PM orders strict traffic control during month-end holidays

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has sent a dispatch to relevant departments and local authorities to implement strict measures to ensure traffic security during the coming Reunification Day on April 30 and on May Day.

Street arts at Hue Festival

VietNamNet Bridge – Tens of thousands of visitors and Hue residents on April 8 enjoyed street art performances by artists from many countries, including the first-time appearance of Australian aboriginals.

American billionaire’s abandoned child returns to Vietnam

VietNamNet Bridge – Millionaire Nguyen Be Lory, an illegitimate child of late US billionaire Larry Hillblom and his mother, Nguyen Thi Be, have returned to their hometown in Binh Thuan province to visit their family after 13 years in the US.

Two bears rescued from trafficking in Thanh Hoa

Two three-month-old moon or Asiatic black bears have been rescued after being illegally transported in the north-central province of Thanh Hoa.

HCMC patient overloading to drop 50-70% by 2015

VietNamNet Bridge – Ho Chi Minh City authorities said they could reduce the city’s chronic patient overloading by up to 70 percent by 2015, with a required investment of about US$ 962 million in healthcare facilities.

U.S.-Cambodia education fair kicks off in Cambodia

The first United States- Cambodia education fair began here on Saturday, attracting hundreds of Cambodian student-visitors, according to the U.S. embassy in Phnom Penh.

RoK helps Vietnam restore royal musical instruments

VietNamNet Bridge – A set of big bells and musical stones – instruments of Hue court music (Nha Nhac) – has been restored under the assistance of the Republic of Korea (RoK).

Table-tennis star leaves national team

VietNamNet Bridge – Tran Tuan Quynh, a pillar of the national table-tennis squad, has left the team to join the Hanoi Club without permission.

Russian government to sell more shares in leading companies

The Russian government was expected to approve a broad privatization plan within the next two months, First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov said on Monday.

Diva celebrates 20-year career

VietNamNet Bridge – One of Viet Nam's most popular divas, singer My Linh, will celebrate her 20th anniversary in the music industry with live shows in Ha Noi, HCM City and Da Nang.

Justice Ministry asks Da nang to annul restriction of immigrants

VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Justice has confirmed that there is not any regulation that allows provincial People’s Councils to deprive or prevent legal interests of citizens.

GOVERNMENT IN BRIEF 10/4

Committee aims to accelerate judicial reform; Vietnam, Laos prepare for history contest; Lao Deputy PM visits Vietnam; NA Chairman attaches importance to diplomacy

ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 10/4

Eternal spring from the late Nguyen Van Phuong; Biggest sapphire Buddha statue inaugurated in Vinh Phuc; Korean band greets fans via clip before Vietnam trip; Activities blossom at 2012 Hue Festival; Vietnamese stars indulge in flights of fancy

ASEAN countries look to export more rice

VietNamNet Bridge – A senior trade official from Thailand has called on Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand to resume joint efforts to produce and export rice.

HCM City student wins Apollo English Idol 2011 title

Fourteen year-old Hoang Dinh Yen Chuong of HCM City won the title Apollo English Idol 2011 on Sunday night, earning a VND34-million trip to Singapore and a one-year scholarship for English study at the Apollo school in HCM City.

PM criticises chairs of ten provinces for traffic accidents

The Prime Minister has criticised 10 provinces and central cities for having reported an increase in fatalities in the first quarter from traffic accidents.

Party chief praises Vietnam-Cuba solidarity

VietNamNet Bridge – The special solidarity and sincere comradeship between Vietnam and Cuba is a symbol of relations, which have been nurtured for half a century, says Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

Banks stop disbursement for seafood companies

VietNamNet Bridge – After Bianfishco reportedly defaulted on its bank debt payments, commercial banks have unanimously ceased the disbursement for seafood companies, putting a lot of companies at the point of the death.

Iran not to accept any precondition to nuclear talks: FM

Iran's Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi said Monday that his country will not accept any precondition to the nuclear talks between Iran and the UN Security Council's five permanent members plus Germany slated for April 14 in Turkey's Istanbul,

Top lawmakers begin nine days of discussions on legislative agenda

VietNamNet Bridge – The National Assembly Standing Committee will begin their nine-day meeting today, with a focus on the agenda for the upcoming legislative session.

US Servicemen’s remains repatriated

The remains of US servicemen who died during the Vietnam War were repatriated to the US at a ceremony at the Danang International Airport on April 9.

VN affirms indisputable sovereignty over archipelagoes

VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam affirms its indisputable sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes, said Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Luong Thanh Nghi on April 9.

Japan says interceptors deployed for DPRK satellite launch

Japan completed deployment of interceptor missiles Monday ahead of the planned satellite launch by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the Defence Ministry said.

“Star” schools no more the dream of parents

VietNamNet Bridge – The race among parents to scramble for the seats at star schools for their children this year proves to be less scorching than expected.

GSO says number of Internet users down, businesses say up

VietNamNet Bridge – According to the General Statistics Office (GSO), the number of Internet users in March decreased by 500,000 from the previous month. However, Internet service providers have denied this.