VietNamNet Bridge – Few people, especially those in their 60s, would pour most of their savings into a public project. But war veteran Le Huu Dac and his wife Bui Thi Tuyen, who live in the northern province of Phu Tho, did just that.

After seeing many people fall out of small boats during the flood season on the Bua River in Tan Son District, the couple said enough was enough. They were going to do something about it.

Dac and Tuyen, who have cultivated and sold tea for dozens of years, spent a total of VND400 million (US$14,200) on the bridge in 2001.

"I believed the bridge would save hundreds of people from drowning," Dac said.

At first, they asked for permission from the local authorities and villagers, and then found a design consultant in Vinh Phuc District to come up with a design based on Dac's ideas.

With help from the villagers, the Minh Thuan Bridge, which links the two communes of Minh Dai and My Thuan, was completed in early 2002.

The bridge was made of wood, cables and rope, and supported by two reinforced concrete columns at either end. It could withstand a weight of 100 tonnes.

In 2005, after a huge flood, the bridge, unfortunately, was blown away.

"My husband and I were depressed at the news, but we still wanted to rebuild it," Tuyen said, adding that the cost had risen to VND200 million ($7,100) to rebuild.

Last year, the authorities began construction on a new concrete bridge that will span the Bua River. It is expected to be completed by the year-end.

"I'm sad seeing that our bridge is not going to be in use anymore, but I'm happy about the service we provided over the last 12 years," Dac said. "However, thanks to the authorities, my hometown will now have a safe, big bridge to make life more comfortable for everyone."

Commuters tune into live traffic news on radio, TV, cellphones

Begun in 2009, two radio programmes that provide up-to-date information on traffic have become a hit with drivers and commuters.

Radio Giao Thong (Traffic Radio) on FM 91 is produced by national station Voice of Viet Nam (VOV), and Giao Thong 24h (24-hour Traffic Information) is aired by the Voice of HCM City (VOH) on FM 99.9.

The stations work with traffic police, taxi drivers, reporters and residents to provide the latest news on traffic in Ha Noi and HCM City, and neighbouring provinces like Dong Nai, Long An and Vung Tau.

Nguyen Van Tam, a bus driver in Bien Hoa City, said he has been listening to the stations since their inception.

"They provide precise information that helps me to quickly find the right way to my destination," he said.

Listeners can call the stations with suggestions or information about traffic, and drivers can call in to share their experiences about automobile repair or driving.

The two stations also take requests for music from listeners so they can stay awake during their long commutes.

Such services are also broadcast on TV and the internet.

The VOV has launched its TV channel, VOV TV, which provides live images of traffic situations on streets.

VOV works with Vinaphone telecommunications company to send traffic news to customers' cellphones.

Nguyen Van Phong, who often travels from HCM City to provinces in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta, said he felt safe and comfortable and less homesick when he listened to traffic programmes on his car radio.

Source: VNS