VIETNAM TODAY

Vietnamese military scientists have successfully produced bullet proof vests that are both cheap and lightweight but still meet safety requirements including the US’ NIJ0101.04 standard.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said an Al-Qaeda plot to blow up a US-bound plane with an underwear bomb was proof of the "perverse and terrible" lengths militants are willing to go to.

A Ho Chi Minh City elementary school has stirred up public controversy by having its students take their end-of-semester exams in the schoolyard.

Blackburn's Indian owners suffered blanket criticism across the English press after the club's 11-year stay in the Premier League ended in relegation.

The Lap An lagoon in Thua Thien-Hue was once famous for its plentiful marine resources and diversified ecosystem, but is now in danger of being destroyed to make way for a golf course.

The Ministry of Education and Training announced an action programme for the 2011-2016 period with a focus on education reform.

The beautiful landscapes of Vietnam, captured by photographer Hoang Nam, were published on a Russian magazine, Livejournal.

Enterprises should be honest and have more realistic business plans in order to access bank loans, banking experts said.

HSBC Vietnam has adjusted down Vietnam growth forecast from 5.7% to 5.1% for this year, as the credit crunch is occurring faster than expected.

The Ha Noi Department of Transport has agreed to a proposal from the Hoan Kiem District People's Committee to re-open five local streets for parking.

The project on developing an urban railway in Hanoi was approved to receive USD1.1 million in support from the Asia Development Bank.

People who drive long distances to work are more likely to be overweight and have poorer fitness levels than people who live closer to their jobs.

Artists at the Tuoi Tre (Youth) Theatre voiced their dissatisfaction over the merger of the Youth and the Vietnam Drama theatres.

The Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs held a conference in Hanoi on May 8 to launch the 2011-2015 national program on gender equality.

Vietnam hopes to receive more support from the USAID for hunger elimination and poverty reduction, climate change adaptation, human resource training and HIV/AIDS prevention.

The Vietnam Posts and Communications Group will launch the satellite, Vinasat-2, in the middle of this month.

Residents in central Hanoi will have access to fresh water all summer long, says Nguyen Nhu Hai, general director of the Hanoi Water Company Ltd.

The US foiled a plot by Al-Qaeda's branch in Yemen to blow up an airliner and recovered an explosive device, officials said.

Greek conservatives failed to form a government, paving the way for anti-austerity leftists to try and cobble together a coalition.