Demand for hotel rooms in Vietnam has grown at 7-8% a year for the last three years, and occupancy rates in large cities are catching up with those in major cities across the region, a seminar heard in HCM City on June 9.

All relevant ministries and agencies must actively participate in the government's strategy to improve business climate and national competitive edge, experts suggested at a workshop in Hanoi last week.

With bank lending rates falling sharply in recent months, companies should grab this opportunity to borrow to develop their business, analysts said.

Domestic universities have more opportunities than ever before to improve quality thanks to Vietnam's international integration, a member of the National Council for Education and Human Resource Development has said.

Hoi An and the UNESCO office in Hanoi plan to develop a tourist card to replace entrance-tickets used to enter the old section of the ancient city.

World hip hop dance champion Pockemon Crew will hit the stage of the Tuoi Tre (Youth) Theatre on June 14 with a performance combining hip hop and silent films of the 1930s and 40s.

Vietnamese mermaid Nguyen Thi Anh Vien on June 8 set three new records at the ongoing 38th Southeast Asian Age Group Swimming Championships in Singapore.

Pop singer Thu Minh will attend the official launch of Whose Side Are You On, a new project of the United for Wildlife campaign, and commit her involvement in protecting wildlife.

Danang will host the International Fireworks Competition 2015 from April 29 to May 3, the annual event's organising committee said.

Vietnam and Iran as well as the business communities from the two nations need to accelerate bilateral cooperation in the future.