Viet Nam is among 15 countries with the highest number of smokers in the world. It has more than 19 million smokers and reports 40,000 deaths from tobacco related-diseases each year. The number is forecast to reach around 70,000 in 2030 if drastic measures aren't taken. Building a smoke-free environment is one of the targets of the Vietnamese Government. Viet Nam News reporters Hang Nguyen and Bich Huong interviewed people about the ban on smoking in public places on the occasion of world "No Tobacco Day" tomorrow.

Vietnam accused China on Sunday of increasing regional tensions and said its navy would do everything necessary to protect its territorial integrity after Chinese patrol boats interfered with a Vietnamese oil and gas survey ship in the South China Sea.

It is important to train teachers in soft skills for them to educate their students in ethics and other values to become good citizens, experts told a workshop in HCM City yesterday.

Operators of slot machine clubs should either have a foreign exchange counter for players to change their money into the local currency, or be allowed to import new gaming machines that can accept local banknotes, said a HCM City tourism official.

The fight against corruption was crucial in translating resource wealth into increased growth and lessening poverty throughout the country, said the Swedish Ambassador to Viet Nam, Staffan Herrstrom, at the 9th anti-corruption dialogue meeting in Ha Noi yesterday.

The Government plans to raise fine levels for motorists whose vehicles fail to meet safety regulations and whose horn exceeds permitted noise levels.

Fourteen Vietnamese fishermen attacked by pirates on May 15 returned safely to Sa Ky Port in central Quang Ngai Province on Monday after receiving assistance from Malaysia.

Personal income tax for Vietnamese and foreigners who work on the islands of Con Dao has been reduced by 50 per cent, in a proposed draft of preferential policies by the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

Central Quang Tri Province and neighbouring Savannakhet Province in Laos yesterday vowed to increase information exchange and co-operation to control the smuggling of wild animals along the border.

Vietnamese divers on Monday recovered the final body of the 16 people who drowned when a party boat sank in a river during a boy's birthday celebration, while the boat's captain has been detained for questioning, police and state-owned media said.

Vietnam objected to reported plans by China Mobile Ltd (941) to expand cellular phone coverage to disputed islands in the South China Sea, the state-run Vietnam News Agency said.

Two Vietnamese fishermen were shot and wounded in disputed South China Sea waters, a police chief said Thursday, citing the victims' relatives.

The Ha Noi Traffic Police, in co-operation with the Transport Department, aims to tighten the operational management of tourist pedicabs following a spate of traffic violations.

More Asian children die of drowning every year than of any other cause, whether measles, tuberculosis, traffic accidents or tetanus, according to the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia's Justin Scarr.

The deputy director of the Viet Nam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) said the number of strikes would soar this year unless workers' rights were respected.

Every day, thousands of children are living and working on the streets of Vietnam's cities. Michael Brosowski is trying to give many of them a chance at a brighter future.

Inspectors in all departments of culture, sports and tourism in co-operation with police and other agencies have been asked to crack down on tobacco advertising and promotions.