VIETNAM TODAY

Greek trade union leaders called a general strike, as embattled Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos faced growing pressure from EU leaders to adopt tough new austerity measures.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade said it was reviewing the work of the former chairman of the Electricity of Vietnam Group.

The Saigon Cyclo Challenge 2012 will take place in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 7 on March 10 to raise funds for children, charity and the community.

Vietnam is listed amongst the top ten countries with the worst air pollution in the world, according to the 2012 Environmental Performance Index (EPI).

Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh paid a one-day visit to Thailand on Feb. 6 at the invitation of his Thai counterpart Surapong Tovichakchaikul.

A recent survey by Colliers revealed Hanoi’s women spend around VND4 million (USD200) on retail therapy.

Rescuers in the Philippines dug through rubble with shovels and their bare hands after a powerful earthquake triggered landslides, collapsed homes and killed dozens of people.

Vietnam has too many institutions that train scientists but few are capable of pursuing a career after graduation, said an expert.

PM Nguyen Tan Dung has instructed the Ministry of Finance to supply free of charge 3,592 tonnes of rice to the northern mountainous provinces of Dien Bien and Lang Son.

Vietnamese goods sold better than imported ones, while there was no ‘price fever’ before and during Tet holiday, according the Ministry of Finance.

Vietnam will organise three international chess competitions this year.

People in the highlands province of Dak Lak are scavenging for the stumps of rare trees to be sold to luxury furniture makers.

The Prime Minister approved a pilot project aimed at engaging the local community in protection, management and development of forests.

Teen boys with superpowers helped lift the movie box office to unexpected heights over Super Bowl weekend as thriller "Chronicle" edged haunted house movie "The Woman in Black."

Many real estate trading centres in Hanoi have remained closed after Tet holiday, with some even planning to stop operations.

American jazz vocalist Diane Witherspoon will perform at a five star music lounge in Hanoi starting this February.

China said it has banned its airlines from complying with an EU scheme to impose charges on carbon emissions opposed by more than two dozen countries.

Vietnam’s national wrestling team will compete at the Asian Wrestling Championships as part of their preparations for the 2012 London Olympic qualifier.

The Vietnamese post and telecom sector posted revenues of VN11.1 trillion in January, up 23% on-year.