South Korea eyeing Vietnam as new farm produce supplier

 VietNamNet Bridge – South Korean leading food groups--while following a strategy on expanding their operation in Asia, have been “hunting” for Vietnamese materials.

Airport security officer at fault for failing to spot smuggled heroin

VietNamNet Bridge – In an official answer to the media, the Ministry of Transport admitted that the officer in charge of security screenings had failed to make direct examinations after discovering unusual appearances of goods containing heroin.

Long Tet holiday will keep travel firms busy

 VietNamNet Bridge – Travel firms have sighed a relief after the Prime Minister approved the 9-day Tet holiday instead of 7-day. A longer holiday would mean bigger business opportunities.

PM’s visit to Japan cements bilateral ties

 VietNamNet Bridge – Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung will pay an official visit to Japan from December 12-15 at the invitation of his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe, and attend a commemorative summit

A man returns home after 16 years missing

His family had been worshipping him for 16 years. One day, Mr. Tieu Viet Thao suddenly appeared in the joy of his family and neighbors in Thanh Thuy village, Binh Hai commune, Binh Son district, in the central province of Quang Ngai.

Smoking cessation products pose no serious heart risks: study

 Nicotine replacement gums and patches or popular drugs prescribed to help people quit smoking such as Chantix may not harm the heart in users,

EVN power monopoly to be short-circuited

 VietNamNet Bridge – Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai has pledged that Vietnam would continue to reduce the Electricity of Vietnam’s monopoly through the development of a competitive electricity market.

Social Headlines December 11

 Local authorities recall deadly spurious liquor; Former executives get life sentences for fraud; Vietnam hosts 2014 ASEAN skill competition; False addresses cost companies licenses

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 11/12

 Dairy sector looks to triple cattle population; HCM City petition targets capital transfers; Induction stoves popular as gas prices rise; Cashew exports reach $1.5bn annual target

Nobel laureates call to inspire young people for new ideas

 Nobel chemistry prize winners Michael Levitt and Martin Karplus on Saturday called for "more attention and efforts" to young people to help foster new ideas.

Ancient fresh water lake found on Mars

 Researchers said on Monday they have found evidence that there was once an ancient fresh water lake on Mars that may have been able to support life.

Animal protection added into 7th biology textbook

 VietNamNet Bridge - To raise the awareness of students on wildlife conservation, the contents on Vietnam’s wild animals will be added into the textbook of 7th grade students.

Roofs blown up in Saigon, airplanes are prime suspect

 VietNamNet Bridge - On the morning of December 9, many tiles on the roof of the third floor of a house in Go Vap District, HCM City were blown away. The landlord said that the incident occurred when an aircraft passed.

Vietnam to see the best meteor shower this year

 VietNamNet Bridge - Geminids, the best meteor shower of the year with an extreme number of meteor streaks at 120/hour will take place this weekend and can be observed in Vietnam.

Four people died of suffocation in waste water tank

 VietNamNet Bridge – Four male workers of a private seafood processing company in the Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang died of asphyxia in a tank containing waste water in the evening of December 7.

Foreign funds want to sell 13.4 million shares of Vinamilk

 VietNamNet Bridge - The Vietnam Enterprise Investment Limited (VEIL) has registered to sell 8.8 million shares of the Vietnam Dairy Products Joint Stock Company - Vinamilk. The transaction time is from 11/12/2013 to 9/1/2014.

Deutsche Bank maintains ownership in Hoang Anh Gia Lai

The German bank says that it bought 2.7 million shares to maintain its ownership ratio in Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) Group after HAGL listed more shares. This move is contrary to the previous speculation on Deutsche Bank’s divestment.

VN wins gold at Special Olympics

 Viet Nam's Pham Ai Nhan - a victim of Downs Syndrome - has won a gold medal at the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Games, which closed in Australia on Saturday.

ADB funds tourism development in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia

 The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a 100 million USD aid package to support the development of tourism infrastructure in the three Mekong River countries of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

Art & Entertainment Headlines December 10

 Early 20th century glass paintings of HN on display; UK-style singing competition to hit TV screens; Piano concert celebrates Vietnam-Aussie links; Artists create colourful mosaics; French Year concludes with light show

Dutch man died in road accident

VietNamNet Bridge – A 58-year-old Dutch man was killed and four other people were injured when a 16-seat passenger van crashed into the central reservation on National Highway 1A in Cam Thinh Dong Commune, Cam Ranh City,

Vietnam wins four more golds at SEA Games

VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam bagged four more gold medals on December 9 at the ongoing 27 th SEA Games, putting it second on the medal tally with six golds, three silvers and five bronzes, only behind the host Myanmar . 

John Kerry to visit Vietnam this week

 VietNamNet Bridge – US Secretary of State John Kerry will drop in Vietnam during his fourth Asian tour from December 11-18, State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki announced.

Vietnam “caught in a shore” because of SOEs?

Vietnam once missed the opportunity to reform its state owned enterprises (SOEs) when joining WTO. Another opportunity has come when it negotiates for the Trans Pacific Strategic Partnership Agreement.

Political Headlines December 10

President commends judicial reform plan; Vietnam’s amended Constitution announced; VNU plays key role for science research; HCM City People’s Council opens 12th session