Grandfather burns his daughter-in-law for not having a son

VietNamNet Bridge – The Hai Phong City Police Agency has identified one of the six victims in the terrifying fire in the northern port city of Hai Phong on the night of March 17, as the culprit.

International community to increase protection over the Hoan Kiem turtle

The Hoan Kiem or Sword Lake turtle is a species of turtle in Vietnam that has had the level of protection improved in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Overseas Vietnamese to attend the death anniversary of Hung Kings

VietNamNet Bridge - 65 overseas Vietnamese from many countries will offer incense at the Temple of Hung Kings in Phu Tho province and attend the requiem of heroes and martyrs in Cao Bang province.

Netizens “stone” man with disrespectful photo

Vietnamese netizens are upset with a rude photo featuring a young man who posed on the statue of Emperor Ly Thai To, the founder of the Ly Dynasty.

132 universities, colleges not to organise entrance exams 2013

 VietNamNet Bridge – As many as 132 universities and colleges nationwide will not organise entrance exams in 2013, down by nine schools in comparison with 2012,

Silence is golden

“I like sipping my happiness quietly by myself,” has become the well-known words of Pham Nhat Vuong, the only Vietnamese businessman named in the Forbes’ list of the world’s billionaires.

NA Standing Committee convenes 16th session

 VietNamNet Bridge – The National Assembly Standing Committee convened its 16th session in Hanoi on March 18 to discuss draft amendments and supplements to several laws.

Ha Thanh wins World Cup silver

 VietNamNet Bridge – Nguyen Ha Thanh sealed a silver medal for Viet Nam at the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup which finished in La Roche-sur-Yon City, France yesterday (Mar 18).

HCM City’s mother gives births to five children

A 28-year-old woman in District 5, Ho Chi Minh City, on the night of March 17 gave birth to five babies by Cesarian at the Tu Du Hospital. This is a rare case of multiple pregnancies, using the measure of injecting sperm into the uterus.

Coach Chen Yun Fat optimistic with the “World Cup dream”

The Chinese coach of the women’s national football team has received two major tasks: defending the championship of Vietnam at the 27th Southeast Asian Games and getting a card to the women's World Cup 2015.

Ministry guides financing policies for first nuclear power plant

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Deputy Minister of Finance has just signed a circular on disbursing capital for the Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Plant, for the 2014 to 2021 period.  

Song compiled before 1975 to be licensed in a more convenient way

VietNamNet Bridge – The Performing Arts Agency plans to collect the songs composed before 1975 and the song of overseas musicians to reviewed, licensed and updated regularly on its website.

Maintaining VAT tax incentives to support businesses

VietNamNet Bridge - Reasoning economic difficulty, the National Assembly on March 18 agreed not to reduce the number of groups of goods that are entitled to the value added tax rate (VAT) of 0% and 5%.

Phu Yen: Nearly 100 grenades discovered under the floor

While digging foundation of a house in Tuy Hoa City in the central province of Phu Yen on March 14, a group of building workers discovered deep underground -- 85 grenades, 15 bullets and some explosives.

Vietnamese French professor receives Phan Chau Trinh Award

VietNamNet Bridge – The 6th Phan Chau Trinh Award for research category will be presented to Vietnamese French Prof. Le Thanh Khoi, 90, the father of Nguyen Le, a world-renowned Jazz / world music artist.

Hanoi’s group of mobile police suspended for beating citizen

VietNamNet Bridge - The Hanoi Police Agency has suspended a group of mobile police, who are accused of beating a man, for investigation.

Fed likely to stay course as Cyprus roils markets

 The Federal Reserve looked set to keep its loose monetary policy in place this week as a shock Cyprus plan to seize bank deposits stoked fears of a reigniting eurozone banking crisis.

Power price hikes seen easier for EVN

 VietNamNet Bridge – An input cost increase of 2% over the current average retail price of electricity is a sufficient condition for Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) to propose a new round of power price hikes,

Chinese film 'Mystery' wins Asian best picture

 A Chinese drama that touches on sensitive topics including police corruption won the best picture at the Asian Film Awards, while Japan's Takeshi Kitano scooped the best director gong.

GOVERNMENT IN BRIEF 19/3

  VN, Mongolia increase cooperation in various fields; Top legislator’s European tour opens up good cooperative prospects; Deputy PM: Overseas Vietnamese - integral part of nation

More real power to the President

On the occasion of amending the Constitution, Vietnam should carry out some reforms, such as allowing the people to directly elect the President and combining the Party General Secretary and the President into one position.

Visiting Quang Binh, meeting with the naval soldiers of Gac Ma battle

On Mar 14, 1988 a fierce sea battle took place between Vietnamese soldiers and Chinese troops around Co Lin, Len Dao and Gac Ma, which are part of the Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago.

Laws create the bans, but don’t stipulate punishments

The Enterprise Law and relating laws stipulate that enterprises must not use the same names registered before by other enterprises. However, it does not mention how to punish the violators.

GM crops to cut hunger, poverty

VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam has the potential to develop crop biotechnology to help ensure food security, says Nguyen Van Tuat, deputy director of Viet Nam Academy for Agricultural Sciences.

PM greets former prime ministers Tony Blair and Romano Prodi

VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam attached importance to enhancing multi-faceted cooperation with the UK and the EU, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung told former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair in Ha Noi yesterday.