Folk woodcut printing awarded national heritage status

 VietNamNet Bridge – The making of Dong Ho folk woodcut painting in the northern province of Bac Ninh has been recognised as part of the national intangible cultural heritage.

Garbage is being wasted in Vietnam

Millions of tons of garbage have been thrown away every year. Meanwhile, this could be a potential source of energy.

France invites Vietnamese gymnast to Challenge Cup

The Challenge Cup organizing committee in France, the gymnastics tournament that gathers the world's top athletes, has invited Vietnamese male gymnast Nguyen Ha Thanh to participate in the event.

Central bank sends signal about exchange rate policy in 2013

The dollar price quoted by commercial banks and the price in the black market bounced back earlier this week. However, after that, the dollar price has decreased again.

Vietnamese citizen to have personal code

VietNamNet Bridge - The personal code, consisting of 12 digits, will be granted for each citizen since birth and it will not change, according to the Ministry of Justice.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 8/3

Inflation may return if monetary policy is loosened; Vietnam among world’s top 3 in export growth; Vietnam joins TPP talks in Singapore; Korean bank CEO honoured with Friendship insignia; Purchase power still slow after Tet

VTV hope MasterChef will cook up a storm

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Vietnamese version of reality cooking show MasterChef will be aired on VTV3 from tomorrow night, March 8.

Aviation market not as gloomy as thought

The death of Indochina Airlines and the current difficulties of Air Mekong have raised a big worry that Vietnam would not have a competitive aviation market, if only the state owned Vietnam Airlines can exist in the market.

SOCIETY IN BRIEF 7/3

  Free treatment for poor heart disease patients; Improving living standards for the blind; Hotels, transport companies fined for overcharging; Companies fined for spam messages

Pricing policy the key to inflation control: commission

 VietNamNet Bridge – The National Financial Supervisory Commission said on Monday that price management policies are the key factor for curbing inflation this year

Six women traffickers sentenced to prison

 VietNamNet Bridge – The People’s Court of southern Tay Ninh Province sentenced six members of a women trafficking ring to 3-10 years in prison at a trial on March 6.

Citizens urged to contribute to revised Constitution

NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung has requested Party Committees at all levels to make it easier for every citizen to contribute their opinions on the draft amendments to the 1992 Constitution.

US delays decision in shrimp subsidy case

VietNamNet Bridge – The International Trade Administration under the US Department of Commerce (DOC) has announced that it will delay until May 28 a preliminary decision on whether to impose countervailing duties

Authorities act against restaurant for discrimination

VietNamNet Bridge – Authorities in Phan Thiet Town in the central province of Binh Thuan said they will impose a very harsh penalty on the Cat Vang Restaurant here, for refusing to serve Vietnamese holidaymakers.

Children's book withdrawn from market for containing Chinese flag

 VietNamNet Bridge – A domestic publishing house was compelled to recall a book meant for children of six years old because it contained the image of Chinese flag.

Chess championship draws more than 100 players to HCM City

 VietNamNet Bridge – More than 100 local and foreign chess players will be participating in the third HD Bank International Open Chess Tournament from March 19-24 in HCM City.

GOVERNMENT IN BRIEF 7/3

Vietnam, Denmark cooperate in education, diabetes treatment; Nam Dinh urged to utilise resources for growth; Cuba, Vietnam hold political consultation

At world's top IT fair, firms mull death of email

 At the CeBIT in Germany, the world's biggest high-tech fair, some firms say they are looking at doing away with email to increase productivity.

After Starbucks, McDonald’s will come

High ranking executives of the US McDonald’s came to Vietnam in 2012, a signal showing that the giant was eyeing the Vietnamese market.

Should “brutal rituals” be abandoned?

VietNamNet Bridge - Violent images in traditional festivals such as chopping pigs or killing buffalos to sacrifice to gods has created negative views on traditional festivals.

Metro station near lake causes concern

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Ha Noi People’s Committee last week gave a green light to a metro station near Hoan Kiem Lake, inciting a heated discussion on the potential impacts on one of the most sacred areas of the city.

Small telcos want bigger pieces of the cake

Vietnamese telecom groups have succeeded in raising the charges on international incoming calls from US2.6 cents to US6.1 cents. However, they have disagreed about the market share allocation.

Educator says 30 percent of math knowledge given at general schools useless

Thirty percent of the math knowledge students receive at general schools proves to be useless for the students who do not continue following math studies at universities.

Venture funds still cannot play in full swing in Vietnam

A lot of venture investment funds have been set up in Vietnam. However, due to many reasons, the venture funds still cannot make adventurous investments as per their nature.

Ministry continues imposing vehicle registration fines

 VietNamNet Bridge – Any individual or organisation that does not have their names included in the registration procedures of vehicles they own will be subject to fines from July 1,