VIETNAM TODAY

In Vietnam, the average annual growth rate in the Human Development Index has declined gradually from 1.7% in the years before 2000 to just 0.96% in recent years.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung issued an instruction on Wednesday that aimed to improve Government management over ethnic minority affairs.

Mother Nature website recently listed the terraced fields of Sapa in its superlative list of top 30 most beautiful places in the world.

Health delegates from ASEAN region, China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (RoK) will meet in Hanoi from September 15-19 to discuss pressing regional health matters at the 12th ASEAN Health Minister Meeting.

The Philippines on Thursday put on display dozens of ancient maps which officials said showed that China's territorial claims over the South China Sea did not include a disputed shoal at the centre of an acrimonious standoff.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung approved a project to develop and recognise 25-30 geological parks nationwide between now and 2030.

Vietnam has sufficient legal foundations and historical evidence to assert its indisputable sovereignty over Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos.

Fears over the popular use of certain banned food ingredients has been stirred up concern among consumers and Vietnamese authorities.

Zone 9, a once-popular, if short-lived, entertainment area in Hanoi that was closed in late 2013, will be reopened early next year.

Authorities of HCM City said they were going to propose certain incentives for the USD1 billion project by Samsung Group.

Hosts Vietnam delivered a convincing performance in their rematch against U19 Myanmar and their persuasive 4-1 victory earned them a ticket to the final clash with U19 Japan of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) U19 Nutifood Cup.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has urged HCM City to reduce the use of plastic bags to protect the environment.

A film that warns about the impact of climate change on humans will be screened at the Mill Valley Film Festival (MVFF) in the US.

Public concern has been raised after three infants died on the same day at a health centre in Quang Nam Province.

The Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics will organise an international seminar on cooperation between Vietnam-ASEAN and Russia in Hanoi on September 15-16, announced NPA Director Prof. Dr. Ta Ngoc Tan at a press briefing on September 11.

China and Russia will build one of the largest ports in northeast Asia on Russia's Sea of Japan coast, reports said, in a further sign of the powerhouses' growing alliance.

The 10th International Travel Expo – Ho Chi Minh City (ITE HCMC 2014) themed “Five nations – One Destination” officially opened in HCM City on September 10.

The Ministry of Education and Training has approved two sets of teaching material on anti-corruption to be used for colleges and universities.

The Ministry of Public Security has been blocking a number of large timber processing companies in Dak Lak Province suspected of being involved in smuggling activities.