Can Tho Bridge to open in April

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has approved the inauguration of the Can Tho Bridge, which is nearing completion, on April 21, the Government Office said on Monday. The Minister of Transport has been ordered to finalise the programme for the inauguration ceremony and apprise the Prime Minister this month. Construction of the 16-km bridge spanning the Mekong Delta's Hau River and connecting Vinh Long Province and Can Tho city began in 2004.

NHAN DAN (THE LABOUR)

HCM City taxi companies raise fares

Ten members of the HCM City Taxi Association have raised fares by VND500 per kilometre after petroleum retail prices were hiked twice this year by a total of VND1,040 per litre, Ta Long Hy, its chairman, said. Companies like Vinasun and Future have hiked their fares to VND12,000 per kilometre in case of four-seat taxis and VND12,500 in larger ones.

LAO DONG (LABOUR)

Northern Ireland business delegation to visit

Executives from more than 10 Northern Irish businesses will visit HCM City from March 10 to 12 to establish relations with Vietnamese companies, according to the British consulate in the city. Their businesses are in the textile, environment, agro-technology, and healthcare sectors.

Another group of 20 business executives from Spain will visit Ha Noi and HCM City on March 23-25 to look for opportunities in various industries like electricity, solid-waste treatment, and transport infrastructure.

TUOI TRE (YOUTH)

City Labour Federation helps settle disputes

The HCM City Labour Federation has succeeded in settling several labour strikes in the last two months following joint efforts with local labour departments. Federation figures show there have been 12 strikes this year, eight of them at foreign-invested businesses. Disagreement over salaries and Tet (the Lunar New Year) bonuses was reported to be the main cause.

NGUOI LAO DONG (LABOUR)