Free 3D films draw crowds in HCMC

VietNamNet Bridge – The opening of 3D cinemas with free viewings in remote city districts has proved a hit among kids and parents, especially those living in suburban areas. 

Horror photos on cigarette packets actually do work

VietNamNet Bridge – Readers share with Viet Nam News their opinions on pictures depicting the consequences of smoking being added to cigarette packets sold in Viet Nam for almost six months. 

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 9/3

 Vietnamese enterprises hold high expectation for 2014; Falling buying power pushes up sugar inventory; Farmers earn big bucks from growing grass for cows; Sacombank yet to find strategic partners;

Admissions renewed for 62 university courses

 The Ministry of Education and Training has allowed a number of universities to renew admissions for 62 courses after meeting requirements for teaching staff, one official said.

Vietnam joins search for missing Malaysia Airlines plane

 Vietnam is to dispatch 8 aircraft and nine naval ships to join regional search and rescue efforts for the Malaysian Airlines plane going missing in the area off Vietnamese coast early on March 8.

Vietnam joins search for missing Malaysia Airlines plane

 Vietnam is to dispatch 8 aircraft and nine naval ships to join regional search and rescue efforts for the Malaysian Airlines plane going missing in the area off Vietnamese coast early on March 8.

HCM City alters hiring of public officials

 VietNamNet Bridge – The HCM City People's Committee recently approved a plan to reform the mechanism for recruiting departmental leaders and holders of positions of the same levels in public organisations and agencies.

239 feared dead as Malaysia plane missing off Vietnam coast

 Vietnam and Malaysia are going to search for a Malaysia Airlines plane with 239 passengers and crew on board that went missing in the area off Vietnamese coast.

Perfect mummy of a Vietnamese female aristocrat

 VietNamNet Bridge – When the mummy of a female aristocrat was excavated in 1994 in HCM City, its perfection surprised archaeologists. The mummy’s joints were still flexible and the body was not decomposed yet.

Hardware firms complain they meet barriers in home market

 VietNamNet Bridge – Tax policies have been designed in a way to encourage the import and discourage local production.

Illegal foreign tourist guides uncontrollable in Vietnam

VietNamNet Bridge – Even though foreigners are banned from providing tourist guide services for foreign visitors to Vietnam, many are still openly operating at many localities across the country, worrying tourism managers.   

Teaching Vietnamese music in Germany

 VietNamNet Bridge – Over the last 10 years, Tran Phuong Hoa, a Vietnamese teacher, has instilled a lasting love of traditional music in generations of Vietnamese origin in Germany.

“Heaven” and “hell” when snow falls in Sa Pa

 VietNamNet Bridge – Snow fell twice in the resort town of Sapa, Lao Cai province recently. In the winter sunlight, Sapa was beautiful and fanciful like the winter landscape in Europe. But behind that scene was the sad fact.

IZ developers running rat race to attract investors

The common tax incentives for the investors setting up their production bases in industrial zones are no longer valid. However, they still can enjoy the preferences offered by IZ developers in an effort to lure more businesses.

Legislators plan to step up budgetary supervision

VietNamNet Bridge – The National Assembly will increase its budget oversight activities to ensure that the country's financial resources are being used in a transparent and proper manner,

Composer brings new, old tunes together

 VietNamNet Bridge – Ngo Hong Quang is a young, versatile Vietnamese artist who bridges the gap between traditional and modern music. He talks about his new album Song Hanh (Companionship),

BKAV: 40% of Vietnamese websites have security holes

 VietNamNet Bridge – Security holes are found on 40% of Vietnamese websites compared with the world average of 22%, according to security firm BKAV.

Sacombank-Southern Bank merging plan to get going

 Saigon Thuong Tin Commercial Bank, or Sacombank, is going to submit to the State Bank of Vietnam the project on merging the bank with Southern Commercial Bank, said Sacombank chairman Pham Huu Phu.

Capital clamps down on illegal underground wells

VietNamNet Bridge – Ha Noi City's Natural Resources and Environment Department has asked local authorities to strictly enforce the law when residents illegally dig water wells.

 

Hanoi in the wet fog

 VietNamNet Bridge - After two dry days, “nom” – the characteristic humidity of spring in northern Vietnam – has returned to Hanoi. Drizzle helps trees grow but it makes troubles for Hanoians.

E-cigarettes linked to high odds of smoking among U.S. teens: study

E-cigarettes, promoted as a way to quit regular cigarettes, are actually associated with higher odds of cigarette smoking among U.S. teens, U.S. researchers said Thursday.

PVN, EVN face ban on non-core investment

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) and Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PVN) will be banned from investing in real estate, banking, insurance and stock market, said the Ministry of Finance.

Art & Entertainment News Headlines 8/3

Hue Festival to feature 60 art troupes; Indie film focuses on father and son; Concert features Korean talents; TV film spotlights national defense; HCMC exhibition honours southern wartime women

Social News Headlines 8/3

 Northwestern poverty reduction policies to face review; Sai Gon River bridge in danger; Smuggled Chinese pigeons seized in Quang Ninh; Soft skills a must for Vietnamese workers; Work accident inspections progress slowly

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 8/3

 Sacombank, Phuong Nam could merge; HSBC: Vietnam’s CPI to rise 6.5 percent; Bird flu takes toll on livestock industry; Thousands of businesses set up in two months; Ministry maintains petrol retail prices