Hanoi in the milky flower season

 VietNamNet Bridge – Every March, Hanoi changes its coat, the white coat made by milky flowers.

Phu Quoc yet to attract scheduled int’t flights

 VietNamNet Bridge – The authorities of Phu Quoc International Airport and the resort island of Phu Quoc have been unable to persuade airlines to operate scheduled international flights to this tourist destination

Local carriers speed up for ASEAN open skies

 VietNamNet Bridge – Airlines of Vietnam are making preparations to cash in on new opportunities of the open skies agreement as part of the ASEAN economic community in 2015.

Visitors swarming into Vietnam via Huu Nghi bordergate

Since the beginning of the year, nearly 111,000 tourists have crossed into Vietnam through Huu Nghi (Friendship) bordergate in northern Lang Son province.

Anh Vien listed among top 10 world’s best swimmers

 Vietnam's “little mermaid” Anh Vien has been cited among the top 10 world’s best swimmers, the first Vietnamese to make the list.

Bandwidth revoked from telcos

VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Information and Communications plans to withdraw mobile bandwidths that it provided to S-Fone and EVN Telecom mobile carriers due to fading operations.

Sketching street portraits in Hanoi

 VietNamNet Bridge – Some of Hanoi’s eager young art students have capitalised on their talent and now earn useful extra income sketching portraits on city streets.

Mine clearance needs both domestic, international resources

VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam is trying its best to overcome the consequences of post-war bombs and mines, for a peaceful life of the people. In this issue, support of the international community plays an important role but much needs to be done

Sound basis set for corruption fight

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vice Chairman of the NA Committee on Culture, Education, Youth and Children Le Nhu Tien spoke to Dai Doan Ket (Great Unity) Newspaper about progress on corruption prevention and control.

Who has eliminated 130,000 hectares of forests in Central Highlands?

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Central Highlands, the largest forest area in Vietnam with 2.84 million hectares of forests, has never seen such a serious deforestation before. Over 130,000 hectares have been cleared just in the last five years.

$150,000 granted for the national athletics team

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Vietnam Sports and Physical Training Administration has decided to invest $150,000 in the national athletics team, aiming to win at least a gold at the 2014 Asian Games.

Building a legacy through restoration

 VietNamNet Bridge – Restoring ancient houses offered this former carpenter and his son a way to make a living, while also helping families continue to gather in their valuable ancestral homes.

When execution grounds go silent

 VietNamNet Bridge - On August 6, 2013, Vietnam’s first execution by lethal injection took place.

U.S. reports rare female-to-female HIV case

A 46-year-old U.S. woman has likely acquired HIV from her female partner in a rare case of female-to-female sexual transmission of the AIDS virus,

IBM colossal investments benefit Vietnam

 VietNamNet Bridge – The US-backed information technology developer IBM Group is investing dozens of billions of dollars into making more innovated products, which will benefit Vietnam.

HCM City police bust baby-trading ring

 VietNamNet Bridge – HCM City police have just discovered a large-scale baby-trading ring, prosecuting seven people.

It’s time for e-learning to boom in Vietnam

 VietNamNet Bridge – E-learning, with its high usability and interaction level, has become more and more popular in Vietnam. The market is expected to witness a boom once more big e-learning app developers jump into it.

Art & Entertainment News Headlines 15/3

 Vietnam’s museums to display artifacts in New York; MPK opens photo exhibition in Hue; Art exhibition marks changes of HCM and Lyon cities; Vietnamese bartenders to compete in regional contest

Social News Headlines 15/3

 450 bridges to be built in rural areas nationwide; Germany funds UXO clearance in Thua Thien-Hue; Drug smugglers receive death sentences; Five hospitalised for mushroom poisoning; RoK helps Vietnam in marine research

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 15/3

 PM green-lights construction corp listing; Vietnamese furniture companies expand overseas markets; SBV asks for lending interest rate cut; Samsung Vietnam’s 2013 exports generate US$24 billion

Foreign Ministry: March busy with diplomatic activities

 VietNamNet Bridge – President Truong Tan Sang will pay a State-level visit to Japan from March 16-19 at the invitation of Japanese Emperor Akihito, a Vietnamese Foreign Minister’s spokesperson has said.

PM approves civil aviation plans through 2030

VietNamNet Bridge – The fleet of civil aircraft in Vietnam will increase to 230-250 by 2030, in accordance with the recent civil aviation strategy approved by the Prime Minister.

Vietnam raises voice against child violence

 VietNamNet Bridge – The protection of children’s rights in armed conflicts requires enhanced cooperation and technical support between relevant sides such as governments, regional and international organisations,

Disgraced bank head given death sentence for corruption

VietNamNet Bridge – A former bank director was sentenced to death after being found guilty of corruption by the People's Court of the Central Highlands province of Dak Nong yesterday, March 13.

Leaders receive Francophone head

VietNamNet Bridge – Abdou Diouf, Secretary General of the International Francophone Organisation (OIF), became a guest of President Truong Tan Sang and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung in Ha Noi yesterday, March 13.