ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 26/11

Ancient wells in Quang Tri attract visitors; Vietnam’s Got Talent judges named; Vietnam inspires French artist Dominique de Miscault; Japanese cartoon characters make a mark in HCMC; Local researcher proposes National Language Day   

Beehive-shaped coal molding in Hanoi

VietNamNet Bridge – On the bank of the Red River, in Long Bien district, Hanoi, there is a small hamlet where around ten families make beehive-shaped coal.

Martial artists eye Olympic Games glory

VietNamNet Bridge – The national taekwondo team left for Bangkok on Thursday for the Asian Taekwondo Qualification Tournament for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Tra processing factories thirsty for materials, workers scramble for jobs

Seafood processing factories are seriously lacking materials, because of which they can only run at 70 percent of capacity.

Diabetes drug shows promise in reducing risk of cancer

An inexpensive drug that treats Type 2 diabetes has been shown to prevent a number of natural and man-made chemicals from stimulating the growth of breast cancer cells,

Viet Nam helps Laos develop IT

VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam will support Laos to build and operate its government website under an agreement signed in Ha Noi on Thursday, Nov 24, between the Vietnamese Government Office and the visiting Laos Government Office.

Vietnam needs law to manage State-owned groups

VietNamNet Bridge – HCM City’s Deputy Tran Du Lich several times proposed the 12th National Assembly (NA) to build a law to manage state capital. At the ongoing session of the 13th NA, Lich again asked to have such a law.

Live show highlights Broadway musicals

Famous Broadway showtunes will light up a live show by pop singer Duc Tuan tonight in the capital city.

Secluded natural beauty offers new destination in Quang Binh

VietNamNet Bridge – If you want to escape the chaos of the city, Nuoc Mooc stream in Phuc Trach Commune, Bo Trach District, in the central province of Quang Binh, is an ideal place of natural beauty.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 26/11

Garment sector most likely to achieve export target; ADB lends $310 mln to Vietnam Mekong Delta power plant; Catfish workers hurt by material shortage; ASEAN bankers to meet in HCM City; Logistics firms losing out to foreign rivals

PM resolves to speed up public investment reform

PM Nguyen Tan Dung answered deputies’ questions during the National Assembly session on Friday, focusing on macro-economic stability, removing difficulties for production and businesses, economic restructuring, among others.

Central bank eases off gold ban

The State Bank of Viet Nam said it would allow gold bullion already on the market to be traded even when a stricter regulation comes into effect at the beginning of next year.

Former Olympus CEO confident truth will emerge about money scandal

Former Olympus Corp. CEO Michael Woodford on Thursday said that he believed authorities would uncover the truth about the firm's involvement in covering up massive investment losses dating back to the 1990s

Three decades of song to be marked

VietNamNet Bridge – Dozens of veteran and young artists will perform at a gala performance this weekend to mark the 30th anniversary of the HCM City Music Association.

Ha Noi Opera House to host Norway-Viet Nam concert

VietNamNet Bridge – Two young musicians from Viet Nam and Norway will perform at two special concerts to celebrate 40 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries at the Ha Noi Opera House on November 25-26.

Vietnamese spend over 10 percent of income in entertainment

VietNamNet Bridge – This is the outcome of a survey by MasterCard with over 10,000 consumers from 14 countries, which was announced on November 24.

Big cheeses don’t want to cough out banks

State owned economic groups have been requested by the government to withdraw their investments from non-core business fields to focus on their main sectors. However, the process of withdrawing capital has been going very slowly.

Euro debt crisis spreading to core countries: EU Commissioner

The euro area debt crisis has spread to healthy economies, said EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn in Helsinki on Thursday.

SOCIETY IN BRIEF 25/11

Ancient wells in Quang Tri attract visitors; Hanoi to stop licensing high-rise construction; Another Hanoi taxi firm suspended for violations; Young gang nabbed for robbing foreigners

Tile producers shouting for help

The production capacity of tile factories in Vietnam has far exceeded the demand. Meanwhile, domestic producers have to compete with contraband imports from China, which has made their situation even worse.

ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 25/11

Artist's abstract works on show; Belgium Jazz duo to perform in Vietnam; SSIS PTA Charity Bazaar set for Saturday in HCM City; Trondheim Soloists to hit opera house; Piano concert to mark 55th anniversary of Vietnam Academy of Music    

Art enters the emergency room

VietNamNet Bridge – A dynamic multimedia art exhibition opened yesterday, Nov 24, in Ha Noi kicking off a series of cultural events held by the Danish embassy to celebrate 40 years of diplomatic relations with Viet Nam.

Final outcome of Vietnam’s Next Top Model 2011 leaked out?

VietNamNet Bridge – It is suspected that the result of Vietnam’s Next Top Model 2011, the second season, has been out before the final night when the image of the top four contestants has appeared on the Internet.

Egyptian military appoints Kamal Ganzouri as new PM

Egypt's former Prime Minister Kamal el-Ganzouri has initially accepted the request by the ruling military council to form a new government after the resignation of Essam Sharaf, a military source told Xinhua reporter late Thursday.

Parliamentary co-operation with Israel to be enhanced

VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam and Israel once again reaffirmed their determination to develop a strong relationship as National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung met with Israeli President Shimon Peres in Ha Noi yesterday.