60 percent of water for Vietnam outside Vietnamese territory

Shocking information has been released by competent agencies: 60 percent of the water resources for Vietnam are sourced from the areas outside the Vietnamese territory.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 26/2

Dong Thap to host agriculture festival; Tuan Chau Ecopark shoots a hole in one; Cashews a hard nut to crack; Asian retailers eying up tasty Vietnam; Improving quality of business administration; Local electronics manufacturers switch focus

Economist doubts MPI’s IP achievement report

A prominent economist has expressed his skepticism over a report by the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) that industrial parks in the country have achieved high business efficiency.

Best street food city title food for thought

Saigon has been named one of the 10 global cities of street foods. But both local authorities and street hawkers should expend more effort to make safe street foods available to tourists from afar.

S-Fone is still in a bind

Despite getting a licence to change itself into S-Telecom Company Limited with $452.3 million in total registered capital, S-Fone’s leaders have yet to unveil who will be the key strategic partner.

Sacombank may have to change hands

VietNamNet Bridge – The development of Sacombank has been inherent in the name of Dang Van Thanh and his family.

US eager to support Vietnam in TPP negotiations

The US is eager to provide Vietnam with technical assistance for the ongoing Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations.

The Brâu ethnic minority group

Dak Me village of the Brâu ethnic minority people now looks like a small street in the green forest, with hunger, poverty and backwardness almost non-existent.

Policies not encouraging enough, open source software difficult to grow

Lacking a fully worked out legal framework and encouragement is the main reason which has hindered the development of open source software in Vietnam.

Vietnam fumbles for key industries

VietNamNet Bridge – The taskforce on industrialization strategy has recently put forward a list of 12 key industries for consideration.

AIG reports $19.8 bln profit in Q4

U.S. bailed-out insurer American International Group (AIG) reported a 19.8 billion U.S. dollar profit for the fourth quarter, according to foreign media reports Friday.

Renovating enrolment scheme, when?

A plan to renovate the current enrolment scheme has been mapped out by the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) and announced at a recent conference of school presidents.

Gold-inlaid ancient book worth $100,000

VietNamNet Bridge – A book of Vietnamese King Thieu Tri, which is made of silver and gilded with gold, was brought from France to Vietnam by an antique collector Cao Xuan Truong last year.

March is best time to discover joys of Nam Du Archipelago

VietNamNet Bridge – The common local saying "on the waves of March, old women go out to sea", means the sea is often calm in March, making it perfect to venture out to fish, or simply for pleasure.

Educating children by “classic” or “modern” methods?

VietNamNet Bridge - Sex education is not a new topic but it is always a controversial issue. VietNamNet Bridge would like to introduce the below article by Ha Van Thinh.

FDI rivals turn up the heat on Vietnam

Vietnam is losing ground in the race to lure foreign investment with regional rivals stealing some of the country’s thunder.

Eating citrus fruit may lower women's stroke risk: research

A compound in citrus fruits may reduce women's stroke risk, according to a research reported Thursday in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association.

France – Hue festival’s biggest partner

France continues to be an important partner in the organisation of this year’s Hue festival, which starts in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue on April 7 and runs for a week, an official has said.

Cosmetics found to have toxic metals

Researchers in Canada and the United States have revealed a dirty little secret behind beauty. Some international brands of cosmetics contain toxic heavy metals, Britain's Daily Mail reported yesterday, Feb 23.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 25/2

IT attractive to foreign investors; AirAsia, ACE Vietnam offer insurance to passengers; Time to run out for SOE shakeup; Ministry urges inspection of fruit exported to Europe; Agriculture ministry seeks to assist salt sector

VN trade deficit hits $800m

With rising export value expected at US$9 billion in February, Viet Nam's trade balance is likely to fall into deficit, according to the General Statistics Office.

Gov't bonds soak up idle bank capital

The bond market has witnessed positive developments since the beginning of the year, with most bond auctions on the Ha Noi Stock Exchange seeing a high success rate, especially for short-term bonds.

Fee on personal vehicles considered

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has asked the Ministry of Transport to submit to the National Assembly Standing Committee--a report on the levy of transport fees on personal vehicles and cars entering the inner cities during rush hours.   

District officials dismissed in land withdrawal case

VietNamNet Bridge – The authorities of Hai Phong city on February 23 released decisions of dismissal of the chair and vice chair of Tien Lang district for their involvement in the land revocation case.

Binh Duong FC pays $18,000 to Nigerian striker

VietNamNet Bridge – After the representative of Nigerian striker Joseph Nwafor threatened to lodge a complaint against Binh Duong FC to the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), the FC had to pay $18,000 to this striker.