In pictures: Dong Nai River is being filled

 VietNamNet Bridge - After half a year of construction, thousands of rocks now line the Dong Nai River. Seen from a satellite, the site is like a "tumor" on the riverbank.

Impressive moments of Hanoi youth in "Earth Hour"

 VietNamNet Bridge - Young people in Hanoi wore glowing rings, sang and had fun during "Earth Hour 2015" when lights were turned off for one hour.

Kazakhstan’s Lower House Speaker to visit Vietnam

Vietnam aids Cambodia to build military school, Workshop promotes gender equality in politics, Vietnam, Thailand bolster judicial cooperation, Kazakhstan’s Lower House Speaker to visit Vietnam

Vietnamese PM: Lee Kuan Yew’s death a loss to Singapore, ASEAN

 The death of former Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew is a great loss to not only Singapore but also the ASEAN community, wrote Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in a funeral book for the deceased at the Singaporean Embassy.

President meets with top Lao leader

Vietnamese and Lao leaders have committed to fostering the traditional friendship and special solidarity, regarding it crucial to the victory of their revolutionary causes.

Regulations on inter-level training set bar to higher education

VietNamNet Bridge - The regulations on Inter-level training have discouraged learners from continuing to study, experts have said.

New rule makes buying health insurance harder

 VietNamNet Bridge – A regulation that went into effect this year has made it more difficult for many people to buy health insurance.

Is this the last chance for GP Bank?

VietNamNet Bridge - It is still unclear how GP Bank will restructure itself: will it be nationalized by the State Bank or successfully call for more capital?

Ninh Thuan’s people struggle to survive drought

Land in Ninh Thuan Province is drying up because of heat and a lack of rainfall for the last 300 days.  

The gardens of Vietnam’s super-rich

 VietNamNet Bridge - In addition to taking care of the appearance of their majestic villas, the super-rich people in Vietnam also pay attention to the green spaces outside their houses to create a different view for them.

Think-tank to help agro sector grow

 Foreign agricultural investors will soon receive welcome support from a local independent think-tank group.

Hoi An named among top 10 romantic destinations

 VietNamNet Bridge – The US news station CNN has listed Hoi An City in Viet Nam among 10 little-known spots that are equally dreamy.

Most Vietnamese companies expect to adopt virtual technologies

 VietNamNet Bridge – Around 91 per cent of businesses in Viet Nam expect to virtualise at least 30 per cent of their IT infrastructure in the next two years, according to a survey conducted by VMware Inc

The man with the longest fingernails in Vietnam

 VietNamNet Bridge – Mr. Luu Cong Huyen, 57, of Giao Yen Commune of Giao Thuy District in Nam Dinh Province, has not cut his fingernails for more than 30 years. His nails are now about 50cm long.

Legal value of digital signature in Vietnam

 Enterprises and organizations may utilise digital signatures to implement the procedures for electronic taxation and customs, etc., in order to save time and effort while guaranteeing the legal value.

Social News 24/3

 Nick Vujicic talks with 500 disadvantaged children, New-born baby girl removed parasitic tumor, Japanese firm keen to treat organic waste in Can Tho, Vietnam cities warm up for Earth Hour, Ha Long Bay sand mining boats seized

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 24/3

VN firms face Lao hiring woes, Aviation firms' problems discussed, Real-estate enterprises flocking to smaller cities, Vietnamese rice exporters face ‘delisting' challenge, PM Dung approves EVN capital increase

Danish band “Trio Vivo” to stage in Hanoi

 Famous Danish “Trio Vivo” is to take the stage at a concert in Hanoi on March 27 under the CEG Music Club’s periodical program.

SBV: Vietnam welcomes US investors with open arms

 The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) is willing to create a more transparent and attractive business environment in order to persuade US enterprises to operate in Vietnam, SBV Vice Governor Nguyen Thi Hong has said.

Oil refinery super-projects ask for $1 billion from state budget

VietNamNet Bridge - Local authorities have asked for state financial support of $1 billion for oil refinery projects, but the amount of money goes far beyond the state budget capability.

Multi-million year-old fossil found in Quang Binh's Dark Cave

 VietNamNet Bridge - Explorers have surveyed Toi cave in the central province of Quang Binh and discovered many fossils hundreds of millions of years old.

Art & Entertainment News 23/3

 Entertainment centre opens at My Khe Beach, Artwork celebrates Vietnam-US diplomatic ties, Saigon painting celebrate Vietnam-US diplomatic ties, Folk Cake Festival to be held in Can Tho, National Assembly launches song writing contest

State to hold 36 per cent stake in equitised Vinalines

 The Ministry of Transport plans to submit an equitisation plan for Viet Nam National Shipping Lines (Vinalines), in which the State-owned capital will be 36 per cent of chartered capital.

Tributes pour in from all over the world hailing Mr Lee Kuan Yew as visionary leader

 Tributes have poured in from world leaders past and present for the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew, hailing him as a visionary and legendary leader respected all over the world, whose legacy will be remembered by many.

Environmental taxes mostly misused: official

 VietNamNet Bridge – Environmental protection fees paid to the Government by miners is supposed to be used by local authorities to offset environmental damage through revegetation and landscaping.