Weekly Review - Vietnam and the world
Vietnam's Ha Long Bay was voted as one of the New Seven Natural Wonders of the World thanks to more than 24 million votes from around the world.
Ha Long Bay voted a new Natural Wonder of the World
>> Ha Long Bay voted new Wonder of the World
>> New Open World congratulates Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay is now one of the new Seven Natural Wonders of the World, according to the New Open World Organization.
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The New Open World faxed the initial voting results to the management board of Ha Long Bay on November 12.
The New Seven Natural Wonders of the World include the Amazon in South America, Ha Long Bay in Vietnam, Iguazu Falls in Argentina and Brazil, Jeju Island in the Republic of Korea, Komodo Island in Indonesia, Puerto Pricesa Underground River in the Philippines and Table Mountain in South Africa.
Many deaths attributed to floods in central Vietnam
>> Storms kill 7,500 over 10 years
>> Floods overwhelm Quang Nam, Da Nang
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Floods in Central Vietnam have left 15 people dead, including 10 in Quang Nam province, and many areas are now submerged under floodwaters.
Landsides caused by the heavy rains over the past few days put many households at risk and local authorities had to evacuate them out of danger on November 7.
Largest wedding ceremony in HCM City
>> Largest mass wedding for 80 couples
A mass wedding ceremony, the largest of its kind, was held for 80 couples in Ho Chi Minh City on November 11.
At the event, the couples enjoyed a full wedding ceremony, including cars, cakes, flowers, rings, photo albums, costumes, makeup, and a parade in the centre of the city, all free of charge. Each couple also received a gift of VND2 million (US$100) in a bank account to start their future lives together.
They also had a chance to participate in a pre-marriage course on health care, gender roles, and budgeting.
Tragic traffic accident in Binh Thuan province
>> 10 killed, 21 injured in head-on collision
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Many people were killed and dozens were seriously injured in a tragic truck accident in the south-central province of Binh Thuan on November 7.
The accident happened when a container truck crashed into a luxury passenger coach going in the opposite direction. The truck then hit another 54-seater passenger coach traveling in the same lane.
The collision caused a big explosion, igniting the two coaches, and the roaring fire quickly reduced the vehicles to ashes.
SEA Games 26 kick off in Indonesia
>> Vietnam wins 14th gold medal at 26th SEA Games
>> SEA Games: U23 Vietnam defeat Brunei 8-0
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The vibrant, colourful opening ceremony of the 26th Southeast Asia Games (SEA Games 26) took place in Palembang city in the South Sumatra province of Indonesia on the evening of November 11.
Indonesia is hosting the SEA Games for the fourth time this year and the event has attracted thousands of participants from 11 countries in the region.
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More than 600 Vietnamese athletes will compete in 37 events, aiming for a place in the top three at the largest sporting event in the region.
Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi resigns
>> Italy crisis: PM Berlusconi will resign 'within days'
>> Italy's Senate set to vote for cuts to save euro zone
Silvio Berlusconi resigned as Prime Minister of Italy on November 12, after dominating the country's politics for 17 years.
President Giorgio Napolitano accepted his resignation and will likely appoint technocrat Mario Monti as his successor.
Mr Berlusconi is Italy's longest-serving post-war Prime Minister but his premiership has recently been marred by numerous scandals.
APEC ministers strengthen recovery, reinforce stability
>> Asia Pacific leaders to tackle free trade, tariffs
APEC Finance Ministers made a statement committing to strengthen economic recovery, reinforce stability and open new markets.
They also pledged to address risks to the global economy in order to restore confidence, financial stability and sustainable growth.
Meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA from November 8-13, the Ministers acknowledged that growth and job creation have weakened in the region, particularly in advanced economies, while inflation remains elevated in many others. Capital flow volatility has also intensified in response to heightened risks.