Hanoi spruces up for Valentine’s Day; Activities mark Ngoc Hoi-Dong Da Victory; Female artist creates largest ceramic mosaic flag of Vietnam

Building material industry needs support to overcome economic difficulties; Free chat software market heats up with competition; Viet Nam becomes largest investor in Laos

This year sees a wide range of activities to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and some other countries, including two strategic partners in Asia: Japan and India.

 VietNamNet Bridge – As alcohol abuse increases, health experts warn that the habit could take a devastating toll on future generations.

In 2013, the tourism sector expects to further gain better performance when Viet Nam continues to be a friendly and attractive destination for international tourists.

Professor Phuong Luu is a famous literary critic and theorist in Vietnam. In 2010, he was honourablly presented the Ho Chi Minh Award for scientists who have made excellent contributions to Vietnam's science and technology.

VietNamNet Bridge – In 2012, nearly 7,000 of labor accidents happened in Vietnam, killing 606 people, injuring more than 6,300 others, causing property damage of VND11 billion ($500,000).

Fiddly art forms that take patience are not for everyone, but one woman who has suffered paralysis from childhood finds a profound sense of achievement and pride in the painstaking art of paper quilling.

 Hanoi is the land of noodles and dumplings in daunting variety. At least, that is what British visitor David Bobby had concluded local culinary after his three-week trip around the capital city.

A lot of purely Vietnamese cosmetics brands have quietly disappeared from the market because they could not survive the stiff competition with the foreign giants, who could pour multi-billions of dong into ad campaigns.

Pre-school education has revived after a period of being left abandoned.

Experts have warned the growing popularity of Vietnamese cuisine makes it even more imperative that dishes remain loyal to their origins. 

Illegal gold digging has been devastating the ecosystem, because cyanide, the toxic substance used during the digging, may poison the living environment.

 It’s 20km from Dien Bien City to Pa Khoang Lake, and another 10 minutes by boat to “cherry island”.

The Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC) is thinking of a special mechanism which encourage domestic firms develop Internet services such as social networks or search engines.

VietNamNet Bridge - 20 years ago, Australia expected that Vietnam would become an "Asian dragon" when it dedicated priorities, economic and business opportunities to Vietnam.

The total debts of 1,300 trillion dong incurred by SOEs have been described by the Steering Committee for Enterprise Renovation and Development as “within the safety line.” Meanwhile, economists do not think so.

VietNamNet Bridge - They are the names of a lot of potential in the fields of music, fashion and cinema.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Chairwoman of CIAT Advertising and Trade Fair JSC, Dr Doan Thi Kim Hong, has been recognised at home and abroad for her contributions to the country and society.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The song Chiec Khan Pieu, about the beauty of the traditional scarf of Thai ethnic people, was named Song of the Year 2012 in Viet Nam Television’s Favourite Song contest.