Worst trading week weakens market

 VietNamNet Bridge – National stocks were left reeling on Friday after what analysts dubbed the "worst week of the year" for trading.

Free entry for tourists to Hoi An ancient town on December 4

 VietNamNet Bridge – Quang Nam Province in the central Vietnam has just announced that on December 4 this year tourists will not have to pay a fee to enter the ancient town of Hoi An on occasion of the town being recognized

Traffic police face checks during holiday period

 VietNamNet Bridge – Traffic police found to be abusing their powers will be strictly punished, the Ministry of Public Security has ordered.

Car rally links India to ASEAN

VietNamNet Bridge – India is far closer to Viet Nam and other ASEAN countries than people generally think, Indian Consul General Abhay Thakur has said.

 

Explosive start for Year of Snake

 VietNamNet Bridge – Ha Noi authorities have decided to stage fireworks displays at 29 locations around the city to celebrate Tet (Lunar New Year) which falls in the second week of February.

Interest rates to be slashed further, but what for?

It is highly possible that the State Bank would slash the deposit interest rate further--by one percent, to make it easier for businesses to access bank loans. However, economists have warned that this would do more harm than good.

Piano genius to make debut

 VietNamNet Bridge – Sixteen-year-old piano prodigy Nguyen Viet Trung will perform with the Viet Nam National Sym-phony Orchestra this Thursday and Friday at the Ha Noi Opera House,

"Breaking Dawn - Part 2" leads North America box office for 3 straight weeks

 The vampire-and-werewolf tale has proven to be a constant draw to teenager girls and young women in North America, who continued to swarm theaters this weekend for a close look at "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2."

SPORTS IN BRIEF 3/12

 Viet Nam lose to Myanmar in Asian women's contest; Liem ranks higher in world; Ha Noi T&T win Binh Phuoc football event

Paragliders fail to reach heights

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese paragliders didn't make the top three in either the men's or women's event at the first Viet Nam Paragliding Open held recently in the northern province of Hoa Binh.

Hung King belief considered as World Heritage

The profile on the belief of worshiping the King Hungs of Vietnam will be presented to the UNESCO at the 7th conference of the Intergovernmental Commission for the Conservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Doha climate talks to produce draft documents

 All tracks of the Doha climate talks will produce new documents by Saturday for delegates to deliberate ahead of next week's high-level meetings, top UN climate official said here Friday.

NA leader’s visits to Thailand and Japan

 VietNamNet Bridge – National Assembly (NA) Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung’s visits to Thailand and Japan aim to strengthen legislative ties between Vietnam and these two countries.

State rescues fertilizer manufacturers, who rescues farmers?

Domestic fertilizer producers and farmers both have shouted for help. However, the solutions expected would be able to save one of the two.

Vinh Long: Mortar explodes, four children died

VietNamNet Bridge - While their parents were at a death anniversary, a big blast occurred on the bank of a canal, killing up to four children and injuring four others.

No fiscal deal without tax hikes for U.S. wealthy: Geithner

 There is "no possibility" for the United States to put its fiscal house in order without letting tax cuts for the rich expire, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said Sunday.

GOVERNMENT IN BRIEF 3/12

  National Assembly Chairman to tour Japan, Thailand; Party leader meets voters in Hanoi; High ranking Chinese Party delegation updates leader on political developments

Vietnam: 46% of businesses still don’t know the benefits emails can bring

Ninety percent of businesses have used emails in their daily works to date, 15 years after the day the Internet was available in Vietnam. However, 46 percent of businesses don’t know why they should use emails.

Promoting cooperation, development within ASEAN

 VietNamNet Bridge – State President Truong Tan Sang’s recent visits to Brunei Darussalam and Myanmar have opened up new opportunities for cooperation between Vietnam and these two countries.

The magic wood fever

The Vietnamese millionaires, who once hunted for sua wood, thuy tung (Artemisia), tram huong (aloe wood), are now spending billions of dong on color-changeable wood.

Gold still hot though banks stopped accepting gold deposits

Commercial banks had to stop mobilizing capital in gold and lending in gold on November 25, as per a decision by the State Bank of Vietnam. However, contrary to all predictions, the gold price has soared.

Overseas study consultancy service management needs iron hand

Overseas study consultancy firms have been mushrooming, while they do not have to pursue any regulations and do not bear the management of any state management agencies.

Provisions of registration of dogs and cats cause mixed reaction

According to the new regulations, the owners of dogs and cats will have to register with the People's Committees of communes and wards. However, there is doubt of feasibility of the regulations.

Old soldier who gives haircuts for heads of state

VietNamNet Bridge – He has worked as a barber for heads of state for many years, but Mr. Han still remembered how thrilling was the first time he gave a haircut for a senior official.

The controversial provisions issued in 2012

ID cards with the name of parents, wedding party with less than 300 guests, VND5 million fine on those who use cell phones at gas stations, meat must be sold within 8 hours after slaughtering are the most controversial provisions in 2012.