Travel Headlines January 3

Tam Dao tourist area offers free wifi service; Russian tourists to Vietnam sharply increase; Eco-tourism area opens in Central Highlands; Da Lat tourism week attracts over 200,000 visitors

Vietnam-China defence dialogue after four years

 VietNamNet Bridge – Defence talks between Vietnam-China have helped create a firmer trust and devise strategies for fostering bilateral ties.

SMEs shaken by import ban on older machinery

 VietNamNet Bridge – Despite Vietnam’s call for investment from Japanese small and medium enterprises to develop supporting industries, Japanese investors have complained that unclear regulations limiting the import of used machinery

Over 900 granted Vietnamese citizenship

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) announced 902 people, 899 of whom have resided in Vietnam for at least 20 years, were granted Vietnamese citizenship in 2013.

Art & Entertainment Headlines January 3

 Piano recital with Edna Stern; Visual artist displays latest installations; IDECAF to screen comedies; US$1.8 million earmarked for Cat Tien relic preservation; House music legend prepares to hit the decks

Social Headlines January 3

 Foreign NGOs grant US$250 million in 2013; Rescuing passengers trapped inside deformed car; Three Vietnamese rescued from Malaysia massage parlours; Authorities seize drug precursors to Australia

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 3/1

 Danang port handles first cargo of 2014; Wood exports top US$5.3bln in 2013; Japanese retailer Aeon opens first VN mall; Shares end the year on a high; Ministry cuts fees on trade activities; Viettel outdoes VNPT second year in a row

SBV vows to apply international standards in debt classification

While domestic banks have insisted on the delay of the implementation of the Circular No. 02 on classifying debts in accordance with international standards, foreign banks want the opposite thing. Meanwhile, SBV does not want any further delay.

Hanoi, Saigon ring in New Year in music, fireworks

 Tens of thousands of Hanoians and Saigonese, old and young alike, heralded the New Year on the street on December 31 night with music and in the light of low-range display of fireworks.

Sports Headlines January 2

 Nam to play tennis in Costa Rica, Venezuela; Middle distance runners battle it out in Binh Duong; Aquatic sport centre opens in Can Tho; FIFA World Cup trophy arrives in Hanoi

Hanoi expands pedestrian streets in Old Quarter

 VietNamNet Bridge – Six more streets in Hanoi’s Old Quarter will be zoned off for walkers every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night from January 2014.

10 figures that show 2013 real estate market

 VietNamNet Bridge – The real situation of the real estate market in 2013 can be described by the 10 figures.

Foreign tourists flock to Vietnam on New Year's Day

 VietNamNet Bridge – The number of foreign visitors to Vietnam has risen sharply during the 2014 New Year holiday as many provinces and cities across the country have offered attractive tourism services and incentives.

Khmer’s folk music becomes national heritage

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Mekong Delta province of Tra Vinh on December 31 held a ceremony to receive a certificate recognising Cham Rieng Cha Pay, a traditional folk music practised by Khmer ethnic people,

South Sudan president declares state of emergency in Unity, Jonglei states

 South Sudan's President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Wednesday declared a state of emergency in Unity and Jonglei States.

2013 foreign relations achievements highlighted

 VietNamNet Bridge – The year 2013 wrapped up with busy foreign relations activities, making important contributions to the national construction and development.

Will Vietnam change time zone to GMT+8?

Some scientists and analysts believe that Vietnam would gain bigger benefits in its socio-economic development if it applies the GMT+8 time zone instead of the current GMT+7. The issue remains controversial.

Public schools not open to children of immigrant workers

 VietNamNet Bridge – State owned nursery schools in big cities, which have been overloaded with local children, are not capable to receive immigrant workers’ children.

Dak Lak’s forests ravaged by precious stone hunters

Hundreds of people have been flocking to the Cu Klong commune in Krong Nang district of the central province of Dak Lak these days to look for sapphire and quartz crystals they believe are under the earth in the forests.

Saigon on the list of the best travel photos 2013

 The Travel 365 Forum of the prestigious travel magazine National Geographic reviewed the world tourism 2013 with many famous places that attracted tourists in the world, including HCM City.

Latvia's banking system operations in euro stable

 Latvia said its banking system operations in euros have been stable and smooth since entering the eurozone and became the bloc's 18th member early Wednesday.

Phan Hoang Thu in the top 10 Miss World Tourism

VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese model Phan Hoang Thu was in the top ten contestants and won the Miss Southeast Asia in the beauty contest, which took place on December 31 in Malaysia.

Vietnam securities gain strongest growth in Southeast Asia

 VietNamNet Bridge – The growth of Vietnam's stock in 2013 was over 20 percent, while that of other Southeast Asian countries declined or increased only 3-10 percent.

Foreigners welcome the New Year in Vietnam

 VietNamNet Bridge - Wishing to have a strange experience or just accidentally welcome the New Year in Vietnam, many foreign visitors were surprised by the bustling atmosphere in Hanoi.

Vietnam’s first Kilo submarine’s journey from Russia to Cam Ranh Port

 VietNamNet Bridge - On 31/12/2013, Vietnam’s first Kilo submarine named HQ 182 Hanoi arrived at the Cam Ranh Port in Khanh Hoa Province after a journey lasting a month and a half.