Rise of ‘Tai Tu’ traditional music

Having come to life about two centuries ago and becoming much loved by southerners of Vietnam,  Tai Tu music is deeply rooted in the culture and spirit of local people and is considered one of the significant traditional music forms of the country.

Police unveil conclusion on celebrity prostitution ring

VietNamNet Bridge – HCM City Investigation Police Agency has released the investigation result on the sex ring involving some actresses, models and beauty queens that was detected in early June 2012.

ACB posts lower profit due to gold and forex loss

 VietNamNet Bridge – Asia Commercial Bank (ACB) incurred an after-tax loss of more than VND158 billion (US$7.6 million) in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Perfume Pagoda pilgrimage continues to attract visitors

 VietNamNet Bridge – The boat is drifting softly along the Yen Stream under the blue sky, passing a landscape of peaceful rice paddies, lillies and limestone mountains.

The problem of opening casinos in Vietnam

VietNamNet Bridge – The first lunar month is the month for leisure activities, bonus games, thus, have been mentioned recently.

SBV plans to re-install a shield to ensure system safety

The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) plans to re-impose the regulation on the ceiling lend-to-deposit (LDR) ratio.

Mass procession of “live king” in Hanoi

The 'King' sits on a palanquin and carried by healthy young men in the family from the Sai temple in Dong Anh district, Ha Noi to the communal house of Sai village.

HCMC: Parking persists on banned routes

Ten days after the HCMC government’s issuance of a list of 111 routes where vehicle owners are banned from parking on a 24/7 basis in district 1 and 3, local people are still seen trading and parking on the banned routes.

Aussie chef’s love of local cuisine

VietNamNet Bridge – There’s an Australian who comes to Vietnam several times a year just to buy ingredients for cooking and discover more about the nation’s culinary wonders.

Businesses try every trick to borrow capital

Unable to access bank loans, businesses have to play tricks to seek loans from other different sources.

New UK visa centre opens in HCM City

 VietNamNet Bridge – A new UK visa application centre opened on Thursday, Feb 21, in HCM City in response to continued growth in tourism and business visitor demand.

iPhone-shaped guns warned as aviation security threats

VietNamNet Bridge – The Vietnam Civil Aviation Agency has sent a dispatch to airlines and airports in the country, giving a warning of a new weapon in the shape of an iPhone.

Students feel anxious with new enlistment regulation

A lot of students have expressed their worry that with the new enlistment regulation, they would have the opportunities to follow the university education.

Tough year for mobile telecom industry

VietNamNet Bridge – Tough competition plus saturated demand in the local mobile telecom industry forced many firms to either pull out of Vietnam or to make offshore investments last year.

The old doctor who devotes his whole life to look for new fishes

Starting his business research career with the studies on mice, Dr. Nguyen Thai Tu has risen to fame with the findings of freshwater fishes for Vietnam and the world.

Chinese grow strange rice varieties on Vietnamese land

Everyday, the Chinese man comes to the paddy field in the Hoa Phu commune of Chau Thanh district in Long An province, where he takes care of strange paddies.

People need a voice in reform, say experts

 In 2013, the Ministry of Home Affairs is expected to order the nationwide implementation of the Public Administration Reform index, which gives citizens a voice to give feedback on the quality of public services.

Travel firms target near instead of far, new instead of old markets

VietNamNet Bridge – After experiencing a tough year 2012, Vietnamese travel firms have decided to find a new way to follow to survive the economic recession and develop.

SBV more tightens gold market

Gold holders have been worried stiff on the news that only 99.99% SJC one-tael bullion gold to be made under the permission of the State Bank can be used in transactions.

New drug developed to combat flu pandemic

A new drug has been proven to be effective in preventing the spread of different strains of influenza in laboratory models - including resistant strains of the virus,

Central Highlands: Grave statues need protection

VietnamNet Bridge – Charnel house statues – part of the unique cultural identity of the Central Highlands ethnic groups, are likely to disappear because of theft. 

Expatriates experience joys of Vietnamese New Year festival

VietNamNet Bridge – One week after Tet, the party spirit is still very much present in the streets and in the houses of Vietnamese families. While it has long been a sacred festival for Vietnamese people,

HCM City gig to honor late musicians

VietNamNet Bridge – Nghin Trung Xa Cach will celebrate late musicians Pham Duy, Van Cao and Doan Chuan on March 2 at 8 p.m. at Hoa Binh Theater at 240 Ba Thang Hai Street in District 10.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 23/2

Credit growth negative for last two months; Economy faces risk of further lagging; VND800 bil. for Truc Lam Yen Tu; Fuel firms still reporting losses; Petrolimex speeds up restructuring

FDI’s contrasting picture

VietNamNet Bridge – The picture of foreign direct investment in 2012 exhibits two distinct bright and dark segments. While the bright color should be further highlighted, the dark one needs to be removed