Avatar sequel delayed to 2017, says James Cameron

 The sequel to 2009 hit Avatar has been delayed a year and will not be released until 2017, James Cameron has revealed.

Metro Cash&Carry acquisition faces risk

 VietNamNet Bridge – Thai group Berli Jucker’s (BJC) efforts to acquire Metro Vietnam supermarket chain faced opposition from the minority shareholder groups because they fear the financial and legal risks.

Pictures: Sand covers Nhon Hoi Economic Zone

 VietNamNet Bridge - Constantly affected by the two last storms in 2014 and big winds early this year, the Nhon Hoi Economic Zone in Binh Dinh province in central Vietnam has been attacked by sand in recent days.

Art & Entertainment News 15/1

VN film to debut at Berlin International Film Festival; Vietnam joins Singapore’s Chingay parade; Shipping container converted to library; Koreana mag launches Vietnamese edition; Hanoi to host turn off lights festival

Acclaimed Canadian singer hits city stage

 Canadian singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Mac Demarco will stage a one-night concert at Cargo Bar in HCMC’s District 4 at 8 p.m. on January 20.

Dong depreciation increases Vietnam’s foreign debt

VietNamNet Bridge – The latest decision by the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) will put pressure on Vietnam’s foreign debt payments in 2015, analysts have said.

HCM City to evaluate flooding damage

VietNamNet Bridge – HCMC will assess the overall impact of flooding in order to prioritize investments in the vulnerable areas.

U.S. investor eyes Hon Khoai port project in Ca Mau

 Bechtel Corporation of the United States has shown keen interest in developing Hon Khoai port in the Mekong Delta province of Ca Mau, according to the Ministry of Transport.

State Audit to check multiple big-ticket projects

State Audit of Vietnam will inspect many infrastructure projects this year with their investment costs amounting to trillions of Vietnam dong, such asTerminal T2 at Noi Bai International Airport and HCMC-Long Thanh-Dau Giay Expressway.

Travelers’ choice – Hanoi 8th best world destination

 VietNamNet Bridge – TripAdvisor has sliced and diced its users' reviews and ratings for calendar year 2014 into lists of its most highly recommended global destinations and recently announced its winning destinations.

Travel News in Brief

Travel agency unveils stimulus package targeting domestic tourists; Ca Mau looks to earn $13 million from tourism; Vietnam promotes tourism at Norwegian fair; Tien Giang targets 1.5 million tourists in 2015; Vietnam, Italy boost tourism ties

Local fertiliser firms concerned about international competition

VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam National Chemicals Group's deputy director Bui The Chuyen told Nong thon ngay nay newspaper about how a new value-added tax on fertiliser could hurt farmers and local firms.

Aviation officials reprimanded in wake of incidents

 The Transport Ministry and the Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation (VATM) have issued decisions to reprimand and dismiss several aviation officials responsible for errors that threatened flight safety in late 2014.

Ly Hoang Nam to play in AGL Loy Yang Traragol

 Ly Hoang Nam will treat the AGL Loy Yang Traragol Junior International event as awarm-up, ahead of the Australian Open.

V-League teams sack foreign players for poor performance, health issues

 Thanh Hoa have fired Nigerian striker Timothy Anjembe after just two rounds of the Toyota V-League 1.

Trinh Cung's "Consciousness" exhibition opens in Hanoi

 Painter Trinh Cung, one of the most important artists of pre-1975 Sai Gon, has unveiled his latest works in an exhibition that opened on Monday in Ha Noi.

Vietinbank to list SBV shares on HCM City stock exchange

 The Viet Nam Bank for Industry and Trade (VietinBank) will list all shares owned by the State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV) on the HCM City Stock Exchange soon.

3G mobile coverage gets to top of Mount Fansipan

  VinaPhone customers can now access 2G and 3G mobile network services on the Fansipan mountain in the northern Lao Cai province.

EC ends anti-subsidy probe into Vietnam fibre

 The European Commission (EC) has ended an anti-subsidy investigation into polyester staple fibre (PSF) imported from three countries, including Viet Nam, which is expected to boost fibre exports to Europe.

Phu Quoc to build int'l port

The Ministry of Transport and the People's Committee in Kien Giang province have approved the feasibility report and proposal for building an international passenger port on Phu Quoc Island.

Cybercrime takes almost $400 mln away from VN computer users

 Vietnam lost almost 8.5 trillion VND (399.5 million USD) in computer virus attacks in 2014, according to the BKAV network security company.

Transformers leads Razzies 'worst film' shortlist

The fourth entry in the Transformers franchise leads this year's Razzie nominations, which single out the worst movies of the last 12 months.

Vietnam aim higher at international sport events

 Vietnamese athletes are aiming for higher achievements at regional and international sport tourneys this year such as the 28th SEA Games, the 18th Asian Games (ASIAD 18), and qualification rounds of the Olympic 2016.

Vietnam launches “Zero Hunger Challenge”

 Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung attended a ceremony and a conference to launch a national action programme for the “Zero Hunger Challenge,” initiated by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, on January 14.

Central region's people fear villages may be inundated by floods

VietNamNet Bridge – Thousands of households living on the Ngan Sau riverbanks in Huong Khe district of Ha Tinh have been living in constant anxiety as they fear that villages may be swept away by floods from the river.