VIETNAM TODAY

Traffic order urged as road death toll rises

More than 5,600 traffic accidents were reported over the past two months of this year, killing nearly 2,000 people and injuring almost 5,800 others, a national online conference on traffic safety heard.

China, Japan, S. Korea open free trade talks

China, Japan and South Korea kicked off formal negotiations Tuesday on securing a free trade agreement to bind together three economies that account for around 20 percent of global GDP.

River pollution poses difficulties for HCM City’s safe water supply

The Dong Nai and Saigon rivers, the main supply of HCM City safe water, are facing more serious pollution.

Work begins on Samsung's largest cell phone factory

PM Nguyen Tan Dung has applauded Samsung's decision to expand operations in Vietnam, adding that it would contribute to the strategic partnership between Vietnam and South Korea.

Lower inflation pulls down interest rates

The State Bank of Vietnam has decided to lower interest rates by between 0.5% and 1% beginning from March 26.

Vietnam protests China’s firing at fishing boat

Vietnam has protested China’s recent chase and firing at its fishing boat in the waters of Vietnam’s Paracel archipelago, and demanded the Chinese side to investigate the incident.

Hanoi hosts UXO exhibition

Thousands of objects and documentation related to landmines and unexploded ordnance in Vietnam are being displayed at the Museum of Army Engineers in Hanoi from March 25-April 5.

Hanoi and HCM City clamp down on child helmet rules

Hanoi and HCM City will enforce helmet rules for children starting from April.

Japan's high-tech kabuki theatre set to open

The curtain is about to go up at a new theatre dedicated to Japan's centuries-old kabuki-za performing art, sited in a high-tech venue in a 29-storey Tokyo office building.

Proposed income tax to have ‘major' impact on embattled offshore fishers

Fisheries officials, economists and fishermen want an exemption from corporate income tax for offshore fishing businesses instead of a 10 per cent tax being imposed.

Public service exams computerised

Computer-based tests for recruiting public servants are expected to be implemented widely with the aim of making the process fairer, more transparent and more effective in choosing the best candidates.

Enterprises removed from fastest-growing companies list

Vietnam Report Company has had to review the recent ranking of 500 fastest-growing companies 2012 due to mistakes in the figures.

Folk music singing seeks UNESCO title

Vi-Dam folk music is seeking UNESCO’s recognition as a World Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2014, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Six killed, 18 missing in Indonesian landslide

Six people were killed and 18 were missing after they were buried in a landslide caused by heavy rain on Indonesia's Java island, a disaster official said.

Students' indifference to literature concerns educators

While many students show little interest in studying literature, educators have shown a lack of creativity in teaching the subject.

Flood-proof homes big hit in Phu Yen

A pilot project to build 100 flood-proof residential complexes for the poor has proved to be effective in the central province of Phu Yen.

Ports lie idle because for lack of connecting roads

Huge port projects in HCM City are being deserted because of a lack of roads to link them to the transportation system.

Measures to reduce gender imbalance

A project has recently been proposed for the 2013-2020 period with various policies, including supporting families with only daughters, as part of efforts to reduce gender imbalance in Vietnam.

Vietnam attends IPU meeting in Ecuador

Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan is attending the 128th Inter-Parliamentary Union General Assembly in Ecuador from March 22-27.