All for the home country

VietNamNet Bridge – They are an overseas Vietnamese couple – Prof. Le Kim Ngoc and Prof. Tran Thanh Van – who have devoted themselves to science and to their home country – Vietnam.

EVENTS SCHEDULED ON APRIL 1-15 (daily updated)

Concert with Trio Smooth; Screening of “Little Nicolas”; African Reggae Music with Naby; Concert and Classical Ballet “Swan Lake”; Music Night with The Zudrangma; Hue – Lacquer Painting Exhibition; Schedule of Festival of Ideas and Writing in April

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 31/3

Bibica leader reassures shareholders; Agri-firms bemoan hardship; High insurance coverage for luxury outbound tour buyers; Bigger wave of investment from Japan; US to impose countervailing duty on Vietnam’s steel pipe   

Hanoi Sound Stuff Festival 2012

Hanoi Sound Stuff Festival 2012: 28 Mar – 14 Apr 2012

Google to sell tablets straight to consumers: report

Google is planning an online store to sell tablet computers directly to consumers, U.S. media reported on Thursday.

Japanese defense minister orders SDF to intercept DPRK rocket if necessary

Japanese Defense Minister Naoki Tanaka officially ordered the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to intercept a Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) rocket launch if necessary on Friday.

SPORTS IN BRIEF 30/3

Hung Vuong Volleyball Cup kicks off in Phu Tho; Hung sets sights on three points; Nearly 300 shuttlers join Vietnam International Challenge 2012; Phan Thiet tourney set to challenge players  

ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 30/3

American singer Mary McBride hits city; Little cultural ambassador; Street music performance; Sound Stuff Festival opens in Hanoi; Bleachers built for 32,000 spectators to view fireworks; HCMC to hold Tourism Festival next month

SOCIETY IN BRIEF 30/3

Party man to be sacked for gambling; Nearly 18,000 ecstasy pills seized in Quang Binh; Binh Phuoc builds bridge linking with Cambodia’s Mondulkiri; Chicken in Hanoi lays tiny eggs; Hand-foot-mouth affects 18,0000

GOVERNMENT IN BRIEF 30/3

Ambassador to the US engages in TPP dialogue; Vietnam attends 8th ASEAN People’s Forum; President appoints new diplomatic heads; EU pledges to continue all types of assistance; Forum discusses int’l convention on human rights  

Vietnam, RoK issue joint press release

Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) on March 29 issued a joint press release following Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s visit to the RoK and his participation in the second Nuclear Security Summit.

Vietnam, India ink multiple cooperation deals

Vietnam and India have signed nine memoranda of understanding on cooperation in the application of biotechnology in agriculture, nanotechnology and ICT research and India studies and Vietnam studies.

Veteran promotes cai luong opera

A doyen of cai luong (reformed opera), 64-year-old Le Thuy is now focused on winning audiences back to the stage and having them enjoy the traditional art form.

Five local referees, assistants fail AFC physical test

All five Vietnamese members at the training course for new FIFA-certified referees provided by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in Bangkok between March 26 and 30 have failed to pass the physical strength test.

Image of extinct rhino wins editorial cartoon competition

A cartoon symbolising the extinction of the rhino won top prize at the third The Thao&Van Hoa (Sports and Culture) newspaper's press caricature competition which this year focused on the environment.

US country singer to go on tour

A two-city tour of Viet Nam by American Mary McBride and her band will provide residents of HCM City and Hue with a rare opportunity to enjoy country music.

Stranded Vietnamese workers in Malaysia to get salary

Vietnamese workers owed back-pay by the Malaysian company Asmana would receive a minimum salary for February and overtime pay for January, according to a VietNam News Agency correspondent in Malaysia.

Palanquin processions at Hung Kings Temple Festival

VietNamNet Bridge – The palanquin processions from six surrounding hamlets to the Hung Kings Temple historical complex took place at the Hung Kings Temple in Phu Tho province on March 29.

Spain hit by first general strike under Rajoy gov't

Spain experienced its first general strike on Thursday since Mariano Rajoy won the general election on Nov. 20.

Interbank market peaceful, but there’s undercurrent uncertainty

The statistics show that the interbank market had a very peaceful week on March 19-23. However, experts still can see big problems.

Woman given life sentence for murdering her journalist husband

VietNamNet Bridge - A court in the Mekong Delta province of Long An on March 29, sentenced to life imprisonment a woman who confessed to murdering her husband, a journalist, by setting him on fire while he was sleeping.

Miss Vietnam 2012 to be held in Da nang

VietNamNet Bridge - The central city of Da nang will host the final round of the Miss Vietnam 2012 pageant this August, to choose Vietnam’s representative at international beauty contests.

Leaks discovered in Song Tranh 2 dam tunnels

VietNamNet Bridge – Leaks have appeared inside tunnels of Song Tranh 2 hydro-power dam. On March 28, water spout from leaks on the ceiling, the wall and the ground of the tunnel.

Million USD bonsais showcased at exhibition

VietNamNet Bridge – The most expensive bonsai trees are now displayed at the second ornamental tree exhibition of Ninh Binh province, which will open until March 31.

Swimmer Hoang Quy Phuoc to continue his US training course

VietNamNet Bridge – It is highly possible that Vietnam’s top swimmer Hoang Quy Phuoc will continue his drilling course in the US, according to the General Department of Sports and Physical Training.