Are you ready for the country?

After a two hour drive from Hanoi you will arrive at Giang Mo village in Cao Phong district of Hoa Binh province, where Muong people live in a wonderfully idyllic setting.

Viet Nam supports UN efforts in Syria

Viet Nam supports moves made by the international community, including the Arab League, to restore stability and hold talks that focus on national reconciliation and peace in Syria.

More and more “cancer villages” found

VietNamNet Bridge – The name “cancer village” has been given to a village in Hanoi – Tu Chau hamlet, Lien Chau commune, Thanh Oai district. One hundred people in the hamlet have died in the last 20 years.

When big guys run away from real estate investments

VietNamNet Bridge – Several years ago, investors eagerly and noisily entered the real estate market. Nowadays, they leave the market quietly.

Le Quang Liem’s rank falls owing to eagerness for higher rating

Vietnam’s top chess player Le Quang Liem could not defend his championship at Aeroflot 2012, but the failure temporarily makes him oust from the list of international super-great masters because his Elo is deducted by nearly 20 points.

The man who brings up insanity

People often stay away from mental madmen but Mr. Ha Tu Phuoc, 47, a driver in Pleiku City in Gia Lai province, takes them home and treat them like their father. Phuoc has quietly pursued this charity career for a dozen of years.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 19/2

Firms welcome lending interest rate cuts; Stock market thirsty for new cash flow; Property firms see profits dwindling to zero; Vietnam targets US$12b in mobile phone exports; PCI 2011 to be released next week; Ministry ponders cut in gas tax  

Opposite opinions about the new tourism logo is normal, says official

VietNamNet Bridge – Speaking about the new logo of Vietnam’s tourism, Nguyen Manh Cuong, Vice chief of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, said that there are always opposite opinions about the new things.

More banks to face losses this year if interest rates stay high

Many banks could report losses this year if interest rates are not cut as expected to help them collect and settle bad debts, independent observers say.

Banks complain it’s difficult to lend

Commercial banks have been told to continue restricting lending in 2012. However, they say in fact, they may not use up the “credit growth quotas”.

Russian diplomat optimistic about VN ties

VietNamNet Bridge – Political relations between Russia and Vietnam are at a highly developed stage and ties between the two countries will expand constantly in future, said a Russian diplomat.

In defining enrolment quotas, MOET says it won’t make concessions

Universities and junior colleges have complained that the rigid enrolment regulations would put big difficulties for them. However, the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) said it “wont’s make concessions.”

Data boom makes Vietnamese businesses puzzled

The rapid development of digital media has brought more opportunities to businesses to approach customers. However, it has also brought challenge: the data boom, or Big Data, has made them puzzled.

British diplomat highlights strategic priorities

New British consul general in HCMC, Douglas Barnes has outlined a number of strategic priorities and objectives in different sectors to achieve in the coming years.

There are too many airports in Vietnam

There are nine airports in the 14 provinces and cities in the central region, from Thanh Hoa to Binh Thuan. The localities, which still do not have airports, are seeking the permission to build airports.

Apple releases preview of new Mac operating system

Apple on Thursday released a developer preview of the next version of the company's Macintosh operating system, bringing some popular features from iPhone and iPad to its Mac computer.

Life in new urban buildings or in country side?

VietNamNet Bridge - One can see raised chicken, hanged clothes, cooking by beehive stove, and etc. in shared corridor of many urban buildings. This is a common picture in villages but currently happens in the cities.

VN coaches voluntary to instruct national football squad

VietNamNet Bridge – Senior coaches like Mai Duc Chung, Phan Thanh Hung and Le Thuy Hai want to replace Falko Goetz to lead the national football team.

Quilling - popular art game for Vietnamese youth

Since appearing in Vietnam about four years ago, quilling, or paper filigree, is an art form that involves the use of strips of paper that are rolled, shaped and glued together to create decorative designs.

Prime Minister endorses Mekong Delta’s transport master plan

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has approved a master plan for transport development for the Mekong Delta region until 2020 and a vision for 2030.

Climate change may increase risk of water shortage in U.S. by 2050: study

More than one third of the counties in the United States could face a "high" or "extreme" risk of water shortage due to climate change by 2050, according to a study published Wednesday.

Intrepid travellers seek trekking adventures on karst plateau trip

Trekking routes across the karst plateau of Dong Van Town, situated in northeast Ha Giang Province, have become increasingly popular since being recognised as part of the Global Network of National Geoparks in 2010.

Vietnam’s Got Talent suspected of being arranged

VietNamNet Bridge – The family of a contestant said that the producer had arranged the show, the jury is said to be “acting” too much. The Vietnam’s Got Talent, the first season, has stirred up the public when the first round is on the air.

EVN in the reign of Dao Van Hung: the telecom, finance disillusion

EVN on the watch of President Dao Van Hung once rushed headlong into the investments in non-core business fields, including telecom and finance. However, the investments have disillusioned EVN, because they have become burdens on the power group.

One in ten U.S. children live with parent with alcoholic use disorder: study

7.5 million U.S. children, about 10.5 percent of the country's under-18 population, lived with a parent who has experienced an alcohol use disorder in the past year, according to a new study published on Thursday.