A Twist in the Tale - VietNam News

Most people refer to it as "aroma", that pleasant perfume from roasting and making coffee. They even discuss it in terms reminiscent of those used by connoisseurs in the wine trade.

The price of beauty?

My friend, who has entered a Facebook beauty contest based on photos, phoned and asked with a wavering voice, "Should I pay VND750,000-1 million (US$36-48) for gaining 1,000 ‘likes (approvals) for my photo offered by some online providers?"

Not so homeless

In an urban Ha Noi named Trung Van, uncompleted villas are serving as temporary residences for homeless people and construction workers.

Missing stamp causes civil service chaos

All major companies in Viet Nam, including public offices, have a carved wooden seal they use to sign off major documents. Many documents are only valid if the seal is, as they say, affixed. Given the importance and significance of a seal, people were flabbergasted at the news that the Peoples' Committee of Commune 9 in Tuy Hoa City in Phu Yen Province lost its seal last Monday.

Who's really to blame

The residents of Vi Rin Village in the far flung mountain province of Kon Tum have recently become dollar struck, according to outside observers. It's like money popping from the sky. Or at least that's how they describe the way these Xo Dang tribal people have treated compensation money from the Government.

Wasting time on time wasters

The political leader of a central province often goes to coffee shops during working hours to see which public officials are wasting their working hours. He then reports the violations to their offices.

Destined for poverty

Duong Van Tung, a poor man with many debts living in southern An Giang Province, recently hit the jackpot with a winning lottery ticket, but in some ways he wished he hadn't.

Traffic police to toe the line by logging online

It has been a busy few weeks for Ha Noi's traffic policemen and women. Many have had to hit the gym following the news that fat and short officers would be relegated to desk duty, and now they are being instructed to take part in IT courses so that they can learn how to use tablet technology on duty.

An affair can cost you more than your marriage

"Don't go looking for pancakes when you have flapjacks at home!"

The best-laid plans of mice and men oft go astray

Ha Noi People's Court last week sentenced the director of a pest extermination company to three years' imprisonment for stealing from a fast food restaurant.

New regulations restrict construction officials

The Department of Home Affairs in Ha Noi has drafted a series of regulations punishing officials at all levels who do not fulfill their duties in managing construction projects in the city.

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