State urges software firms to spend VND20 billion on certificates

Nearly one million US dollars, or over VND20 billion, would be disbursed from the state budget in a program to help software firms obtain the CMMi (capability maturity model integration) and ISO27001 certificates

TV audiences unamused by bad comedies

 VietNamNet Bridge – Many comedic plays have aired on television in recent months, but audiences have not been satisfied with the quality of scripts and actors’ performances.

Farmers struggle to water their crops

 VietNamNet Bridge – Farmers in the Tay Nguyen region are struggling to find water to irrigate their crops as a drought that hit them early this year has caused many rivers and reservoirs to dry up.

Gold, dollar prices dance after Tet holiday

The dollar price has been fluctuating so heavily since the market re-opening after the Tet holiday. However, experts believe that this does not mean the start of the dong depreciation wave.

Poetry Day focuses on youth

VietNamNet Bridge – The year’s most-anticipated poetry festival takes place at the Temple of Literature in Ha Noi this weekend, when the 11th National Poetry Day coincides as usual

Take the plunge at Lang Sen Wetland Reserve

 VietNamNet Bridge – Ensconced in Dong Thap Province, Lang Sen Wetland Reserve is already a destination for people who love nature and could soon become a hot-spot for couples as well.

Next to Tet holiday, worry about unemployment comes

VietNamNet Bridge – After spending a long Tet holiday at ease, people have returned to the normal life with the permanent worry about the unemployment and low pay.

Scientists find luoc vang plant has many medicinal uses

 VietNamNet Bridge – Scientists from the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology's Institute of Marine Biochemistry have identified many valuable compounds in the luoc vang plant,

Bullied children can suffer lasting psychological harm as adults: study

 Bullied children grow into adults who are at increased risk of developing anxiety disorders, depression and suicidal thoughts, according to a study led by researchers at Duke University.

Cycling – new fashion in Hanoi

VietNamNet Bridge - Hanoi seems to be more romantic with the emerging hobby of cycling and the return of bicycles on the street.

Tien Minh expected to play No. 1 seed at UK badminton champs

 VietNamNet Bridge – The organising board of the 2013 All England Open Badminton Championships has finalised player seeds, draw and competition schedule.

Free condoms for all hotels in Ho Chi Minh City

VietNamNet Bridge - To prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, Ho Chi Minh City authorities will provide free condoms in all hotel rooms in the city.

Visit the first “snake museum” in Vietnam

The Dong Tam snake farm is not only the place where breeds and conserves rare snake species, but also a “hospital” that has rescued thousands of patients who were bitten by venomous snakes.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 22/2

January sees better auto sales; Experts: More foreign capital to flow this year; Seafood exports down in Q1; Russia, VN eye $7b in trade; Leading developer posts falling profit

Two Owston’s civets return to Vietnam

Two rare Owston’s civets born in the Newquay zoo, England, have been returned to Cuc Phuong national park as part of an international cooperation programme between the two countries.

Overseas Vietnamese worldwide greet Lunar New Year

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Vietnamese communities in many countries have held get-togethers and parties to welcome the traditional Lunar New Year (Tet).

ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 21/2

Vietnam succeeds in Francophonie competition; US singer performs at World Music Sundays; Winner of US MasterChef contest arrives in Vietnam; AmCham hosts Networking Happy Hour event

Starbucks “teaches Vietnamese a lesson”

The Vietnamese people’s high sensitivity to the new things, and the overly high enthusiasm of the mass media have both helped promote the US Starbucks brand in Vietnam. 

Banking system expands 2.54% last year

VietNamNet Bridge – The total assets of the domestic banking system expanded 2.54% in 2012, equivalent to VND 126 trillion (US$6 billion), according to the State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV).

SOCIETY IN BRIEF 21/2

 GAVI to provide Rubella vaccine to Viet Nam; 2013 chosen as Vietnam Family Year; Local authorities to restore Ca Mau River; Forest land documents being used illegally

Vietnam’s ancient pine tree in world's top 100 ornamental plants

VietNamNet Bridge – A 300 year-old pine tree belonging to a man in Viet Tri city, Phu Tho province, has been honored as one of the world's 100 most beautiful ornamental trees.

Diagnosed as near death, old man suddenly revives

VietNamNet Bridge – Being diagnosed to be dying, the family prepared for the funeral, but the old man suddenly woke up.

K + negotiates for Premier League TV rights alone

 VietNamNet Bridge - K + is negotiating with IMG to buy the television rights of the Premier League (EPL).

Rover finds gray rock beneath Red Planet's surface

NASA said Wednesday that its Curiosity rover has scooped up a sample from the interior of a Martian rock and found that the powdery soil just beneath the planet's rust-colored exterior is actually a light gray color.

HAGL Football Academy to compete at Japan Sanix Cup

Students of the first course of the Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) Arsenal Football Academy JMG will represent Vietnam to attend an international tournament named Sanix Cup, held in Fukuoka, Japan from March 21 to 24.