Society

iPhone 5 launch draws crowds at Asia Apple shops

In a now familiar ritual, Apple's Asian fans jammed the tech juggernaut's shops in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore to pick up the latest version of its iPhone.

PM Dung: Vietnam treasures ties with China

The PM has reaffirmed Vietnam’s consistent, long-term and strategic policy of consolidating and strengthening the friendly and comprehensive cooperative ties with China.

More meat in diets trigger obesity fears

Experts from the National Institute for Nutrition agreed in a seminar that Vietnamese people are becoming over-weight due to consuming too much meat.

HCM City’s CPI increases up 1.21 percent in September

HCM City’s consumer price index rose by 1.21 percent in September, according to the municipal Statistics Department.

Aid drop hits Millennium goals campaign: UN

A major drop in development aid have put at risk development goals set by world leaders with a 2015 deadline, the UN said.

Fines quadrupled for eco polluters

Serious environmental polluters may be fined up to VND2 billion ($95,240) – almost four times the present level, said a local official.

Volunteer network set up in central region

The Vietnam Volunteer Information Resource Centre and a UN-funded project on enhancing volunteer capacity for Vietnam’s development met to set up a network of volunteer organisations.

Educators slam reading device used in English teaching

Vietnam’s efforts to better teach its students English have encountered a problem as electronic reading pens are now regarded as inconvenient and ineffective.

Afghans protest against French cartoons, US film

Hundreds of Afghans protested for the first time against cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed published in France and staged fresh rallies against a US-made anti-Islam film.

Vietnam vows to eliminate bear captivity establishments

State management agencies are trying to tighten the control over bear captivity establishments before absolutely eliminating the establishments.

Vietnam invites foreign experts to investigate Song Tranh earthquakes

World leading experts will visit Vietnam in November to study recent earthquakes at the Song Tranh 2 Hydro-power Plant.

Billions lost in Nghe An school project fraud

Inspectors have uncovered losses of over VND13 billion at various school projects in Nghe An over the past four years.

Hanoi authorities to check private clinics

The Hanoi Department of Health and districts' health offices will carry out checks on private clinics in the city from now till the end of this year.

State bank OKs 13-ton non-SJC gold bar conversion

The State Bank of Vietnam has given the go-ahead for the Saigon Jewelry Co to convert 13 tons of gold bullion, or 350,000 taels, of other brand names into its national SJC brand.

Vietnam, Switzerland boost educational ties

A forum on tertiary education between Vietnam and Switzerland opened in HCM City, drawing representatives from 20 Vietnamese universities and seven universities from Switzerland.

PM Dung leaves for China Summit

PM Nguyen Tan Dung has left for China to attend the ASEAN - China Expo and the ninth ASEAN – China Business and Investment Summit in Nanning from September 20-21.