Vietnam-China agreement conforms to DOC

The contents of the recent Vietnam-China agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea issues are in total conformity with the DOC and Vietnam’s consistent standpoint on the peaceful settlement of East Sea disputes.

Ha Noi CPI lowest since May, 2010

Ha Noi's consumer price index (CPI) increased by 0.13 per cent in October against last month, a 20.43 per cent increase over the same period last year, the Ha Noi Statistics Office announced yesterday.

Vietnam and the “investment addiction syndrome”

The Government of Vietnam is the biggest investor in South East Asia and South Asia, if considering the ratio of investment on GDP.

Hollywood actress Lohan's probation revoked

Troubled Hollywood actress Lindsay Lohan, who has been put under a probation stemming from a misdemeanor theft and 2007 drunk driving case, saw her probation revoked by a Los Angeles judge as she failed to fulfill her community commitments.

Bankrupt cases in Hanoi related to estate

VietNamNet Bridge – According to investigation of Hanoi police agency, recent bankrupt cases worth millions of USD in Hanoi are related to the stock and estate markets.

U.S. housing starts rise 15% in September

U.S. home builders increased significantly their projects in September, but housing permits dropped in the month, adding a mixed picture to the struggling housing market, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.

Easy win for Barca in Champions League

Barcelona enjoyed a comfortable 2-0 win over Czech side Viktoria Plzen in their third game in the Champions League group stage.

ETA announces 'definitive end' to armed struggle

Basque separatist group ETA on Thursday announced 'definitive end' to its armed struggle for the independence of the Basque region in the north of Spain and the southwest of France.

Turkey launches cross-border operation in fight against PKK rebels in N. Iraq: PM

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Thursday that Turkey had launched a cross-border military operation into five regions in northern Iraq in fight against the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK).

Hanoian painters bring autumn to Saigon

VietNamNet Bridge – Eight artists of Hanoi have brought the northern region’s autumn to HCM City through their diverse-styled artworks.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 21/10

Flood of smuggling hits Mekong Delta; Vietnam banks need more capital: Fitch; Rice prices hit record high in 3 years; Saigon Railways offers huge discount on train tickets; Vietnam becomes EU’s eighth largest textile provider

Gaddafi killed in gun battle as Libya's ruling NTC controls Sirte

Libya's fallen leader Muammar Gaddafi died of wounds around Thursday noon after his capture in Sirte, after nearly two months on the run, as fighters of the ruling National Transitional Council (NTC) claimed control of Gaddafi's hometown.

Chinese premier meets leaders of ASEAN nations

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with the leaders from Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member nations in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, who will attend the 8th China-ASEAN Expo

Denmark helps Vietnam’s green growth

VietNamNet Bridge – Denmark will grant $135 million to Vietnam in the next two years to help developing clean energy.

‘Build homes for workers,' employers told

VietNamNet Bridge – The Government plans to both encourage and compel companies that employ a large number of migrant workers to build low-cost houses for them, says Construction Minister Trinh Dinh Dung.

ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 20/10

HCMC to host Toyota Classics Concert 2011; Italia holds talk on culture; Ho Chi Minh City to host first Piano Festival; Italy-Vietnam cultural week introduced   

Entry visa is free for Vietnamese tourists flying to Korea’s Jeju

South Korea entry visa is now free for Vietnamese tourists from Ho Chi Minh City flying direct to Korea’s Jeju Island, tourist officials announced Monday in the city.

Businesses urged to cooperate with Viet Kieu to boost sales overseas

Viet Kieu (overseas Vietnamese), who are mostly distributing Chinese, South Korean and Thai goods, will become the “messengers” of Vietnamese goods, if Vietnamese manufacturers cooperate with them to popularize Vietnamese goods in the world market.

Ha Long Bay’s World Wonder bid receives a boost

Vietnamese people will have the chance to vote for Ha Long Bay as a new World Wonder through a TV programme to be broadcast live on October 29.

Armageddon is nigh! Cult promises deliverance

A Korean-origin doomsday cult claims to have won over adherents in Ho Chi Minh City who are now awaiting the end of the world and, with its assistance, will go to Heaven.

Vocational schools face declining enrolments

VietNamNet Bridge – Two and three-year vocational training programmes are faced with declining enrolment as more universities have opened schools in recent years.

Microsoft helps promote e-government in Vietnam

VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Information and Communication and Microsoft Vietnam on October 19 agreed to establish an Information Technology (IT) development fund.

Rihanna and Coldplay doubted to plagiarize Vietnamese diva’s music

Rihanna and Coldplay’s “Princess of China” song in “Mylo Xyloto” album, which was released on October 17, is said to be similar to Vietnamese singer Tran Thu Ha’s “Ra Ngo Tung King” (Chant At The Alley).

Vietnamese parents trying to produce child prodigies

Vietnamese parents nowadays all want their children to become geniuses. Many of the children, who learn to become geniuses, have mental problems because they have to learn too hard.

SOCIETY IN BRIEF 20/10

 Denmark to give $135 million ODA for green growth; Gold robbery kingpin is wanted US drug gangster; Man who killed his wife has death sentence commuted to life