Foreign experts to make construction plan for Da Lat

VietNamNet Bridge – The government has given permission to the resort city of Da Lat to hire foreign consulters to develop its development planning to 2030 and the vision to 2050.

National Assembly to have its TV channel

VietNamNet Bridge – The National Assembly (NA) may have its own television channel in 2013, said Dr. Nguyen Si Dung, Vice chair of the NA Office.

HCM City buildings lack parking space

VietNamNet Bridge – Three-fourths of high-rise buildings in downtown HCM City lack adequate parking space, according to the city's Department of Transport.

WB approves 4.3-bln-dollar increase in lending to India

The World Bank announced Wednesday to increase financial support to India by 4.3 billion U. S. dollars through a new innovative and flexible financing arrangement.

Change in school hours help curb traffic jams

VietNamNet Bridge – The adjustment of work and school times, amongst a host of new measures to improve the traffic situation in the capital, have proved effective.

Ha Noi puts best face forward

VietNamNet Bridge – An art exhibition entitled Nha Mat Pho (Houses Facing the Street) by Nguyen The Son, focusing on the rapidly changing nature of the capital, is on display at the Goethe Institute.

Interest rates go down, but businesses’ worries not lifted yet

The ceiling deposit interest rate has decreased by one percent from 14 percent to 13 percent per annum since March 13. However, businesses keep emotionless when receiving the good news.

The importance of being Irish musicians and poets

VietNamNet Bridge – Ireland has long been known as "the land of saints and scholars". This fame derives in particular from St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, who converted Ireland to Christianity many centuries ago.

HCM City severely flooded amid dry season

VietNamNet Bridge – Amid the dry season, Saigonese have been in misery from flooding, caused by high tide in the last few days. This is a very rare phenomenon in the last 20 years.

Deputy Minister of Health and provincial Chair serve a warning

VietNamNet Bridge – The Central Inspection Committee has given a warning on Deputy Minister of Health Cao Minh Quang and the Chairman of Dak Lak province Lu Ngoc Cu.

Expert says Greece has to raise interest rates or risks leaving euro

Greece needs to sharply increase interest rates, force a brutal adjustment in its consumption and stop deposit flight, else there is a 50 percent possibility it will exit the eurozone, a senior economics expert has told Xinhua.

SOCIETY IN BRIEF 15/3

Party Committee censures two high-ranking officials; Canoe carrying 4 times capacity sinks, 6 die; Gang cheats gold shops using their own gold; People's Teacher donates awards' money to AO victims

Japanese fund helps improve irrigation in northern provinces

The Asian Development Bank and the Government of Viet Nam signed a $800,000 grant agreement yesterday to improve irrigation and drainage in the northern provinces of Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, Bac Giang and Bac Ninh.

28 Belgians killed in bus crash in Switzerland

Twenty-eight Belgians were killed in a serious bus accident that occurred in southwest Switzerland on Tuesday night, Swiss police confirmed early Wednesday.

Road maintenance fee to be collected from June

VietNamNet Bridge – Users of motorized vehicles will have to a pay road maintenance fee from June 1, 2012, according to Governmental Decree No. 18, which will come into that day,

Japanese supermarkets expanding in Vietnam

VietNamNet Bridge – Japanese have shown their intention to bring made-in-Japan goods to Vietnam, as the demand in Japan has become weaker.

GOVERNMENT IN BRIEF 15/3

Viet Nam, Germany look to boost educational co-operation; Vietnam, Cambodia review border demarcation; National Women’s Congress wrapped up in Hanoi

Dextrin in baby food safe: authority

The China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment on Wednesday clarified that dextrin, an additive used in infant formula and other foods, within required limits will not cause malnutrition or other health problems.

Vietnam looks for continued FAO support

Vietnam hopes the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations will continue to assist and support the country in agriculture projects, prioritising food security, poverty reduction, climate change and environment protection.

Iranian president attends parliament's questioning session

Iran's Majlis (parliament) began questioning President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Wednesday over a number of irregularities in the political and economic spheres.

President reaffirms army’s key defence role

VietNamNet Bridge – The Army is always the key force to defend the country’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity on land, sea and in the air, affirmed President Truong Tan Sang in Hanoi on Mar. 14.

VN gains great achievements in human rights

VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam, with its achievements in human rights, wants to make more contributions to international efforts in this area.

“Language disorder” trouble warned for children learning many languages

Urban parents tend to force their children to learn many foreign languages at the same time, because they believe that the more languages the children are proficient, the more job opportunities they would have in their lives.

Where S-Fone gets money to change technology?

It is clear now that S-Fone has decided to switch to 3G technology in an effort to rescue its poor business performance. However, it is still unclear who will be behind the reform which is believed to cost hundreds of millions of dollars.

The “itching canal” and “breathless canal” in HCM City

The itching canal and breathless canal seem to be found only in Vietnam. The canals in HCM City are being poisoned by about 40 tons of garbage of all kinds and 70,000 m3 of industrial untreated waste water everyday.