More than 80 volunteers from US teaching institutions and children hospitals have visited Hanoi, HCM City and Nha Trang City to conduct clinical practice and training seminars.

Vietnam has won a golden cup at the sixth Asia-Pacific Information and Communication Technology Awards (APICTA) for its Non Standard Security Portal (NSSP) product.

Nguyen Thuong Cuc and her accomplices will stand trial at the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Court on November 10 on the charge of terror, the court’s chief judge Bui Hoang Danh announced at a press briefing in the city on November 6.

Vice Minister of Post and Telematics Le Nam Thang said the 10th conference on Radio and Electronics will offer a good opportunity for Vietnamese and foreign scientists to strengthen cooperation with a view to boost the application of information and communication technology into daily life.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on November 3 decided to extract VND100 billion from central budget for 2006 to help localities overcome the consequences of typhoon Xangsane.

Orbis International, a US-based non-governmental organisation, has pledged VND835 million (about US$52,000) for a children's eye-sight care project in the Mekong delta.

A delegation of municipal leaders led by Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the HCM City People’s Committee Nguyen Van Dua on November 3 visited the Vietnam Buddhist Shanga (VBS) central committee to mark the 25th founding anniversary of the VBS.

Hanoi is resolved to ensure safety for guests coming from different countries in a hospitable and civilised manner, said Vice Chairman of the Hanoi Municipal People’s Committee Do Hoang An at a meeting on November 3 with representatives from districts, branches and sectors.

Vice State President Truong My Hoa has extended thanks to the Friendship Village International Committee (FVIC) for its assistance to Vietnam's war veterans and Agent Orange/dioxin victims.

The northern province of Son La’s cooperation with the Midi-Pyrenees region in France has not only been effective in poverty reduction, but also in socio-economic development in Son La, said a local official.

Geradine S. Kunstadter, a US citizen, has been awarded an insignia for her contributions to caring Vietnamese disabled and disadvantaged children in recent years.

The National Steering Committee for Avian Influenza, donors and international organisations gathered in a meeting in Hanoi on November 1 to set up a Partnership for Avian and Human Influenza Control to support Vietnam in fighting bird flu.

Some 100 Vietnamese young people representing youth organisations across the country joined their Chinese peers for a friendly exchange programme starting at the Huu Nghi border gate in northern Lang Son province on November 1.

It is imperative to contact and guide ships and boats still at sea to take shelter for their own safety, said Deputy Prime Minster Nguyen Sinh Hung at a meeting with the Central Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Control in Hanoi on November 1.

The Global Youth Leadership Summit was held at United Nations headquarters in New York from October 29-31 to tackle development challenges.

Radio Australia on October 30 praised Vietnam’s efforts in combating bird flu, saying Vietnam is setting a bright example in this field.

The Central Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Control held an urgent meeting in Hanoi on October 31 to cope with Typhoon Cimaron which has changed its course to the north and north-west.

An international conference in support of cacao production through a strong alliance of farming families opened in Ho Chi Minh City on October 31 under the sponsorship of the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

The project “Gift of light for children” sponsored by Orbis Vietnam has been launched in 14 provinces and cities across the country to treat children in danger of becoming blind due to eye diseases.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has asked ministries, provincial People's Committees and relevant agencies to take drastic measures to cope with Typhoon Cimaron which is expected to hit the central coastal provinces from Quang Binh to Khanh Hoa in 48 hours.

Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) President Pham The Duyet has emphasized the importance of national unity in his letter of congratulations to the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha on its 25th founding anniversary (November 7).

A programme to raise high school students' awareness of HIV/AIDS called "Dance4Life Vietnam" was launched at the Nguyen Thi Minh Khai High School in Hanoi on October 29 by the World Population Foundation (WPF), the US Embassy and the Vietnam Administration for HIV/AIDS Control.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has urged ministries, branches and local authorities to draw lessons from weather forecast activities as well as rescue and relief operations in the aftermath of Typhoon Xangsane.

Currently, around two-thirds of Vietnam’s population lack water and have no access to safe water and a number of rivers are seriously polluted.

Travel companies in Hanoi have prepared marketing programmes and tours to attract visitors who attend the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in mid November.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung has highlighted the Government’s decision to directly support ethnic minority households with land and clean water.

The Malaysian minister has affirmed that Malaysian employers hope to recruit more Vietnamese workers because they are industrious, enterprising and hard-working.

Vietnam has successfully contained bird flu nationwide, according to the Veterinary Department’s report at a meeting held in Hanoi on October 24.

In the past, Vietnamese customers had no chance to choose products of their liking. Now, in the process of economic integration, they are free to make a good choice. It is important for businesses to think more of customers as a main factor that would help them compete better and break through environmental barriers.

Since the beginning of the year, more than 2,000 Vietnamese labourers have been sent to work in the Middle East, mainly in the United Arab Emirates, Quartar and Saudi Arabia.