VIETNAM TODAY

Ambassadors of green thinking

University students in HCM City who have been chosen as envoys for an international programme have developed plans to improve primary-school students' awareness about sanitation and environmental protection.

50% of bad debts feared insolvent

In 2011 banks lent out a total of USD124 billion to businesses, 10% of them now being considered bad debts, half of which are considered insolvent.

Woods wins National, passes Nicklaus for second place

Tiger Woods won the storm-hit AT&T National for his 74th career title to pass Jack Nicklaus for second place all-time on the PGA Tour list.

Jobless rate drops to 2.29% in first half

The jobless rate in Vietnam stood at 2.29 percent in the first six months of this year, compared to 2.58 percent in the same period last year, a senior official said.

229 Chinese labourers illegally work in Thanh Hoa

229 out of 412 Chinese labourers at the Nghi Son Economic Zone (EZ) in central Thanh Hoa province do not have work permits.

MoET focuses on exam cheating

The Ministry of Education and Training has encouraged any input that would lead to the uncovering of violations in the upcoming university entrance exam process.

SBV announces another drop in interest rates

The SBV will lower bank interest rates by another 1% beginning on July 1.

UK Minister Browne visits Vietnam

UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister Jeremy Browne will visit Vietnam from July 3-5 to promote the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Hoang My to compete at Miss World 2012

Miss Vietnam 2010 runner-up Vu Hoang My will represent Vietnam at the Miss World 2012 pageant in Ordos, China, in August.

President advocates hygienic practices

President Truong Tan Sang launched a campaign to promote hygienic practices for better public health, at a ceremony held in the northern province of Hai Duong.

EU oil embargo on Iran comes into effect

A European Union embargo on Iranian oil went into effect, provoking anger in Tehran which says the measure will hurt talks with world powers over its sensitive nuclear activities.

Gunmen kill 17 in twin attacks on Kenyan churches

Masked gunmen killed 17 people and wounded dozens in gun and grenade attacks on two churches in the Kenyan town of Garissa near the border with Somalia, officials said.

Over 3.3 million int’l tourists visit Vietnam

Vietnam welcomed over 3.3 million overseas arrivals in the first six months of this year, up 13.9 percent against the same period last year, according to the General Statistics Office.

Most Vietnamese hospitals without wastewater treatment facility

According to the Ministry of Health, 56 percent of hospitals in Vietnam do not have wastewater treatment systems.

Vietnam competes in ASEAN School Games

The Vietnamese team participated in the fourth ASEAN School Games themed “Spirit, Friendship and Excellence”, kicking off in the Indonesian province of East Java on June 29.

Deputy Prime Minister Phuc visits Japan

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc will lead a Vietnamese delegation to pay an official visit to Japan from July 1-5.

Italy bid to topple Spain as European kings

Euro 2012 reaches its climax in Sunday's final in Kiev, when defending champions Spain will bid to hold off an Italy side who have steadily eased into form in trademark fashion.