One does not always need to use hard materials to build walls to keep flood waters out of fields and villages.

Former UN chief and Nobel peace laureate Kofi Annan died Saturday at the age of 80, prompting a barrage of tributes and condolences from around the world for the "diplomatic rock star".

Universities need to foster innovation and take advantage of their autonomy to benefit the country and society, said Deputy National Assembly Chairman Đỗ Bá Tỵ.

Food safety is still a major concern at public canteens in the capital city of Hà Nội, especially at factory cafeterias in industrial zones, officials said.

Nguyễn Đình Cung, director general of the Central Institute of Economic Management, speaks to the Nhân dân (People) newspaper on the need to the make the best use of the State budget in State-owned enterprises following their equitisation

Administrative procedures in construction sector put the highest financial burden on enterprises with estimated spending of VNĐ64.1 million (US$2,800) to complete one procedure, said Ngô Hải Phan, director of the Government Office's Administrative Procedures Management Department.

This year will mark the 45th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between Việt Nam and Japan, and the 15th landmark of the relationship of Japan and the central Quảng Nam Province.

Amid the peak of the rainy season, dyke violations in Hà Nội are set to rear their ugly head.

Condominiums remain the best bet for people living in big cities thanks to their affordable prices, and not surprisingly the HCM City apartment market is showing signs of recovering after the slowdown caused by the Carina Plaza fire at the beginning of this year, insiders said.

The Mekong Delta province of Long An has made significant achievements in preventing and fighting smuggling and trade fraud at border areas.