10th grader’s application for leaving school shaking the education sector

The application for leaving school written by a 10th grader has become the hot topic on education forums. It is believed to truly reflect the current situation of the Vietnamese education.

Vietnam puts locally-made medical waste incinerator into use

On August 10, the Bac Kan-based Hoa Tu Long Industry Company officially put the medical waste incinerator (YT30) into operation. This is the first high-tech incinerator made in Vietnam.

Pavements – the most crowded hypermarkets in the capital city

“Hundreds of streets and tens of thousands of peddlers” are the words used to describe the trade activities in the capital city. Here the pavements prove to be the most bustling markets than any other supermarkets.

Transport Ministry’s proposals to curb congestion criticized

After introducing draft regulations on measures to control traffic jams in big cities, which were said to be unfeasible, the Ministry of Transport has introduced another draft project.

National gold trading floor establishment proposed

With the current gold management policy, the domestic gold prices prove to be unpredictable. Removing the quota scheme, allowing gold trade on account is the solution proposed by experts.

The 200-year-old self-turning table

 VietNamNet Bridge – When people lay their hands on the table, within three minutes, the table begin cracking and turning in a counter-clockwise direction.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 13/8

Quotas set for salt, sugar, eggs; Delta advised to invest in hi-tech, human resources; ‘Get moving on transport' Deputy PM says; Plan to lift industrial production, quality

Export digital content service tax up, IT firms entreat help of MIC

Information technology firms complain that the 10 percent value added tax (VAT) imposed on the digital service exports has put big difficulties for their operation.

Internal political factors and escalation in the East Sea

 VietNamNet Bridge – In this part, Prof. Carl Thayer explained the impacts of internal political factors of the countries that claim sovereignty on the tension in the East Sea.

300 killed in twin quakes in Iran

 The death toll of Saturday's strong twin quakes in northwest Iran has risen to some 300, the semi- official Fars news agency cited an official as saying on Sunday.

Architect Vo Trong Nghia and his journey to “seek failure”

 VietNamNet Bridge – Returning to Vietnam to “seek failure” at the advice of his Japanese teacher six years ago, architect Vo Trong Nghia faced great difficulties at the beginning--to harvest stunning successes later.

Vietnamese men are “lazy, eager for drinking” in foreigners’ eyes

 VietNamNet Bridge – “In HCM City, I always see men gather in groups in coffee shops, restaurants or pavement beer shops to drink before or after the office hours. Vietnamese men are too lazy,” commented Alex, an Australian.

IOC president Rogge declares London Olympics close

 International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge declared the 30th Olympic Games close on Sunday night.

Bringing Broadway to Ha Noi

 VietNamNet Bridge – An amateur cast will perform contemporary hit songs in a Broadway musical-inspired revue in Ha Noi tonight entited L'Avenue.

Vietnamese film industry lags behind

According to many critics the Vietnamese film industry lacks real talent because of too much focus on the physical attributes and celebrity of actors and even singers.

VAT refund still unreachable to many foreigners

Only some 61 foreigners have received their value-added tax (VAT) refunds at Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat Airport as of August 6, 2012, said the airport customs agency.

Leaving collapsed companies, businessmen flee for their lives

More and more abandoned businesses have been found in big cities or key industrial production centers of the country. Meanwhile, state management agencies cannot eliminate the businesses and revoke investment licenses.

Outdated vehicles on Hanoi streets

 VietNamNet Bridge – Many motorbikes that were manufactured in the 70s and look like scrap iron are still in circulation in Hanoi.

Telcos talk down profits

Albeit reporting impressive 26.6 per cent revenue and 22.9 per cent profit hike in 2011’s financial year, FPT just posted VND1.465 trillion ($546 million) revenue in the first six months of 2012.

Vietnamese rich gorge on luxury food

Despite many people tightening their belts in the currently tough economic climate, Vietnam’s rich are still splashing out on luxury food. 

Key products vital to support industry

Viet Nam should clarify which products the support industry should focus on developing. 

Boy with a pig face needs help

 VietNamNet Bridge – A boy in the southern province of Vung Tau is now in need of people’s help to have a normal face.

Saboteur gets five years' jail

 VietNamNet Bridge – The People’s Court of Hanoi on August 10 handed down a five-year sentence and four-year probation to Le Thanh Tung on a charge of "carrying out propaganda against the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam".

Vietnamese cartoon makers work for Hollywood

 VietNamNet Bridge – While Vietnam’s animated film industry is at its infancy, many Vietnamese people are working for European and American animated film companies.

Traditional blacksmith craft of Nung An people

 The Nung An ethnic people in Phuc Sen Commune, Quang Uyen District in the northern mountainous province of Cao Bang are famous for their traditional blacksmith craft.