National parks face risk from bush fires

VietNamNet Bridge – Ba Vi National Park is one of the nine areas across the country that are at serious risk from forest fires, but a lack of awareness among locals is making fire prevention and fighting more difficult.

Insect world bursts into song

VietNamNet Bridge – Songwriter Le Minh Son will perform at the Ha Noi Opera House on Saturday, in a New Year's Day programme entitled Guitar Cho Ta (Guitar for Myself).

GOVERNMENT IN BRIEF 30/12

Cuban revolution commemorated in northern province; Party leader wants more improvements; President calls on judges to improve; Major Vietnamese and Chine dailies boost cooperation

Cabinet meets to discuss economy

VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam’s economy made a robust recovery and grew at 6.78 percent in 2010 despite difficulties and challenges after the global economic crisis.

ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 30/12

RoK hands over restored music instruments; HTV to screen new series; National Environmental Film festival closes in Hanoi; Writers to discuss war themes; HCM City to host audio-visual expo; Capital to open music centre

HCM City to host music, song show

VietNamNet Bridge – A traditional music and song show will usher in the New Year at HCM City's Dam Sen Park tonight, Dec 30.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 30/12

Vietnam aims to cut credit growth to fight inflation; Vietnam hotels on world’s best 500 list; Credit growth lowest in 3 years; Vietnam's ABBank to raise $31 mln via bonds; Bank, card firms link up with merchant network; 

Move to lift limits on foreign ownership

The Vietnam Association of Financial Investors sent a document to the Government, the State Securities Commission and concerned ministries to urge them to raise the maximum limit on foreign ownership in listed companies and commercial banks.

Vietnam should curb inflation rate below 6 percent

Vo Tri Thanh, Deputy Director of the Central Institute for Economic Management, while pointing out the negative impacts of the high inflation on the national economy, emphasized that Vietnam should focus on curbing inflation in 2011.

Jetstar signs interline flights with Cathay Pacific, Dragonair

Jetstar Airways has entered commercial agreements with two Hong Kong carriers to enable their passengers to fly with the Australian low-fare carrier and Vietnam’s Jetstar Pacific as part of a single integrated transaction and travel itinerary.

SOCIETY IN BRIEF 30/12

Workers electrocuted, fall from third floor; Man jailed for running hostel sex ring; Vietnam to establish advanced mathematics research institute; Cargo ship sinks off Vung Tau, 12 sailors missing

Made-in Vietnam container houses new option for low income housing

Local people with a limited budget will have a better opportunity to own a house with a container housing project being launched soon to the real-estate market.

The haunt of antique collectors

VietNamNet Bridge – Antique collectors in Saigon often see each other at the café ran by singer Cao Minh in Binh Thanh district. here, customers can exchange, display and admire unique antiques.

Parts of HCM City to face running water shortages

VietNamNet Bridge - A number of districts in HCMC will face a running water shortfall in the next two weeks as the supplier is working on a plan to move a key water pipeline to make way for an environmental cleanup project.

Economy’s green coloured vision

“I think there are big opportunities for Vietnam with the climate finance coming available for both adaptation and also for mitigation, by which I mean cleaner energy technologies “

Gold bond issuance proposed

VietNamNet Bridge – Experts have proposed to issue bonds in gold in order to use the huge capital now kept among people.

Hoi An Town exempts entrance fee

The authorities of the ancient town of Hoi An, a world cultural heritage, announced the exemption of entrance fee to the town for Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, war invalids, handicapped people, journalists, children and students of less than 16.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 29/12

East-West Corridor seeks publicity; Deposit interest rates drop, but lending rates remain high; Ca Mau seafood exports to reach $850 million in 2011; Agriculture sector keeps to a stable growth rate 

ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 29/12

“Vietnam year in Germany” organised successfully; Young traditional music exchange with China; Painting exhibition opens on Christmas; Ho Chi Minh inspired TV shows win golden awards; Oriental medical books reveal secrets

Domestic title winners ready for National Super Cup battle

VietNamNet Bridge – Defending V-League champions Ha Noi T&T are ready for a tough season opener against Song Lam Nghe An in the Super Cup at the Hang Day Stadium next Sunday.

Vietnamese survivor reveals photos of Antarctic shipwreck

VietNamNet Bridge – Sailor Le Quang Ruc provided the local media with pictures of the Antarctic shipwreck taken by the rescue team in early December. three Vietnamese sailors died in the accident.

Cargo ship sinks in East Sea

VietNamNet Bridge – Twelve sailors remained missing after a Vietnamese cargo vessel sank in the southern area of East Sea yesterday, the Viet Nam Maritime Search and Rescue Co-ordination Centre reported.

Traffic death toll declines in 2010

VietNamNet Bridge – Despite a decline in road deaths in 2010, an average of 32 people died every day in Viet Nam through traffic accidents, the National Traffic Safety Committee's office chief Than Van Thanh said at a conference in Ha Noi

Ten cultural highlights of 2010

VietNamNet has reviewed 2010, the year of great cultural events inVietnam, to choose the top ten events.

HCM City to close old petrol stations

VietNamNet Bridge – The municipal administration plans to shut down petrol stations that fail to meet safety standards and other criteria set by the HCM City authority.