Graft probe focuses on key executives

 VietNamNet Bridge – Transport Minister Dinh La Thang said the government is committed to ferret out all those involved in the recently uncovered transport project bribery schemes and impose strict penalties, regardless of their positions.

Social News Headlines 27/3

 US launches cooperation strategy for Vietnam; Hanoi police issue new 12-digit ID cards on April 1; Bank chiefs arrested for lending violations; Two die after truck plunges into gorge; Da Nang airport soil project set for April

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 27/3

 Shipper initiates bankruptcy process; DOC issues preliminary decision on shrimp duty; Sacombank shareholders greenlight merger; Each Vietnamese bears USD886 in public debt; Vietnam’s new e-customs system proves effective

Illegal cockroach farms bring lawsuit

 VietNamNet Bridge – Two companies in Bac Ninh Province plan to sue local authorities for having licensed their cockroach raising farms if they are not compensated for the recent destruction of their businesses.

Are sad songs better?

 The charts suggest we are programmed to prefer melancholy music. But is this really the case? Greg Kot investigates.

Historic Vietnamese opera re-staged

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Viet Nam National Opera and Ballet (VNOB) will perform opera Co Sao (Miss Sao) at the Culture Centre in Son La tonight, March 26.

Big cash holders put money into circulation as interest rates down

Making long term deposits instead of short term, or putting money into other investment channels--is the way the businesses keeping big money in their coffers tries after the ceiling bank interest rate reduced to 6 percent per annum.

Sports News Headlines 26/3

 Nguyen Tien Minh drops in world rankings; Vietnam Taekwondo earns 2014 Young Olympics berth; Ciputra challenge underway in Hanoi; Thien advances in Men's Futures tournament; French musician Superpoze to feature Electronic Night

Art & Entertainment News Headlines 26/3

 Japanese drum troupe tours Vietnam; Youth concert to showcase enthralling orchestral music; Mekong Delta holds coconut festival; Int’l experts help Vietnam preserve archives; HCM City to host TELEFILM 2014

IMF chief urges U.S. Congress to ratify IMF reform package

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde Tuesday urged U.S. Congress to support the much-delayed IMF quota and governance reform package which would boost the global institution's resources

Consumers spend big on electronics

 VietNamNet Bridge – Despite the economic slowdown, four out of seven sectors in Viet Nam's technical consumer goods market generated double-digit sales growth in the fourth quarter of last year.

Le Hung Dung elected VFF president

 VietNamNet Bridge - Overcoming the vote at the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) Congress on the morning of March 25, Mr. Le Hung Dung, Chair of Eximbank, has become the ninth chair of the VFF.

Ly Hoang Nam – the first Vietnamese enters ITF Top 50 Juniors

 VietNamNet Bridge – Playing very well at the International Junior Championships in Manila, Ly Hoang Nam has entered the 50 ITF Junior for the first time. He is also the first Vietnamese achieving this success.

Over 40% of suspension bridges in Vietnam need repair

 VietNamNet Bridge - Statistics from the Ministry of Transportation in 56 provinces found that more than 40% of suspension bridges are damaged and deteriorated.

Seven people died of mushroom poisoning

 VietNamNet Bridge - Within two weeks, seven patients died of mushroom poisoning at the Poison Control Center of the Hanoi-based Bach Mai Hospital.

Vietnam’s naval ships participate in multilateral exercises

On the morning of March 25, the hospital vessel HQ-561 and the army medical and engineer forces of the Vietnam navy left the Cam Ranh Military Port to take part in a multilateral maneuver of ASEAN and partner countries, named Komodo in Indonesia.

Vietnamese hospital uses stem cell to cure cerebral palsy for the first time

 VietNamNet Bridge - Vinmec Hospital in Hanoi has carried out a stem cell transplant for the treatment of cerebral palsy for a 13-month-old boy from the central province of Thanh Hoa.

Vietnam asks Japan to provide information on bribery allegations

 VietNamNet Bridge - Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh asked Japan to provide information to clarify the bribery allegations and suggested the two sides improve the mechanism to prevent similar cases in the future.

Two adventure games introduced in Vietnam

 VietNamNet Bridge - In March, Highwire and Zipline will be launched at the Alba Thanh Tan mineral hot springs in Thua Thien Hue province.

SBV creates more tools to help settle bad debts

 VietNamNet Bridge – The watchdog agencies are considering laying the “rails” for VAMC (the Vietnam Asset Management Company) to go ahead to settle the bad debts it buys from credit institutions.

Political News Headlines 26/3

 Vietnam, EU hold third political consultation; Viet Nam sends condolences to Malaysia; Foreign Minister receives Japanese Ambassador; Vietnam hails int’l efforts on 1993 Vienna Declaration implementation

Vietnam backs nuclear disarmament

VietNamNet Bridge – With "high awareness" that nuclear security is the responsibility of all nations, Viet Nam fully supports the common goal of non-proliferation and disarmament, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said yesterday.

Studying abroad - the lifebuoy for students failing university entrance exams?

 VietNamNet Bridge – Self-funded overseas studying proves to be the choice of a lot of students who wish to obtain higher education, but fail the domestic university entrance exams.

Rivers dried up, lakes depleted ‘cause hydropower plant stores water

The water level of the Thach Nham barrage, the biggest irrigation work of Quang Ngai province has dropped to the deepest low, because the water has been taken away by the Dakdrink hydropower plant, which is going to operate soon.

How to find $12 billion to build Van Don SEZ?

The Quang Ninh provincial authorities have vowed to develop the Van Don Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in the locality. But they still don’t know how to find the $12 billion worth of capital needed to build the SEZ.