Red-headed cranes flock to national park

VietNamNet Bridge – The Tram Chim National Park in Tam Nong district of southern Dong Thap province has welcomed the return of some 35 red-headed (sarus) cranes, as floodwaters have receded since late January.

Strange snails on Thi Vai River terrify local residents

A strange kind of snail has appeared on the Thi Vai River, which nibble shrimp and fish on the river.

PM Dung greets Lao counterpart

VietNamNet Bridge – Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung received his Lao counterpart Thongsing Thammavong in the central province of Binh Dinh on Saturday.

GOVERNMENT IN BRIEF 27/2

Chilean Senate President visits; VN, Armenia eye strong trade ties; VN-Vatican group to hold third meeting this week

More people diagnosed with bird flu, HFMD

VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam’s 3rd H5N1 flu case has been recorded in Binh Duong while the number of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases has shot up to 600 in HCM City.

There are many airports, but airports lack many things

“Cranky” and “lacking everything” are the words used to describe the current situation of Phu Cat airport in Binh Dinh, Cam Ranh airport in Khanh Hoa and Chu Lai airport in Quang Nam province.

Author's cheo opera script wows critics

Veteran writer Nguyen Huy Thiep launched his new book in Ha Noi on Thursday at an event that saw the highly regarded author discuss his life and work with some of his readers.

Labor intensive industries leave cities for countryside

Textile, garment and dyeing enterprises, which cannot see any opportunities in big cities, have been heading for the countryside, where they can cut down expenses.

Argentine lawmakers reaffirm sovereignty over disputed islands

Argentine lawmakers on Saturday reaffirmed their country's sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands, called the Falkland by Britain, and called for a peaceful solution to the dispute.

Vietnam’s futsal team misses Asian champs

VietNamNet Bridge – The national futsal squad of Vietnam was defeated by Australia on February 26, to rank fourth in the qualifier round of the Asian Futsal Championships 2012.

Syria holds referendum under increasing pressure

Syrians go to the polls on Sunday for a referendum on a new draft constitution, as Damascus struggles under mounting international pressure to carry out reforms and end the country's turmoils.

6.0 magnitude earthquake jolts Taiwan's Pingtung

A 6.0 magnitude earthquake hit Taiwan's Pingtung at 10:34 Beijing Time (02:34 GMT) on Sunday, said the China earthquake network center (CENC).

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 27/2

EVN pumps VND9.3 trillion into electric grid; Limit on sugar exports eased to help producers cut losses; Ore-bauxite factory to open in April; Revamp for State enterprises; Vinacomin seeks coal price hike; Insurance market to be overhauled  

Trinh Quang Dung – enthusiast of culture and science

In two decades working as a researcher on Vietnamese culture and history and focusing on the Vietnamese tea drinking culture in particular, Trinh Quang Dung now owns over 200 old tea sets.

Magnitude 6.8 earthquake hits Russia's Siberia

A 6.7-magnitude earthquake jolted Russia's southwestern Siberia on Sunday, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said.

Price volatility sends rice farmers into tailspin

Though the Mekong Delta has begun entering the harvest season of the winter-spring crop, rice prices have plunged to their lowest since last year’s summer-autumn crop.

Hanoi invests intensively in medical development

VietNamNet Bridge – By 2020, Hanoi aims to have a high-quality, international standard, medical complex at each of its five gateways, according to a master plan to develop the local medical system.

Is Thanh strong enough to resist the attempt to take over Sacombank?

Analysts have commented that it is not easy to knock out Thanh, an experienced and wise banker. However, they have also said that the investors who attempt to swallow Sacombank, are a redoubtable power.

VN restaurant delights French with traditional dishes

After living in France for 30 years, Nguyen Thai Hoc still longs for his old days in Vietnam so he and his wife have opened a restaurant to bring a piece of the homeland to their adopted country.

Thailand ready for joint Cabinet meeting with Vietnam

VietNamNet Bridge – Thailand is ready for the second joint Cabinet meeting to be hosted by Vietnam, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra told Vietnamese military officers in Bangkok on February 25.

Localism impairs central region's tourism

Vietnam’s central coastal provinces have made many discussions of cooperation to boost the region’s tourism but not much has been done. Tourism experts say a reason is localism.

The “odd” coffee shop in Da Nang (photo)

VietNamNet Bridge – A coffee shop which is built on 5,000sq.m, with ancient style, has become a tourist site in the central city of Da Nang.

Miraculous life of Agent Orange victim

VietNamNet Bridge - Not only getting over his miserable life situation, but he also found a love which was only seen in legendary stories.

The industries which still can live well in economic downturn

VietNamNet Bridge – Consumer goods industry still could obtain high profits and turnover in 2011, staying safe from the economic difficulties.

Tea drinking culture of Vietnamese alive and well

For a long time, people have argued that Vietnam has no tra dao, or tea ceremony, as we don’t have solemn rituals and strict rules like a Japanese tea ceremony.