VIETNAM TODAY

The smell of oil hangs heavy in the sea air. Children with plastic shovels scoop up clumps of goo in the waves.

Vietnam jumped 18 spots from 89th in 2009 to the 71st out of 125 economies in the Enabling Trade Index 2010 rankings released by the World Economic Forum.

A congress was held in Hanoi on June 4 to establish the Vietnam-Brazil Friendship Association.

The nation may amass heavy debts as a result of the North-South Express railway project, World Bank has warned Vietnam.

Deputy PM has asked all ministries, agencies and provincial people’s committee to focus on measures to promote production, consumption and exports.

The Group of 20 leading economies should seek to support growth in the developing world to help ensure a sustainable long-term global recovery, WB said.

Vietnam has focused on raising public awareness of biodiversity along with enhancing capacity and international cooperation on biodiversity conservation.

Local authorities on Thanh An island in Can Gio District were asked to actively move people out of dangerous areas that are at risk of the upcoming rainstorm season.

Human trafficking in Vietnam is on the rise with organised gangs of traffickers using more complicated tricks to evade authorities, said a new report.

Rescuers called off the search for survivors Friday as the death toll from one of Bangladesh's worst fires rose to 108.

More than VND2.5 billion was raised and 50 wheelchairs and 70 gifts were presented to AO/Dioxin victims.

The Ministry of Health is drafting a decree intended to allow public hospitals to offer higher pay to retain their best health workers.

Japan's Finance Minister Naoto Kan was widely tipped to become prime minister of the world's second-largest economy Friday.

A significant increase in both box volumes and port projects has been the result of Vietnam's rise as a manufacturing centre.

A series of events held in Vietnam with the participation of a US mission have yielded concrete results and open fresh opportunities.

Head of the Laotian Compilation Steering Committee emphasised the great political, scientific and educational significance of the project.

A project called “Clan’s Library” aims to help rural residents access vital information.

The Gulf of Mexico oil spill approached the sandy white beaches of Pensacola Thursday, threatening Florida's tourist industry just ahead of its prime summer season.

Audiences in Hanoi and Hue will have a chance to enjoy the spectacular contemporary dance Roam staged by British dancers.