Toxic chemicals from gold mining destroys environment

 VietNamNet Bridge – Illegal mining has become a complex issue, especially the toxic chemicals utilised in the process, as they are a serious health hazard for the surrounding neighbourhood.  

Vietnam-Cambodia border demarcation basically completed

 With the construction of markers No.30 and No.275, the border demarcation between Vietnam and Cambodia has been basically completed, Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Ministry’s National Boundary Commission Nguyen Anh Dung commented. 

Flappy Bird’s creator’s new online game still not available in Vietnam

Nguyen Ha Dong, the father of Flappy Bird, the online game which had set records for the number of downloads at the world’s most popular app stores, has created another game called Swing Copters 2.

Art & Entertainment News In Brief

 Winners of 2015 National Tourism photo contest honoured, Unilever promises glam ‘countdown’ in HCMC, Asia Park Dang announces the monorail is coming, Castaway New Year's Eve party scheduled, Violinist's videos showcase VN

A primitive peninsula in Cam Ranh Bay

The central coast province of Khanh Hoa is known for a host of white sand beaches, especially in Nha Trang. But if tourists want to explore exotic places on the fringes of Nha Trang, Binh Lap Peninsula in Cam Ranh Bay is a place well worth visiting.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 25/12

 Japan restaurants facing tough competition in Vietnam, Vietnamese & Thai real estate associations come together, FDI acceleration forecast in real estate market next year, Local soy industry faces insufficient soybean supply

Social News 25/12

 Japanese pearl farmer to raise pearl in Phu Quoc, JICA support modernises agri-sector, Illegal sand mining returns to Tien River, Hanoi to restore city's depleted, polluted rivers, HCM City announces additional 38 safe food outlets

USDA may face lawsuit for inspection ruling

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam may sue the US Department of Agricultural Food Safety Inspection Service over its new regulations, which will make it extremely difficult for tra fish farmers to qualify their exports for the US market.

A preserver of Chinese hand scroll writing in Saigon

 VietNamNet Bridge – At the age of 70, Kim Hy still works as Chinese hand scroll writer in front of a small apartment building on Lao Tu Street in District 5. He has done the job for the past 30 years.

Aviation security must improve in coming five years

 VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam's civil aviation security needs to improve in the next five years to avoid mistakes that could lead to a tragedy, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai said yesterday, Dec 23.

Simplified customs now available

 VietNamNet Bridge – Tran Thanh Hai, deputy director of the Import/Export Department, under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, spoke to Customs Online about Viet Nam's implementation of the National Single Window.

Which is more valuable, Big C or Metro?

Big C has always been listed among the biggest taxpayers since it began operation in Vietnam 17 years ago, while Metro repeatedly has reported losses. However, this does not mean Big C is more valuable than Metro.

U23s face V.League 1 champions in friendly

 Viet Nam U23 squad will test their skill with the V.League 1 champions Becamex Binh Duong on December 26 at the Go Dau Stadium in Binh Duong Province.

Prisoners to get access to newspapers, television

 Prisoners will get access to internal cable network, colour television and printed newspapers, a document on amendment and supplementary contents to Decree 90/2015 on prisoner management said.

Da Nang to dig its first river tunnel

 VietNamNet Bridge – The central city plans to build a tunnel through the Han River to ease traffic congestion at junctions in Son Tra and Hai Chau districts.

Thai labour market welcomes free Vietnamese workers

 VietNamNet Bridge – Thailand's labour ministry will create more favourable conditions to allow free Vietnamese workers to integrate more easily into the Thai work environment.

Businesses to spend additional VND1 trillion a year in highway fees

VietNamNet Bridge - Transport firms in Hai Phong City said they dare not go on the Hanoi – Hai Phong Highway because of the high fee, which makes their services less competitive.

Hyatt Hotels attacked with payment-card stealing malware

 Hyatt Hotels Corp said on Wednesday that its payment processing system was infected with credit-card-stealing malware in an attack discovered three weeks ago, the latest in a series of breaches at hospitality firms.

Cloud Lake, mountains give tourists feeling of floating on cloud nine

VietNamNet Bridge – Like its name, May (Cloud) Lake offers tourists a chance to feel like they are on cloud nine.

Severe storms kill six in Southern U.S., snarl holiday traffic

Severe storms unleashing tornadoes, heavy rain and hail across the southern and central United States left at least six people dead and dozens injured while snarling traffic as holiday travel began in earnest for the Christmas holiday weekend. 

Social News 24/12

 Google CEO meets with Flappy Bird creator, 1 Singaporean, 3 Vietnamese arrested for links to foreign gambling website, Baby dies after receiving Quinvaxem, People prevent building of trade centre, Ha Noi rearranges traffic to reduce congestion

Top places in Hanoi to celebrate Christmas

 VietNamNet Bridge – Soon it will be Christmas Day in Hanoi and celebrations are brewing. Here’s our short list of top spots to enjoy the special day and may this day be filled with many well wishes for you and your family.

Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt visit Vietnam again

 Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt left Hanoi on December 22 after visiting Vietnam for three days, local media reported.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 24/12

 Siam Commercial Bank opens branch in HCM City, First Lai Chau hydropower turbine’s operation celebrated, New property businesses increase sharply, Tra Vinh calls for investment in wind power

Vietnamese film earns $1m in first week

The Vietnamese romantic comedy Em La Ba Noi Cua Anh (Sweet twenty), inspired by the South Korean film Miss Granny, when earned VND26 billion at the box office after just one week in theaters.