Struggling farmers need actions, not words

 VietNamNet Bridge – After five years of implementing the Party Central Committee's Resolution No 7 on agriculture, farmers and rural development, weaknesses remain in the agricultural sector,

Domestic markets draw foreign cash

 VietNamNet Bridge – The number of foreign investors opening accounts for stock trading in Viet Nam is growing, indicating that Vietnamese equities continue to attract foreign investors.

Health Ministry lags behind in public administration reform

VietNamNet Bridge – The Health Ministry was at the bottom of the ministerial-level public administration reform index 2012 with 64.78 percent, announced the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Tran Manh Tuan - The best saxophonist in Vietnam

 Saxophonist Tran Manh Tuan has spent more than 30 years playing the saxophone and he now is one of the most successful saxophonists in Vietnam. He has performed at many great events and music festivals both at home and abroad.

Vietnamese crazy about expensive branded goods

More and more Vietnamese have got keen on luxurious goods and willing to pay money on branded products, even though they are much more expensive than the average income.

Parents embrace a change in attitude

 VietNamNet Bridge – Nguyen Huu Thanh is part of a social revolution. Like many other parents in Viet Nam, he and his wife have only given birth to daughters. What sets them apart from more traditional couples is that they don't despair . . .

Hired learners, high examinees make big money in exam season

Being present at roll call or attending exams under the names of other students have become very popular services. Other supporting services, including the student card or doctor’s certificate forging, have also mushroomed.

Miners exploit more than minerals

 VietNamNet Bridge – The management of mineral exploitation in Viet Nam has led to a situation where the miners are said to get the best part of the deal.

Telecom firms bemoan cable TV business hardship

 VietNamNet Bridge – FPT Telecom and Viettel as the only two telecom enterprises licensed to offer cable television services but both bemoan hardship in securing contents for their channels.

Nui Coc - a suspended mirror on northern mountain

 VietNamNet Bridge – Nui Coc Lake, which was created from a dam built in Cong river in Dai Tu District, northern Thai Nguyen Province, is well-known for its spectacular and legendary beauty and the romantic love story of a young couple.

An Hoi incense burners

 Despite the changes of over 200 years, the bronze casting of incense burners has been preserved and developed by the people of An Hoi Village in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City.

EU air pollution target 'still too high' for heart health

 A study confirming a link between atmospheric pollution and heart-attack risk strengthens the EU case for tougher clean-air targets, experts say.

Imprint in Vietnam – Japan relations

 Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung paid an official visit to Japan and attended the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit and the Fifth Mekong - Japan Summit in Tokyo from December 12-15.

EVN works to reduce losses

 VietNamNet Bridge – Facing capital shortages, Electricity Viet Nam (EVN) has asked national coal group Vinacomin and PetroVietnam to invest in power plants, EVN deputy general director Dinh Quang Tri tells Vnexpress.

Ly Son - Kingdom of onions and garlic

 The island district of Ly Son in Quang Ngai is known as not only the homeland of the Hoang Sa Flotilla, but also the kingdom of onions and garlic which have distinctive delicious tastes that other products of its kind can not compare with.

Social Headlines January 29

 VND80 bln presented to poor people across Vietnam; ADB helps improve Grade-II Cities' infrastructure; Action programme on land renovation issued; Hunting for highland peach trees; New Year get-togethers bring festive cheer to OVs

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 29/1

 Honda, Mazda, Ford post sharp sales growth; U.S. dollar weakens against Vietnam dong; VRA says rubber price stable but low this year; VND500 bil. for Da Nhim hydropower plant expansion; Imports of confectionery decline

Lunar New Year or Tet in Vietnam

 The festival which best epitomizes Vietnam's cultural identity is Lunar New Year or Tet, with a lot of meaningful customs and traditional special foods.

Foreign investors lessen interests in Vietnam’s property

Only one real estate project has been transferred to a foreign investor so far, while the foreign direct investment (FDI) in the real estate sector has decreased.

Modern hit on Tet traditions rued

 VietNamNet Bridge – Almost three-quarters of respondents in a survey released on Monday by research firm Epinion indicated that Tet would be spent at home with family and friends.

Deputy PM urges scrutiny over foreign names of universities

 Deputy PM Vu Duc Dam has asked the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) to reconsider giving foreign names to universities.

Pagoda attempts to improve image

 VietNamNet Bridge – Hanging animal meat in front of restaurants in the vicinity of the Perfume Pagoda in My Duc District is to be banned, say officials in Ha Noi.

Five highlights of V-League 2014 Round 3

 The third round of the V-League Eximbank 2014 took place last weekend and featured a number of surprises. Let’s take a look at the main highlights of this round of play.

Swiss training ahead for Vietnamese cyclist

 VietNamNet Bridge – Cyclist Trinh Duc Tam has been officially invited to train with the International Cycling Union in Switzerland.

In pictures: Awaking the potential of the sea

 Endowed by nature with 15km of coast line and a system of criss-crossing rivers, Kim Son District in Ninh Binh Province has great potential for economic development.