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.

Foreign capital flows out, but stock market to see new shift

Foreign investors sold shares in large quantities in early December in anticipation of the expected US Federal Reserve's raising the target interest rate by 0.25 percent. 

‘America's Top Models’ smile and pose in Hoi An

 Nyle DiMarco, the latest winner of the ‘America's Next Top Model’ Cycle 22 contest and first ever deaf contestant, along with runner up Mame Adjei recently smiled and posed for the camera in Hoi An.

12th National Party Congress: from policies to personnel

VietNamNet Bridge - The people’s attention to policies to be laid down by the Communist Party to the Party Congress reflects real issues that they face in their lives.

Photos: Early Tet atmosphere at Hanoi's largest flower village

 Gardeners in Nhat Tan flower village on the edge of Ha Noi's West Lake are busier these days due to the blooming of a variety of flowers, particular peach flowers for the Lunar New Year Tet holiday.

Vietnam to create national greenhouse gas inventory system

 The Prime Minister has approved the creation of the national greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory system (NGHGIS), which will begin operation from 2016.

Vietnam real estate draws $2.32 billion in FDI in 2015

 Real estate has reeled in 2.32 billion USD in foreign direct investment (FDI) as of the fourth quarter this year, ranking third among sectors that attract FDI.

Forests devastated as forest protection company lends hand to illegal loggers

In 2014-2015 alone, 104 huong (Pterocarpus) trees, listed in Group 1, the group of precious wood, were chopped down by illegal loggers in Kbang district of Gia Lai province. 

Indonesia returns 42 fishermen to Vietnam

 Indonesia on December 23 repatriated 42 Vietnamese fishermen who had been arrested when fishing in the archipelago nation’s exclusive economic zone.

Vietnam’s plan on aircraft maintenance center remains unfinished

VietNamNet Bridge - No investor has decided to pour money into setting up an aircraft maintenance center in the Chu Lai Open Economic Zone.

Photos: Saigon Zoo marks 150th anniversary

 The Saigon Zoological and Botanical Garden celebrated its 150-year operation in Ho Chi Minh City on December 23.

KinhCong, Thai Nguyen raise concerns about medical training

Many problems found at the Hanoi Business & Technology University, called KinhCong by Hanoians and the Thai Nguyen Medical & Pharmacy University, have sparked worries about medical training quality in Vietnam.

President hails Thai Ambassador’s successful tenure in Vietnam

 President Truong Tan Sang highly valued the contributions of Thai Ambassador Panyarak Poolthup to promoting the relations between Vietnam and Thailand during his tenure in Vietnam.

Sunflowers brighten up the lives of Vietnamese youths

Located on former Ho Chi Minh Trail track in Nghia Dan District in the central province of Nghe An, the Vietnamese dairy firm TH True Milk sunflower field has become popular among young people seeking a stunning landscape since 2010.

Vietnam’s top legislator meets with Chinese Party chief Xi Jinping

 National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung met with China’s Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping in Beijing on December 23 within the framework of his official friendship visit to China.

National player Phuong loaned out to Japanese club

 Talented young midfielder Nguyen Cong Phuong will play for Mito HollyHock Club in Japan's J2 League next year on loan.

Art & Entertainment News In Brief

 New Year's countdown party to feature Dutch, Vietnamese DJs, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt visit Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, New Year's Eve countdown to be held in Ha Long, Ancient Ha Noi celebrated with Thang Long programme