VietNamNet Bridge - Total insurance premiums are estimated to have reached VND30.69 trillion (US$1.57 billion) this year, a rise of 20.3 per cent on last year, according to the Ministry of Finance's Insurance Management and Supervision Department.

VietNamNet Bridge - December’s strong price rise has sent the consumer price index in all of 2010 surging to a higher-than-expected level of 11.75%, thus eroding the country’s hard-won economic gains.

Don village was dubbed the “elephant kingdom” in the Central Highlands for its tradition of taming wild elephants and also worshipping them.

VietNamNet Bridge – Securities companies have experienced a year full of difficulties. Dau tu chung khoan highlights the most noteworthy events of the companies.

VietNamNet Bridge - Rural areas and the agriculture sector have provided the main impetus for the nation's rapid growth in the post renewal period, but the sector has not received sufficient investment or help from the Government, experts say.

Authorized organizations have showed a lack of investigation into some farmers that use pesticides and other stimulants to increase the amount and size of their farm produce.

Although the military-run Viettel lagged behind Vietnam Post and Telecommunication Group (VNPT) in the VND100 trillion (US$5.14 billion) revenue race in 2010, it has deserved as the winner in terms of real capacity and achievements.

The end of the year is seeing a sharp rise in smuggling activities, according to border authorities.

As a goodwill ambassador of the International Red Cross, Chinese Kung-fu movie star Jet Li will visit Hanoi from January 21 to 24.

Northern provinces to receive Japan aid for primary school project; Overseas students join new year festival; Hanoi prepares to welcome New Year; Group sculpture show in town

Vietnam, the source of 99.9% of tra and basa fish exports, expects to reduce outbound shipments of the fish by a hefty 45% to some 360,000 tons next year from this year’s 640,000 tons.

VietNamNet Bridge – The covers of many manholes in Hanoi have been stolen, the holes are dangerous traps for passers-by.

Having been carrying out e-customs clearance at Cat Lai, Tan Cang and Nha Rong-Khanh Hoi ports for the last two weeks, customs agencies hope that this will help simplify procedures and ease cumbersome procedures.

VietNamNet Bridge – The citadel was built in 1822 in Son Tay town, around 60km from Hanoi’s hub. It is now a national historical relic and a tourist attraction in Hanoi.

South Korea restores royal music instruments; Youth Year 2011 to feature various activities; Photo exhibition on Vietnam – Cuba ties opens in Hanoi;

85 percent road accidents caused by drivers’ faults; Vietnamese student beaten up in Australia; Nearly 500 hospitalized for food poisonin; Vietnamese studying abroad meet in Hanoi; Vietnamese sailors seized by pirates off Madagascar

Vietnam’s leading hip-hop dance group Big ToeA hip-hop contest will be monthly organized for nationwide dancers in preparation for a final round at the end of next year.

Viet Nam will expand its cocoa cultivation areas to take advantage of high global demand and rising prices, as well as unstable production from the world's major cocoa growers, according to industry officials.

Returning to Vietnam as veterans of the Vietnam War, bearing many wounds in their souls, these Americans  may have felt apprehensive but the open hearts of Vietnamese people relieved their pains and helped them regain their lost souls.

In 2010, “Floating Lives” earned a revenue of VND17 billion and “Bi, Don’t Be Afraid” won two prizes at the Cannes Film Festival. Megastar was sued for abusing its monopoly like position and “Inferno” is doubted as a copy of a Hollywood film.

VietNamNet Bridge – Salary for state employees has always been controversial in Vietnam. Though it has been discussed a thousand times there has not been a “revolution” on the topic.

VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam has played its role as Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) well in 2010, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung remarked on the final day of the country’s term.

Meeting to announce the establishment of the Southeast Asian Vovinam Federation (SEAVF) was held in Cambodia on Tuesday.

Vietnam started yesterday selling Pegnano amid massive supports that the generic hepatitis drug is a lifesaver for the poor as well as protests from a Swiss firm that the act violates intellectual rights.

Listed firms make modest 2011 plans; MOC wants an end to business licences in apartment blocks; Banking shares buoy indices; Producing 6 million tonnes of seafood by 2015; Workers refuse jobs at Delta industrial parks; Seaport for rent