Party Central Committee convenes fifth meeting

VietNamNet Bridge – The fifth meeting of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee (CPVCC) opened in Hanoi on May 7.

Party, State leaders congratulate newly elected French President

VietNamNet Bridge – Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and State President Truong Tan Sang on May 7 sent congratulatory messages to the newly-elected president of France, Francois Hollande.

TV link marks Dien Bien Phu victory

VietNamNet Bridge – A television program linking Dinh Hoa, a former revolutionary base in Thai Nguyen province, and the Dien Bien Phu Victory Monument was held on May 6 to mark the 58th anniversary of the Victory at Dien Bien Phu (May 7).

Beneficiaries of forests need to pay forest keepers

The 13 enterprises and organizations that use foreign environment services in Quang Nam province would have to pay fees for the services.

Ben Tre: Nearly 30 injured in whirlwinds

VietNamNet Bridge – Downpours and whirlwinds swept over Binh Dai district of the southern province of Ben Tre on May 4, damaging tens of houses and injuring 28 people.

Seed merchants urge Vietnam to grow GMC

VietNamNet Bridge – Seedsmen have become impatient about the delay of Vietnamese agencies in making a decision whether to allow growing genetically modified crops (GMC) on a large scale in Vietnam.

Chatting with 9-year-old boy who does not go to school

He was born in 2003, which means that he is 9 year old, too young to open an individual exhibition. Especially, he does not go to school like all other Vietnamese children.

Vietnam’s real estate market to witness big assignment deals

Big assignment deals in the real estate market are expected to be made in some more days, when the market conditions are good enough for purchases and sales.

The legendary well of pearl

Tourists have to climb up hundreds of steps through Ha, Trung and Thuong temples and a stone pole on 175-meter-high Nghia Linh Mountain to reach Gieng Temple.

Smoke covers Vietnam’s highest building

VietNamNet Bridge – Columns of smoke emitted from the 70-storey Keangnam Landmark Tower on Pham Hung road, Hanoi, last night, May 7. Many fire trucks and staircase trucks were sent to the scene but they could not approach the fire.

World Economic Forum on Africa focuses on continent's transformation

More than 700 participants from over 70 countries are scheduled to attend the World Economic Forum on Africa from Wednesday to Friday in Ethiopia to address the continent's transformation and seek solutions to challenges facing the land.

When state agencies “forget” projects in calculating FDI

The figures released by the two agencies in charge of FDI management in the age of information technology are as different as chalk and cheese.

Hanoians pay highly for ‘villas for the dead’

VietNamNet Bridge – To own plots of land of at least 100sq.m in a cemetery park, many people have paid a billion dong.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 8/5

Brazil slaps anti-dumping lawsuit on Vietnamese steel; Tax relief proposed to revitalise economy; 18,700 new businesses established in Q1; Coal consumption slows on industrial stagnation; Vietnamese labour market looking up 

Putin returns to Kremlin for six-year term

Vladimir Putin, the 59-year-old political veteran, was sworn in as Russian president on Monday, unfolding his third term in the Kremlin following two consecutive terms from 2000 to 2008.

Syria kicks off parliamentary election

Unrest-stricken Syria kicked off a parliamentary election on Monday, with 7,195 candidates from 12 political parties vying for 250 seats.

ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 7/5

Vietnamese painter Tu Duyen passes away; Buddha’s birthday celebrated in Paris; HCMC show features Indonesian traditional dance; Vietnamese students join cultural festival in Russia

Growth target under threat

Continued high inventory levels and low industrial production growth are threatening the government’s economic growth target.

Ministry issues new treatment plan for bizarre skin disease

The Ministry of Health in Vietnam has brought out a new method to treat the bizarre and mysterious skin disease that is affecting residents in the central province of Quang Ngai, along with issuing warnings of further complications.

Greek conservatives lead national polls: preliminary results

Greek conservative New Democracy party came in the first place in the country's general elections with 20.99 percent of national votes, but failed to secure a clear parliamentary majority, preliminary official results showed on Sunday.

Little dancers win at Vietnam’s Got Talent (video)

Dang Quan and Bao Ngoc beat 10,000 contestants of Vietnam’s Got Talent to become the contest’s winners during the first season.

Agency, experts keep arguing about securities company classification

The State Securities Commission (SSC) has named the names of the six securities companies which are in big danger. However, this does not mean that the others are “safe.”

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 7/5

Business aid plan urged to be approved by NA; HSBC: Vietnam successful in curbing inflation; Insurance premiums to total $2.2b in 2012; Firms must boost brands, quality to be competive; Hai Phong Port to earn $60m this year

Satellite images capture changes on planet Earth

VietNamNet Bridge – A sleepless planet with the twinkling lights of populated areas can be seen in an image captured by satellite.

Unsafe dried fruits raise public outcry

Many people have raised concerns over the discovery of Chinese-made dried fruits containing cancer-causing substances as these products have become favourite snacks and are sold rampantly in the city's markets.