As Tet draws near, most peach trees are, thankfully, not blooming early - thanks to the cold. With more than 10 days to go to the Year of the Dog, ornamental wholesalers are rushing to peach-blossom gardens in Hanoi

 VietNamNet Bridge – Wildlife protection has become stricter under policies outlined in amendments to the Penal Code that took effect on January 1, 

 VietNamNet Bridge – After a five-day ban, under 12-seater cars were allowed to go to Cat Ba Island via Got-Cai Vieng Ferry in the northern city of Hai Phong.

An ongoing art exhibition, dedicated to the most well-known Vietnamese children’s book De Men Phieu Luu Ky (Adventures of a Cricket) by late writer To Hoai, has amazed not only children but also adult visitors.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Construction projects that have stopped work may be adjusted or cancelled, according to a new order released by Ha Noi People’s Committee.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Construction on Nguyen Hue Flower Street, a popular attraction during Tet (Lunar New Year), has begun in District 1 in HCM City and will be completed on February 13.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Southeast Asian (SEA) Games gold medallist Nguyen Anh Tu aims to take the trophy at the Elite Table Tennis Tournament which will be held in Hanoi on February 3-4.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam will participate in the women’s category at the Badminton Asia Team Championship in Alor Setar, Malaysia from February 6 to February 11.

VietNamNet Bridge – The duo Ly Hoang Nam and Trinh Linh Giang of Becamex Binh Duong reached the semi-finals in the men’s doubles at the Viet Nam Tennis Federation (VTF) Pro Tour 1 in Vung Tau City yesterday. 

 VietNamNet Bridge – Pop singer My Linh launched her album Chat with Mozart Vol 2 on January 18 with both an LP record and CD version. The album is the result of 13 years of sustained work.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Ly Hoang Nam of Becamex Binh Duong secured a place to compete in the quarter-finals of the Viet Nam Tennis Federation Pro Tour 1.

 VietNamNet Bridge – A collection of 62 paintings will be displayed at an exhibition of Vietnamese traditional folk art at Da Nang’s Fine Arts Museum from Thursday until February 25.

 VietNamNet Bridge – H’Hen Niê, 25, is an E De ethnic girl from the Central Highlands Province of Dak Lak. She has been working as a freelance model in HCM City for the past few years. 

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Endangered Primate Rescue Centre in the Cuc Phuong National Park is run by enthusiastic experts who have overcome many problems over the past 20 years. 

As Tet approaches, a group of gourmets from Hanoi is visiting the northern province of Cao Bang to seek the best mien dong (canna vermicelli) to make cellophane noodles. The rhizomes of the plant are full of starch.

 VietNamNet Bridge – With Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday just a few weeks away, more customers are patronising beauty salons and spas in HCM City and Hanoi, mostly for hair and skin care services.

Historically, the mostly publicly financed health care system in Vietnam has only been able to afford to pour resources into a handful of central level hospitals in big cities, forcing patients living in remote areas with serious diseases

 VietNamNet Bridge – Residents living near cement plants in central Thua Thien- Hue and Quang Binh provinces have complained about air and noise pollution that continually affects their lives. Dust from the mining fills the air 

 VietNamNet Bridge – Cultural activities featuring traditional Tet (Lunar New Year) activities and a special organic produce market will be held at a Spring Festival in downtown Hanoi from February 2-8.

 There is a huge difference between the milling crowds in HCM City’s Book Street and the lack of people in the Hanoi equivalent in a short street simply called December 19.