With DOC’s tra tax decision, VN sees opportunities to boost exports

The decision by the US Department of Commerce (DOC) to lower the anti-dumping tax rates on tra fish fillets imported from Vietnam is really the heartening news for Vietnamese seafood exporters.

Boundless town

VietNamNet Bridge – This year, the ancient town of Hoi An has become the first city in Vietnam and also in Southeast Asia that is entirely covered with free wireless Internet service.

Yahoo sues Facebook over alleged patent infringement

Yahoo on Monday filed a lawsuit against Facebook, claiming that the social network company has infringed ten of its patents.

Barcelona president Rossell angry at 'false' Pique rumors

FC Barcelona president Sandro Rossell has rejected claims that coach Pep Guardiola has asked for central defender Gerard Pique to be sold as a condition for renewing his contract at the club.

EVN wants more power price hikes

Vietnam Electricity (EVN) is going to seek the Government’s approval for two more power price hikes from now to the year’s end with the increase level of 5% each, said deputy general director Nguyen Tan Loc of the state utility.

Hue royal buildings seek UNESCO title

The Hue Monuments Preservation Centre is currently gathering decorative verses from royal buildings for which to seek UNESCO World Documentary Heritage recognition.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 14/3

Foreign banks lower deposit rates; Government bonds fetch high yields at auction; ADB to provide US$180 million in loans for Vietnam; Site clearance still dogging key projects; Risks remain in bank restructuring

Foreign firms playing by the rules

Foreign investors in Vietnam have been given a clean bill of financial health after a nationwide review carried out by the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 13/3

Muong Thanh night market opens in Dien Bien Phu; Vietnamese model competes at London contest; HCM City plans 3D cinema complex for children; Model bats away controversy over 'vulgar' photo shoot; Idecaf to launch cooking contest      

Soldier in Afghan killing could face death penalty: U.S. defense chief

The American soldier who allegedly killed 16 Afghan civilians on Sunday, including women and children, could face death penalty if convicted, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said on Monday.

Progress made in travel sector

Viet Nam's travel sector was ranked 14th in the region last year and 80th overall, up nine places since the last assessment in 2009, according to the recent Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2011 from the World Economic Forum (WEF).

Foreign Minister begins Myanmar visit

Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh paid an official visit to Myanmar on March 12 at the invitation of his Myanmar counterpart Wunna Maung Lwin.

Eurogroup politically adopts new Greek bailout: Juncker

Eurogroup President Jean-Claude Juncker announced late Monday that eurozone finance ministers have politically adopted the 130-billion-euro (about 171 billion U.S. dollars) second bailout program for Greece.

Great shots of Dancing with the Stars 2012 contestants

VietNamNet Bridge – The ten celebrities of the Dancing with the Stars 2012 have released beautiful shots before the competition begin this Sunday, March 18.

Mong group tries to save panpipe tradition

VietNamNet Bridge – A dozen young men stand in a circle around an older man playing the khen (panpipe) and dancing passionately at the Vuong House in the village of Sa Phin in Ha Giang Province's Dong Van District.

Muay Thai kickboxers attend the founder’s birthday

VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese Muay Thai kickboxers and hundreds of kickboxers from other countries have gone to Thailand to participate in the annual birthday of the founder of Muay Thai, in Ayutthaya City in Thailand.

Fuel price hike to affect CPI

Many economists predict that the latest fuel price hike will heavily affect the nation's price consumer index (CPI), presenting a new challenge for the government as it tries to curb inflation.

Baby boy drives a taxi on Hanoi street

VietNamNet Bridge – A boy of around two or three years old was allowed to hold the steering wheel to drive a cab on Dien Bien Phu – Tran Phu roads, Hanoi.

Cabinet members to answer the people’s question on TV

VietNamNet Bridge – Starting from April 2012, ministers will talk about burning issues on a TV show called “Citizens ask – Ministers answer,” on the national TV network (VTV) and on the government’s website.

Vietnam still remains puzzled with seafood antibiotic residue control

Though seafood exports now have to undergo strict examination by Nafiqad, a lot of export consignments still have been refused by the importers due to the high antibiotic residues.

UN Council members endorse Annan's Syria mission

Members of the UN Security Council in a ministerial-level meeting on Monday overwhelmingly endorsed efforts by the joint UN and Arab League special envoy for Syria, Kofi Annan, to end the violence and bloodshed in Syria.

Hanoi’s legendary turtle rises to the surface

The iconic turtle of the Hoan Kiem (Sword) Lake emerged near the The Huc Bridge and moved towards the bank of Dinh Tien Hoang Road on the morning of March 12. After 15 minutes of showing his giant shell, the turtle swam away.

Phi wins fourth stage of cycling open

VietNamNet Bridge – Seventy cyclists pedalled through the fourth stage of the Binh Duong international women's open yesterday, March 12, but the win went to veteran Vo Thi Phuong Phi.

Gold falls below 1,700 mark amid concerns over China

Gold futures on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange fell back below the 1, 700 dollars an ounce mark on Monday, as optimism about the Greek situation seemed to be outweighed by market concerns

Top European aviation companies complain to EU leaders about carbon tax

Nine leading European aviation firms, including Airbus, British Airways and Air France, have written to French, British, German and Spanish leaders to protest about the new European Union (EU) carbon tax,