Society

Two children died in a tragic drowning incident after being swept away by strong waves while swimming at a beach more than 5km from their homes in Lam Dong Province.

HCM City has recorded six rabies deaths and more than 101,000 cases of people bitten or scratched by dogs, cats and other domestic animals so far this year.

Preschool children of workers in industrial parks and other labour-intensive areas could receive at least VND 160,000 (USD 6) a month under a proposal by the Ministry of Education and Training.

More than half of children in Hanoi and HCM City have refractive errors, as the condition becomes increasingly common across the country.

Border guards in Ca Mau Province have intercepted a fishing vessel carrying 40,500 litres of diesel without documents proving its legal origin, authorities said on September 26.

Rock formations resembling a giant hand, a lion's head and other shapes have become a distinctive attraction on Cu Lao Xanh Island in Gia Lai Province.

A bus attendant in HCM City has been suspended after arguing with and pushing a passenger before telling them to leave the bus, the city's public transport authority said.

Tidal levels in Can Tho reached the highest warning level on September 26 and are forecast to rise further, peaking at 2.28 metres on September 29 and raising the risk of flooding in low-lying areas.

HCM City and southern provinces are forecast to see widespread thunderstorms this weekend, mainly in the afternoon and evening, with heavy rain and high tides raising flood risks in low-lying areas.

HCM City is accelerating transit-oriented development (TOD) plans around metro stations and inter-regional railways to optimise land use and urban infrastructure.

Emergency calls in HCM City surged to a record during days of heavy rain and flooding, with the city's 115 Emergency Centre receiving more than 15,600 calls over nine days.

Vietnam has begun administering its first vaccine against EV71, a major cause of severe hand, foot and mouth disease in children.

Police in Ho Chi Minh City have arrested four Chinese nationals accused of transporting nearly 18,000 packs of smuggled cigarettes through Tan Son Nhat Airport.

Severe flooding in Dong Nai City has affected 286 households, inundated farmland and fish ponds, and claimed the life of one woman swept away by floodwaters.

A fisherman in Gia Lai Province has landed three giant silver carp from T'Nung Lake, including one weighing more than 30 kilos.

Can Tho City is preparing 25,000 pots of rice for display at the second Vietnam International Rice Industry Festival, scheduled for November.