Cold numbs peach, flowers, kumquat live well

VietNamNet Bridge – The prolonged cold spell has worries the owners of peach and flower gardens in Hanoi. If within the next few days the temperature does not rise so flowers can blossom, they will lose the crop.

Lowest temperature in northern Vietnam at -4oC

VietNamNet Bridge – The temperature on the peak Mau Son mounts in the northern border province of Lang Son, where always has the lowest temperature in northern Vietnam, was measured -4oC in the morning of January 12.

Experts believe Vietnam will continue tightly controlling credit in 2011

Economists believe that in order to curb the inflation rate at seven percent in 2011 as decided by the National Assembly, it is very likely that the government will tighten its monetary policies, at least in the first two quarters of the year.

Hanoi presents gifts to over 1000 people over 100 years old

Hanoi authorities will spend VND195 billion dong ($$9.75 million) to buy gifts for 730,000 people on the occasion of the lunar New Year.

What will VFF do with $1.5 million?

VietNamNet Bridge – It is good news that the V-League 2011 will have up to VND30 billion ($1.5 million) from only one sponsor Eximbank. But how will the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) spend the money?

Hanoi and HCM City to let off fireworks to welcome Lunar New Year

VietNamNet Bridge – The city authorities have decided to let off fireworks at 29 places, including four places with high-range and 25 with low-range firework shows, at the Lunar New Year’s Eve.

Social sciences not attractive to students

Educators have rung the alarm bell over the imbalance in university training. Excellent students now do not want to study social science majors, leaving schools unable to enroll enough students.

ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 12/1

One-day photo contest to be held in capital; High schools win top prizes for ‘Sweet Dream' performance; Ancient martial arts school under renovation; Renovation of old community house complete

11th National Party Congress opens

The 11th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) opened at the My Dinh National Convention Centre in Hanoi at 8 am on January 12.

In real estate marketing domestic enterprises are growing

VietNamNet Bridge – For a long time, Vietnamese real estate developers had to use foreign real estate service providers as their marketing representatives. However, they have changed their mind nowadays.

SOCIETY IN BRIEF 12/1

Hanoi presents gifts to needy people; Vietnamese, Lao provinces step up cooperation; Vietnam faces a shortage of 3 billion kWh electricity; Primary students receive free helmets

EU wants to negotiate FTA with Vietnam this year

VietNamNet Bridge – The European Union (EU) expects to conduct negotiation of a Free Trade Area (FTA) agreement with Vietnam and sign the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) in 2011.

ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 11/1

Hanoi to host “The Windy Days” concert; Vietnam tourism promoted at Travex’s 2011; Vietnamese comedy first performed in Berlin

11th Party Congress can directly elect Party Chief

The charter of Communist Party of Vietnam, the 10th tenure, doesn’t mention the direct election of the Party Secretary General but if a majority of delegates of the 11th Party Congress agrees, the Congress can directly elect the Party Chief.

US-based footballer eyes Vietnam national team

VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnamese-American footballer Lee Nguyen, who played for the US national squad in 2007 as substitutes, is applying for Vietnamese citizenship to be eligible to play in the Vietnamese national team.

Many live shows scheduled in HCM City this week

VietNamNet Bridge - Live shows of famous singers will heat up this week, with pop star Dan Truong’s show scheduled on Jan 13, My Tam’s on Jan 14, and Thanh Lam - Tung Duong duo’s on Jan 15.

I’m confident to run for Party Central Committee

VietNamNet Bridge “I believe that Party members and the people are looking for ambitious and firm candidates,” said Nguyen Xuan Kien, the first person who offered himself as a candidate for the election of the Party Central Committee.

Vietnam football and money

VietNamNet Bridge – Many football stars said goodbye to V-League, the top national professional championship, to join clubs that play at the First Division Tournament (the second-class football tournament in Vietnam). Why?

Hanoi has coldest day

VietNamNet Bridge – Today, January 11, Hanoians suffered from the coldest weather so far this year. The temperature felt to 8-11 degree Celsius. The chilling weather was worsened by rain

Nearly 700 workers save central city from rubbish

VietNamNet Bridge – This huge number of workers was mobilized to work 24 hours a day to clean up the rubbish that was stuck in the central city of Vinh, Nghe An province for a whole week.

Vietnam’s tourism industry growing, but slowly

Though obtaining a satisfactory growth rate in 2010 with five million foreign tourists, experts say there are still a lot of things that need to be done to develop tourism industry.

Mobile phone service providers trying to seduce more clients

VietNamNet Bridge – Mobile service providers have launched a lot of promotion campaigns, hoping to increase the numbers of subscribers and to satisfy the demand which is believed to increase sharply on Tet.

MOET running after quantity, neglecting quality?

The decision by the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) to increase the “quota” for university education by 6.5 percent compared to the last academic year has surprised many people.

Gold traders say it’s the right time to import gold

Right after the State Bank of Vietnam granted quotas to import gold late last week, a lot of gold trading companies said that they are considering importing gold immediately, when the prices are good and promise profitable deals.

EVN plans to issue $1billion worth of international bonds

VietNamNet Bridge The Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) has urged the government to instruct relevant ministries to support EVN to complete legal procedures soon, so that EVN can issue one billion dollars worth of international bonds.