VIETNAM TODAY

The Advisory Council for Administrative Procedure Reform officially made its debut on April 10 with the aim of improving dialogue between the Government, businesses and the people.

A recent death threat made to a reporter at Lao Dong Nghe An Newspaper has raised new worries for the safety of investigative journalists.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has asked authorities from all sectors and localities to overhaul efforts to help farmers and ethnic groups to get to know their legitimate rights written in laws.

The PM has signed a decree to stipulate a minimum capital of VND300 billion to set up a new airline.

The draft Law on Protection, Care and Education of Children (revised) was discussed at a seminar in the northern mountainous province of Hoa Binh.

The United States has warned North Korea it is skating a "dangerous line" with an expected missile launch that could start a whole new cycle of escalating tensions in a region already on a hair-trigger.

Large enterprises have been encouraged to increase their cooperation with education institutions to increase the expertise of the Vietnamese workforce.

A 28,000-seat stage has been set up along the Han River bank on Tran Hung Dao street, the central road of the city, in preparation for the sixth Da Nang International Fireworks Competition.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has approved a master plan for HCM City that calls for high-quality public transport that offers reasonable prices, convenience and safety.

Authorities in Quang Nam Province have said construction of a dyke at My Son Sanctuary violated the Law on Heritage Protection.

The Central Committee of the Women’s Union held a meeting in Hanoi on April 10 with international sponsors in a bid to further boost cooperation for the advancement of Vietnamese women.

Experts are worried that infant-formula companies are contributing to the sharp decline in the rate of breastfeeding.

The Wallonine-Bruxelles region has approved 28 non-refundable ODA projects capitalised at US$4.5 million for Vietnam in the 2013-2015 period.

Global economic activity is picking up, especially in the United States and Japan, though it appears to be weakening in India, the OECD has said.

The first-instance trial of five local officials involved in a land eviction case in Tien Lang district, Hai Phong City, concluded on April 10 after three days of sitting with several jail sentences.

Vietnam always attaches importance to and wishes to further enhance cooperation with Germany in the coming time.

Microsoft reminded customers that the services and supports for Windows XP will be retired on April 8, 2014.

Experts have said that Vietnam should ease regulations on foreign individuals and organisations on owning property.

Vietnam Journalists Association deputy chairman Ha Minh Hue shines light on why he is advocating for a lower corporate income tax on media organisations, to 10 per cent as applied to cultural field activities, to support the financially struggling press.