Vietnamese businesses believe they can control difficulties in 2011

The survey conducted on 500 Vietnamese fastest growing enterprises (FAST500) shows that Vietnamese enterprises remain calm when facing new difficulties and they remain optimistic about their business performance in 2011.

White Serenade

VietNamNet Bridge – Top Vietnamese models performed on the catwalk of the “White Serenade” fashion show in HCM City on April 3.

Miraculous beauty of Asian longest dry cave

VietNamNet Bridge – The 31km-long Thien Duong (Heaven) cave, which was discovered recently in the central province of Quang Binh, is really a heaven.

Mercedes-Benz recalls over 136,000 SUVs in U.S.

Daimler AG is recalling more than 136,000 Mercedes-Benz M-class SUVs in the United States over complaints that the cruise control doesn't immediately disengage when drivers tap the brake pedal,

EU confirms Portugal's intention to seek bailout

The European Commission confirmed on Wednesday Portugal's intention to request a bailout, pledging to deal with the request as soon as possible.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 7/4

Shares sag under economic gloom; Paper makers anxious on rising input costs; Most transport firms in Hanoi hike bus fares; Export value rises 33.7% in first quarter; Conference targets Indian investors    

National Phu Day Festival begins

The Phu Day Festival has begun with traditional ceremonies, plus artistic activities and unique national games including singing, human chess, wrestling and dragon and lion dancing.

ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 7/4

Hue people’s memories captured on silk; Ho Chi Minh City to stage Hunchback of Notre Dame; Traditional Korean music graces central province; Super Junior’s concert to change venue

Kick-off time for Guang Lian steel super-project remains a question

One year after the government released the decision to allow Guang Lian steel project to increase its investment capital to US$4.5 billion, the super-project in Dung Quat Economic Zone still has not received a certificate on capital increase.

Vy to compete at Philippines Open

VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam's Duong Thuy Vy has became the first Southeast Asian woman to win a place in the main round of the Philippines Open Pool Championship.

Site workers dig up ancient Ha Noi tombs

VietNamNet Bridge – Two tombs dating to AD100-200 have been discovered in Ha Noi's Dong Ngac Commune, the Vietnamese Association of Archaeology said.

No sponsor yet for women’s football league

The national women’s football league of Vietnam may start a new season with a financial difficulty after the football governing body, VFF has yet announced sponsor, especially when the time is looming on Saturday.

Mining activities to be inspected at PM’s request

VietNamNet Bridge – Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has asked all local governments to inspect mining activities throughout the country.

King of dairy cows

VietNamNet Bridge – Lam Thanh Tran, who is called “Shen Nong” of Moc Chau plateau in the northern province of Son La, earns nearly VND100 million ($5,000) from dairy cows.

U.S. teen pregnancy rate record low in 2009

The teen pregnancy rate in the United States declined to a record low in 2009, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) said Wednesday.

Vietnam must inspect Toyota over technical faults

VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam must inspect Toyota over technical faults, said Nguyen Manh Hung, chairman of the Vietnam Automobile Transportation Association.

SOCIETY IN BRIEF 7/4

Three kids die, buried under sand; Poor student gives back lost $420; HCMC may not have to cut power; Tra Vinh releases 3.2 mil breeding shrimps to sea; Woman held in VND6 billion transfer mistake; Viet assault victim to resume studies in Australia

Pop stars raise funds for charity

VietNamNet Bridge – Many of Viet Nam's top pop stars will perform at HCM City's Hoa Binh Theatre today, April 7, to raise funds for Agent Orange victims.

GOVERNMENT IN BRIEF 7/4

Kazakhstan firms urged to invest in many fields; US mission visit enhances education, trade ties with VN; Areas of co-operation with Britain targeted; Incense offering in commemoration of Hung Kings

How basic wage increase affects inflation in 2011 remains unknown

After many changes in the dong/dollar exchange rate, petroleum and electricity prices, a question has been raised by analysts as to how the basic wage increase will affect the prices of goods and services which have climbed to high levels already.

Apple iPad 2 tops U.S. magazine's tablet ratings

Apple Inc.'s iPad 2 has topped the ratings by Consumer Reports, an influential U.S. magazine for product reviews, in the latest tests of the 10 most- promising tablet computers.

U.S. long-term inflation expectations remain stable: Fed

Despite the sizable price spike in crude oil and other commodities, the longer-run inflation expectations remained stable in the United States, the U.S. Federal Reserve said on Tuesday.

Migrant boat sinks near Italy, over 100 missing

Over 100 people are missing at sea after a boat carrying refugees from Libya sank in waters near the southern Italian island of Lampedusa early Wednesday.

Four new genes for Alzheimer's disease risk identified

In the largest study of its kind, researchers from a consortium led by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, the University of Miami, and . . . , identified four new genes linked to Alzheimer's disease.

Hanoians with Tet Han Thuc

VietNamNet Bridge – On the the third day of the third lunar month or Tet Han Thuc (Cold Food Festival), Vietnamese families  offer banh troi and banh chay to their ancestors. Hanoians no longer make the cakes at home but buy them.