VIETNAM TODAY

Iranians vote on Friday in a bitter presidential contest between pragmatist President Hassan Rouhani and hardline challenger Ebrahim Raisi that could determine the pace of economic and social reform and Iran's re-engagement with the world.

The film, “Dao cua dan ngu cu” (The Island of Aliens or The Way Station) by director Hong Anh will be screened at the 70th Cannes Film Festival that is scheduled for May 17-28.

The Hanoi audience will have the opportunity to enjoy an energetic atmosphere when Vietnamese and world-renowned DJs such as Hardwell play this Saturday.

A young girl in Ha Tinh Province is calling for support for her small brothers and a disabled father after a labour accident.

In a move to sustain its sweeping "sidewalk clean-up" campaign, the capital city’s leader said the head of each local division will be held accountable if public space violations reoccur.

The business community may be positive following their dialogue with the PM on Wednesday, but many may still worry about the obstacles they face with lower-level officials.

Pickles have been blamed for the food poisoning incident that left 17 tourists in Danang City hospitalised, according to the municipal Health Department.

Vietnam and the EU have concluded negotiations on a Voluntary Partnership Agreement on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade, with an aim to promote trade in verified legal timber products from Vietnam to the EU and other markets.

Partnership wraps up ten days of disaster response training, medical and engineering expert exchanges, cooperative health engagements, and community relations events on May 18.

South Korea's foreign ministry said on Thursday preparations have begun for a summit meeting with the United States slated for late June, as both countries aim to strengthen ties in the face of North Korea's weapons development.

Party, State and Front leaders paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum in Hanoi on May 18 on the occasion of the late leader’s 127th birth anniversary (May 19, 1890).

Several experts have warned about a possible real estate bubble burst after claims that investors are deliberately holding onto land plots to boost prices in HCM City.

Four private clinics in Hanoi and HCM City on May 17 were fined for their violations of check-ups and treatment regulations.

Japan’s Princess Mako, granddaughter of Emperor Akihito and the elder daughter of Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, is expected to get engaged to a former classmate, Kei Komuro, 25, who is a law firm worker and graduate student and

Seventy per cent of expat parents in Vietnam believe their children become open to new cultures after moving abroad, HSBC Expat Explorer survey finds.

Danang authorities are tightening control over coastal projects and will revoke investment licenses on slow or stalled projects.

A Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry report has highlighted bribery as a continued problem at a meeting of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc with the business community.

Flood-sensor chips will be installed at an additional 32 flooding hotspots to warn HCM City residents of potential floods from heavy rains or tides, according to the HCM City Urban Drainage Company.

The northern mountainous province of Ha Giang has directed specialised agencies to implement the planning and conservation for five local special-use forests at a total investment of over VND431.8 billion (US$19 million).