The Vietnamese Government has always attached importance to building and developing policies and programmes to promote gender equality and ensure women’s rights.

A survey conducted in northern Ha Giang province, beginning in September, determined that 108 to 113 Tonkin snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecusavunculus) are living in the Khau Ca Species and Habitat Conservation Area.

The second national forum seeking to further improve healthcare quality is taking place in Ho Chi Minh City on December 12-13.

The Vietnamese and Indian Ministers of Health have agreed to build a memorandum of understanding on bilateral cooperation and sign it in 2014 to enable the two countries’ broader partnership in healthcare.

A vaccine factory capable of producing about 1.5 million doses of A/H5N1 influenza vaccine for human use a year became operational on December 12 in the central coastal province of Khanh Hoa.

Vietnam created a breakthrough in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) in the first 11 months of 2013, contributing to affirming attractiveness of the country's investment environment and efforts in the improving its environment.

The Hue Relic Conservation Centre in collaboration with the local tourism and hotel associations will launch a tourism promotion week from December 24-30, to lure more tourists during the festival season at the end of the year.

The Hanoi People’s Court on December 12 began the first-instance trial of Duong Chi Dung, former chairman of the Vietnam National Shipping Lines (Vinalines) and his accomplices on charges of intentionally violating State regulations on economic management causing severe consequences and embezzlement.

A reproductive health project funded by t he Marie Stopes International Organisation in Vietnam has set to help 70,000 more female workers in southern Dong Nai province access reproductive health services from now to 2015.

Vietnamese exporters are suggested to sell products to Laos and Cambodia via international border gates in southern Tay Ninh province to save time and transport cost, it was heard at a seminar in Ho Chi Minh City on December 12.