The cobwebs cover Hanoi

VietNamNet Bridge – In 2010, Hanoi implemented a project to bury electric wires on the street. However, only 23 streets have been cleared away from the “cobwebs”, which is created by the power grid.

Rules on nude paintings, photos in discussion

VietNamNet Bridge – When a draft regulation on photographic art was put forward for comment, management over nude photos and paintings has again become a hot topic on local newspapers.

S. Korea reports Avian Influenza case

Forty-five chickens died in a poultry farm in South Chungcheong Province and an initial test with symptoms showed positive results, said the South Korean government on Monday.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 13/3

Real estate market likely to recover later this year; Vietnam announces extractive industry study; Expert calls attention to liquidity shortage; Steel firms face dumping threat; Concerns remain among business leaders for 2012

Da Nang’s traditional festival draws thousands of visitors

Thousands of Buddhist dignitaries, monks, nuns, followers and tourists participated in the Quan The Am (Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva) festival in the central city of Da Nang from March 9-11 to offer prayers of peace for the nation.

IT NEWS

Symantec announces new approach; Cloud computing to be utilised; FPT Uni promotes investment in VN; VTC switches to Vinasat 1 satellite; Apopota.com debuts in Asia; VNPT unveils high-quality service; Local PC market has a good run  

Something fishy with Bianfishco’s big debts

Struggling seafood firm Bianfishco are confident it can clear debts and get back to business as usual.

French artist paints on Vietnamese “do” paper

A French painter based in Hoi An - Jean Cabane - now introduces his 31 paintings on Vietnamese themes made on Vietnamese traditional ‘giay do” (rhamnoneuron paper) at the French Cultural Center at 1 Le Hong Phong, Hue city.

Hue’s Xa Tac ancient worshiping ceremony

VietNamNet Bridge – At 11pm of March 8, the Xa Tac worshiping ceremony was organized in the ancient capital city of Hue, Thua Thien-Hue province, to pray for good weather, peace and prosperity for Vietnam.

Fishing boats catch dozens of sharks

VietNamNet Bridge – Shark hunting boats in the central province of Quang Ngai have caught tens of sharks in recent days, earning hundreds of thousands of US dollars.

Vietnam to sell 49 percent of Dung Quat oil refinery

State-run Petrovietnam oil and gas group (PVN) plans to sell a 49 percent stake in its Dung Quat oil refinery to three foreign partners.

Artist creates images with cock feathers

VietNamNet Bridge – In a crowded quarter of Hoi An market, Dinh Thong has taken the concept of art to a new level by sticking cock feathers into portraits, landscapes and abstracts.

ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 12/3

Toyota art contest attracts kids; Local movie to be released in France; Nail job inspired film to be screened in Vietnam; Semi-finalists go for Vietnamese songs in Got Talent; Hanoi restaurant goes high-brow with opera    

Three Vietnamese people burnt to death in Malaysia

The firefighting forces found bodies of a Vietnamese woman and her two children at a fire in Seri Kembangan, Salangor, Malaysia, the Malaysian newspaper Bernama reported on March 3.

Rally ends on back of fresh inflation fears

The stock market entered a downward correction last week that ended a two-month winning streak, as the Ministry of Finance announced a 10-per-cent increase in petrol prices on Wednesday that sparked new fears about inflation.

Tourism market shows positive signs

Vietnam welcomed about 681,850 foreign visitors in February, up 8.2 per cent compared to January, bringing the total number of international tourists in the first two months to more than 1.31 million, a year-on-year increase of 27.1 per cent.

40 countries attend FAO conference in Hanoi

Ministers, high-ranking officials and representatives from civil society organizations from 40 countries and territories gathered in Hanoi on March 12 for the 31st UN Food and Agriculture Organization regional conference for Asia and the Pacific.

Capital contribution model for farmers fails completely

Most of the farmers do not want to make capital contributions by agricultural land as suggested, because they fear that they would lose the land forever.

Obama calls Afghan president over killing of civilians

U.S. President Barack Obama on Sunday called Afghan President Hamid Karzai to express his "shock and sadness" at the reported killing and wounding of Afghan civilians.

Viet Nam embassy takes part in Canada tourism expo

VietNamNet Bridge – The Vietnamese embassy in Canada and Ha Noi-based Ky Nguyen Tourism and Trading Company are participating in the 18th Canada Tourism Expo, which opened at the Ottawa Conference Centre on Saturday.

Experts urge ‘green' investments

VietNamNet Bridge – Enterprises' reluctance to invest in green technology and poor enforcement of environmental laws are hampering Viet Nam's sustainable development, experts said.

Sarkozy defends policies as election nears

French incumbent president Nicolas Sarkozy on Sunday defended his economic and social policies over the past five years in yet another fresh attempt to overturn weak poll scores.

Water puppeteers to perform in Cuba this month

VietNamNet Bridge – The Thang Long Water Puppetry troupe will perform at the Havana puppet festival from March 23-25, at the invitation of the Cuban Ministry of Culture.

Robotics competition inspires Canadian students

2012 will be a strong year for the robotic sector, the Robotic Industries Association says.

Vietnamese singer wins two prizes at ASEAN singing festival

VietNamNet Bridge – Singer Duc Tuan won the “Outstanding Performer” and “The Most Favourite” prizes at the ASEAN Golden Voice Festival, which closed in HCM City on March 9.