Talk Around Town - VietNam News

Infants working overtime in scramble for success

My seven-year-old nephew once complained of his busy schedule. Sure, he was sometimes busier than a 20s-year-old office worker. His normal classes run from 8am to 4.30pm daily and the weekend is reserved for chess, drawing lessons and learning how to use an abacus.

Youth litter collectors dispel trashy image

Every Sunday afternoon, equipped with plastic bags and gloves, about 20 members travel around the lake to collect the rubbish, some of which they recycle during the following week.

Medical workers learn to say ‘thank you'

Going to hospitals for health check-ups or treatment has never left me feel comfortable. It is not because I am afraid of getting an injection, but of receiving a dressing-down from doctors.

Insemination overload: a problem is borne

Although the process has helped many couples fulfil their reproductive ambitions, the risk of multiple births appears to increase with IUI and this can lead to premature births and a heightened risk of defects.

Should VN emperors receive new clothes?

A friend of mine usually tells me that company uniforms save her from having to choose clothes to wear to work in the morning. She doesn't have to spend too much time and energy to see if a blue dress can go with a flowered shirt, black high-heels and brown bag, let alone taking into account if the dress is suitable for her planned activities.

Men struggle with societal pressures too

Some Vietnamese men say they are "jealous" that Vietnamese women have two days to be honoured, Mar 8 and October 20, while there are no holidays devoted to men.

Should rich people flaunt their wealth?

How rich she is!" is the common exclamation that most people had when surfing the internet and confronted by the news that Ly Nha Ky, Viet Nam's former tourism ambassador, ordered a dress from Channel worth nearly VND2 billion (US$100,000) and that she will be the sole owner of the dress design.

Spam messages plague mobile subscribers

Anh told his wife again and again that the message was spam and that he knew nothing about gambling, but she didn't believe him.

Giving cash to doctors is straight-out bribery

In a training course on work ethics for medical workers last month, Health Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien put forth the idea that it would be appropriate for doctors to receive money from patients after their successful treatment as a thank-you gift.

Stalking the flower trail has its rewards

"We don't divide the seasons into spring, summer, autumn and winter. Rather, we think of time in terms of when flowers bloom," says Dieu Linh, a "professional" flower traveller from Ha Noi.

Low pay turns off teaching students

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Hightlight

Tax code reforms to decipher dependents

People who are dependent on personal income tax payers will be given their own tax codes to avoid people lodging claims as dependents of more than one taxpayer.

Farmer-firm linkups remain elusive despite Gov't efforts

More than 10 years after the Government unveiled policies to encourage tie-ups between farmers and businesses, the proportion of farm produce sold through such contracts remains modest.

Buddha statues highlight heritage