VIETNAM TODAY

At least 30 deaths blamed on heat wave in U.S

Americans dipped into the water, went to the movies and rode the subway just to be in air conditioning Saturday for relief from unrelenting heat that has killed at least 30 people across half the country.

Fishermen guard the border

Villagers on the Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands are not only fishermen but also members of local Civil Defense Team - the Square Stars.

Politburo meeting focuses on HCM City development

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong chaired a Politburo meeting in Hanoi on July 6 to review the development of Ho Chi Minh City under the 9th Party Central Committee’s Resolution 20/NQ-TW.

Libyans vote eagerly despite disruption

Eager voters cast ballots on Saturday in Libya's first free national elections for decades after the overthrow of dictator Moamer Kadhafi, but protesters disrupted some polling in the troubled east.

Poor students bent over with high tuition burden

The overly high tuitions is the main reason why 1,163 university students had reportedly dropped out so far this year.

Hue City offers free book reading at park

Book lovers in the central city of Hue will have a chance to read books for free at the 3-2 Park under a weekly program held by a charity group named Bup Sen Hong.

Japan plans to buy back disputed islands: report

Japan plans to buy a chain of uninhabited islands at the centre of a fierce territorial dispute with China and Taiwan back from its private owners.

Construction sector experiences downturn

State-owned construction firms performed poorly in the first half of the year, with unfinished projects and slow growth.

Experts call for corporate tax cut

A lawyer has recommended that the government cut corporate income taxes by 5% to 20% to help enterprises lower costs on future investmens.

Church of England set to vote on women bishops

The Church of England is set to take a final vote on whether to ordain women bishops, after years of wrangling between traditionalists and liberals.

Ministry of Justice seeking opinions on same sex marriages

The Ministry of Justice is seeking opinions for the recognition of same sex marriages.

Hillary Clinton to visit Vietnam

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will pay an official visit to Vietnam on July 10 and 11, aiming to boost US-Vietnam multifaceted cooperation, says the Foreign Ministry.

Binh Dinh to host Int’l Vovinam festival

The fourth International Vovinam (traditional Vietnamese martial arts) Festival will be held in Binh Dinh Province from August 1-4, according to a press briefing in Hanoi.

Ca Mau prostitution rings disguised as coffee shops

Some coffee shops in the southern province of Ca Mau, advertising themselves as 'special cafes', are fronts for brothels.

Vietnam top in world innovation

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has released its Global Innovation Index 2012 (GII), in which Vietnam was ranked 76th in innovation performance.

Hanoi authorities support resettled households

Hanoi has issued policies on resettlement apartments for households that have had their homes withdrawn for projects.

Gunmen kill 18 in southwest Pakistan: officials

Unidentified gunmen in southwest Pakistan killed 18 people who were trying to illegally cross into neighboring Iran in three vehicles, officials said.

Foreign travelers flock to Quang Nam

In the first half of this year, Quang Nam Province has received nearly 1.4 million tourists, presenting a year-on-year increase of over 30% and fulfilling more than 50% of its yearly target.

Ministry to set up department to supervise state capital

The Ministry of Finance is seeking permission from the government to set up a general department to manage and supervise the state capital and assets in state-run companies.