HIV virus returns in two "cured" patients: U.S. doctor

 Two patients previously thought to be "cured" of HIV after undergoing bone marrow transplants are now seeing the return of the virus in their blood, U.S. doctors said Friday.

New Year concert promises to delight TV audiences

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam Television (VTV) will contribute to the jubilant New Year atmosphere with a special concert to be broadcast live on the evening of December 31.

Hanoi tax evader jailed for 28 months

Director of the Vietnam Information and Credit Rating Company Le Dinh Quan was sentenced to 28 months in prison at a trial in Hanoi on December 6 for tax fraud pursuant to the Article 161, clause 3 of the Criminal Code.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 8/12

Japanese investors pour over US$34.5 million into Vietnam; Businesses can turn challenges into opportunities; Vietnam to join Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative; Ministry to manage OTT services

UN General Assembly elects Jordan to Security Council seat

 The UN General Assembly on Friday overwhelmingly elected Jordan to take the Security Council seat refused by Saudi Arabia.

Al-Qaida claims responsibility for attacks in Yemen

 Al-Qaida claimed responsibility for Thursday's attacks on Yemen's defense ministry, which has left 52 people killed and more than 167 injured.

S. Africa to hold Mandela funeral on Dec. 15

 The South African government on Friday announced Mandela's funeral will be held on Dec. 15.

World martial arts show to be held in Vietnam

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam will host an annual meeting of the World Martial Arts Union (WoMAU), scheduled to take place in July next year.

Hanoi’s mobile shops on motorcycles

VietNamNet Bridge – With a board behind, a motorcycle becomes a mobile shop. Such mobile shops are quite popular in Hanoi.

Vinashin bankruptcy means wasted land in Haiphong

 VietNamNet Bridge – The bankruptcy of the Vietnam Shipbuilding Industry Group (Vinashin) has caused the delay of many projects, leading to serious land waste in Haiphong City, affecting local households.

Five churches for Christmas in Saigon

 VietNamNet Bridge - In addition to the amusement spots in the city center, churches are the destinations of many tourists to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere.

Two officials reprimanded for dilapilated $5 million museum

 VietNamNet Bridge - Two former directors of the Department of Culture - Sports and Tourism of the central province of Phu Yen have been reprimanded for the degradation of the province’s $5 million museum, one year after its inauguration.

Vietnamese businesses fall into traps in South Asia, Africa

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese businesses have been heading towards South Asia and Africa in an effort to expand their markets. However, a lot of them have become moneyless after some business deals.

From Turkish comedy to Vietnamese music

VietNamNet Bridge – Erdem Aslan performed as a comedian in his native Turkey, but after moving to Viet Nam in 2006, he found inspiration in traditional singing. His first album of Vietnamese songs was released on November 5.

Vietnam Airlines installs self check-in kiosks

 Vietnam Airlines (VNA) passengers can now check-in for domestic flights at kiosks installed at the T1 Terminal at Noi Bai International Airport, which began operating December 1.

Miss Jewelry to represent VN at Miss International

Miss Jewelry 2013 Lo Thi Huong Tram will represent Vietnam at the 2013 Miss International Beauty Pageant in Tokyo from December 6–17.

Vietnam Football Federation Chairman resigns

 Chairman of Vietnam Football Federation Nguyen Trong Hy submitted his resignation at the federation’s Executive Board meeting in Hanoi on December 5.

US catwalk queen to judge Vietnam’s Next Top Model

 VietNamNet Bridge – “Queen of the Catwalk” Jay Alexander who has sat on the jury of American’s Next Top Model for 18 years will attend the final night of Vietnam’s Next Top Model 2013 as a catwalk director and judge.

Quang Anh wins silver at Kids Golf Championships

 Andy Dang Quang Anh won a silver medal at the Kids Golf World Championships in Malaysia yesterday.

French fests to dazzle Da Lat's dwellers

 Several cultural activities will highlight French culture during French Week in Da Lat City in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong.

Four died by alcohol in Quang Ninh

Four people in the northern Quang Ninh Province were reported to have died between December 2-4 after drinking alcohol made from sticky rice.

The funeral without the body - victim of Hanoi's plastic surgeon

 VietNamNet Bridge – 49 days after Huyen’s body was thrown into the Red River by a cosmetic surgeon, her family held the funeral and the requiem for her, even though the body has not been found.

Per capita income in Vietnam reaches almost USD2,000

VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam’s yearly per capita income has been estimated to have reached USD1,960, said Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung at the opening ceremony of the Vietnam Development Partnership Forum in Hanoi

Two Vietnamese killed in Yemen terrorist attack

 A car bomb attack targeting the Yemeni Defence Ministry complex in capital Sana’a on December 5 killed 52 people, including two Vietnamese nationals.

Vietnam, China officials talk border, territory issues

 Vietnamese and Chinese Governmental negotiating delegates on border and territory gathered at a plenary session in Hanoi on December 5-7.