The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) held a meeting in Hanoi on January 22 to review the past year of cultural diplomacy and devise tasks for 2010.

Deputy Prime Minister Truong Vinh Trong has stressed the need to develop the Vietnam National Chemical Group (Vinachem) into a strong conglomerate in the region.

Vietnam’s rice output in 2009 hit 39 million tonnes, it was announced at a conference held on January 22 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in coordination with the Can Tho municipal People’s Committee.

To mark the 200th anniversary of the birthday of Polish composer Frederic Chopin and his own 30 years as a performer, the Vietnamese people’s artist, Dang Thai Son, will play at the Techcombank Concert in Ho Chi Minh City on January 26.

Phu Lang, a traditional pottery village in Dai Lan, Que Vo, in northern Bac Ninh Province creates pieces that capture the heart and soul of Vietnam.

A delegation from the ASEAN Football Federation will visit Hanoi next Monday to inspect Vietnam’s facilities for hosting the AFF Cup.

The exchange programme between former Vietnamese students and their Russian teachers titled ‘Teachers and students on reunion day’ was held at the My Dinh National Convention Centre on January 17.

Top Vietnamese badminton player Nguyen Tien Minh defeated China’s Bao Chunlai, the former world No 8 in the second round of the Proton Malaysia Open Super Series in Kuala Lumpur Thursday.