VIETNAM TODAY

Vietnam already boasts a thriving merchant ship construction sector, and has also built some coastal paramilitary craft in recent years. Now, it is emerging as a warship builder.

Novak Djokovic made a dazzling start to his Australian Open defence as his close rival Andy Murray struggled and home hope Samantha Stosur became the first big name to fall.

At the end of the lunar year, people rush to see fortune-tellers to know about what will happen in the New Year and to seek suitable people as the first New Year’s caller.

Low-income housing projects have just met only 1% of the set target, admitted the Ministry of Construction in a recent report.

Song Ray, a spectacular waterfall in Son Duc Commune in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, is a must-see destination for visitors to the area, especially those loving to conquer slippery rocks.

The Government Inspectorate requested the Ministry of Public Security to apply penalties to six pharmaceutical companies for misconducts.

Banks have refused to exchange small change for "lucky Tet money", forcing many people to pay exorbitant rates on the black market.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office granted the patent to “Binh Thuan Dragon Fruit”, said President of the Binh Thuan province Dragon Fruit Association, Bui Dang Hung.

The Ministry of Education and Training plans to ask the Government to allocate land and funds to develop preschool education in the Mekong Delta.

Vietnam always attaches importance to strengthening and developing the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation with China for the mutual benefits and peace and development of the region.

Vietnam did a great job in 2011 organizing many events to promote its land and people. In 2012 the country will continue to use diplomacy to foster its culture.

The investor of Thach Khe iron ore mine has decided to double investment in the project to ensure it is completed on schedule.

The number of US pedestrians who have been killed or badly injured while wearing headphones has tripled in six years.

Vietnam attaches importance to the development of friendship and cooperation with Qatar, said President Truong Tan Sang.

Europe faces an "unprecedented" crisis and must rediscover growth, French President Nicolas Sarkozy warned.

Italian rescuers searched the wreck of a stricken luxury liner three days after it crashed on the shores of Tuscany as the number missing was revised upward to 29.

The costs of domestic tourism rose dramatically, causing more Vietnamese to book tours in neighbouring countries, said the HCM City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Vietnamese marksman Hoang Xuan Vinh has earned a place in the 2012 London Olympics.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has set annual import quotas for ozone-depleting HCFCs from 2012 to 2019.