Illicit tobacco products are readily available in Ho Chi Minh City, causing numerous challenges as the booming black market reaches record levels.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The race to provide education should not ignore quality standards, Professor Nguyen Xuan Han, from Ha Noi National University spoke to the Labour Weekend newspaper.

Amendments to the Law on Vietnamese Nationality approved on June 24 abolished the requirement that expatriates residing abroad register to retain their Vietnamese nationality.

 VN urges joint action on mines; Viet Nam, Laos boost co-operation; India, Vietnam look towards stronger defence ties; Hanoi, French city tighten relations; Netherlands backs Mekong region

 President praises Chinese support; German parliamentarians visit Vietnam; PM Dung demands all means to eliminate measles outbreaks

HCM City rescues 21 endangered animals; Two students drown in Quang Nam lake; Ha Noi preps for rainy season; HCM City kindergartens need funding aid; Failure to address water pollution has consequences

 VietNamNet Bridge – Educators have reported an increasingly high number of applicants with higher education degrees who pass credits to study at vocational schools.

 Hailstorm dumps ice on Dien Bien; St Paul hospital carries out 2nd kidney transplant; Saigon Zoo tiger gives birth to five cubs; Ministry releases labour market bulletin; Vietnam warned against high bird flu risk

 VietNamNet Bridge – Japan and Vietnam have decided to elevate bilateral relations into an "extensive strategic partnership".

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Prime Minister has approved the issue of Government bonds worth over VND4.7 trillion (US$226.5 million) to fund the National Target Programme on New Rural Development.

 Mekong Delta strives to cut poverty rate; HCM City water supplier needs $215m to reach all residents; Bird flu inspections strengthened at border gates; PM takes measures to stop wildlife trafficking

 VietNamNet Bridge – National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung yesterday, Jan 6, called for major improvements to the living conditions of farmers saying this was key to ensuring rural development and national industrialisation.

Hanoi authorities have been making effort to achieve annual economic growth of 8.25 per cent and raise per capita income to VND58 million (US$2,720) in 2014.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Fresh policies shall come into force in December, 2013 including the level of vocational training support for employees, three-level development of electricity market; ceiling level of deposit and labor markets,

VietNamNet Bridge –The Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) issued Circular 23/2013/TT-BLDTBXH on foreign co-operation and investment in vocational training in Viet Nam on October 16, 2013.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Nguyen Thi No was once a drug addict with little reason to live except for her next hit.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam is considering building a national qualifications framework that will standardise workers' qualifications, by 2014.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Some 2.04 million people in rural areas will be getting job training in three years, from 2013 to 2015 under a major scheme for vocational training for the rural labor force,

 VietNamNet Bridge – The State’s budget for vocational training has been increasing year after year. However, the big sums of money spent have not brought the adequate effects.

VietNamNet Bridge – Many heart-breaking stories of trafficked women are being recited at Peaceful Place exhibition currently being held at the Vietnamese Women’s Museum by Center for Women and Development