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.

Hanoi police nab illegal dollar traders

VietNamNet Bridge - The Hanoi police caught an illegal dollar trading deal worth US$390,500 (about VND8.4 billion) at a branch of the Vietnam Export-Import Bank on March 8. 

Economists expect BOK to resume rate hikes in May

The Bank of Korea (BOK) is likely to raise the key rate again in May, a survey showed Thursday.

First USD billionaire in Vietnam unveiled

VietNamNet Bridge - Pham Nhat Vuong remains the richest investor on the Vietnamese stock market, having increased his asset value to over 1 billion US dollars.

Quynh faces top seeds at Asian Cup

VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam's top player Tran Tuan Quynh will compete at the Asian Cup in Yokohama, Japan, on March 26-27, according to the Viet Nam Table Tennis Federation.

First tsunami early warning stations in Vietnam

VietNamNet Bridge - Tran Van Thuan, director of Viettel in Da Nang, disclosed on March 10 that the Da Nang City People’s Committee had agreed for Viettel to carry out a pilot project to install 10 tsunami early warning stations in the region.

Backstreet Boys helps advertise Vietnam to the world

VietNamNet Bridge – The tour to Vietnam by Backstreet Boys in late March 2011 is expected to help introduce Vietnam to international friends, said Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh.

At least 24 dead, 207 injured in SW China quake

At least 24 people were killed and 207 others injured in a 5.8-magnitude earthquake that jolted Yingjiang County in southwest China's Yunnan Province around noon on Thursday.

Billions KWH of electricity failed to be put into grid, electricity shortage serious

VietNamNet Bridge – The failure of the power development program for the 2006-2010 period showed that Vietnam lacks electricity not only because it lacks capital or because of prolonged droughts.

Travel firms decry lack of port as more cruise ships arrive

Local tour operators serving foreign cruise ships have reported a strong rise in cruise passenger arrivals, but the lack of a capable terminal for such vessels will hinder the development of this tourism segment.

Volleyball star set for court return

VietNamNet Bridge – Top Vietnamese volleyballer Nguyen Huu Ha has officially resumed his training with his new team Duc Long-Gia Lai club on Wednesday after a year on the sidelines.

ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 11/3

Famous photographer honors women; Vung Tau to host 3rd International Kite Festival; Unique jazz concert in Hanoi; Quang Nam artists to perform in Italy; Clay Pagoda becomes national heritage; Life Resort offers luxury cruise in Ha Long Bay        

Hoa Muc Village

Situated near the banks of the To Lich River, the ancient village of Hoa Muc in Trung Hoa, Cau Giay District of Hanoi, is known for many historical relics connected to its cultural and religious life dating back hundreds of years.