VIETNAM TODAY

EU leaders name Mersch to ECB after gender row

EU leaders named Luxembourg central bank chief Yves Mersch to a top ECB post after his nomination was held up for months by objections that there were no women candidates for the job.

ASEAN countries regularly hold consultations on East Sea

ASEAN countries have regularly held consultations on East Sea issues, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman affirmed.

Hoi An plans to build new breakwater

Leaders of Quang Nam Province has asked the PM to support them in building a breakwater to protect the old section of Hoi An.

Poor monitoring allows pesticide abuse to continue

Concern has grown over inadequate pesticide management in Vietnam, putting people and the environment at risk.

Vietnam aims to join global carbon market

Vietnam is preparing to further enhance its green credentials on the world stage by joining the global carbon market after 2020.

Many foreign television channels to stop broadcasting in Vietnam

Many foreign channels of pay TV services in Vietnam which are not edited and translated into Vietnamese will not be licensed to broadcast in the near future.

Effort to reduce motorbike fuel exhaust fumes

A project to reduce fumes from motorbike fuel exhausts has been prepared and is expected to be submitted to the PM by the end of this year.

Vietnam information security could be threatened without more investment: expert

Vietnam's information security will be at grave risk if it does not invest more in it, an information technology expert warned at a conference in HCMC.

SMEs see a decline in investment, financial access

The Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM) in Hanoi on November 21 released its latest report on Vietnam’s business environment in 2011.

Indian government and opposition face off as parliament opens

India's shaky government and the opposition locked horns as parliament re-opened for a crucial session that will see a recent string of pro-market reforms being hotly contested.

Vietnamese students win Potanin scholarships

Three Vietnamese students at the Finance Academy of Russia have won scholarships of Potanin’s Charity Fund, one of the most prestigious awards in Russia, for the 2012-2013 year.

Decentralisation adds to waste in public investment

An economist said the mechanism to allow localities to license projects is among major causes of ineffective public investment.

Aussie scientists un-discover Pacific island

A South Pacific island identified on Google Earth and world maps does not exist, according to Australian scientists.

Over 200,000 veterans exposed to Dioxin

Vietnam currently has more than 200,000 veterans exposed to Agent Orange/Dioxin and infected with some diseases identified by the US Medical Academy.

Worldwide anti-dolphin, whale hunt rallies planned

Anti-whaling activists said Thursday there would be demonstrations in Tokyo and eight other cities around the world this weekend against Japan's hunt.

Vietnam recognises pioneers in responsibly-farmed tra fish

Six tra fish producers in the Mekong Delta region recently achieved Aquaculture Stewardship Council certification.

France provides aid to Danang for climate change

An agreement was signed to provide aid to Danang City in order to create a study on how best to respond to climate change.

HCM City’s CPI up 0.10 percent in November

Ho Chi Minh City’s consumer price index in November rose 0.10 percent on October but 3.9 percent from a year earlier.

Nine foreign sailors rescued in Vietnam waters

Nine foreign sailors have been rescued by two Vietnamese fishing vessels 118 nautical miles off Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, said the National Committee for Search and Rescue Office.