Vietnam will provide 120 scholarships each year to Cambodian students majoring in agriculture, healthcare, and information technology from now to 2015, said Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan.

Four enterprises have pledged to put up VND180 billion to sponsor the ASEAN year 2010.

A workshop discussing issues related to the implementation of criminal judgment in Vietnam concluded in the south coast province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau on January 22.

Vietnam is striving to reduce the rate of underweight children to 18 percent and children with stunted growth to under 30 percent whilst keeping the number of overweight kids to under five percent in 2010.

State Vice President and first Chairwoman of the Central Emulation and Rewards Council Nguyen Thi Doan has asked all ministries, sectors and localities throughout the country to launch exemplary role model campaigns to fulfill the socio-economic tasks set for 2010.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Planning and Investment, the UK Department for International Development (DFID), the Embassy of Denmark and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands on January 22 signed an agreement for non-refundable aid from the UK worth GBP17 million.

Vietnamese officials and international donors gathered in Hanoi on January 21 for a national social welfare strategy meeting for the 2011-2020 period, which covers a wide range of issues, from the labour market to social insurance policies.

Millions of swallows have flocked to Bac Lieu town at dawn and dusk over the past three days, according to a local resident.

Japanese Consulate General Mizuki Ikuo on January 21 cut the ribbon on a Japanese language study lab in HCM City University of Social Sciences and Humanities, using US$67,632 funding from the Japanese Consulate.

Individuals and collectives from the Cambodian Royal Armed Forces and Cambodian citizens have been awarded Vietnamese distinctions for their efforts in searching and repatriating the remains of volunteer Vietnamese soldiers to their homeland.

A flock of ducks owned by Trinh Van Thuat in Tien Tien hamlet, Thach Quy ward, Ha Tinh province died en masse after being infected with bird flu virus, confirmed the Head of the provincial Veterinary Department, Pham Thanh Binh on January 21.

Vietnam has so far discovered more than 5,000 deposits and occurrences, containing 60 different types of minerals, the Vietnam Geology and Minerals Department reported.

The Voyages of Discovery Cruise Ship carrying 900 passengers on board on January 21 began a tour of Vietnam from Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang, Da Nang and Ha Long.

More than ever before, consumers should know how to protect themselves by exercising caution when selecting food during the lunar New Year Festival (Tet). Consumers should buy fresh food from reliable sources.

The poverty rate in areas inhabited by ethnic minority groups dropped to 26.7 percent in 2009 as a result of effective projects known as Decision 134 and Programme 135.

Spanish airport builder Garuda Group plans to invest US$15 billion in the construction of three world class airports in Vietnam, following the signing of an agreement in HCM City on January 20.

The US$1.1 million project funded by the Japanese Trust Fund, will contribute to preserving the Thang Long Royal citadel and maintaining the nearby community’s development.

A groundbreaking ceremony for Quang Nam central general hospital was held in the commune of Tam Hiep, Nui Thanh district on January 20.

The Vietnam Music Copyright Protection Centre collected VND23.3 billion in royalties last year for the composers and songwriters who have registered with it, up from VND15 billion in 2008.

The Vietnam Fund for Supporting Technological Creations (VIFOTEC) award has been presented to 66 individuals and collectives for their outstanding contributions to the country’s scientific and technological development.

The National Committee for Flood and Storm Control has asked south-central and southern provinces to brace themselves for a tropical depression, which is expected to hit the region on January 20.

The Hue City People’s Committee hosted a workshop on January 19 to discuss plans for Hue’s sustainable tourism development until 2020.

It is essential to promote education campaigns on the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS, drugs and prostitution, particularly among high-risk groups.

Vietnam is in danger of lacking freshwater due to the impacts of industrialization, population growth and climate change and it needs sound strategies and international cooperation to remedy the situation.

The Saigon Tourist Travel Agency (Saigontourist) has become a leading brand name for MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) tourism through its efforts to promote this new type of tourism.

The next few years Vietnam should invest more in science and technology so the country can become the frontrunner in this field.

The Hanoi-based Supreme People’s Court on January 19 upheld an Instance Court verdict on three defendants charged with ‘spreading propaganda against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam’ according to Article 88 of the Criminal Code.

In 2010, Hanoi will attempt to keep the rate of people with HIV/AIDS at below 0.3 percent and stem the growth of the virus over the next few years.

The Orbis International Organisation has joint efforts with Ho Chi Minh City’s Eye Hospital to put into operation a modern centre to treat children’s eyes.

More than 500 representatives from provincial and municipal Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) chapters nationwide attended in its third meeting in Quang Duc Monastery in Ho Chi Minh City on January 18.