US billionaire Warren Buffet optimistic on stocks

US billionaire Warren Buffet said the US economy is moving in the right direction and praised the policies of both president George W. Bush and Barack Obama as "the right things,"

Martial arts and boxing champs kick off in May

VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam will organise the first National Traditional Martial Arts and Boxing Championships this month.

Malaysian coalition retains power, opposition alleges fraud

Malaysia's ruling coalition retained its 56-year grip on power in hard-fought elections and called for "reconciliation" Monday, as the opposition alleged widespread fraud and refused to concede defeat.

Thao wins silver at Asian Grand Prix in Bangkok

VietNamNet Bridge – Do Thi Thao, Viet Nam's sole representative at the first meeting of the Asian Grand Prix in Bangkok, won silver in the women's 800m event on Saturday.

GOVERNMENT IN BRIEF 6/5

Second political consultation with Sri Lanka held; Flag to fly on Ly Son island; Gifts for Spratly island residents

Foreign direct investment driven to central region

The northern provinces and coastal localities in the central region -- not the existing big economic zones, now lead the country in terms of the foreign direct investment (FDI) attracted.

French M51 ballistic missile self-destructs in failed test

A French test of an M51 submarine-launched ballistic missile failed on Sunday as it self-destructed off the coast of Brittany, officials said.

Senior songwriter release sensitive album without license

Songwriter Ngoc Dai, a pioneer in contemporary, experimental music in Vietnam, has released his new CD that contains sexual language entitled “Thang Mo 1” (Village herald 1) without a license from the authorities.

Hanoi establishes hotline for reporting taxi overcharging

Given that the recent overcharging scandal made by a driver of Trung Viet Taxi has harmed the image of Hanoi’s taxi services, the Hanoi Taxi Association has set up a hotline for passengers to report problems related to taxi operations.

The police want the press to reveal sources

The Ministry of Public Security said it would propose amendments to the Article 7 of the Press Law, in which the press is required to more widely supply information about the sources to improve the efficiency of the fight against corruption crime.

“I was also cheated by taxi drivers,” says tourism official

"I myself was repeatedly cheated by taxi drivers. I was overcharged three times higher than the normal price," said the Deputy Director General of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism.

Partnership development high on the agenda at ASEAN-US Dialogue

VietNamNet Bridge – The developing partnership between the United States and Southeast Asia was at the forefront of discussions in Washington last week at the 26th ASEAN-US Dialogue.

Hue researcher opens museum

VietNamNet Bridge – Researcher Tran Dinh Son opened his private museum in Hue to the public on April 26, revealing a vast collection of rare antiques he and his ancestors collected.

Mining strikes mountainous commune’s people with consternation

Local people in Giap Lai commune of Phu Tho province sighed with relief when they saw the pyrite mine closing down. However, the fear about diseases still has been following them everywhere.

Mekong Delta out of funds to complete infrastructure projects

VietNamNet Bridge – Though traffic infrastructure in the Mekong Delta has developed considerably in recent years with more roads, bridges, seaports and airports; there is still need of further development

Big cheeses struggle for the Number 1 position in OTT app market

Attracting more users, collecting fees from added value services and cooperating with network operators for mutual benefits are the three things enterprises have to do to get an in-grade promotion in the OTT market.

Nursery schools in Hanoi enroll children through lucky draws

The Hanoi Education and Training Department has promised that Hanoi’s parents would have no more to stay up all night to queue up for the application forms for nursery schools.

Vietnamese boycotting Coca-Cola on the suspicion about transfer pricing

The information that Coca-Cola has not paid any dong in tax over the last 10 years of operating in Vietnam has raised a wave of anger among Vietnamese.

Vietnam - ideal venue for Russian tourists

VietNamNet Bridge – An increasing number of Russian visitors are selecting Vietnam’s famous tourist attractions in the central region as ideal destinations for this year’s holiday season.

HCM City firms set for recruitment drive

VietNamNet Bridge – Enterprises are looking to hire more than 20,000 workers in May, an increase of more than 6,000 over the last month,

German comics on show in Hanoi

VietNamNet Bridge – An exhibition themed “Comics, Manga & Co. – Germany’s New Comic Culture” will open at the Goethe Institute in Hanoi on May 8.

Admin orders corrupt business ethics

VietNamNet Bridge – Administrative orders on the market are giving rise to corruption and spoiling business ethics, said economists, pointing an accusing finger at recent moves of the central bank.

Living like prehistoric men, Duong Lam villagers cry for help

 VietNamNet Bridge - "It’s miserable! Help us, please!" is the cry of many people in the ancient village of Duong Lam, a national relic.

Domestic population slowly growing taller

VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese have grown taller by 4cm in the last 35 years, according to the National Institute of Nutrition.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 6/5

VN, Idaho firms plan to work together; Software testers prep for mobile world; Vietnam - an attractive market for Hong Kong entrepreneurs; Seafood exports down 4.6 percent in four months