National Taekwondo player Le Huynh Chau recently announced a surprise retirement, which has left Viet Nam's fate during upcoming tournaments hanging in the balance.

Viet Nam have called 732 sportspersons to take part in intensive training courses in preparation for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, to be held this June in Singapore.

Huynh Duc Tho, a member of the Da Nang Party Standing Committee and Vice Chair of the Da Nang People’s Committee, was elected chairman of the People’s Committee of Da Nang, the biggest city in central Vietnam, at a meeting this morning.

 Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai has given his approval of a proposal to build a water reservoir at the U Minh Ha National Park in the southernmost province of Ca Mau.

 New water- and cost-efficient farming techniques will allow Vietnam to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in wet rice production by 15 to 20 percent by 2020, said the Director of the Institute for Agricultural Environment.

 The famous banyan tree, Tan Trao, a symbol of Vietnam’s independent struggle against France, has rehabilitated after a seven-year joint effort in the northern province of Tuyen Quang.

VietNamNet Bridge – Though experiencing an annual two-digit growth rate for years, some of Vietnam’s longstanding fashion companies fear that more mid-tier foreign fashion brands will enter the market after the Trans Pacific Partnership takes effect.

 Hanoi authorities are restoring 82 stone tablets recording the royal examinations held under the Le-Mac dynasties (1442-1779) placed at Van Mieu (the Temple of Literature) and Quoc Tu Giam (Vietnam’s first national university).

 The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) and Boeing has signed a Memorandum of Collaboration in support of Vietnam receiving category 1 approval by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

 The Vietnam Air Services Company (VASCO) replaced the national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines to offer flights on three domestic air routes beginning January 26.

 A programme to promote attractive destinations in Tokyo was held in Hanoi on January 26 as part of Japan’s efforts to attract more Vietnamese tourists to its capital.

 Cat Ba National Park in the northern port city of Hai Phong has been a safe haven for thousands of creatures, including many rare animals.

 Vietnam is rapidly urbanising, both spatially and demographically; despite a large amount of urban expansion, its cities are becoming denser, said a report released by the World Bank (WB) on January 26.

 Vietnam imported medicines worth US$2 billion last year, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 8.3%, chinhphu.vn website reports.

 By January 20, foreign businesses had invested US$392.18 million in 44 new projects and US$271.26 million in 19 existed ones, a year-on-year increase of 67.1%.

 A bilateral conference on Vietnam-US relationship opened in Hanoi on January 26 on the theme: For 20 more successful years.

 Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam asked for the UK’s support in improving Vietnam’s education system during a reception for Lord David Terence Puttnam, special envoy of the UK Prime Minister in Hanoi on January 26.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Bankers said 2015 will remain a challenging year though some banks have reported higher earnings and there have been more positive signs in the local economy.

VietNamNet Bridge – The picturesque sight of houses amidst a valley of flowers sent me into an ecstasy of delight when I visited Cu Lan Village.

VietNamNet Bridge – Architects and environmentalists have expressed their strong opposition against a project to develop villas and a golf course in the Ha Long Bay Natural Heritage area.