VIETNAM TODAY

Arab observers fan out in Syria as violence rages

Tens of thousands of protesters rallied near Damascus as Syrian security forces killed at least 25 civilians nationwide and peace monitors spread out to areas hit by unrelenting violence.

PM urges quicker pace for three highway projects

PM Nguyen Tan Dung set definite deadlines for site clearance for three highway projects.

Bodies of soldiers from capsized boat recovered

Rescue workers have found the bodies of all five soldiers missing since their boat capsized and disintegrated in heavy seas off Cua Dai beach in the central province of Quang Nam.

Hanoi’s ancient street gets new face

Ta Hien street in Hanoi’s inner district of Hoan Kiem now gets a new face following a French-assisted restoration project.

National programme to improve English skills

The lack of English proficiency is not uncommon among new graduates," said Dr Nguyen Ngoc Hung, head of National Foreign Language Project's management board.

Monti calls for EU action against crisis after bond test

Italian PM Mario Monti urged a united response against the debt crisis after Italy scraped through a key bond auction test.

PM Nguyen Tan Dung most influential person of 2011 - Korea Herald

PM Nguyen Tan Dung has performed impressively, successfully steering the Vietnamese economy out of the economic crisis, writes the Korea Herald.

Exports hit record-high USD94.8 billion

Vietnam had export turnover of USD94.8 billion as of December 25, a record-high and an increase of 35 percent over last year, according to Vietnam Customs.

Palestinians inspired by Vietnam's past struggle

A message from Saadi Salama, ambassador of the State of Palestine to Vietnam, on the 47th anniversary of his country's armed struggle on January 1.

European stocks, euro struggle before new Italy debt sale

European stocks mostly fell and the euro struggled to recover from an 11-month dollar low, with investor sentiment extremely fragile before another key Italian bond auction, dealers said.

HCM City to organise New-Year activities for overseas Vietnamese

As of January 9, 2012, many activities will be held in HCM City to welcome overseas Vietnamese who return home for the Tet holiday.

Ministries rated average in effectiveness survey

The Ministry of Justice earned the highest score in a survey evaluating the effectiveness of 14 business-related government ministries.

VND11.7 billion raised for the poor

VND11.7 billion were raised for the “Fund for the Poor” of Quang Ninh province during a live broadcast of the provincial Radio and Television Station on December 28.

Credit card payment encouraged

The banking system will develop credit card payment services with the aim of reducing the quantity of cash in circulation to 11 percent by 2015.

Vientiane hosts Vietnam-Laos exchange programme

An exchange programme was held in the Lao capital city of December 27 to welcome major occasions and the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Year 2012.

N.Korea acclaims new supreme leader at huge parade

North Korea staged a massive memorial service for late leader Kim Jong-Il attended by tens of thousands, and declared his young son the supreme party and military chief.

Efforts to help save elephants end in failure

Half of the wild elephants in Dong Nai province have been wiped out in recent years, despite steps taken by the Prime Minister to save them.

Mass grave of war martyrs unearthed in Quang Ngai

The remains of 10 soldiers were found at a mass grave site in the Central province of Quang Ngai by the Pho Thanh communal People’s Committee and the Duc Pho district military.

Syria urged to give observers free hand

Arab monitors revisited Homs City and headed to other protest hubs as world powers warned Damascus not to hinder their mission to reveal the truth about the crackdown on dissent.