Troh Bu eco-tourism garden and the idea of wild orchid reserve

 VietNamNet Bridge – There is a wonderful wild orchid garden in the Central Highlands, where hundreds of wild orchid species are living. It is called Troh Bu.

Eavesdropping software products sold in the open air

 VietNamNet Bridge – The software products have become so smart that they not only allow eavesdropping on normal calls or SMS, but the calls and SMS applied OTT apps as well.

Non-state schools submit “five principles to be removed” claim

The Association of Non-state Universities and Junior Colleges has officially filed a claim to the Ministry of Education Training on a new enrolment mechanism, proposing to remove the university entrance exams.

Thailand crisis: Protesters begin Bangkok 'shutdown'

 Protesters have begun blocking roads in parts of the Thai capital, Bangkok, in a bid to oust the government before snap elections on 2 February.

Offerings given to General Vo Nguyen Giap

 VietNamNet Bridge - Thanh Hoa province offered two cannons and a bronze drum at the grave of late General Vo Nguyen Giap, on January 11, at Tho Mountain, Vung Chua, Quang Trach district, central Quang Binh province.

Tourism Authority sets sights on 8m tourists with new campaign

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) has unveiled a plan to promote the tourism industry overseas with a target to welcome 8 million foreign visitors this year.

Making firecrackers, four students died in HCM City

 VietNamNet Bridge - On January 11, four students from the Ho Chi Minh City Polytechnic University were tragically killed in a fire which broke out in ward 14, district 10, HCM City.

Labour market to see minor wage growth in 2014

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Vietnamese labour market this year will see just a 6-8 per cent salary increase due to the sluggish economy.

Tay Tuu flower village in the Tet season

 VietNamNet Bridge - Tay Tuu flower village is in Tu Liem district, 20 km from Hanoi’s center. Early November every year, Tay Tuu people began preparing for the Tet flower season.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 13/1

 Gov’t to borrow VND100 trillion through bond sales; HSBC forecasts bright year for Vietnamese exports; Stock market offers rich opportunities; Grounds for optimism as market thaws; Textile exports forecast to grow

Enterprises more upbeat despite challenges

 VietNamNet Bridge – Local enterprises for the most parts agree that this year will bring better business opportunities as the investment environment will change for the better,

VTV3 unveils Vietnam’s biggest prize money show

 VietNamNet Bridge – VTV3 on Tuesday announced The Money Drop (Dung de tien roi) game show with a cash prize of VND200 million, the highest prize money from a TV show in Vietnam.

Suoi Re communal house - Green architecture

With unique architecture filled with ecological characteristics, the communal house in Hoa Binh Province, won the 2012 Green Good Design Award given by the US and  ranked in the Top 7 of the Ecowan Awards by the World Architecture News.

Gold market has tough 2013

 VietNamNet Bridge – The local gold market has seen strong fluctuations in 2013 given the strong price decline on the world market and new policies on gold market management released by the central bank.

Five Vietnam restaurants among 101 best in Asia

 VietNamNet Bridge – The US-based food website Daily Meal continues its culinary tour of the world with its first-ever roster of the 101 Best Restaurants in Asia, which honours five Vietnamese restaurants.

Almond leaves dye Hanoi streets in red

 VietNamNet Bridge - Winter on Hanoi’s long streets suddenly become warm when almond trees turns red.

400 SOEs bankrupt or dissolved in 2013: Finance Ministry report

 VietNamNet Bridge – More than 400 State-owned enterprises (SOEs) declared bankruptcy or were dissolved last year, according to the Ministry of Finance.

Tea-drinking habit in Vietnam

VietNamNet Bridge - Walking along streets, it is easy for you to find a tea shop, which is a very popular part of Vietnamese street life.

Eyes on the sea in Truong Sa Archipelago

The lighthouse on Truong Sa Lon Island and 8 others in Truong Sa Archipelago are not only beacon for ships passing at night, but also confirm the sovereignty over the sea and islands of Vietnam.

Rangers determined to protect forest

 VietNamNet Bridge – Forest rangers at the Phu Ninh Protected Forest in the central province of Quang Nam take pride in the vast lush forests they have devoted their lives to protecting.

Tet tours for OV still on offer

 VietNamNet Bridge – Unlike previous years, overseas Vietnamese or OV this year are buying tours for the Lunar New Year holiday or Tet later than normal while no sharp sales growth is reported.

State project preserves ethnic heritage

 VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam has 16 ethnic minority groups at risk of disappearing due to diminishing populations. However, an ambitious new Government project aims to preserve the unique customs of these vanishing cultures.

Economy passes 2013 in stability, gears up for changes

 VietNamNet Bridge – The economy wraps up the grim year 2013 in stability, with many major economic indicators showing robust growth, but stagnation remains a major concern for 2014 and the years that follow.

Wife has hubby's kids years after his death

 VietNamNet Bridge – It was a sunny Saturday afternoon when Hoang Kim Dung stepped through the doors of the mortuary at the Thanh Tri Hospital in Ha Noi.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 12/1

 Viglacera construction materials firm to go public; Leading cement corp. targets 30 trillion VND in revenue; Buyers more confident in made-in-Vietnam goods; Vietnam welcomes US investor in silk industry