ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 29/3

VN's film to be shot in the Czech Republic; Thai billionaire releases second book in Vietnam; Belgian singer Manou Gallo to perform in Vietnam; Exhibition by female artists to open; Jazz diva to celebrate her 48th year in music   

French painter finds his art on do paper

VietNamNet Bridge – Evergreen rice fields, friendly people and the quiet life in UNESCO recognised Hoi An have inspired Jean Cabane to paint on traditional do (poonah) paper over the past six years.

Vietnamese Embassy opens in Greece

The Vietnamese Embassy has been officially inaugurated in Athens, Greece.

Falling March foreign arrivals signal low inbound season

The number of international tourist arrivals in March has dipped month-on-month, accounting for only 82.4% of last month’s, but the number is still 18.7% higher than the same period last year.

Netherlands funds climate change project in Long An

VietNamNet Bridge – A project worth more than 365,000 euros has been launched in Long An province to help build a strategy for climate change adaptation in the Vam Co River basin.

Iran says upcoming nuclear talks to be held on April 13, venue not decided

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi said Wednesday that the next round of nuclear talks between Iran and world's major powers will be held on April 13 but the venue has not been decided yet, the official IRNA news agency reported.

Thai billionaire turns travel writer

VietNamNet Bridge – Thai billionaire Vikrom Kromadit, a businessman, philanthropist and writer, arrived in HCM City on Tuesday during his trip through six Asian countries, praising the development of Viet Nam in the last 20 years

11 year-old boy makes two Vietnam’s records

VietNamNet Bridge – Every minute of Do Nhat Nam’s day is scheduled, but the boy still has time for relaxation, talking with his parents or taking exercise.

Thailand pledges help to drug-free ASEAN

Thailand has pledged to help turn the Southeast Asian region and all of its 10 members into a drug-free zone.

Gasoline does not cause vehicle fires

VietNamNet Bridge – This is the latest conclusion made by the Ministry of Science and Technology’s Product Quality Management Agency after it tested 26 gasoline and diesel samples taken from burnt vehicles.

Glass-bone girl goes to Got Talent finale

Phuong Anh, a 15 year-old glass bone girl burst into tears when she knew that she had the highest votes from the audience. Popping dancer Duong Manh Hoa defeated “little Michael Jackson” Dang Khoa, to enter the final round.

Enterprises, farmers in distress, coffee industry may fall into foreigners’ hands

VietNamNet Bridge – Experts have warned that foreign invested enterprises (FIEs) would monopolize the coffee growing areas, sooner or later. Meanwhile, domestic enterprises remain weak in financial capability and corporate governance.

Youth force aids social good

VietNamNet Bridge – HCM City's Youth Volunteer Force, which celebrates its 36th anniversary this week, has made great contributions to social and economic development of the city and nation.

Noda, Monti pledge efforts for start of FTA talks between Japan, EU

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and his Italian counterpart Mario Monti on Wednesday reached consensus on the early start of talks on a free trade pact between Japan and the European Union.

GOVERNMENT IN BRIEF 29/3

Laos prepares for Laos-Vietnam Friendship Year; PM Dung to attend ASEAN Summit in Cambodia; ASEAN naval officers meet in Vietnam; Procuracy to increase co-operation with Laos

BMW recalls 120,246 vehicles in China over battery problems

German luxury carmaker BMW Group will recall 120,246 vehicles in China for repairs beginning May 10 due to potential problems with a battery-cable cover, China's quality watchdog said on Tuesday.

Mali's CNRDRE decides to reopen border, lifts curfew

Mali's coup leaders have decided to reopen the land border in Mali beginning from Wednesday and lift the curfew over the nation's entire territory, according to the National Committee for Redressment of Democracy and Restoration of the State

Small merchants get tired of online markets

VietNamNet Bridge – Online markets, which were once the favorite destinations for amateur merchants, have become less bustling as many merchants have left the virtual markets.

There exists a “rubbish washing” village in Vietnam

In the Phung Thuong Commune of Phuc Tho district, a big residential area of the capital city of Hanoi, there is a village where most of the residents have been earning their living with the “rubbish washing” career.

Fashion factories move out of China as costs surge

Some global fashion brands' latest move to shift their manufacturing bases from China to Southeast Asia and developing countries close to Italy is a natural result of the changing landscape in the sector, experts said Monday.

More frequently eating chocolate related to lower BMI: study

More frequently eating chocolate was linked to lower body mass index (BMI), according to a research published Monday in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

The State to buy some properties, investors hope property market will recover

Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Tran Nam has revealed that the ministry is considering buying some real estate projects which have the sale prices of 15-17 million dong per square meter, for public agencies’ offices.

U.S. FDA approves new drug to treat anemia in adult patients on dialysis

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Omontys to treat anemia, a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells, in adult dialysis patients who have chronic kidney disease (CKD).

RoK, Vietnam strengthen strategic partnership

Vietnam and the Republic of Korea have agreed to increase dialogue and multifaceted cooperation, especially in diplomacy, national defence, and security, as well as in economics, trade and investment.

Primary school students poisoned with addictive drug

VietNamNet Bridge – The Que Vo district in the northern province of Bac Ninh has been “shaken” for the last two weeks with the information that a lot of students were found poisoned with drugs used via drinking or direct inhaling.