3000 businesses reportedly stopped operation in the first six months of the year, while a survey on 400 businesses shows that most of the financial reports predict losses, instead of profits, for 2011.

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said Saturday that the world risks a 7-year recession due to slowdown and debt troubles in America, Europe and Japan, urging debt-ridden countries resort to drastic austerity.

HCMC enjoys surplus, capital faces deficit; Resort villas bask in sunshine amid gloom of property market; Entrepreneurs move to private firms; Knowledge-based economy way forward for Vietnam; Market outlook unclear in short term: brokers  

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad endorsed Sunday a media law that would stop government censorship of local and foreign publications, and end government control over newspapers and other publications,

Hurricane Irene was downgraded to tropical storm status as it pounded the New York City, the National Hurricane Center said early Sunday.

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.

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.

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

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 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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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”.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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 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.  

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.