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.

GOVERNMENT IN BRIEF 21/2

Viet Nam offers to host IPU Assembly in 2015; Vietnam supports ASEAN – India strategic partnership; Bulgarian President to visit Viet Nam; Deputy PM meets with WB Vice President

Vietnam’s top striker Cong Vinh at risk of unemployment

With less than one week away from now the list of registered football players for the 2013 season will be officially finalized. The chance of finding a new club is becoming very fragile with Cong Vinh.

Vietnam will have Constitutional Council or Constitutional Court?

The Constitutional Council should be renamed into the Constitutional Court and it must have the right to make decision, not only give general recommendations, members of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front suggested.

State cars still flood festivals despite a ban

On February 19, a lot of state cars of many northern provinces flocked to the Yen Tu Festival in Quang Ninh. Earlier, Hanoi stated to strictly punish officials who use pubic cars to go to new-year festivals.

Ministry still searches for a new Tourism Ambassador

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is calling for candidates to run for the Tourism Ambassador position for the 2013-2014 term. Meanwhile, Ly Nha Ky says she is willing to continue to take on the role of the Tourism Ambassador.