VIETNAM TODAY

Hoa Phat's steel factory, using a new technology, successfully produced its first batch of steel billet.

Hanoi is targeting a GDP growth rate of over 10% this year and hopes to curb the CPI growth.

Thailand's "Red Shirt" supporters of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra defied mounting pressure from the battered tourism industry to end protests seeking to topple the government.

Among Vietnamese news websites, Dan Tri is leading with the most percentage of Internet users visited, according to a new report.

The Government has approved a five-year training project on sustainable management, protection and development of coastal areas and islands nationwide.

The poverty standard in HCM City during the period of 2009-2015 is expected to equal to the one set by World Bank.

A car blew up in Russia's restive North Caucasus Thursday with the country on high alert after an Islamist group claimed the Moscow metro bombings and warned of more strikes.

The UNDP has conducted a series of studies on a wide range of socio-economic issues in Vietnam to aid the country in outlining its socio-economic development strategy.

A new coal-fired power plant is to be built in the northern province of Nam Dinh, while a thermal power plant is to be constructed in South Vietnam.

Vietnam has risen two places to 16th in the 2010 emerging markets opportunity index from 2008, according to a new report.

Flying car mechanics and flavoured newspaper pages were among April Fool's Day jokes awaiting Britons in their papers Thursday.

This year's Mekong Tourism Forum will be held on May 7-8 the Angkor Century Resort and Spa, near to Angkor Wat.

The State audit will assess a loss of nearly $80M reported by SAS Hotel investor due to the suspended construction of its hotel.

China's northwestern Shaanxi province is committed to facilitating economic and trade cooperation with Vietnam, said the provincial party chief.

Over 100,000 visitors flocked to the city during this year's International Firework Competition.

There have been no more A/H1N1 outbreaks in the country, only isolated cases, said a health official.

“Vietnam and China plan to increase their two-way trade value to US$25 billion in 2010,” announced Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Thanh Bien.

The deep water port of Cai Mep-Thi Vai helps to boost sea transportation development between Vietnam and the USA.

Donor countries attending a major fundraiser for Haiti Wednesday pledged 5.3 billions dollars for the next two years to put the quake-ravaged nation back on its feet.