Russian President Vladimir Putin has stressed the importance of expanding his country’s strategic partnership with Vietnam. He expressed his thoughts at talks with Vietnamese President To Lam on the first day of his state visit to the south-east Asian country.…
Putin may visit Vietnam as Hanoi aims to secure power balance
Vietnamese officials are hopefully anticipating an unannounced visit to Hanoi by Russian President Vladimir Putin, possibly as early as next week on his way to Beijing for meetings with Chinese leaders. Experts say such a visit would allow the Russian…
2 independent bloggers jailed in Vietnam
Two independent bloggers were detained late last month in Vietnam, including one who is a contributor to VOA’s sister outlet, Radio Free Asia. On February 29, police arrested Nguyen Vu Binh, who regularly contributes to RFA’s Vietnamese Service, and Nguyen…
Vietnam jails freelance journalist for 6 years
A prominent Vietnamese journalist who documented protests and human rights violations in the communist-run country was sentenced to six years in jail Wednesday, his lawyer said. Nguyen Lan Thang, an activist and freelance writer who is well-known in Vietnam for…
Vietnam set to appoint Troussier as head coach
Former Nigeria coach Philippe Troussier is set to take over as the new head coach of Vietnam, the country’s governing body confirmed on Thursday. The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) said an agreement had been reached with the Frenchman. He is…
Rescuers race to save Vietnamese boy trapped in concrete pit for 4 days
Local authorities were still racing against time on Tuesday to rescue a 10-year-old boy trapped in a 35m-deep concrete pipe pit in Vietnam’s southern province of Dong Thap since Saturday afternoon. Thai Ly Hao Nam and three other children had…
Vietnam karaoke parlour blaze kills at least 13, dozens injured
A fire at a packed karaoke bar in southern Vietnam has killed at least 13 people and left another 40 people hospitalised, including 11 with serious injuries, local media reported. The blaze ripped through the second and third floors of…
Vietnam jails US national for ‘state overthrow plot’ (BBC)
A court in Vietnam has sentenced a US citizen to 12 years in prison after finding him guilty of attempting to “overthrow the state”. Michael Phuong Minh Nguyen, 55, had admitted he wanted to incite protests in Vietnam, his lawyer…
Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang dead at 61 (Guardian)
Vietnam’s President Tran Dai Quang, a former police chief known as a tough politician and committed communist with little tolerance for dissent, died Friday at age 61 after a serious illness, state media reported. His death is not likely to…