Scientists speak out to rescue Ba Vi National Park

Unlicensed mineral exploitation, tourism and construction activities are seriously threatening the existence of the Ba Vi National Park in Hanoi.

GOVERNMENT IN BRIEF 23/12

Vietnam, Laos deepen bilateral ties; President chairs talks about judicial reform; Vietnamese ambassador presents credentials to French President; Vietnam Army Day celebrated in Laos

Italy's austerity plan wins final confidence vote in Senate

Italy's Senate gave final approval Thursday to Prime Minister Mario Monti's emergency austerity plan that he said will "save Italy" from a dramatic debt crisis.

Over 6 million int’l tourists visited Vietnam in 2011

Hoang Thi Diep, deputy head of Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, revealed that Vietnam received more than 6 million international visitors during 2011. 

PM Dung meets Chinese Vice President

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung hosted a reception for Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping, in Hanoi on Thursday.

Vietnam may surpass Thailand to become biggest rice exporter in 2012

Experts say Vietnam has every reason to believe that it may replace Thailand as the biggest rice exporter in the world in 2012.

More int’l flights connect Vietnam

A number of foreign airlines are commencing and operating more flights to HCMC and Hanoi in winter schedule, which is usually a busy period for air travel to and from Vietnam.

Brain size may predict risk for early Alzheimer's disease: study

New research suggests that, in people who don't currently have memory problems, those with smaller regions of the brain's cortex may be more likely to develop symptoms consistent with very early Alzheimer's disease.

VN credit card fraud rises to highest within region

The use of forged and stolen international payment cards has increased sharply in Viet Nam, bankers admit.

U.S. jobless claims extend decline after hitting three-year low

The number of Americans initially applying for unemployment aid continued to decline last week after hitting the lowest level since May 2008 a week earlier, the Labor Department reported Thursday.

Steve Jobs honored with Grammy award

The late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs will be honored posthumously with a Grammy award for his contributions to music technology, The Recording Academy announced on Wednesday.

NASA's Dawn spacecraft sends asteroid images back

NASA's Dawn spacecraft has sent around 10,000 pictures of the giant asteroid Vesta back to Earth for the first time since its launch in 2007, the U.S. space agency announced Wednesday.

Gold market stabilization program fails

VietNamNet Bridge – The State Bank of Vietnam has applied a series of measures to stabilize the gold prices. However, to date, the domestic price is still higher by 3 million dong per tael than the world’s price.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 23/12

Nation urged to boost hi-tech investment; Vietnam’s industrial competitiveness sees a high jump; Commodities demand to grow; Seafood exports to reel in $10 billion by 2020; New rules on consular certification 

Bank reforms need supervisory system

A national financial supervisory system with sanctioning authority would minimise risks in the nation's banking and financial industry, said National Financial Supervisory Committee chairman Vu Viet Ngoan.

Santa Clauses ride motorbikes to deliver gifts

VietNamNet Bridge – Some members of the Hanoi Motor Club on December 21 disguised themselves as Santa Clauses, rode on big bikes to deliver gifts to kids.

Vietnam Airlines adds 112,000 tickets for Tet

National flag carrier, Vietnam Airlines will continue to sell 112,000 additional tickets on the Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City routes for the coming Tet holiday season before January 1, 2012.

Global economy in 2012 may be worse: IMF chief economist

With downside risks in advanced economies increasing and policy environment uncertain, the world economy may see worse conditions in the coming year, warned chief economist Olivier Blanchard of the International Monetary Fund

ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 22/12

Asteroids Galaxy Tour to perform in Hanoi for New Year; HCM City launches new tourism programme; National Television Festival concludes; Celebrities pull stunts with scanty clothes; Italian artist to feature mouth harp in Hanoi  

Beckham to join French club Paris Saint-Germain: paper

Veteran British midfielder David Beckham will join soon French top league soccer club Pari Saint-Germain (PSG) for 18 months, a local daily reported Wednesday.

Where to celebrate Christmas in town

Have you planned to make any special things for Christmas? Here are some destinations suggested as ideal venues in town.

Impressive victory for Vietnam at World Chess Champs

VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam surprisingly defeated stronger Georgia 3-1 in the third round of the 2011 Women’s World Chess Team Championship (WWCT2011) in Mardin, Turkey, on December 21.

CPI projected below 1% in December

Breaking the traditional pattern of strong consumer price index (CPI) growth at year-end, the December CPI in Hanoi and HCMC, the country’s two biggest cities, is forecast to inch up less than 1%.

Iran invites IAEA inspectors to visit its nuclear establishments

Iran's permanent representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Ali-Asghar Soltanieh said that the Islamic Republic has invited IAEA inspectors to visit the country's nuclear establishments,

Fuel wholesalers engage in transfer pricing: experts

With many fuel wholesalers paying high commissions to dealers whose stakes or controlling interests are held by the former, instead of cutting retail prices to help consumers, experts are claiming that this is a case of transfer pricing.