DPRK, S. Korea agree to work to resume six-party talks

Top nuclear envoys of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Ri Yong-ho and South Korea Wi Sung-lac met here Friday and both of them agreed to work to resume the six-party talks as soon as possible.

EVN executive grilled over wind power price

Local and foreign-invested enterprises raised a slew of questions about the newly-approved wind power price and development of renewable and traditional energy sources for Vietnam Electricity Group’s planning director last week.

Six days of US naval ships in Vietnam

VietNamNet Bridge – The USS Preble ship opened for visitors at noon of July 19 off the central city of Da Nang’s Tien Sa Port. Coming to Vietnam on July 15, the crew has participated in many activities in Da Nang.

ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 23/7

Pop singer becomes Korean tourism ambassador; HCMC culture palace to hold traditional music show; Ballet about dancers’ life to return; Miss Russia 2011 to visit Vietnam; Nguyen Trac Cuong’s rocks tell a story; Miscellaneousness by Phan Thanh Minh

EVENTS FROM JULY 23-31

Exhibition of Chase Hanoi; Exhibition “Waiting”; Photo Show of Geological Heritage; Ngũ Cung, Final Stage and Nu Voltage Live; Exhibition ”Shaping a Line”; “Offending the Audience” Show; Pieces of Culture No.8; Idol Music Event 2011 in Vietnam

41 dead in bus fire in central China

Forty-one people died and six others were injured after an overloaded bus caught fire in Xinyang City, central Henan Province, early Friday morning, the deadliest bus incident in years.

Businesses complain draft pricing law impose non-market rules

The draft pricing law, which is to be submitted to the government in some days, has reportedly disappointed businesses.

PMU sets strict requirements to exclude domestic contractors

VietNamNet Bridge – The Hanoi Urban Railway Project Management Unit (PMU) has been criticized for deliberately having set up overly strict requirements on contractors which aim to exclude domestic contractors.

Lindsay Lohan ordered to enroll in psychological counseling program

A Los Angeles judge ruled on Thursday that troubled Hollywood actress Lindsay Lohan has made some progress fulfilling the terms of her probation, but she had still to enroll in a one-on-one psychological counseling program within three weeks.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 23/7

Vietnam borrows $2.5 bln in H1; Petrolimex insurance arm sets July 29 share debut; Six banks escape State Bank of Vietnam sanctions; Retail space in downtown lucrative, say market consultancies; Mekong Delta to increase rice output    

Vietnam hauls in WTO win on shrimp duties

VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam has come out top in a legal wrangle with the world’s largest economy over shrimp import anti-dumping tariffs.

Da Nang seeks national treasure recognition for three items

VietNamNet Bridge – The government of the central city of Da Nang has set up files to seek the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s recognition of the My Son E1 altar, Tra Kieu altar and Tara Bodhisattva statue as national treasures.

Central bank buys $4.8 billion: Gov't report

VietNamNet Bridge - The State Bank of Viet Nam has purchased US$4.8 billion since the beginning of the year, Governor Nguyen Van Giau said.

20m high pineapple tree

VietNamNet Bridge – A wild pineapple tree of 20m high has become a phenomenon in Dong Hoi city in the central province of Quang Binh.

Telcos call for help to develop 3G services

VietNamNet Bridge – To date, most of the telcos which have got 3G licenses, have fulfilled their commitments. However, they say they still face many troubles.

Government lays out new tax proposals

VietNamNet Bridge - The government placed some proposals before the National Assembly yesterday, to reduce taxes and resolve issues plaguing businesses, in an effort to boost the economy.  

People rush to sell gold, banks get benefit

VietNamNet Bridge – The growing tendency of people rushing to sell gold for dong has commercial banks rejoicing, because this has helped banks attract big volumes of deposits.

American Idol star arrives in Vietnam for concerts

VietNamNet Bridge - David Archuleta, the American Idol runner up in 2008, arrived in Ho Chi Minh City yesterday.

Supermarkets rushing to develop products with their own brands

The movement of supermarkets developing the products with their own brands has put many producers in a bad fix.

SOCIETY IN BRIEF 22/7

Cambodia-VN rail to cost $686m; Couple jailed for scattering nails on roads; Police take in fake Buddhist monks; Woman sues media for using her photo for 8 years

TRAVEL IN BRIEF 22/7

Beaches, islands top destinations; Mekong province to host boat race; HCM City-Vung Tau boat tour sets sail; Giant ferry eases transport problems

Vietnamese TV dramas expected to win back viewers

Giai Phong Film Company on Tuesday announced their TV productions will be screened at 11 a.m. from Thursday as part of the ‘golden hours for Vietnamese drama’ season on HTV.

Shrimp decision fuels trade questions

The WTO recently ruled that the US violated global trade regulations when it used zeroing methodology in calculating anti-dumping tariffs on Vietnamese frozen shrimps. VASEP General Secretary shed some light on the issue.

Vietnam ready for int'l robot contest August

VietNamNet Bridge - Members of the Lac Hong University team in Dong Nai Province along with their instructors are busy preparing for the international robocon contest in Thailand in late August.

Hanoi husband wants share in $500 million divorce

In probably the most expensive divorce case ever in Vietnam, a man is appealing against a verdict that awarded custody to his millionaire ex-wife but failed to decree on a property settlement involving a whopping US$500 million,