It is not uncommon in Viet Nam to see many households or whole villages in mourning because of a road accident that has wiped out several people.
Plea to uphold exam integrity
Unlike in previous years, the Ministry of Education and Training this year allowed students to take cameras and recorders into exam rooms. The decision was considered a move in the fight against exam cheating.
Benefits-sharing would settle land disputes
About two decades ago, Viet Nam set out an am-bitious development vision to transform itself into an industrialised country by 2020.
Food safety fears mount amid China scandal
The newest food scandal in China, in which rat meat was sold as lamb, hit far too close to home for many Vietnamese consumers.
Poor planning leaves Ha Noi stuck in a jam
Recent decisions by Ha Noi leaders to remove new footbridges and upgrade a newly-built flyover have stunned citizens - and made the city's traffic situation a hot topic.
Logical solution to poverty? Teach the poor how to fish...
Spotting a group of young ethnic women relaxing under the shade of their stilt-houses during a recent trip to the northwestern Dien Bien and Son La provinces, we stopped the car to offer some clothes from charity.
Monetary rumours run rife
The rumour about the State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV) considering changing its banknotes came to me early last week.
Tourism push starts at home
The public is keen to find out who will succeed Viet Nam's long-legged tourism ambassador, Ly Nha Ky, next year. Five women have already applied for the position, a fact that certainly has not escaped the attention of the local media, which has a passion for beauties.
Crackdown on extra classes
The recent draft decree on administrative punishment in education compiled by the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) has once again stirred public concern over the situation that children will have to attend many private tutoring classes.
Being green means actions not words
As an environmental journalist, I am struck by how often the people whose job is to advocate for more environmentally conscious practices turn out to be so insensible in their own acts.
A politically neutral army is impossible
Throughout human history and to this day no national army has been an independent social force, neither is it a branch of power. In all nations, the army is closely associated to the ruling political force.

Hightlight

Income not the only measure of poverty Income not the only measure of poverty

Viet Nam's poverty rate is estimated at around 10 per cent but the number of people who do not achieve social well-being is believed to be much higher. It's necessary to go beyond income when defining people's experiences.

Clouds cover VN weather forecasting Clouds cover VN weather forecasting

Viet Nam has so far only accomplished 30 per cent of the workload to modernise weather forecasting technology and upgrade monitoring systems.

Viet Nam private equity outlook bounces back Viet Nam private equity outlook bounces back

Investors viewing Viet Nam's investment environment favourably has increased over the last six months, according to a bi-annual survey on the nation's private equity outlook done by Grant Thornton Vietnam.

City taxi inspectors urged to crackdown on violations City taxi inspectors urged to crackdown on violations

Taxis operating in HCM City will be subject to greater scrutiny and punishment in the coming months, says Duong Hong Thanh, deputy director of the city's Transport Department.

Shares slide but outlook remains bright Shares slide but outlook remains bright

The VN-Index on the HCM City Stock Exchange tumbled during all five sessions last week, concluding the week off 3.6 per cent to 509.03 points.