VIETNAM TODAY

International Francophone Day will arrive on March 20, and will include many events aimed at cultural exchange among French-speaking countries.

The Vietnam Bank for Social Policies has lent VND2.5 trillion (USD121 million) out of the VND5.5 (USD266 million) reserved for student loans this spring.

A powerful tsunami spawned by the largest earthquake in Japan's recorded history slammed the eastern coast Friday. Authorities said at least 32 people were killed.

A former lawyer accused of spreading anti-government documents is to stand a first-instance trial in Hanoi and is facing a maximum imprisonment term of 12 years.

Vietnam is calling for investment in various projects to develop its transportation infrastructure in the next five years.

An elephant from Yang Tao Village won the first ever race for pachyderms held yesterday in the Central Highlands.

An agency of the Election Council launched a website on the 13th National Assembly and People’s Council elections for 2011-2016.

Hanoians seems to be shifting to buying jewelery instead of gold taels, which may come under Government restrictions.

A massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake shook Japan on Friday, unleashing a powerful tsunami that sent ships crashing into the shore.

The H1N1 swine flu that swept the globe in 2009/10 could morph into a more transmissible form, while an older, mid-20th century virus could come roaring back.

Vietnam’s medium and long-term economic issues were discussed at a seminar in the Mekong delta city of Can Tho on March 10.

A live online forum, hosted by DTiNews this morning, answered many students worries and wishes about studying abroad.

China has said prices rose 4.9 percent year-on-year in February, well above the official target, despite government efforts to rein in inflation.

National Assembly Vice Chairman Nguyen Duc Kien received a delegation of the US lobby group, Common Cause in Hanoi on March 9.

US President Barack Obama will hold a press conference to discuss rising energy prices and issues as the world heaps pressure on Libya's Moamer Kadhafi.

The UN expressed alarm at a huge decline in bee colonies under a multiple onslaught of pests and pollution.

Mention Can Gio, the most remote district of HCMC, and people think of mangrove forests, mudflats and coconut trees; but now it's different.

An online exchange about study and work in the UK, organised by DanTri/DTiNews in co-ordination with ISC-UKEAS, is going live right now.

Foot-and-mouth disease, bird flu and blue-ear syndrome are becoming more pervasive nationwide.