VIETNAM TODAY

The Industrial Production Index saw a year-on-year increase of 6.8% in the first two months of 2013, according to the General Statistic Office.

The Government will provide preferential loans to about 1.5 million households in Vietnam who are living near the poverty line.

President Barack Obama warned the US economy would take a "big hit" and other countries would also suffer when harsh automatic spending cuts come into force within 48 hours.

A letter from a journalist to Minister of Education and Training asking about slow meal support for children in disadvantaged areas has caused public criticism over red tape.

The Ministry of Health launched a pilot project to send young doctors to difficult localities nationwide, prioritising 62 poor districts.

The confiscated explosives from the 'midnight blast' in HCM City suddenly exploded while being kept in the police warehouse.

Forest fires seared through hectares of trees in the Central Highlands and southern regions, forcing localities to take urgent preventive measures.

The 4th ASEAN Business Forum kicked off in Bangkok, Thailand on February 27 with the participation of nearly 600 businessmen and investors from ASEAN countries and other parts of the world.

ILO in Vietnam has called on Vietnamese trade unions to take a more active role in protecting migrant workers overseas given the volume is expected to increase over coming years.

Pope Benedict bid an emotional farewell at his last general audience in St Peter's Square on Wednesday.

A survey carried out by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs has shown that the health and education sectors faced the highest cases of sexual harassment.

The fifth tripartite regional seminar on industrial relations in the ASEAN region held in Hanoi on February 27.

Madame Ton Nu Thi Ninh has received France’s most notable order for her outstanding contributions.

A campaign by global environmental movement Earth Hour to get promises of action from individuals and organisations has spread to at least 50 countries, its chief executive said.

Hanoi expects to serve 15.5 million tourists, including 2.25 million foreigners, in 2013, Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Mai Tien Dung said.

Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh underlined the country’s policies and laws designed to protect human rights at the 22nd meeting of the UN Human Rights Council.

About 3.11 million motorbikes were sold in Vietnam in 2012, down 200,000 compared to the previous year.

World powers have ended two days of talks with Iran with no sign of a breakthrough, and the two sides agreed to meet again next month.