Vietnam not most attractive retail market, but remains very potential

VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam has delisted from the most 30 attractive retail markets in the world in the latest report released by A.T Kearney. However, it remains the market with great potentials in the eyes of retailers.

U.S. spacecraft finds ice content in lunar crater

Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter ( LRO) spacecraft has returned data that indicate ice may make up as much as 22 percent of the surface material in a crater located on the moon's south pole, the U.S. space agency NASA announced Wednesday.

Eco-labels to be stuck to computers and printers by 2013

By 2013, the General Environment Directorate plans to announce the criteria for eco-labeling (green labeling) laptops, laser printers friendly to the environment.

MOET criticized for high percentage of students passing finals

The high percentage of students passing the high school final exams announced by the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) has raised the doubts about the necessity of the exams.

2013 to be the national tourism year in the Red River Delta

VietNamNet Bridge – The northern port city of Hai Phong will be the center where key activities of the national tourism years 2013 in the Red Rive Delta are held.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 22/6

VAMA wants car registration fees cut to 10% over poor sales; Phong Phu to issue VND110 billion shares; Vietnam among top 29 fastest growing economies; Southern region seen facing power shortfall in 2013-15

Mine exploded at Hanoi’s gold shop, over ten injured

VietNamNet Bridge – A mine exploded at Hoang Tin gold store on Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Hanoi this morning, June 21, injuring over ten people.

HCM City streets become harder to find

VietNamNet Bridge – Confounding and downright bizarre street names, many of them new and located in resident areas, are adding to the chaos of streets in HCM City, making it difficult for residents and others to find addresses.

New Delta tour visits author's home

VietNamNet Bridge – A new tour route from the city of My Tho to Cho Gao District was inaugurated on Tuesday in the southern province of Tien Giang to help introduce tourists to the culture and customs of the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta region.

SLNA coach Thang fined for verbal abuse

VietNamNet Bridge – Song Lam Nghe An (SLNA)'s coach Nguyen Huu Thang has been fined VND5 million (US$238) and received a two-match suspension for shouting abuse at referees during a match against Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) in June 3.

Taxi fares high despite cheaper fuel

VietNamNet Bridge – Petrol and oil prices have dropped three times within a month by a total of VND1,900 and VND1,400 per litre respectively, but transportation fees have not changed and some service providers have even talked of increasing prices.

Hundreds of uni degrees in doubt

VietNamNet Bridge – The Viet Nam National University in Ha Noi has been accused of violating regulations on international training co-operation programmes, placing the BA and MBA degrees of more than 2,000 graduates in doubt.

Over 175,000 people applied for unemployment insurance

The number of workers who applied for unemployment insurance is rising. By the end of May 2012, besides 175,000 workers who applied for receiving unemployment insurance, over 155,000 others were being monthly paid unemployment insurance.

U.S. Fed extends "Operation Twist", hints at new steps to spur growth

With the recent string of weak economic data and the simmering eurozone debt crisis, the U.S. central bank announced on Wednesday to extend a bond-buying program intended to lower long-term interest rates while hinting at more steps

HCM City: Taxi driver returns $20,000 to passenger

VietNamNet Bridge – On June 19, Saigon Air taxi handed over lost luggage, including VND400 million ($20,000) in cash and other valuable assets to a passenger.

The strangest criminal case in Vietnam does not finish yet

After eight years in controversy, the fate of defendant Le Ba Mai who was sentenced to death twice and was also found innocent has not been determined. The ending of the so-called “Vuon Mit extraordinary case” is still a big a question.

Young man goes to hospital for his over 2m height

VietNamNet Bridge – Because of a pituitary tumor, a man named Duy, in the southern province of Dong Nai, is now 2.03m tall. He is waiting for a surgery at HCM City’s Nguyen Tri Phuong Hospital, to stop growing in height.

Violinist Bui Cong Duy to perform with Berliner Symphoniker

VietNamNet Bridge – Germany’s famous symphony orchestra Berliner Symphoniker will perform a concert entitled “Enternal Concert” together with Vietnamese violinist Bui Cong Duy at the Hanoi Opera House on July 17.

Coconuts palms die because of the lack of processing technology

Some years ago, local authorities felt inspired reporting the increasingly high coconut growing areas. Nowadays, they feel puzzled because the coconut prices have fallen dramatically, pushing coconut growers against the wall.

ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 21/6

German artworks on display in HCM City; L’Espace presents French film “Welcome”; Duo to perform love songs; FVH offers lecture on spring rolls

Tran Nhan Tong Prize for Reconciliation introduced

VietNamNet Bridge – The Tran Nhan Tong Academy on June 19 introduced the Tran Nhan Tong International Prize for Reconciliation and the Tran Nhan Tong conference on reconciliation at website trannhantongprize.org.

HCM City bans kids from jumping down to canals

VietNamNet Bridge – During the summer, many children in HCM City usually group up at overpasses across big canals to jump down into the water. HCM City authorities have asked relevant agencies to stop this dangerous action.

Finance Minister explains the $85 million for traffic police

VietNamNet Bridge – Minister of Finance Vuong Dinh Hue said that 70 percent of VND2.54 trillion ($127 million) of traffic fines collected in 2011 (equivalent to $85 million) was allocated to the traffic police force.

Hanoi to have patrol teams to curb traffic violations

VietNamNet Bridge – Hanoi’s Vice Chair Nguyen Van Khoi has asked relevant agencies to establish patrol groups which will work 24/7 on major roads.

SOCIETY IN BRIEF 21/6

Better system will help improve flood forecasts; Major cities have CPI reduction; Cabby returns Ipad, $19,000 to passenger; Severe erosion plagues key canal