Mekong Delta enjoying bumper crop, while central farms flooded

VietNamNet Bridge - The Mekong Delta region has seen a bumper winter-spring harvest with high prices, while farms in Northern Central provinces have been waterlogged due to the bad weather.

Vietnam will have high-quality schools

VietNamNet Bridge – HCM City authorities have decided to set up high-quality schools, considering this a necessary step in building up a modern education in a period of global integration.

Dry season threatens power shut down for southern firms

VietNamNet Bridge - Continued power cuts are expected to hit enterprises in southern Binh Duong province’s industrial parks more severely this year.

Banks hike interest rates on US dollars

Some smaller commercial banks in the past week have raised the interest rates they offer on US dollar deposits by 0.9 to 1.3 percentage points to as high as 6.1 per cent per year.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 17/1

Vietnam is world’s 14th biggest economy in 2050; Thais tie down giant refinery plans; Mekong Delta to export 5.5 mln tonnes of rice in 2011; Ha Noi banks target 27% rise in capital; Many VN firms fail to meet consumer tastes

Top sport dancers charm Hanoi audience

VietNamNet Bridge – Leading sport dance duos performed in the first-ever “Vietnam SportDance  Stars Festival” at the Trinh Hoai Duc Gymnasium in Hanoi on January 14.

Outbound investment slowly leaving its mark

VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam posted notable attainments in outbound investment in 2010 with around $3 billion in total registered capital and around $1 billion in disbursed capital.

What are the most important criteria for a member of the Party Central Committee?

VietNamNet Bridge – On January 16, the 11th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam fixed the list of candidates for the election of the Central Party Committee.

Woman has a baby on Jetstar Pacific flight

VietNamNet Bridge – A woman on January 16 delivered a 2.5kg boy in an aircraft of Jetstar Pacific Airlines (JPA) when the aircraft was running on the runway of the HCM City’s Tan Son Nhat Airport.

ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 17/1

Tea-coffee cultural week opens in Can Tho City; HCM City to host youth Tet Festival 2011; Vietnamese Entrepreneur Festival to welcome 11th National Party Congress; Art performances welcome 11th National Party Congress    

Developing a “miracle tree” in Vietnam, why not?

A café in Tokyo, Japan, is selling a kind of coffee called “miraculin” which does not use sugar or any kind of genetic sweeteners. Miraculin is the main element of a tree called “miracle tree” which has been growing in Vietnam for the last 10 years.

How big are the subprime loans in Vietnam?

VietNamNet Bridge – By the end of November 2010, the subprime loans of the whole banking system had reached 51.085 billion dong, accounting for 2.42 percent of the total outstanding loans.

Aviation to soar over next three years

By 2014, Viet Nam will become the world's third fastest-growing market for international passengers and freight, and the second-fastest in the number of domestic passengers.

Peach trees that turn into… “dragons”

VietNamNet Bridge – Old peach trees with trunks eaten by worms have become special products for the upcoming lunar New Year. Gardeners call these peach trees as trees that are turned into dragons.

Finance group proposes SOE restructure

The majority of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) should be transformed into joint stock companies in order to reduce state subsidies while sharpening their competitiveness, the Vietnam Association of Financial Investors (VAFI) has suggested.

Vietnam to invest more on hi-tech development

VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam will focus on developing hi-tech industries such as information and communication technology (ICT), biotechnology, automatic technology and new material technology. 

Pope names first diplomatic representative to Vietnam

VietNamNet Bridge - Pope Benedict XVI Thursday appointed Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli as a non-resident representative to Vietnam.

Over 9,200 cattle die from northern cold spell

VietNamNet Bridge - The extremely cold weather affecting the northern region has caused 9,200 cattle to die and it is likely the figure will increase, said a spokesperson from the Livestock Production Department. 

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 16/1

50 luxury flats to be sold in Hanoi; Cement firm to build green power plant; Vietnam Airlines told to focus on core business; Individual investors to drive Vietnam stock market; Finance ministry looks into Vinamilk’s price hike     

Vietnam’s 10 best selling SUV/MPV’s

VietNamNet Bridge - Nearly 24,000 multi-purpose vehicles (MPV) and sport utility vehicles (SUV) were sold in Vietnam in 2010.

SOCIETY IN BRIEF 16/1

Known MSG brands faked in Hanoi; Officials stand trial in Dien Bien Phu corruption case; Luggage rummaged through in Dong Hoi airport; HCMC fake medicine ring to be indicted; Man jailed 2 years in first flat tire scam bust

High school students visit universities for career counseling

VietNamNet Bridge - Several high schools are conducting career counseling for 12th grade students in universities and colleges to help students make suitable career choices before their entrance exams.

Secret of the rose

VietNamNet Bridge - A vacation in the historic town of Hoi An in Vietnam’s central region is not complete without a foodie fiesta. Among the many mouthwatering delicacies dished out in the town is the elegantly named white rose.

ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 16/1

HCMC to host book road fest during Tet; Ha Long Bay needs more votes to secure World Wonder title; Exhibition of Vietnam’s artistic works held in France; Guidebook captures Can Tho spirit

Online markets bustling on Tet season

Pre-Tet days are not only the profitable season for traditional retailers, but also for online supermarkets. The markets have been mushrooming to satisfy the demand of the busy people, who do not have time to go to traditional markets.