Squad prepares for SEA Games

Vietnamese futsal (indoor football) players will be back in action and aiming to win at least a silver medal at the SEA Games in Indonesia next month.

ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 27/10

Hoi An Town needs to restore its ancient heritage buildings; “Bi, don’t be afraid” movie makes debut at Asian Film Festival in Berlin; Vietnamese festival to come to New York; Interactive art on show; Folk music for schools

Tourism helps traditional arts thrive

In the five years since HCM City began to back the idea of developing traditional arts as a tourist attraction, some private art troupes have hit pay dirt.

SOCIETY IN BRIEF 27/10

RoK television supports Vietnamese AO victims; Gov't workers get aid for home loans; ILO country director receives local honour; Hand, foot and mouth not a pandemic: ministry; Real estate agent arrested for swindling

Businesses keep indifferent to exchange rate insurance

For many reasons, 70 percent of enterprises refuse to apply the measures that allow to protect them from the exchange rate fluctuations.

New decree drafted to address changes in internet services

The rapid development of the internet in Viet Nam has prompted a new management mechanism, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Le Nam Thang has said.

Craft villages held back by lack of capital

Many of the nation's craft villages are in a vicious bind. While many continue to grow slowly, pollution, limited access to loan capital, and a lack of planning are holding development back.

VN helps pioneer use of stem cells for skin disease

National Pediatrics Hospital has announced the success of its first stem cell therapy treatment of epidermolysis bullosa, making it only the second medical institution in the world to successfully treat this genetic skin disease in this manner.

Vietnam, Philippines strengthen ties between navies, coast guards

Vietnam and the Philippines have strengthened ties between their navies, following a visit by President Truong Tan Sang to Manila yesterday.

Authorities stop titanium exports, businesses cry for help

The Binh Dinh provincial authorities has ordered to stop exporting titanium ores. However, the decision has been facing a strong opposition from local businesses, which consider titanium exploitation and export as their main bread earners.

Upland Meo Vac cattle market

The Meo Vac cattle market, held every Sunday in Ha Giang province, is unique in the northern mountainous region of Vietnam.

Despite big difficulties, banks still obtain satisfactory profits

Most commercial banks were hesitant when setting up high goals for the business plan in 2011 earlier this year. However, despite the big challenges, they now can be sure that the profits this year would be satisfactory.

Drinking coffee may cut risk of skin cancer

The more coffee people consume, the less likely they develop the most common form of skin cancer, a new study suggests, according to media reports Tuesday.

Vietnam plans to apply modern technology to treat waste

Under the strategy on treating solid waste, by 2020, 90 percent of solid waste would be collected and treated to protect the environment, of which 85 percent would be recycled and re-used to re-create energy or made organic fertilizer.

HCM City to publish construction planning next month

The HCMC government will publish “The general construction planning scheme in HCMC up to 2025” in early November, said Huynh Xuan Thu, director of the Planning Information Center under the city’s Department of Zoning and Architecture.

Vietnam joins anti-corruption talks

Delegates from the signatory parties of the UN Convention Against Corruption, civil society organisations and representatives of private sector gathered Monday for the fourth session of the Conference of the State Parties to the UNCAC.

Young piano talent to perform in Hanoi

Vietnamese piano prodigy, Trang Trinh, will give a solo concert at the French Cultural Centre, L’espace, in 24 Trang Tien Street, Hanoi on November 3.

Stone carving in Ninh Binh

With skillful hands, craftsmen in Ninh Van commune work hard to create stone products to beautify the country.

Taking Vietnam-Philippines relations to a new level

President Truong Tan Sang’s visit will take Vietnam-Philippines relationship to a new level, said the President of the Philippines, Beningo S. Aquino III.

Stock market needs giants to develop

Increasing the operation scale and the marketization value is the willing of every listed company, especially when the Vietnamese stock market is still lacking “big guys.”

Thailand's worst flood kills 373, Bangkok residents brace for high tide

Death toll of widespread floods in Thailand has climbed to 373 with two missing, Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said on Wednesday.

Sea and island to be featured at New Year flower festival 2012

VietNamNet Bridge – The New Year flower festival in HCM City this year will feature traditional culture, modern life and focus on sea and island topic, said the city’s Vice Chair Hua Ngoc Thuan.

FDI hits nearly US$11.3 billion in 10 months

FDI in Vietnam is estimated to have reached nearly US$11.3 billion as of October 20, equal to 78 percent of that in the same period last year. 

China to launch Shenzhou-8 spacecraft in early November

China will launch the Shenzhou-8 spacecraft in early November at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 27/10

Trade deficit drops 50 per cent in October; Tuan Chau looks for investors; US group to build IT zone in Danang; Festival to promote rice; Exports boost trade surplus; Petrolimex, Daelim in talks over $4.8bln VN refinery