The biggest obstacle for finance institutions to expand consumer finance services is the government’s policy which does not give support to the sector.

VietNamNet Bridge - Many National Assembly deputies said that amending the Constitution this time is a precious opportunity to more strongly assert the country’s sovereignty.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam will have about 3,000 vocational teachers who meet the quality standards set by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) by 2015, a Government meeting heard on Wednesday.

The Saigon Heat, heading into their second season in ASEAN Basketball League action, enter the New Year on a high note after a dominating performance against the Sichuan Blue Whales with an 87-72 victory Sunday night

VietNamNet Bridge – The credit packages with preferential interest rates offered by commercial banks are all the short term ones, while banks do not intend to push up long term lending.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has approved additional funding of US$10.47 million to implement the “Vietnam HIV/AIDS Prevention Project”.

Being elected for the second term, US President Barack Obama has decided to appoint some veterans of the Vietnam War to the most important positions in his cabinet: the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense.

VietNamNet Bridge – The capital city will invest more than VND8.5 trillion to restore 21 villages and establish 17 others to boost tourism and the local economy. 

VietNamNet Bridge – HCM City has been mobilizing all possible resources for domestic garbage treatment. People-founded garbage collection units now handle 70 percent of the domestic garbage in the city.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The People's Committee of HCM City has reserved a large land plot in the September 23 Park in District 1 to build a theatre for the city's Ballet and Symphony Orchestra (HBSO).

The Ministry of Finance plans to put software products onto the list of products subject to the 10 percent value added tax (VAT). If this comes true, this would put big difficulties for software firms.

 VietNamNet Bridge – If you visit the Mekong Delta, leave the boisterous atmosphere of the busy floating markets behind and go to My Khanh Tourism Village.

Business owners have affirmed that the new policy on six-month maternity wouldn’t affect their production plans much.

 VietNamNet Bridge – When the performance ends, Pham Van Me carefully cleans his puppets one by one, making sure that they will shine in the next show. Only when he is completely satisfied does he put them back into storage.

VietNamNet Bridge - The answer to the domination of foreign comic books in the Vietnamese market for the past over 10 years is mainly because Vietnam does not have a comic book industry.

Ha Noi's budget revenues pass $7bn; Securities commission slams price manipulation practices; Central city lays out new land use fees; Investors buy $72.12 million bonds from Da Nang; Westernbank to merge with PVFC

 VietNamNet Bridge – For the first time in a decade, the number of fatalities from traffic accidents has dropped to under 10,000 in 2012, it was reported at a conference on January 3 to review the 2012 Year of Traffic Safety.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The domination of Vietnam’s bottled water market by foreign brands such as La Vie and Aquafina is detailed in new marketing studies that also hint of more development potential.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Channel 9 of the Ho Chi Minh City Television, HTV9, will broadcast the first episode of reality show Martin Yan – Taste of Vietnam hosted by renowned Chinese-American chef Martin Yan on January 4.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Top Vietnamese chess player Le Quang Liem continued to scale the world chess rankings, moving up one place to 39th in January, according to the latest announcement of the World Chess Federation (FIDE).

 The first film based on the life of legendary Apple co-founder Steve Jobs will be released in April, according to independent distributor Open Road Films.

VietNamNet Bridge – A source from the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) said that Le Cong Vinh, Vietnam’s leading striker, will not be convened to the first gathering of the national squad in 2013 in Hanoi on January 23.

VietNamNet Bridge – Dong Nai is known for its eco tourist sites like O island, Mai waterfall and numerous fruit gardens. Now, tourists have another choice for their weekend getaway from the city with a new destination

 Highly decorated British actress Helen Mirren was honored with the 2,488th star on the renowned Hollywood Walk of Fame on Thurday.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The first cold spell of the year would blanket the northern region early Thursday morning, warned the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.