VIETNAM TODAY

Vietnam expects over 5 million foreign visitors in 2011

A total of 4.8 million foreign tourists visited Vietnam during the first ten months of the year, said a Vietnamese tourism agency.

Japan's Toyota unveils nursing robots

Car giant Toyota on Tuesday unveiled nursing and healthcare robots aimed at helping the frail and the elderly.

Vietnam’s first Asian record recognised

The Asia Book of Records’ general director presented the Asian record certificate to a Vietnamese craftsman for his stone-made dragon statue.

Greek PM calls referendum on EU debt deal

Embattled Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou called for a confidence vote and a referendum on last week's EU debt deal.

Hanoi hotel digs up Vietnam War bunker

Construction workers at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel in Hanoi stumbled upon an air raid shelter allegedly created during the Vietnam War.

Vietnam supports Thai flood victims

The Vietnamese Government granted USD100,000 to help Thailand overcome the consequences of the worst floods over the recent five decades.

Hanoi tinkers with office, school opening hours

Hanoi authorities are drafting a plan to amend office and school hours for submission to the Government for approval.

Fruit companies get wise with Chinese traders

While many Vietnamese fruit companies are still transporting their fruits to China’s border gates to wait for customers, some have done differently.

Libya elects new government head, NATO lifts air cover

Libya's interim rulers elected a technocrat and businessman to head a transitional government as NATO ended the air campaign.

Gold regulation to create monopoly in bullion trade

The State Bank is seeking Government approval for a draft decree to tighten control over gold bar production and trading.

Athletes given grand send off

More than 600 athletes, coaches and officials took part in a ceremony to send off Vietnam's 26th Southeast Asian Games squad on October 31.

‘We'll be ASEAN bridge' Vietnam tells Kazakh leader

Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang said that Vietnam would act as a bridge to help Kazakhstan increase ties with ASEAN countries.

VEA proposes to lessen dependence on Chinese contractors

The Vietnam Energy Association proposed regulation changes that lessen power contracts granted to inefficient Chinese companies.

Bank officials gamble away VND45 billion on football

Three officials of the Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development siphoned off VND45 billion for betting on football matches.

Film-makers fall in love with Vietnam

Vietnam is to feature in a popular English-language travel programme on Bulgarian national television called No Luggage.

Vietnam-Japan issue joint statement

The PMs of Vietnam and Japan have signed a joint statement on the implementation of action within the framework of the Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia.

U.S. stops UNESCO funding over Palestinian vote

The US said on Monday it had stopped funding UNESCO following its vote to grant the Palestinians full membership.

China spacecraft launches on key mission: Xinhua

China said it successfully launched an unmanned spacecraft on Tuesday to carry out a key docking mission, taking its next step towards the goal of building its first space station by 2020.