Vietnam attends international communist conference

 VietNamNet Bridge – A delegation from the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) has attended a conference on international communist movements in Moscow, Russia.

Hydropower 2012: Gray picture

The earthquakes in Song Tranh 2 hydropower area, the collapse of Dak Mek 3 dam or the dam of Dakrong 3 hydropower plant bursting after rains... have made the public extremely upset about the hydropower sector in 2012.

Baby elephant found dead in Yok Don National Park

VietNamNet Bridge – On the morning of December 14, rangers of the Yok Don National Park, in Ea Sup district, Dak Lak province, cooperated with the local authorities to examine the scene where a baby elephant was dead.

The story of the oldest epitaph in Vietnam

VietNamNet Bridge – The inscription carved on a cliff recording the victory of the King’s father Tran Minh Tong is one of the most special epitaphs of feudal historians. Seven centuries have passed but the rock inscription still looks fresh.

Billions of dong wasted on medical stations’ waste water treatment systems

Healthcare stations in HCM City, small and big, all have been told to build waste water treatment systems, which is a big waste of money.

Big guys combat for advantageous retail premises (Part 1)

The owners of well known brands have been flocking to the central area of HCM City, thus making the war for retail premises in the area scorching hot.

Online ads: the war between “familiarity” against “the colossal”

The competition between Vietnamese and foreign enterprises on the online ad market has been described as the fight of David against Goliath. In order to survive, Vietnamese need to apply their own tactical principle.

Congress to collect people’s comments on the revised Land Law

Organizations and individuals can submit comments on the revised Land Law to the National Assembly's Economic Committee and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

Doomsday tours give new perspective on modern life

Some people are worried about a Mayan prophecy that predicts the world is going to end before the year is out, possibly after being struck by a rogue asteroid.

e-book market opens new chapter in publishing

VietNamNet Bridge – More domestic publishing houses are replacing printed works with e-books. 

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 17/12

Farm produce exports rise on volumes; Eight border-gate EZs get development priority; Online shopping doubles in 2012: Visa; Huge funds needed for irrigation development in Delta; Travel agencies benefit from long Tet holiday

No bailouts for struggling telecoms

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) would maintain healthy competition in the telecoms market, but would not step in to save struggling firms that were unable to compete.

Economics university accused of impropriety

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Ha Noi-based National University of Economics has been found to have illegally collected fees worth more than VND51 billion (US$2.4 million) from its students.

Drastic solutions proposed to rescue property market

The Vietnam Association of Financial Investors (VAFI) has sent a document to the Prime Minister, suggesting solutions to unfreeze the local property market, whereas economists said the market should not be intervened in.

Five works change the face of Hanoi’s traffic

VietNamNet Bridge - Along with the first overhead route of Vietnam, the four steel overpasses that were put into use in 2012 help reduce Hanoi’s traffic congestion.

Internet opens the door for national development

 VietNamNet Bridge – If Vietnam takes full advantage of internet services, the national economy and e-government in the country will develop exponentially in the coming years.

Exploring the four special dog breeds of Vietnam

VietNamNet Bridge – These are "pure Vietnamese" dog breeds that are praised for their beauty as well as superior virtues.

Nation drowning in sea of fees

Despite the objections and concerns of local people and enterprises, the controversial road maintenance fee collection scheme has been finally realized, forcing all car and motorbike owners to start paying a fee

Pollution blitz on craft villages, industries key to new strategy

 VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam plans to focus on minimising pollution in craft villages and industrial parks, referred to as the two major hot spots throughout the nation.

Agriculture research centre opens in Delta

 VietNamNet Bridge – Dinh Thanh Agricultural Research Centre, the most modern of its kind in the Mekong Delta, officially opened on Dec 12, in southern An Giang Province.

The unique tricks to seduce customers that can be seen only in Vietnam

VietNamNet Bridge – In the context of the low market demand, manufacturers and service providers have to use original methods to attract customers.

The “hottest” traffic events in 2012

VietNamNet Bridge - 2012 is considered a very "hot" year for the transport sector. Many policies grasped special public interest when they were proposed or implemented.

Lam Phel, Thach Tu keep Khmer culture alive

 VietNamNet Bridge – Coming to the Mekong Delta city of Tra Vinh, tourists often visit the Khmer pagodas, admire the beauty of Ao Ba Om tourist area or just ride around the city to marvel at the ancient trees.

Slum city emerges near famous market

 VietNamNet Bridge – The road that leads to this neighbourhood under Long Bien Bridge was even more slippery after days of light rain.

Miracle of a criminal portrait painter

Only through the victim's description of the shape, the face and the voice, he could sketch out the portrait of criminals that are up to 80% similar. He is Vo Tan Thanh, a collaborator of the Institute of Criminal Sciences in HCM City.