Water supply to return to 40,000 homes today

VietNamNet Bridge – About 40,000 households in the southwestern area of Ha Noi are expected to regain their water supply again today after a water pipe from the Da River in northern Hoa Binh Province broke,

Police uncover plot in Phu Yen

VietNamNet Bridge – Police in the central coastal province of Phu Yen have unearthed a plot led by an allegedly reactionary political organisation.

The Vietnamese “fungus doctor”

He is called the “fungus doctor” because he remembers exactly the appearance, characteristics and uses of every fungus species.

Students see more job opportunities from working time changes

A lot of parents now need someone to help them pick up children from schools, because the changes in the working time do not allow them to do that themselves. The demand has brought new job opportunities to university students.

West Lake electric car service launched

The TLC West Lake Joint Stock Company has officially opened the Ho Tay (West Lake) electric car tourism route for visitors to discover the history, culture and beauty of the 18-km long lake.

Quang Liem attends Aeroflot chess tourney in Russia

Vietnam’s top chess player, Le Quang Liem (Elo 2,714) has left for the 2012 Aeroflot Open Chess Tournament in Russia.

Vietnamese Foreign Minister visits Thailand

Vietnam and Thailand have agreed to accelerate the implementation of their reached agreements and bring two-way trade to more than US$7 billion in 2012.

U.S. closes embassy in Syria: State Department

The United States has closed its embassy in Syria and pulled its remaining staff from the country, the State Department said Monday.

London is ready to host a memorable Games, says Olympic legends

Five Olympic legends boasting 19 gold medals between them have used the Laureus World Sports Awards to pass a unanimous vote of confidence in London hosting a successful Olympic and Paralympic Games on Sunday.

Businesses looking for capital sources, strenuously

VietNamNet Bridge – The deposits made at commercial banks have reportedly increased after Tet. However, due to the tightened monetary credit, banks still keep cautious when lending and refuse a lot of loans.

Embroidery artisans restore imperial mantles

VietNamNet Bridge – To make an imperial mantle, artisans of Dong Cuu village have worked for a year.

Greek debt talks with creditors to continue on Monday

A new crisis meeting chaired by Prime Minister Lucas Papademos will be held with auditors of the EU/International Monetary Fund (IMF) lenders and private creditors on Monday, said a press release of the prime minister's office.

Massive losses cost EVN chairman his seat

The Prime Minister has dismissed Dao Van Hung, chairman of the Electricity Group of Vietnam (EVN), which has been making losses while under his control, with the loss-stricken EVN Telecom the most infamous example.

New index whets investor appetites

Signs that there might soon be a break in high interest rates and expectations on the HCM City Stock Exchange about the new VN-30 Index helped lift stocks on both of the nation's stock exchanges last week.

Wrong land decisions must be revoked: farmers’ reps

Two leaders of the Union of Brackish Water Aquaculture Associations of Tien Lang District requested that district authorities revoke all their “unlawful” decisions on land withdrawal and re-allocate the withdrawn land back to farmers soon.

Local thespians attend Shakespeare fest

VietNamNet Bridge – The Viet Nam Youth Theatre has been invited for the first time to attend the annual World Shakespeare Festival in Liverpool in June – a mark of Vietnamese theatre's growing profile internationally.

Flu cases hit 1.7 mln amid H3N2 virus outbreak in Japan

Influenza cases expanded by 620,000 to hit an estimated 1.73 million in the past week beginning Jan. 29, a major Japanese newspaper reported on Sunday, citing the National Institute of Infectious Diseases.

Local communities to manage forests

VietNamNet Bridge – The Prime Minister last Thursday approved a pilot project aimed at engaging the local community in protection, management and development of forests.

Better transport planning needed: PM

VietNamNet Bridge – Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has told the Transport Ministry to improve transport planning over the next 10 years.

Festivals honour Tran dynasty's feat of arms

VietNamNet Bridge – The Tran Thuong Temple Festival in the northern province of Ha Nam was launched on Sunday night with the participation of thousands of pilgrims.

Young Vietnamese swimmers succeed in US

Young Vietnamese swimmers have claimed glory at a winter indoor swimming competition in the US during their training session at the Bolles School in Florida.

Good news comes at the beginning of the year of Dragon

A lot of businesses have opened new shops or held ground breaking ceremonies to kick start new projects, hoping to obtain big achievements in the year of Dragon.

6.8-magnitude quake hits Negros - Cebu region, Philippines -- USGS

An earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale jolted Negros - Cebu region, Philippines at 03:49:18 GMT on Monday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

Obama vows to work with Israel to prevent Iran from becoming nuclear power

U.S. President Barack Obama said on Sunday that the United States will work with Israel to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power, signalling that a diplomatic resolution to the current crisis is still possible.

VN to host three international chess tourneys this year

VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam will organise three international chess competitions this year.