Tuoitrenews briefs some of the leading stories published today on Vietnamese media:

Politics:

-- The Vietnam-Belarus Friendship Association (VBFA) has organized its 3rd National Congress in Hanoi to map out its operational plans for the 2014-2019 period and elected Nguyen Thai Lai, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, as president and a 34-member executive board.

Society:

-- The northern province of Lao Cai has declared an outbreak of A/H5N1 avian influenza in its Bao Thang District after the disease was discovered at a family which neglected preventive measures for their poultry of unknown origin in Phu Thinh Village, while other neighboring districts, including Bao Yen, Bac Ha, Bat Xat, Van Ban, Sa Pa, Muong Khuong and Lao Cai city, have been placed on alert.

-- Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has issued the order to start the construction of a bridge connecting Tan Vu and Cat Hai islands in the northern port city of Hai Phong, the longest sea-crossing bridge in Vietnam. Once finished by 2017, the 15.6km bridge, one of the longest in Southeast Asia at the present day, will link with developing areas in eastern Hai Phong, Dinh Vu industrial park and the Ha Noi – Hai Phong highway which is under construction.

-- The A/H5N1 avian influenza outbreak has been detected to have spread to 9 localities nationwide including Lao Cai, Quang Ngai, Nam Dinh, Kon Tum, Tay Ninh, Ca Mau, Khanh Hoa, Long An and Dak Lak.

-- There have been 1,000 measles cases detected in 24 localities nationwide with signals of increase in Hanoi, Yen Bai, Lao Cai and Son La. According to experts, all children aged 9 months to three years old must be vaccinated against measles and children with high fever, continuous coughing, runny nose, and rashes on their bodies should be taken to hospital for examination immediately.

Business:

-- Local milk prices have increased by 5-10% after two hikes by the end of 2013 and early 2014 following the requests from both local and foreign milk manufacturers who stated that they have to raise the prices as the world price of their materials including skim milk powder increased.

-- The sales of domestically assembled cars in Vietnam rose 23 percent year on year to11,066 vehicles, 8,326 cars and 2,740 trucks in January, thanks to strong car sales before the Lunar New Year holiday, according to the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA). The northern region continued to be the biggest buyer with 3,729 units, followed by the south with 3,494 units and the central region with 1,472 units.

Lifestyle:

-- The Vietnam Year in France 2014, following the France Year in Vietnam to celebrate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relationship between the two countries, has been kicked off in the Chatelet Theatre, Paris with a colorful combination of cultural and art performances and the participation of about 2,000 guests. The event, introducing to French and international friends about an Asian nation that has been so close and connected to France through history, culture and other ties, is expected to present some 150 cultural events across France between February and July.

-- The northern province of Bac Ninh is home to many cultural heritage, particularly UNESCO-recognized love duet singing (Quan ho) and ceremonial singing (Ca tru), along with Dau and But Thap pagodas that have recently won special national heritage recognition. 

Sports:

-- The 15th Fun Cup 2014 - Windsurf Amateur Slalom Race has concluded in Phan Thiet City in the central province of Binh Thuan after two days of competition in which the competitors had to race for 2,400- 3,200m following a Z-shaped track with the participation of 36 windsurfers, including six women, from 10 countries and territories worldwide.