Ministries taking slow steps to cut down public investments

VietNamNet Bridge – By the end of March 2011, 22 ministries and branches still had not sent the reports on cutting public investments and transferring investment capital as requested.

Madame Tussauds Vienna opens

The Vienna branch of Madame Tussauds opened on Friday at Vienna's Prater Park, becoming the Europe's fourth attraction along with London, Amsterdam and Berlin. Visitors have the opportunity to play around 65 wax stars.

Vietnam’s newly-built longest highway cracked and sunken

VietNamNet Bridge – Being inaugurated on the occasion of the 1000th anniversary of the capital city of Thang Long-Hanoi in 2010, Thang Long - the country’s longest and most modern highway – has many long cracks and depressions.

National television station apologizes for “Mrs. Luom” scandal

VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Information and Communications has decided to impose VND18 million ($900) fine on the national Vietnam Television station (VTV) for its mistakes in “Mrs. Luom” scandal.

SPORTS IN BRIEF 2/4

VN squad gets set to hit the beach; VN squad gets set to hit the beach; Ha Noi take lead with six golds at national wushu champs; Contest to find young sports ambassadors launched    

Building contractors get hammered

VietNamNet Bridge - Rising input costs have driven scores of construction contractors into a dilemma.

GOVERNMENT IN BRIEF 2/4

Vietnam and Germany strengthen cooperation; Vietnam, Belarus trade unions enhance cooperation; NA candidates undergo vote of confidence

Mekong Delta on red alert for forest fires

VietNamNet Bridge - Authorities in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta are strengthening measures to prevent fires in thousands of ha of forests that have dried up.

“Be Strong, Japan!” touches the audience’s heart

VietNamNet Bridge – Both artists and audience were very moved in the “Be Strong, Japan” show, organized by VietNamNet Newspaper at the Hanoi Drama Theatre on March 31.

Nghe An take V-League lead

VietNamNet Bridge -  Song Lam Nghe An temporarily took the lead in the V-League after beating Navibank Sai Gon 1-0 in the early fixture yesterday at Thong Nhat Stadium.

ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 2/4

Award-winning movie to visit American campuses; Sea, Island Week 2011 to be held in Nha Trang; Vietnam’s banh mi added into Oxford English Dictionary; Hung Kings Festival seeks UNESCO approval     

Banks’ demand deposit interest rate race kicks off

VietNamNet Bridge – Banks have raised the demand deposit interest rates dramatically from 2-3 percent to 10-12 percent per annum. Meanwhile, experts have warned that this “brings more harm than good”.

Japan continues efforts to overcome worst crisis since World War II

VietNamNet Bridge - Prime Minister Naoto Kan said on Friday that he would do everything in his power to ensure that Japan overcomes its worst crisis since World War II.

Central bank hikes key interest rates

The State Bank of Viet Nam yesterday raised two key interest rates to 13 per cent per year in an attempt to fight the rise in the consumer price index recently fuelled by the petrol and oil price hike.

Rule changes make it harder for students to borrow

VietNamNet Bridge - With changes made to eligibility requirements for student loans, thousands are unable to get them from the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies to pay their first-semester tuition fees.

Festivities set to boost Ha Long image

VietNamNet Bridge - The Week of Ha Long Tourism 2011 will be the biggest ever, with a series of festivities in support of the superb bay’s bid for the New7Wonders title this year.

Bright students start school early

VietNamNet Bridge - Students with good physical fitness and high intelligence levels can attend school before the standard age, according to a new regulation of the Ministry of Education and Training.

Artists express their internal worlds

VietNamNet Bridge - A show by four artists at HCM City Fine Arts Museum called Ngay Khac (Different Day) features 85 pieces that contrast the different feelings that friends feel.

Actress Penelope Cruz enshrined on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Penelope Cruz was honored with a dedication of a star on the renowned Hollywood Walk of Fame here Friday, becoming the first Spanish actress to be enshrined on the famous spot.

El Salvador FM welcomed in Vietnam

VietNamNet Bridge - Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem held talks with his El Salvador counterpart Hugo Martinez Bonilla who is on an official visit to Vietnam from March 30 to April 1. 

Death toll rises to 21 in flood in southern Thailand

A total of 21 people were confirmed killed by the flash floods and mudslides in southern provinces of Thailand, authority said on Friday.

Nghe An quarry collapse claims 18 lives

On April 1 evening, two more deaths were found in a quarry collapse at the foot of Len Co Mount in Nam Thanh commune, Yen Thanh district, Nghe An province, taking the death toll to 18, including 11 women.

Vietnam to face Arab Saudi in Olympic 2012 qualifier round

VietNamNet Bridge – The draw ceremony for the second qualifier round of men’s football at Olympic London 2012, Asian region took place at the headquarters of the Asian Football Confederation in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on March 30.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 2/4

Hanoi highest tower won’t use State budget; VN needs Dutch port, coastal experience;  Vietnamese insurer announces new name;  Cbank tightens dollar lending rules, more expected; Thai company to invest in HCMC’s monorail project

Pre-first grade class – the education level which only exists in Vietnam

VietNamNet Bridge – Though primary schools will only begin enrolling first grade students in September, parents have to prepare for the race for prestigious schools right now by sending their children to pre-first grade classes.