broadcasting, enterprises have kicked off a new race of expanding the coverage areas.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Rice export companies have got worried stiff when hearing that they would have to develop their material growing areas in order to be eligible for exporting rice.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Viet Nam Sugar and Sugarcane Association (VSSA) has asked Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to only allow the export of domestically produced sugar in order to help local producers.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The People's Committee of Quang Ngai in July decided to build a rescue center for Vietnamese pond turtles and a zone for preservation of the habitat for this endemic species of turtle in Binh Son district.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Despite being banned by the law, “black credit” still develops all across the country as it requires simple procedures and easily meets people’s quick demand for capital.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Spectacular photos of nature and life in the Canadian Arctic will be displayed at an exhibition in Hanoi on August 21, which is expected to bring the far-flung North Pole closer to Vietnamese people.

Sitting in front of a screen, watching the naked scene of a man and a woman, Mr. Huan, 50, used an earphone and took notes in a notebook. Each day, this man has to watch dozens of movies with such scenes.

 VietNamNet Bridge – A 52-year-old father in Ha Noi was sentenced to 16 years in jail last week for raping his daughter. The case has aroused public outrage and concern about the recent increase in child cruelty and sexual abuse.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The People's Committee of HCM City has ordered 24 sub-standard garbage collection points to be scrapped, claiming they pollute the city and disturb residents' daily lives.

 Local firm wants to take over Nam Can Port; Rice traders fret over extra conditions for export; Expressway toll collection right to be transferred in Dec; Realty developers asked to make reports frequently

 VietNamNet Bridge – World beverage giant Coca Cola is expecting to receive support from the Ministry of Industry and Trade to develop the non-alcoholic drink manufacturing industry in Viet Nam.

 Minister of Finance Dinh Tien Dung has voiced his concern over State budget revenue losses due to declining corporate health.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Pham Van Phuong, from Bu Bia Village in the Tay Nguyen province of Dak Nong, says he was born and raised in the colorful cultural space of the M'nong ethnic people,