Education sector helps educating children about dangers of obesity

VietNamNet Bridge – Nutrition intervention, especially at kindergarten and primary schools, is taking an important role in managing the increasing rates of obesity in children in Viet Nam.

Remembrance of conductor Charles Ansbacher

Charles Ansbacher passed away five months after he conducted VietNamNet’s Reconciliation Concert 2009. On the occasion of his birthday, we would like to publish a letter from Ansbacher’s daughter, as remembrance of Ansbacher.

“Hanoi feelings” in photos

VietNamNet Bridge – The 41st Hanoi photo exhibition opened on October 8, introducing 124 best photos of the “Hanoi feelings” competition.

Foreign pianists ready to tickle the ivories at new festival

VietNamNet Bridge – Pianists from the US, Bulgaria, Singapore, South Korea and Ukraine will join talented pianists from across Viet Nam to perform at the first-ever piano festival, held in HCM City from October 18-23.

China triumphs at women's beach volleyball contest

VietNamNet Bridge – Wang Fan and Ding Jingjing of Chinese team 1 won the International Women's Beach Volleyball Tournament-Khang Linh Cup 2011 which concluded yesterday in Vung Tau City.

Garment firm fined $12,000 for causing pollution

An environmental police agency has imposed a fine of VND250 million (US$12,000) on major fashion garment producer Thai Tuan for releasing poorly-treated wastewater and emission into the Tham Luong Canal in Ho Chi Minh City.

SOCIETY IN BRIEF 10/10

Construction of Ha Noi's first urban railway line resumes today; Finance Minister awarded ACCA’s honourable member title; Old woman dies with cuts on neck

HCM City allows primary schools to hire foreign teachers

VietNamNet Bridge – HCM City authorities have allowed primary schools in the city to hire foreign teachers to teach English from the 2012-13 academic year.

Wooden furniture: expensive Chinese labor force means opportunities for Vietnamese

The increasingly high labor cost in China is not only a great opportunity of the US manufacturers alone. Vietnamese wooden furniture manufacturers can also see the opportunities. However, it is unclear if they can grab the opportunities.

Open source software far from being popularly utilized in Vietnam

The software piracy rate in Vietnam is always very high, more than 80 percent. Meanwhile, using open source software to develop their own systems is not the habit of Vietnamese businesses and organizations.

Germany, France vow to further integrate eurozone, expedite bank recapitalization

France and Germany will present new proposals to stabilize the eurozone by the end of this month and push forward some "important changes" in the European treaties, visiting French President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Sunday.

Girl, who never went to school before, can solve 12th graders math question

An 11-year-old girl, who never went to school before, surprisingly can solve complicated mathematics questions designed for 12th graders. She has been accepted to become a student of the HCM City based BVIS International School.

Environmental company turned hazardous waste into domestic waste

Since the expenses needed to treat hazardous waste are tens times higher than that to treat domestic waste, Urenco 10, an environment treatment company deceived people, treating hazardous waste as domestic waste.

Viet Nam third at futsal tourney

VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam pocketed a bronze medal at the International Futsal (indoor football) Tournament Ha Noi 2011 losing 2-3 to Uzbekistan in the last round yesterday (Oct 9) at the Quan Ngua Sport Palace.

Surveys show SMEs have revenue down, lay off workers

Signs of instability have appeared on the labor market, since 60 percent of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have reportedly seen their revenue down and have to lay off workers.

Party leader visits China to bolster ties

VietNamNet Bridge – The October 11-15 official visit to China by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is aimed at further boosting the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

Distorted images

VietNamNet Bridge – The draft Law on Advertising is expected to address inequality in the representation of women in advertising, including inappropriate and degrading stereotypes,

Proposed medical fee hike to be matched with help for poor

VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Health has proposed increasing medical fees for 350 health services, raising concerns for low earners and those without medical insurance.

Thien wins Hong Kong Open

VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese junior Nguyen Hoang Thien won the men's singles and doubles titles at the Hong Kong Open Junior Tennis Championships on Saturday.

Employers fail to check workers' health

VietNamNet Bridge – Employees' health is at risk because many firms are refusing to ensure workers undergo regular medical examinations.

Clashes in Cairo leave 19 dead, 183 injured

Clashes between protestors and security forces in downtown Cairo left 19 dead and 183 injured on Sunday, raising new concerns about Egypt's security and stability ahead of parliamentary elections.

Workers grumble about wages as prices rise

VietNamNet Bridge – Although companies located in industrial parks (IP) and export processing zones (EPZ) in HCM City have increased wages and allowances, workers still find it difficult to make ends meet,

Waste treatment firm fined for pollution

VietNamNet Bridge – Sonadezi Long Thanh, a waste treatment company in Dong Nai Province, has been fined VND405 million (US$19,500) for releasing poorly treated wastewater into the Dong Nai River.

‘Tourism Ambassador does not need university diploma’

VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on September 7, organized a brief conference to explain the rumors around the newly appointed Tourism Ambassador Ly Nha Ky.

Business optimism declines globally

Optimism in the economy suffered a second successive fall in the third quarter in Viet Nam, a global survey by auditing and consulting firm Grant Thornton has found.