VIETNAM TODAY

Scores of customers failed to book railway tickets online for the Tet holiday yesterday – the very first day the service was opened. The failure was put down to "persistent overload."

The EU has shown its continued support for Vietnam’s global economic integration with the launch of the European Trade Policy and Investment Support Project in Hanoi yesterday.

Vietnam always welcomes global scientists, especially mathematicians, to the country to teach and share experiences.

A conference to discuss the implementation of a project to assist people with disabilities in the 2012-2020 phase was held in Hanoi on December 11.

HSBC has said that it had agreed to pay US authorities a record $1.92 billion to settle allegations of money laundering.

Vietnam's goal of universalising health insurance is facing difficulties due to uncomprehensive policy.

Young composers are proving some long-held assumptions wrong by writing and selling songs and music for film soundtracks.

Costa Rica is set to become the first Latin American state to ban hunting for sport, a move aimed at preserving the Central American country's rich biodiversity.

Vietnamese athletes won four silver and two bronze medals at the 7th World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships.

The secluded valley that sheltered Jerry Blanco's banana crop from communist and Muslim rebellions offered no refuge from Typhoon Bopha, which left him destitute in seconds.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is keen to promote cooperation in space technology between Vietnam and the US.

State owned enterprises continue to dominate the top ten list of Vietnam's 500 largest firms.

The death of a five-year-old girl from a bridge accident in Soc Trang has caused public controversy over a sluggish project.

Experts have raised technical warnings over some bidding packages for the Hanoi metro project.

International donors have pledged to provide nearly USD6.5 billion in ODA to Vietnam in 2013, down nearly USD1 billion from last year.

World leaders will face heavyweight issues in the coming year, from lingering economic crises to bloody tumult in the Middle East.

V-League 2013 will begin on March 3 with 12 teams, two less than last year, said the Vietnam Professional Football Company.

Tattooing has become a more popular trend among Hanoi's youth, while many this country remain unaware of the health risks.

Vietnam and South Africa have built a joint action plan to combat rhino horn smuggling.