Fire engulfs World Heritage castle in Japan's Okinawa A major fire devastated a historic Japanese castle on the southern island of Okinawa on Thursday morning, destroying large parts of the World Heritage site's complex, local authorities said.

PM asks for prevention of illegal banknote exchanges

Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has asked the State Bank of Việt Nam to step up its management to ensure the reasonable use of small banknotes as Tết (Lunar New Year) approaches.

Blood Transfusion

A short story by LÊ QUANG TRẠNG

Man fined $4,000 for exchange of $100

Police in the southern city of Cần Thơ plan to propose less harsh punishments on foreign currency exchanges at unlicensed organisations after a citizen was fined VNĐ90 million (US$4,000) for trading a $100 banknote at a local jewellery shop.

Pilgrims Crossing Mê River

A short story by Cát Lâm

Exhibition pays tribute to talented lacquer artist

 The art of Nguyễn Huyến (1915 – 1994), a talented lacquer artist, is featured at an exhibition that runs in Hà Nội from tomorrow through April 2.

Cameras to monitor violations during Trần Temple festival

Trial cameras will be installed during the Trần Temple festival this year to track violations, said Phạm Thi Oanh, deputy chairwoman of People’s Committee of Nam Định City.

Bribery rampant at bus stations in HCM City

Nine officials from a public transport operation centre in HCM City have been suspended for 15 days after a report published on Thanh Niên (Young people) newspaper alleged they were receiving bribes.

How Vietnamese money evolved

The Friends of Vietnam Heritage’s cultural series will continue on Sunday with a presentation by Hồ Trọng Minh, a banknote designer, who was only 29 when he created the widely used VNĐ500,000 note. He was also the first to document and consolidate information on Vietnamese paper money.

HCM City seeks national recognition for 14 treasures

The HCM City People’s Committee has petitioned the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for recognition of 14 artefacts at the HCM City Museum and the HCM City Fine Arts Museum as national treasures.