VIETNAM TODAY

South Korea's President Lee Myung-Bak said the divided peninsula is at a turning point after the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il, with opportunities to improve relations.

A boy who rescued his friends, a pregnant railway worker who rescued a baby, a rubbish collector who gave back $2,000 are good examples in 2011.

Serena Williams has fallen out of love with tennis despite recording an impressive comeback win over Chanelle Scheepers in the first round of the Brisbane International.

In the five years since Vietnam’s accession to the World Trade Organisation, the country has reaped a bumper harvest.

Fewer than 50 wild tigers have recently been found in Vietnam, compared to 100 more than ten years ago, said an official.

Russia’s aircraft manufacturers have handed over four more Sukhoi SU-30 fighter jets to Vietnam after the delivery of the first four in June.

The second of two NASA lunar probes on a mission to study the Moon's inner core went into orbit as planned, the US space agency said.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has approved a strategy for developing Vietnamese youths from now until 2020.

Tom Cruise's "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" topped the North American box office with $30 million in ticket sales, industry estimates showed.

Thong Nhat Metropole Hotel Joint Venture Ltd. Co. has been fined USD23,800 for violations in foreign currency transactions.

For years, the story told about the Amazon has been one of destruction. But that is no longer the whole truth.

A total of VND6.6 trillion was donated by localities, organisations and individuals for the poor at a live TV programme held on the eve of the year 2012.

The Da Lat Flower Festival 2012, the fourth of its kinds, opened in Da Lat, the Central Highlands Lam Dong province on December 31.

Vietnam joined other countries around the globe in welcoming the New Year with parties, art performances, and fireworks, with expectations for all things to be better in 2012.

The HCM City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism held a ceremony on January 1, 2012 to welcome the first international visitors to the city in the New Year.

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in areas hard hit by violence blamed on Islamist sect Boko Haram and ordered the closure of part of the country's borders.

Many achievements in the field of public health during 2011 have contributed significantly to the country’s development, ensuring social security and economic development as well as improving the health of the population.

Vietnamese authorities are speeding up tests on petroleum samples after controversy surrounding recent incidents of vehicle fires.

Nguyen Huu Tin, deputy chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee asked leaders of relevant departments to sign a commitment to take full responsibility of the task to tackle traffic jams and road accidents.