European TV channel to produce film about Hanoi’s legendary turtle

VietNamNet Bridge – Arte, a cultural television channel of France and Germany, is shooting a film about the iconic turtle in the Hoan Kiem (Sword) Lake of Hanoi, later this month.

PM: united, strong ASEAN is strategic goal

VietNamNet Bridge – Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has affirmed that a united, strong and closely linked ASEAN is not only in the common interest of the whole bloc but also the strategic goal of all member countries.

Capital city targets improved education

VietNamNet Bridge – Ha Noi needed to focus on a master plan to develop its education system and school network towards 2020 with a vision towards 2030.

U.S. "Big 3" auto makers report good sales in March

Ford, Chrysler and General Motors (GM), the commonly known "Big Three" American automakers, all recorded strong performances in March, with their U.S. auto sales driven primarily by the growing demand and popularity

SOCIETY IN BRIEF 4/4

More overpasses proposed in Ha Noi; 96 inmates escape rehab center in northern city; Meat samples show banned substances; Hundreds of companies restrain workers’ salary rates

Nonimmigrant US visa fees to go up

Effective April 13, 2012 the US Department of State will adjust visa processing fees, with most nonimmigrant visa fees to be increased, according to a notice released by the US Embassy in Hanoi yesterday, April 3.

Programmes focus on health of the elderly

VietNamNet Bridge – Hundreds of elderly people in northern Thai Binh Province's Tien Hai District have actively contributed to improving public health and curbing the use of alcohol and cigarettes.

Barca qualify for semifinals of Champions League

FC Barcelona produced a convincing display to defeat AC Milan 3-1 in the return leg of their Champions League quarterfinal on Tuesday.

Bastos double lifts Vasco to top of group

Fellipe Bastos scored two goals as Vasco de Gama defeated Alianza Lima 2-1 in their Copa Libertadores match at Lima's Alejandro Villanueva Stadium on Tuesday.

Vietnam, Singapore agree to boost trade, investment

VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam and Singapore will soon sign an agreement on mutual recognition of hygiene and quarantine of animals and plants to boost farm produce exports.

More than a dozen people hurt in Texas tornadoes

More than a dozen people were wounded when multiple tornadoes slammed the Dallas-Fort Worth area in the U.S. state of Texas on Tuesday, local media reported.

Little dancers picked up for Got Talent finale

VietNamNet Bridge – Winners of the fifth semi-final show of the Vietnam’s Got Talent 2012 were announced on the evening of April 3, including two little dancers Bao Ngoc and Dang Quan and Moc group.

Vietnam needs billions of USD for landmine clearance

VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam needs over US$10 billion to clear the huge volume of landmines and unexploded ordnances that pollute more than 20 percent of the country’s area, said Deputy PM Nguyen Thien Nhan.

More bear protection activities

VietNamNet Bridge – The Education for Nature (ENV) has launched a film making competition called “Say No to Bear Gall” to encourage Vietnamese people to protect bears in Vietnam.

HTV, partner to make US reality TV show

VietNamNet Bridge – HCM City Television and Cat Tien Sa Company are producing a music-based reality show based on Star Academy broadcast on American television.

HCM City plans more one-way streets

More streets will be turned into one-way streets this year as part of efforts to streamline traffic flow and reduce congestion in HCM City which is home to more than 8 million people and have 5 million motorbikes and thousands of automobiles.

Concert with Trio Smooth in Hanoi

Going to Vietnam for the Hue Festival 2012 but the French jazz trio ‘Smooth’ will have a pop/rock/electron/soul show to serve a Hanoian audience at the French Cultural Centre L’Espace, 24 Trang Tien Street, Hanoi on April 5. 

Exhibition “Static Friction” by Propeller Group

VietNamNet Bridge – An exhibition entitled “State Friction” will open at Galerie Quynh, 65 De Tham Street, District 1, HCM City from April 5 to 21.

Nation's top player stuns France's Botti in Futures Tournament

VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam's No 1 tennis player Do Minh Quan stunned Frenchman Kevin Botti yesterday, April 3, in the first round of the men's singles event at the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Futures Tournament.

Hanoi sends a letter for the future generation

VietNamNet Bridge – This special letter is being preserved in the best condition, in a strictly confidential status and will be opened in October 2110, 100 years after it was written.

Female artists display unique works in Hue

VietNamNet Bridge – Over 40 paintings and sculptures by two Vietnamese-French female artists are on display in Hue City.

Hue fest offers taste of Belgium

VietNamNet Bridge – Two Belgian artists will take part in the upcoming Hue festival, which is considered by many as the most important art activity in Viet Nam, starting this Sunday.

NA Chairman bids farewell to Romanian, Iraqi ambassadors

VietNamNet Bridge – National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung received outgoing Romanian Ambassador Dumitru Olaru and Iraqi Ambassador Faris Al-Ani in Hanoi on April 3.

GOVERNMENT IN BRIEF 4/4

Iraqi ambassadors; Yunnan, VN localities boost cooperation; Vietnam consistent with human rights protection; Senior police officers awarded Australian medal

Bianfishco’s huge debts put bankers on tenterhooks

VietNamNet Bridge – The total bank debts incurred by Bianfishco have reached 1000 billion dong. The names of the nine banks which are the creditors of Bianfishco have been made public.