Minh nabs VN Open semi-final

The sole Vietnamese representative at the Yonex Sunrise Viet Nam Grand Prix Open, Nguyen Tien Minh, pocketed his berth in the men's singles semi-finals yesterday in HCM City.

Wood exports to China up, but businesses unhappy

The fact that China has unexpectedly become the second biggest importer of wooden products from Vietnam, just after the US, has raised a lot of questions and doubts.

Overseas luxury cruises in demand

Some local travel agents are offering overseas tours on luxury cruises from China, Singapore and Hong Kong.

HCM City late to put clean energy in use

Ho Chi Minh City has been late to apply bio-fuel to low-price public means of transport though the energy has already proved money-saving and environmentally friendly.

Experts: Foreign employment rule also impacts on local firms

Experts representing companies and foreign business groups in Vietnam on Wednesday repeated their concerns over a decree which they said would make life hard for both foreign and local employers when it came to hiring foreign employees.

Filipino court frees 85 VN fishermen

The court of Palawan Province of the Philippines yesterday ruled to immediately release 85 Vietnamese fishermen at their hearing, according to the Viet Nam Embassy in the Philippines.

An East Sea charade

The politicians hailed it as a diplomatic breakthrough, and analysts were quick to endorse their optimism. In fact the agreement signed last month by China and Asean over relations in the East Sea changes almost nothing.

Ha appointed Thanh Hoa coach after veteran fired

VietNamNet Bridge - Coach Trieu Quang Ha has been re-appointed as the head coach of V-League side Thanh Hoa.

PM sets himself, deputies, tasks for coming term

VietNamNet Bridge - Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung yesterday signed Decision No 1476/QD-TTg assigning specific tasks for himself and his deputies.

Increasing chartered capital remains difficult task for small banks

Banks all plan to raise their chartered capital to become stronger and more competitive. However, their plans have been delayed many times because of the lackluster stock market.

Patients “blackmailed” at hospitals

VietNamNet Bridge – Overload is not the sole problem for patients at public hospitals. When going to hospitals, patients have to pay a lot of “black fees”.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 28/8

Partners to offer shelter for storm hit textile firms; Giant retailer growth hits the express aisle; Reliance on imports poses risks; Ministry reports on August commodities prices; Petrol imports drop during first seven months

Hanoi’s tycoons more prodigal than Saigon’s while spending money on villas

Billionaires in Hanoi prove to be more prodigal than the ones in HCM City, especially in the real estate sector: Hanoians are ready to spend millions of dollars to possess luxurious villas.

Vietnam’s tourism hindered by unhealthy competition

Vietnam’s tourism remains underdeveloped compared to neighboring countries’ due to an unhealthy competition and shortage of cooperation between travel agencies.

Food prices skyrocket, but university tuitions just increase slightly

VietNamNet Bridge – Most universities and junior colleges have announced the tuition increases for the 2011-2012 academic year. However, contrary to all predictions, the tuitions have increased slightly only.

Big boat, little punch in East Sea

The Chinese aircraft carrier that began sea trials last week is by far the largest warship of any country in Asia and in certain realms could give China game-changing capabilities.

Bringing green technology into production would be a long term battle

In order to protect the environment, it is necessary to use green technologies in production. However, this will require much time and effort.

ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 27/8

Vietnamese snapper’s second prize at U.K. contest; Vietbooks to publish list of top 100 markets, destinations; Dang Thuy Tram diary to be published in Russia; Phan Thiet offers fun and games for festival; 2900-meter lantern parade in Phan Thiet

Online bookstores, new concept for Vietnam

Online book buying is still relatively new in Vietnam and many bookshops who have made this their business are struggling to lure customers into adapting this futuristic and convenient way to shop for books, especially for the very busy.  

Real estate NPLs up sharply

Many banks are running the risk with a strong rise of non-performing loans (NPL) in the real estate sector, especially at a time when depressed property prices are showing little sign of improving in near future.

Power companies’ mistakes cause multi-billion dong loss to telcos

HCM City plans to complete the restructuring of information cable network with the total length of 3000 kilometers by 2015. However, a lot of difficulties have arisen, which may make the goal unattainable.

Chief inspector aims at transparency at state agencies

Leader of the governmental inspection unit promises that the agency will try to make the responsibility of each state agency transparent to reduce corruption. 

Domestic fertilizer market to see the reverse soon

Vietnam remains a big fertilizer importer with the expected imports of 2.4-2.6 million tons in 2011. However, the situation would completely change in the future, as a lot of fertilizer projects are under implementation.

U.S. economic growth less robust than expected: Bernanke

The U.S. economic recovery from the crisis is less robust than the central bank's expectation, but the U.S. central bank will not roll out a new round of quantitative easing (QE) monetary policy now, U

Australian managers need help managing mental illness: survey

An Australian national survey has shown most respondents have been unsatisfied with their employers and managers on supporting employees with mental illness in the workplace, the charity Sane Australia said on Thursday.