VIETNAM TODAY

A ceremony was held on September 11 to kick off the casting of 100 bronze drums as gifts to Hanoi for its millennium celebrations.

The Finance Ministry’s Circular 122/2010/TT-BTC does not break any of Vietnam's price commitments to the World Trade Organisation, said an official.

54 trade, investment and credit cooperation projects worth US$1.9 billion were signed during an economic-trade forum between Vietnam and China’s Guangxi province.

With grace and an upright bearing that belie her 60 years, Nguyen Thi Kim Loan is transmitting the ancient martial art of aikido to a very special class.

US director Sofia Coppola won the Golden Lion at the Venice film festival for "Somewhere", a father-daughter drama set in the lonely world of Hollywood moviemaking.

The Asian Liver Centre made its debut in Ho Chi Minh City on Sept. 11.

Preparations have begun for the annual Kate Festival of Cham people next month in Phan Thiet with processions, spirit rituals and lots of food, culture and fun.

Around 9,000 people demonstrated Saturday in the centre of Barcelona for the independence of the northeastern Catalonia region, media reported.

The National Assembly Standing Committee's 34th session is to supervise the implementation of legal policies on Vietnam workers contracted to work abroad.

Co Tu ethnic people have no more worries about a shortage of rice during flood seasons thanks to a community project.

Vedan Vietnam signed an agreement to pay compensation of 120 billion VND to farmers in Dong Nai province for losses it caused by polluting the Thi Vai River.

Australian PM Julia Gillard named former leader Kevin Rudd as her foreign minister, less than three months after she staged a sudden and ruthless coup against him.

Vietnam and the European Union began the ninth round of negotiations for the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement in Brussels on September 10.

Hip hop, jazz and dancing is an increasingly popular activity among young Hanoians.

An ambitious programme to teach English in primary schools has been postponed due to teacher shortages and a dearth of funds.

North Korea  has proposed the resumption of a programme of reunions for families separated by the division of the Korean peninsula, state media said Saturday.

The United States is set to help Vietnam upgrade iconic UH-1 "Huey" helicopters left behind at the end of their war, a senior U.S. Defense Department official said.

Vietnam and China have highlighted the important role and position of culture in their modernisation and reform.

Politics threatened to overshadow a day of mourning Saturday for nearly 3,000 Sept. 11 victims amid a polarizing national debate over a planned mosque.