VIETNAM TODAY

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation has predicted that the weaker import demand and a controlled weakening of the exchange rate by the SBV will help stabilise VND in 2012.

Public places nationwide are under fire inspection and regulations, according to a decision by the Minister of Public Security, which follows recent big fires with losses of tens of millions of dollars.

UN nuclear watchdog officials arrived in Tehran for discreet talks on Iran's suspect atomic activities, amid a worsening international showdown that has sent tensions and oil prices soaring.

Russian strongman Vladimir Putin vowed that Russia would strengthen its military might and offer an "asymmetrical and effective" response to the deployment of a NATO missile shield.

Danang’s government is calling for the construction of underground car parking lots in a bid to mitigate traffic congestion.

It is necessary to restructure state-owned enterprises so as to change their role in the economy, said one economist.

Vietnamese authorities have agreed in principle that they will remove 83 octane gasoline from circulation because of safety concerns.

Local producers said horror movie “Ngoi nha trong hem” achieved record sales of VND 2.4 billion (USD114,887) from its Tuesday premier alone.

Rio's Carnival celebrations reached their peak with the start of the sumptuous parades at the city's hallowed Sambadrome -- a riotous frenzy of skin, sweat, sequins and music.

The Government will suspend new economic zones in order to focus on developing the existing projects.

The lower comparative advantage of price, instability in the Middle East and the debt crisis in Europe have all adversely affected Vietnam’s farm product exports.

President Truong Tan Sang paid a visit to the Nghi Son Economic Zone in Thanh Hoa province, where he inspected construction on Nghi Son Thermo-electric power plant No.1.

A man who had been wanted in the gruesome murder of a gold shop owner in Hanoi, turned himself in to police on Feb. 18 evening, local authorities said.

Iran ordered a halt to its oil sales to Britain and France in a move seen as retaliation against tightening EU sanctions.

At least 44 inmates were killed in a Mexican prison riot, just days after a deadly inferno in a jail in Honduras.

Twelve groups and 59 individuals were honoured at a ceremony in the northern province of Phu Tho for their contributions to preserving hat Xoan.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is concerned with the spread of bird flu in 11 provinces and cities across the country.

The Philippine Coast Guard has saved nine Vietnamese fishermen from the central province of Quang Ngai which was stuck near the Balabac Strait on February 17.

President Truong Tan Sang awarded Ho Chi Minh and State prizes to the minds behind 32 ground breaking scientific projects in 2010 at a ceremony in Hanoi.