Lacquer art inspires young artists

Three emerging Vietnamese artists have had their work featured in a lacquer painting exhibition held by the South Korean Cultural Centre in Ha Noi.

Officials, businesses say agriculture must go hi-tech

Officials and entrepreneurs have called for a master plan by the Government to ensure farmers embrace advanced agricultural technologies.

Vietnam still doesn’t have regulations to treat electronics waste

Though the hazard from electronics waste has been warned for the last many years, the management and treatment of electronics waste in Vietnam have not made any considerable progress.

GOVERNMENT IN BRIEF 25/12

VFF President visits HCM City Archdiocese and Protestants; Party leader wants to boost strategic plans; Reception for Japanese diplomat; Gov't urged to back research, innovation; Vietnam full of praise for China’s valuable support

S Korea wants Vietnamese workers

The Republic of Korea still requires a large number of Vietnamese guest labourers despite some minor labour issues, the Vietnamese envoy to that country has said.

Central coast tourism untapped

The central coastal region has not capitalised on its natural advantages to foster tourism, officials admitted at a meeting held in the region this week.

SPORTS IN BRIEF

HCM City honours best athletes and coaches; Int’l cycling tournament starts; Japanese company sponsors football squads; Marksmen prepare for Asian shooting championships; Ceremony honors young winners of int’l competitions

Education to spend $11m on HIV/AIDS

The Ministry of Education and Training plans to mobilise VND237.5 billion (US$11.4 million) to combat HIV/AIDS during the 2011-20 period, the ministry announced on Thursday.

Christmas embraces all

Christmas celebrations have taken place around the nation engaging both those people belonging to the Christian faith and non-religious communities.

Thailand, Vietnam increase links at parliamentary level

Vietnam National Assembly and the Thai Senate have agreed to promote their further co-operation in the field of diplomacy, particularly the exchange of visits between members of parliamentary friendship groups.

Hard labour for labour-intensive workers

Next year will be a tough time for labour intensive industries like textile-garment and footwear.

“Big guys” gear up to spend money to expand retail networks

Expanding retail networks in key markets, developing the labor force and upgrading services, and cooperating with big brands are considered the three things that decide the success of enterprises in the high-tech product retail market.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 25/12

Rice export prices increase US$10 per tonne; VND520 billion for Song Lo 3 hydroelectric power plant; Binh Thuan priotizes investment in wind energy; Aquatic exports expected to reach US$6.5 billion in 2012; Budget deficit seen up next year

The lowest bid is not always best

Several months have passed, but the story of the foreign contractor who had to pay damages of US$6 million due to the low quality and slow progress of its work is still hot.

It’s difficult to develop hi-tech agricultural areas

About 10 provinces and cities are planning to develop high-tech agricultural zones, but they are facing too many difficulties in implementing the plan.

Wealthy families go overseas for having a son

VietNamNet Bridge – To surely have a son, some officials of State-owned agencies and healthy families go abroad to perform in-vitro fertilization (IVF).

Malwares threatening state agencies

More than 1500 electronic portals in Vietnam were controlled by hackers, who disseminated malware and hijacked. Meanwhile, 1/3 of imported computers were found as infected with malicious codes.

Science names HIV study 2011 Breakthrough of Year

The journal Science on Thursday chose the HPTN 052 clinical trial, an international HIV prevention trial as the 2011 Breakthrough of the Year.

Rat market thrives in Hanoi’s outskirts

Residents of Canh Nau Village in Thach That, an outlying district of Hanoi, have a market that is well-known for selling rats in the afternoon.

Tourists discover nature on trek through national park

VietNamNet Bridge – Nui Chua National Park, in the central province of Ninh Thuan, is considered "a desert" thanks to its dry conditions and low rainfall.

Securities companies restructuring to rescue themselves

Securities companies have laid off a lot of officers in an effort to cut out waste in the organizations, to rescue themselves before the God saves them.

Expensive ornamental fish for New Year

Many people are willing to pay hundreds of USD to buy Arhat fish, dragon fish, Koi fish, etc. These species of fish are not only ornamental fish but they are expected to bring about good lucks and prosperity for their owners in the early year.

Slovak education ministry launches website with e-textbooks

The Slovak Education Ministry on Thursday launched an internet website to provide the general public with digitalized textbooks.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 24/12

VN business ‘must chase customers'; Steel exports likely to hit 2m tonnes this year; SOEs restructuring is costly: experts; More domestic flights during Tet holiday; PV Gas to sell 200m cu.m to Can Tho industry zones

Memorable moments in the wartime

VietNamNet Bridge – Partisans shooting American aircraft, a soldier sacrificed himself to rescue his comrade, the happy moment of soldiers when they read letters from their families… are pictures grasped by veteran Nguyen Manh Hiep.