VIETNAM TODAY

The long-awaited trial of right-wing extremist Anders Behring Breivik, who massacred 77 people in twin attacks in Norway last July, opens with proceedings set to focus on whether or not he is sane.

Hanoi is set to pedestrianise streets around the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum on the occasion of the late President's birthday.

At sea and on land, wreaths were cast, memorials unveiled and people stood in silence to remember the 1,500 people who died in the sinking of the Titanic ocean liner a century ago.

PM Nguyen Tan Dung has asked the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to with relevant ministries and agencies to establish a national Green Climate Fund.

The 2012 Hue Festival concluded on April 15 with impressive cultural performances by artists from Vietnam and countries from five continents around the world.

The Government decided to increase minimum salary for state employees to VND1.05 million (USD 50.41) beginning May 1.

Having come through what the chief executive of Dragon Capital describes as “a stinking four years”, Vietnam is on the up.

Explosions and gunfire rocked the Afghan capital as suicide bombers struck across Afghanistan in coordinated attacks claimed by Taliban insurgents as the start of a spring offensive.

Vietnam plans to install a Tsunami Early Warning System that will cover the coastal areas, more populated islands, and 13 cities and provinces nationwide.

Nearly 400 prisoners including militants escaped early Sunday from a jail in northwestern Pakistan after an attack by insurgents armed with guns, grenades and rockets, officials said.

Vietnam’s efforts in regulatory and administrative reform have received approval from officials of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development and many countries.

A sex scandal involving Secret Service agents on US President Barack Obama's trip to Colombia appeared to grow Sunday after visiting American soldiers were also linked to the use of prostitutes.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung worked with leaders of the Hanoi municipal People’s Committee on implementing a zoning plan for Hanoi’s development until 2030.

“Most of the obstacles that were de-stabilising the economy have been removed and people can expect a recovery,” said Le Thanh Hai, head of the HCMC Party Committee.

The traditional New Year of Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar, Chol-chnam-Thmay was celebrated in Ho Chi Minh City on April 14.

Copenhagen frequently tops rankings of the world’s happiest, most liveable and best-designed cities.

A lot of high schools in Vinh Phuc province refused to receive the applications for attending university entrance exams from the student with weak learning ability.

Malaysian Lee Lih Cheng was sentenced to two years in prison for transporting fake credit cards and other valuable papers by the People’s Court in Ho Chi Minh City.

An endangered bird species, Mi Langbian or Crocias langbianbis, has just been confirmed to be living in the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum.