VIETNAM TODAY

Annan team in Damascus as UN backs truce ultimatum

A UN team sent by peace broker Kofi Annan arrived in Syria to pave the way for observers, as the Security Council backed an April 10 deadline for the regime to end its deadly crackdown.

Vietnamese law should be amended to cope with teen murders: Expert

Teen murderer Le Van Luyen and similar cases are the evidences for law-making agencies to amend the law, an expert has said.

50% of bidders have to bribe for contracts: poll

The practice of giving and taking bribes among businesses and civil authority organs has become an alarmingly common phenomenon, a recent survey shows.

Government establishes monopoly over the trade of gold bars

PM Dung has issued a decree to stipulate the Government’s monopoly in gold bar production and gold material import-export.

Ministry of Transport sets rates for road maintenance fee

The Ministry of Transport has fixed its rates for a road maintenance fee in a draft circular forwarded to the Ministry of Finance for approval.

Simple Plan to perform in Vietnam this May

This famous French-Canadian pop punk band from Montreal, Canada will join the free concert MTV Exit at Hanoi’s My Dinh Stadium on May 26.

Vietnamese writer wins grand French literary prize

Vietnamese writer Bui Ngoc Tan won the grand prize at the French literature festival Livre&Mer (Book&Sea) for his novel known as 'The Sea and the Kingfisher'.

SHB and Habubank approved for merger

The State Bank has approved in principal to the merger between Habubank and SHB.

Greece to swap another 20.27 bn euros in bonds

Greece said another 20.27 billion euros ($26.7 billion) in government bonds would be exchanged next week under a landmark bond swap that has already erased nearly a third of its debt.

2012 Vietnamese Expo opens in Hanoi

The 22nd Vietnamese International Exhibition, Vietnam Expo 2012, opened its doors in Hanoi on April 4, with numerous kinds of products on display.

Houston drowned in bath after possible overdose: coroner

Pop legend Whitney Houston may have overdosed on drugs and alcohol before drowning face-down in her bathtub, coroners said in a new report.

Bangkok’s flood warn off HCMC flood control system

Experts warned that with the current flood control system, HCM City may be inadequate for a disaster similar to the one in Bangkok in 2011.

UN calls for immediate ceasefire in Mali

The UN Security Council called for an immediate ceasefire and return to democracy in Mali, prompting an announcement of an end to "military operations" by Tuareg rebels in the north.

Transport minister defends controversial new fees

Regarding the Transport Ministry’s controversial proposal on levying fees on personal vehicles and cars, Minister Dinh La Thang said the proposal will benefit the entire people.

Stormy times for Bac Lieu salt industry

Unexpectedly lasting rain in March ruined completely 2,800 hectares of salt and forced 3,600 salt producing households in Bac Lieu Province to incur a complete loss.

US seeks to return Khmer statue to Cambodia

US prosecutors announced they have launched civil action against auction house Sotheby's, seeking the forfeiture of a 10th century Khmer statue so it can be returned to Cambodia.

Leaders vow to speed work on building ASEAN community

All ASEAN leaders supported the priorities outlined by Cambodia as current chair, and agreed to work together to accelerate the building of an ASEAN Community by 2015.

Tien Minh progresses at Australian Badminton Open

Vietnamese badminton player Nguyen Tien Minh easily defeated Kaveh Mehrabi from Iran 2-0 to enter round 16 of an ongoing Yonex badminton tournament in Sydney.