Full Moon Festival becomes a carnival

VietNamNet Bridge - The traditional full moon festival in Hanoi’s old quarter lacked traditional toys like star-shaped lanterns, unicorn dances but was flooded by thrilling masks or coloring decorating items.

Bolt beats Zagreb track record in men's 100m

Jamaican superstar Usain Bolt timed in 9.85 seconds to beat the track record in the men's 100m at the athletics meeting here on Tuesday.

Vietnamese social networks joining forces to develop

Vietnamese social networks have been developing rapidly with many established networks. However, the number of networks that can cement their firm positions in the markets just can be counted on one’s fingers.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 15/9

Property trade stagnant in southern provinces; Controversy over auto-parts tax; Marriott to run 5-star hotel in Danang City; SBV: Banks’ profit growth acceptable; Two e-commerce service providers get merged

New Foreign Ministry spokesperson appointed

VietNamNet Bridge – The Foreign Minister, Pham Binh Minh has appointed Luong Thanh Nghi, director of the Foreign Ministry’s Foreign Press Center, as the chief of the Information and Press Department and the new spokesperson.

Strong hand to knock market into shape

Vietnam Association of Financial Investors (VAFI) just forwarded a ‘special’ letter to new Minister of Finance (MoF) Vuong Dinh Hue and State Bank Governor Nguyen Van Binh detailing strong reforms.

Green fuel project looks at biodiesel

The Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) and Viet Nam National University (VNU) yesterday signed a US$5-million project to develop green technology for biodiesel production in Viet Nam.

Intel, Google announce partnership for Android smartphones

Intel and Google on Tuesday announced a partnership to enable the world's largest chip maker's architecture on the search giant's products, saying that an Intel chip-based Android smartphone will hit the market in the first half of 2012.

State Bank forms advisory panel of top commercial banks

The State Bank of Viet Nam plans to establish a standing group of 12 leading commercial banks which represent 85 per cent of market share to address issues that arise in the banking system.

Lending interest rates have not decreased as declared

Businesses complain that the actual lending interest rates they have to pay are not as low as announced by commercial banks. In fact, the interest rates of 17-19 percent quoted by banks are being applied only to a few clients.

11 foreigners arrested for hi-tech fraud

VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese policemen have arrested several groups of Chinese and Taiwanese for hi-tech frauds. On September 13, 11 Chinese and Taiwanese were arrested in HCM City for the same accusation.

Tourists to be given VAT refunds

International tourists will enjoy value-added tax (VAT) refunds when they purchase goods in Viet Nam under a draft currently under consideration by the Ministry of Finance.

World of art dolls

VietNamNet Bridge - The first exhibition of art dolls opened in Hanoi from September 8 - October 7, featuring 20 dolls by artisan Tran Thu Hang.

Djokovic beats Nadal to win third seasonal Grand Slam at US Open

Top seed Novak Djokovic captured his third major title of the year at the US Open on Monday by dismissing second seed Rafael Nadal 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-1 at Flushing Meadows.

Delta urged to boost tourism

VietNamNet Bridge – Indochinese countries should focus on developing infrastructure in Viet Nam's Mekong Delta to develop tourism in a co-ordinated manner, an official told a regional tourism conference in HCM City yesterday, Sep 13.

Exhibition showcases artist's Sa Pa love affair

VietNamNet Bridge – Artist To Ngoc Thanh's love for mountainous Sa Pa Town and its people shine through his works which are on display at an exhibition that has opened in HCM City.

ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 14/9

Vietnamese culture centre to be established in India; Harmony of heaven and man in show; Japanese and local artists join in multimedia dance; Vietnam Fashion Fair 2011 scheduled for late December  

Full Moon Festival without Moon

VietNamNet Bridge – It was rainy on the full moon day in Hanoi, so the moon “broke an appointment” with kids. Many families welcomed the festival at home. At 9pm, when rain stopped, thousands of people flocked to streets.

Vietnamese workers have to struggle with Chinese for jobs, on home market

On the construction sites in Vietnam, where Chinese enterprises act as the general contractors, Vietnamese workers have to struggle with Chinese for jobs.

Five Vietnamese oldest people defined

VietNamNet Bridge – The Vietnam Records Book Center on September 12, made public the names of the five eldest people in Vietnam.

Police raid HCM City’s largest cock fighting grounds

VietNamNet Bridge – HCM City’s police on September 11 made a raid to a cock fighting grounds at Binh Hung Hoa cemetery in Binh Tan district, which is believed to be the largest in the city, arresting 99 gamblers.

Torrential rain kills five in central Vietnam

VietNamNet Bridge – Prolonged rain in Thanh Hoa, Nghe An and Binh Thuan provinces have caused at least six deaths and flooded thousands of hectares of crops.

Women face tough regional test

VietNamNet Bridge – The Viet Nam women's national volleyball team left yesterday for Chinese Taipei to take part in the Asian Senior Women's Volleyball Championships which runs on September 15-23.

SPORTS IN BRIEF 14/9

U-19 team dominate Indonesia at AFF cup; Military triumph at national karatedo event; Viet Nam win bronze at ISTAF Super Series event; Viet Nam draw with South Korea at AFC U-16 tourney; Military triumph at national karatedo event

Philippines forms National Coast Watch System

President Aquino signed Executive Order (EO) 57 on Sept. 6 that created the National Coast Watch System (NCWS).