Math institute director: there will be no compromise in scientific research

Professor Ngo Bao Chau, last year's Fields Medal winner, talked to Tien Phong about what he is going to do in his new position in order to help develop Vietnam’s sciences.

Small banks claim difficulties in restructuring outstanding loans

The State Bank of Vietnam has decided that banks must not have a credit growth rate higher than 20 percent this year. Meanwhile, small banks complain that the regulation is not fair for them.

8.8 magnitude earthquake rocks Japan, tsunami warning issued

An 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit Japan's northeastern Honshu Island Friday, and a six-meter tsunami warning was issued.

Buon Ma Thuot coffee festival schedule

VietNamNet Bridge - The coffee festival in Buon Ma Thuot City in Daklak Province started on Thursday and lasts until March 15.

Golf tourism suits to a tee

VietNamNet Bridge – Australian businessman John Lyndon Gibson and his friends bought a five-day tour of golf courses in the south of Viet Nam to play and relax.

HK Disneyland launches new Magic Access membership

Hong Kong Disneyland launched a new Magic Access membership on Thursday, with a price ranging from 650 Hong Kong dollars to 2,400 HK dollars for adults, up 30 to 40 percent compared to the current membership plan.

Coffee drinking may reduce stroke risk in women

Women who have a cup or more of coffee everyday may reduce their risk of stroke by as much as 25 percent, according to a new study in the Journal Stroke Thursday.

UK to ban attractive shop tobacco display, wrapping

Cigarette displays in shops will be banned and tobacco companies may also be forced to make their products in plain wrappers in an attempt to stop people from smoking, announced the UK government Thursday.

Gold drops to three-week low

VietNamNet Bridge - The price of gold in Vietnam plunged by VND300,000 a tael (1.2 ounces) over the previous day on March 11 as global price tumbled due to the euro’s debasement.

Australian young sailor Watson to compete in Sydney-Hobart race

The youngest person so far to sail solo around the world, Jessica Watson of Australia on Thursday announced that she has assembled the youngest crew ever to compete in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

Julianne Moore to play Sarah Palin in "Game Change"

Oscar nominee Julianne Moore has been cast as former Alaska governor and vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin in a upcoming TV film, according to HBO Films Wednesday.

HCM City to rectify sluggish growth of traditional medicine institutions

VietNamNet Bridge – The development of traditional medicine institutions in HCM City, including their integration into general hospitals and clinics as envisaged under a national plan issued in 2003, has been sluggish at best,

Government loans benefit two million poor students

VietNamNet Bridge – More than two million poor students across Viet Nam have benefited from a Government low-interest loan scheme over the last three years, according to a report released at a meeting in Ha Noi yesterday, March 10.

TRAVEL IN BRIEF 11/3

Nha Trang makes Spratly Islands focus of fifth annual Sea Festival; Epikurean all set to open luxury resort in Nha Trang; Ha Long Life Heritage resort launches luxury boat tours

GOVERNMENT IN BRIEF 11/3

Viet Nam, Paraguay relations bolstered; Party paper celebrates 60th anniversary; Condolences to China; VN, Cambodia boost national defence co-operation

Vietnam registers to join PISA in 2012

In the dispatch issued on March 10, the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) requested heads of local departments to release decisions on establishing steering committees for the PISA program.

National Assembly poll website launched

VietNamNet Bridge – National Assembly Vice Chairman Nguyen Duc Kien yesterday, March 10, pressed a button to launch the election website for the 13th National Assembly and the People's Councils at all levels.

Travel companies threatened with closure over bear bile tours

VietNamNet Bridge – Travel companies risk losing their business licences if they take international tourists to illegally buy bear bile in localities nation-wide, said director of the Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism Nguyen Van Tuan.

Ha Noi needs 1,600 more schools in next 20 years

VietNamNet Bridge – The Ha Noi Department of Education and Training has announced that the capital requires an additional 1,600 new pre-schools, schools and universities during the next 20 years to meet increasing student numbers.

Celebrating the funny side of life

VietNamNet Bridge – An inside look at cartoons from the last 90 years is given in the newly published Biem Hoa Viet Nam (Vietnamese cartoon).

Elephant race at coffee festival

VietNamNet Bridge – An elephant race and dug-out canoe race were organized in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak on March 10, with the participation of 20 elephants and 20 dug-out canoes.

Preemie prevention dose to jump from $10 to $1,500 in U.S.

The price of preventing preterm labor is about to rise drastically in the U.S. next week.

Regional blocs busily seek ways to ease Libya tensions

Regional organizations, by holding emergency meetings, are ramping up their efforts in finding solutions to end the violence in Libya.

"Spider-Man" faces production overhaul, three-month delay

"Spider-Man", the most expensive show in Broadway history now is facing production delays. The lead producers Michael Cohl and Jeremiah J. Harris announced the opening night of "SPIDER-MAN: Turn Off the Dark"

VN, Cambodia ink plan for defence cooperation

VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam and Cambodia inked a plan for bilateral cooperation in defence in 2011 in Siem Reap city Wednesday.