Taiwan's Hung Nghiep Formosa Ha Tinh Steel Limited Company, a subsidiary of Formosa Plastics Group, has offered its services in setting up the government-managed Vung Ang special steel economic region.

National Assembly deputies agreed on June 23 that revisions to the Investment Law should bolster investors' confidence through further cuts in red tape related to investment activities.

The UNESCO Centre for Culture and Education (UNESCO-CEP) has launched a photo contest to raise awareness among young people about the benefits of using public transport.

Chef Nguyen Le Hoang Phat will represent Vietnam at the two-day international culinary competition that kicks off in Shanghai on June 26.

Doctors and health care management experts from Chung Ang University demonstrated techniques for goiter and knee surgeries at the Quang Nam Central General Hospital through health care programme, Q-Health.

A Vietnam Energy Bank team comprising Dang Huynh, Mai Anh and Nguyen Thi Thuy Duong from Ho Chi Minh City-based Foreign Trade University, has won third prize in the Go Green in the City contest in Paris.

Vietnam's industrial production is seeing improvement, with estimated growth of 5.8% seen in the first half of this year, higher than last year's 5.3% rise.

Leather footwear and handbag exports are expected to top US$12 billion this year, achieving the target, the Vietnam Leather and Footwear Association (Lefaso) said.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung signed a directive to increase the number of social housing projects in Hanoi, while ending construction of commercial housing projects in the city centre.

A Vietnam Fishing Surveillance Department ship was deliberately rammed and seriously damaged by two Chinese ships illegally operating in Vietnamese waters on June 23.