Da Nang to build stronger homes in disaster prone areas

VietNamNet Bridge – The central city has created a pilot programme to build stronger houses in disaster-affected areas in co-operation with domestic and foreign insurance companies. 

VN firms can succeed in huge halal food market

 VietNamNet Bridge – While Muslims are a minority in Viet Nam, the halal food industry here has great potential, Abdullah Abdulrohman, director of the Halal Viet Nam Export and Import Co Ltd, said.

The kids of Babylift campaign in the past and present

Forty years after the US airlift campaign that brought about 3,000 Vietnamese orphans abroad, how are the kids today? Some of them are lucky to have a family, some are still searching for their origins, and some now live in Vietnam.

Bookfest fosters the reading habit

 VietNamNet Bridge – On a small stage decorated minimally with a bamboo bed and a house made out of a carton with a thatched roof, a group of students from To Hoang primary school performed the play Su Tich Cay Vu Sua

Sua wood dispute between Hanoi authorities and people turns violent

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has approved the sale of sua trees grown by local residents, but Hanoi People’s Committee says that city authorities have the right to decide what to do with the precious wood.

Thyroid gland endoscopy technique popular among world’s surgeons

The sophisticated endoscopy surgery technique invented by Associate Professor Dr Tran Ngoc Luong, the director of the Hanoi-based Central Hospital of Endocrinology, has been recognized worldwide.

Teacher’s slap raises controversy among modern Vietnamese parents

“I raised my hand towards my student and gave him a slap as he irritated me by answering me back,” is a sentence written by a teacher found in an “advice column” of a local newspaper. 

E-commerce development offers more opportunities to forwarders

VietNamNet Bridge - As the value of the e-commerce market is expected to increase from $2 billion in 2013 to $4 billion in 2015, hundreds of forwarding agents have been established recently.

Dynasty Citadel, a world cultural heritage site

 The Ho Dynasty Citadel was recognised by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage site in 2011. The recognition has brought pride and a great joy to the Vietnamese people while paying homage to the great historical values

Painstakingly preserving an old vocation

VietNamNet Bridge – Vu Lang Village residents pay close attention to detail as they carve wooden statues of the Buddha, preserving a traditional craft that has served them well for as long as they can remember. 

Casino projects get ready to restart

 VietNamNet Bridge – The draft decree on casino business announced by the Ministry of Finance last year has encouraged many foreign investors in Vietnam.

State Budget relies on fisheries

 VietNamNet Bridge – Bui Duc Quy, director of the Department of Aquaculture, told Viet Nam News about achievements gained by the sector during the last 56 years.

Vietnam – US story: Former enemies and now partners

 Rapid improvement in bilateral economic and security relations between Vietnam and the US has been fostered by a convergence of their strategic interests.

The love for pencil carving

 VietNamNet Bridge – Every Sunday morning at April 30 Park in HCMC’s District 1, while many young adults gather to sing, dance, talk, do exercises, study in groups, and do other outdoor activities,

Social News 29/4

 Central Highlands coffee threatened by draught, Job training helps thousands, HCMC leads southern region in science & technology field, Locusts plague 300 hectares of plantation in Cao Bang

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 29/4

 Enterprises can issue C/O this year, Vietnam to inspect major firms after Metro tax case, VN railways sector opens up, Govt tries to pull documents in line, Decree allows property as REIT capital

Commercial banks unexpectedly lack VND

VietNamNet Bridge - The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has had to pump a large amount of dong through the open market operation (OMO) to ease a “dong fever” in the interbank market.

Five holiday travel hotspots

 VietNamNet Bridge – Here are five of the top holiday destinations in the north of Vietnam to visit during the upcoming six-day Reunification Day holiday filled with historical artefacts.

The largest meeting of overseas Vietnamese in pictures

“The Homeland Spring” is an annual program for overseas Vietnamese returning home for Tet. This year it was held in Ho Chi Minh City from February 7-8, 2015, with the participation of over 1,000 overseas Vietnamese.

Image: Vietnam-Russia promote cooperation in all aspects

The visit to Vietnam by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev from April 5-7 provided opportunities for both nations to strengthen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and promote cooperation in all aspects.

Pictures: Village of ancient wooden houses in Quang Tri

 VietNamNet Bridge – The village of Hoi Ky in Hai Lang District in Quang Tri Province is home to about 50 old wooden houses. They are the pride of the local people.

Giant King cobras in Vietnam

 VietNamNet Bridge - In Vietnam, some people own giant King cobras which may be the world's largest, even larger than its normal length, which can be up to 5m. King cobra is the longest snake species and typically weighs 6-7kg.

Construction of national bomb and mine centre begins

 Construction work on Vietnam’s National Bomb and Mine Action Centre commenced on April 27 following a ground-breaking ceremony at Thach Hoa commune, Thach That district, Hanoi.

VAMC given more power, but future actions remain uncertain

VietNamNet Bridge - Under a new regulation, the Vietnam Asset Management Company (VAMC) can issue bonds to get money to buy bank debts at market prices. However, the bonds will be issued only to domestic credit institutions.

Vietnam tourism industry gearing up for growth

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam’s tourism and hospitality sector will create 250,000 job opportunities over the next five years and an all-out effort is being made to prepare young people to staff them,