Three ‘giants' agree on technology solutions; SMEs urged to seize opportunities by FTAs; Economic difficulties still looming; BIDV provides US$5 million for Japanese enterprises

 VietNamNet Bridge – Long-term planning is needed to cope with worsening pollution in the Sai Gon and Dong Nai rivers, experts have warned.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The HCM City People's Committee has approved a programme to manufacture 300 buses powered by compressed natural gas over the next year.

 VietNamNet Bridge – HCM City targets developing the bio-technology industry until 2015 by applying advanced scientific research and technology in agricultural production to raise productivity and quality.

 VietNamNet Bridge – At least 600 young single people aged 18 years old and up will gather at the "Paktor Speed Date Night" to break the world's current Guinness World Records for the largest speed dating event.

VietNamNet Bridge – A HCM City court on November 27 handed down sentences of seven to 30 years to five defendants involved in embezzlement of funds at the Viet Nam Food Industries Joint-Stock Company from 2002 to 2006.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Cultural authorities in HCM City are working with veteran sculptors to develop more public spaces for sculpture as part of an effort to enhance the urban environment.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The HCM City Customs Department has cracked three cases where raw material for heroin production was being smuggled into Australia.

 VietNamNet Bridge – A memorandum of understanding for co-operating in developing HCM City's semi-conductor industry was signed last Friday.

 VietNamNet Bridge – About 70 Vietnamese surgeons, anaesthesiologists and doctors on November 26 conducted an operation on conjoined twins fused from the upper thorax to lower belly.

 VietNamNet Bridge – HCM City authorities have asked the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to recognize 46 items as national treasures, including an ancient seal, several banknote zincographs, Roman coins, king clothing...

 HCM City will launch Saigon Big Sales 2013 to promote sales and tourism from December 1-31.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam's ranking this year in the English Proficiency Index (EPI) rose three positions over 2012, Education First announced recently in HCM City.

Authorities have temporarily taken into custody nearly 100 people suspected of using drugs at Feeling Bar in Au Co Road, Tan Binh District, HCM City, early yesterday morning.

VietNamNet Bridge – The Vietnamese telecommunication market is considered to be one of the most competitive in the region, speakers said at a seminar in HCM City.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The huge amount of heroin was found in a 438kg batch of goods on a flight of China Airlines from HCM City.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Hong Kong TV stars Ron Ng and Tavia Yeung will come to HCMC next month to join a series of cultural exchanges and charity auctions.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Bui Thi Thuoc in HCM City is worried that her eighth-grade daughter will become a drug addict.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The HCM City Department of Education and Training will invest in more modern school equipment, including interactive whiteboards for primary schools and kindergartens by 2015.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The 15th International Telecoms and Information Technology (Viet Nam Telecoms 2013) exhibition in HCM City is displaying the latest telecommunication technologies and services to local companies and customers.