VietExplorer

In the 21 editions of the World Cup over 92 years featuring 79 nations, there have still been only eight winners and only 13 have made it to the final. Spain were the last to join the elite group of champions in 2010 after France in 1998 and Argentina in 1978. Since then there have been a sprinkling of “outsiders” who made it to the last four, with almost all of them failing to go any further. Poland and Belgium lost to eventual winners Italy and Argentina respectively in 1982 and 1986 and while as former winners England would not like to be included in the “long-shots” group, it was still a surprise when they made the semis in 1990, where they lost to West Germany. It was in 1994 though that the apple cart really looked to have been overturned. Bulgaria arrived in the United States having never won a World Cup match in 16 attempts and duly chalked up an 11th defeat in their first game. They then turned things around utterly, winning two group games, beating Mexico on penalties in

The Dao Ngoc-Ngu Xa area is the second food street in Hanoi after the first came up at Tong Duy Tan-Cam Chi in Hoan Kiem District 10 years ago. Photo: PLO The zone covers two streets, Ngu Xa and Nguyen Khac Hieu, traversing the centre of Dao Ngoc – Ngu Xa, the folk name for a 4.5ha islet on Truc Bach Lake in Truc Bach ward. It is the second food street in Hanoi after the first came up at Tong Duy Tan-Cam Chi in Hoan Kiem District 10 years ago. The Dao Ngoc-Ngu Xa area will be closed to vehicles from 7 p.m. to midnight on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The Dao Ngoc-Ngu Xa area will be closed to vehicles from 7 p.m. to midnight on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Photo: PLO Existing restaurants and market activities will be maintained while products recognised under the “One Commune, One Product” (OCOP) programme will be promoted. Traditional Ngu Xa bronze casting will also be introduced at the bronze casting museum. Apart from street cultural events on the we

Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung (R) meets Secretary of the Italian Communist Party (PCI) Mauro Alboresi. Photo: VNA Secretary of the Italian Communist Party (PCI) Mauro Alboresi has spoken highly of socio-economic development achievements Vietnam has gained after more than 35 years of renewal under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV). Vietnam is one of the models for communist and workers’ parties around the world to follow, Alboresi said at a meeting with Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung on December 22, as cited by VietnamPlus . The Italian official expressed his wish to further deepen the traditional friendship between the two parties in the coming time. For his part, Hung thanked Italy’s political parties and people for supporting Vietnam during its past struggle for nation liberation and reunification and the renewal and nation building cause at present. He suggested the two sides step up delegation exchanges and theor