Nine tourist boats suspended on Halong Bay

 VietNamNet Bridge – The authorities of Quang Ninh have suspended the operation of nine tourism boats owned by the Ha Long Pearly Sea Co. for inspection after one of its boat caught on fire on February 3.

Vietnamese conical hat honoured by UK magazine

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam’s conical hats, or non la, have been featured as one of the impressive traditional costumes around the globe by British travel guidebook Rough Guides.

Saigonese crowd downtown streets to take photos with apricot, peach trees

 VietNamNet Bridge - Shimmering colors of peach and apricot flowers in the city’s center attracts thousands of people who come for fun and to take pictures next to real and artificial apricot and peach trees.

Van Don casino-resort to be licensed soon

The selection of investors for the Van Don airport and an integrated casino and resort complex in Quang Ninh is nearing its conclusion as the local government will make a final decision to allow the construction of both landmark projects in April.

Real Art, Hang Da Galleria cooperate in art fair

 Hang Da Galleria is hosting an eleven-day art display and sale event on the occasion of the Lunar New Year.

Tay Tuu flower growers forced to destroy crops

 VietNamNet Bridge – Nguyen Thi Xuan from Tay Tuu Commune in Tu Liem District in the north is one of many chrysanthemum growers caught holding large stocks of flowers before Tet.

Low prices of Vietnam’s catfish lead to export dilemma

VietNamNet Bridge – Though Vietnam’s catfish is believed to be the best in the world, it has been experiencing difficulties in major export markets like the US and Europe.

Zodiac exhibition pays homage to Tet tradition

 VietNamNet Bridge – Zodiac animals look playful and lively at a joint exhibition by two eclectic artists that opened in Ha Noi recently to celebrate the Year of the Goat.

Vietnam to issue international driving licences for use in 85 countries

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam will issue international driving licenses with information in English, French, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese, specifying the type of vehicle that the holder is allowed to use.

VN should discard conservative views on pig-chopping rite: Ministry of Culture

"Don’t think that the proposal to stop the pig-chopping festival is the West’s imposition on Vietnam culture. The West has standards that we need to learn," said Mr. Phan Dinh Tan, spokesman for the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Biodiversity conservation project green-lighted

 The Prime Minister has approved a project on central-level biodiversity conservation and sustainable usage of eco-forestry services, using Germany ’s non-refundable official development assistance (ODA).

Mobile networks ensure Tet service

VietNamNet Bridge – Major mobile network operators in Viet Nam have prepared technical solutions, staff and equipment to ensure smooth communication during the Lunar New Year holiday, especially 3G services.

Discovering Ban Gioc Waterfall and Saigon-Ban Gioc Resort

 VietNamNet Bridge – The newly inaugurated four-star Saigon-Ban Gioc Resort in the northern upland province of Cao Bang boasts fine accommodations and a magnificent natural landscape.

Images: Dien grapefruit village before Tet Holiday

 VietNamNet Bridge – Grapefruit from Dien village in Hanoi has long been a specialty at lunar New Year.

Vietnam’s status as catfish-export leader threatened by Asian rivals

VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam is facing a high risk of losing export markets to emerging rivals in Asia who are planning to join the world market.

Foreign firms hold beverage aces

 VietNamNet Bridge – The domestic beverage market has seen fierce competition as nearly half the market share last year belonged to foreign firms.

Many teachers tend to exaggerate students’ mistakes, say educators

VietNamNet Bridge – Teachers need to be more humane when educating students and give advice instead of punishing students if they make mistakes.

Hoa Binh Mong ethnics welcome traditional New Year

 VietNamNet Bridge – Spring has filled Mong ethnic minority villages in the northern province of Hoa Binh with peach and plum blossoms and the melodious sounds of the khen (panpipe), colouring the Lunar New Year (Tet) festival.

Art & Entertainment News 11/2

 Festival portrays ethnic minority life to celebrate Tet; Tet Art Fair presents works of Hanoi artists; 1st Young Photographer Festival to be kicked off in March; Can Tho to host Book Festival

Social News 11/2

Quarry collapse kills three in Thanh Hoa; Rash truck driver kills 2; Two women missing from capsized ship; Da Nang firms fail to cut transport fees; Multidimensional poverty standards; Health ministry tells hospitals to cut overcrowding

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 11/2

Circle K convenience store chain opens 100th store in VN; Retailers despair as discounts fail to attract more customers; Stalled projects likely to be re-sold; Foreign remittances remain robust in 2014;

Tet tours abound

 VietNamNet Bridge – The upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, or Tet, is a national holiday which turns most exciting one to two weeks before it starts. So tourists are advised to travel to different parts of the country

Five highlights of Toyota V-League 1-2015 Round 7

 VietNamNet Bridge – The 2015 V-League seventh round witnessed an incredible loss for reigning champions Becamex Binh Duong and a sweet victory for XSKT Can Tho. Let’s take a review of some of the most notable events from this round of play.

MPI vows to tighten public investment

VietNamNet Bridge – Local authorities and ministries are drawing up large public investment projects, even though the state budget remains modest.

First examination held for State corporation leadership role

 VietNamNet Bridge – An examination has been created for candidates vying for the position of a chief in State corporations for the first time in Vietnam.