Exporters' outlook for 2016 remains mixed

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese export firms have mixed feelings, both happy and worried, about business prospects for this year.

Fabrics and tailors in Vietnam: a practical guide

A fast way to get immersed in the midst of Vietnamese culture is to visit markets. And you are in luck, because Vietnam has a lot of them.

Foreign man teaches English for free in Nha Trang

  One Brit in Nha Trang provides free English classes to anyone who's interested, after recognizing how important language skills are in the beach city.

Female railtrack guards face abuse

VietNamNet Bridge – Many female railway crossing guards in Ha Noi work hard to make sure road users stay safe, despite the hardships they face, Kinh te do thi (Economic and Urban Affairs) newspaper reported. 

Challenging times for VN retail market

 Movements in the market show the fierce ambition of domestic and foreign retailers in acquiring market share.

Photos: Giant fruits, vegetables in Vietnam

 VietNamNet Bridge - Eighty kg pumpkins, a banana tree with 150 bunches or tomatos weighing 1kg are giant fruits planted in Vietnam.

Expats soak up festive Tet atmosphere

 The feelings of foreigners when they first come to Vietnam can vary widely, however, a majority of them discover a great love for this country.

Six famous Tet flower markets in Hanoi

 VietNamNet Bridge names the most famous spring flower market of Hanoi: Quang Ba, Tay Tuu, Hang Luoc, Lac Long Quan, Hoang Hoa Tham and Me Linh.

Image: Bengal tigers, rare animals at Vietnam’s first semi-wildlife park

Eighteen Bengal tigers and a large number of rare animals can walk freely in Phu Quoc Safari on Vietnam’s largest island, Phu Quoc, in Kien Giang Province, while visitors ride in specialized buses to see wild animals running outside.

Image: The most expensive birds in Vietnam

 VietNamNet Bridge – Some offers for ornamental birds have been up to $15,000 but the bird owners have refused to sell them.

Private economic sector blocked by three powers

Private businesses, according to economists, have been hampered by state-owned enterprises (SOEs), foreign invested enterprises (FIEs) and state management agencies. 

Social News 8/2

Bien Hoa officially recognized as first grade city, Fight stepped up against illegal trade of petrol at sea, Lao Cai airport to handle big aircraft, Markets picked for city’s pilot food safety program, Dong Nai launches water supply plan

Photos: Dawn on the abandoned church in Nam Dinh

 VietNamNet Bridge - About 120 km from Hanoi, the Hai Ly abandoned church is a unique sight that attracts many visitors and is a background for many wedding photos and TV dramas.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 8/2

 Venous catheter production project licensed at SHTP, Jan industrial production picks up 6%, Central Coast Vietnam runs new website to promote tourism, HCM City’s budget collections off to good start

Image: Tet floating market in Dong Nai

 VietNamNet Bridge – Many old items that have disappeared in modern life like coal irons, steel water tanks, betel grinding tools and coins are sold on the pavements of Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai Province these days.

Hanoi to build more national-standard schools

 The Hanoi Department of Education and Training is planning to build an additional 350 schools meeting national standards between 2016 and 2020.

HCM City monitors wastewater at IPs, EPZs

 VietNamNet Bridge – The HCMC Department of Natural Resources and Environment on January 26 launched an automatic wastewater monitoring system to keep track of wastewater treatment at 16 industrial parks (IPs)

Photos: Tet markets of Vietnamese in the US

 VietNamNet Bridge – The communities of Vietnamese in many states in the US have organized activities to welcome the Lunar New Year 2016.

Fintech to see boom in Vietnam

VietNamNet Bridge - 2015 was believed to be the year which witnessed a boom of technology startups in the finance sector, or Fintech. 

US dollar appreciation behind hike in dong deposit interest rate

VietNamNet Bridge - The increased demand for loans as well as the dong appreciation has increased the deposit interest rate. 

Impacts of the TPP on Vietnam – Opportunities and challenges

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam appears poised to potentially benefit more than any of the 11 other nations in the recently concluded Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement.

The plant, the monk and the bird

 VietNamNet Bridge – After hearing about giant lotuses with leaves that are 3m wide and thick enough to "carry" a person weighing up to 80kg, we became curious.

Nation’s 30-year renewal accomplishments and lessons

The 30-year Renewal period has been a critical period in the country’s development, featuring a profound and comprehensive transformation and a huge revolutionary cause undertaken by the entire Party and people.

‘Iron fist' coach makes a comeback

 VietNamNet Bridge – Football has a knack of drawing people out of retirement, no matter what their age. Many dedicate their lives to the "beautiful game", and letting go of something that's so important to them is a difficult

Photos: Overseas Vietnamese around the world welcome Lunar New Year

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese embassies have held many activities for local communities of overseas Vietnamese to welcome the Lunar New Year 2016.