Thao Thi Van was just two when her mother disappeared during a trip to the market, likely taken by traffickers preying on women from the Hmong hill tribes of northern Vietnam to sell as brides or into brothels in China. Now aged 13 she is still haunted by the fate of her mother but has found some solace at the cooperative.

(Nhac Nguyen / AFP)read more

When on a vacation, singer Shilpa Rao always tries to go for road trips, as it enhances the entire experience. You can stop by and explore your surroundings, instead of following an itinerary, she says. read more

A Vietnamese woman collects incense sticks in a courtyard in the village of Quang Phu Cau. In Vietnam’s “incense village”, dozens are hard at work dying, drying and whittling down bamboo bark to make the fragrant sticks ahead of the busy lunar new year holiday.

(Manan Vatsyayana / AFP)read more

It was a heart-breaking way for Vietnam to lose in Abu Dhabi, but no more than Iraq deserved for going for the jugular after Humam Tariq had hauled them level on the hour mark. read more

India has earlier held talks with the Vietnam government for the sale of the BrahMos, a supersonic cruise missile developed by an Indo-Russian joint venture set up in 1998. The Indian Navy inducted the missile on its frontline warships in 2005. read more

The men have been accused of violating regulations on protecting “endangered and precious animals” and they confessed to the crime, said a statement posted on Ha Tinh provincial police’s website. read more

Vietnam were favourites to advance to the final after securing a 2-1 win in Bacolod in the first leg on Sunday and, despite needing to score twice, the Philippines rarely threatened. read more

Latex drips from a tree at a rubber plantation in Rayong Province, Thailand. Thai latex makes everything from tyres and condoms to baby pacifiers and surgical gloves, the fruit of the rubber trees cultivated across endless acres of the country. But rubber trade is at a crossroads as a bitter dispute between the world’s two biggest economies ricochets across Southeast Asia.

(Jonathan Klein / AFP)read more

Vietnam has been bolstering its military capabilities in the face of aggressive moves by China in the South China Sea. India and Vietnam have robust defence cooperation dating back almost two decades, including exchange of visits, supply of equipment,... read more

India and Vietnam agreed to further strengthen bilateral strategic cooperation in defence and oil and gas sectors as President Ram Nath Kovind held extensive talks with his counterpart Nguyen Phu Trong on Tuesday. Kovind, on a three-day visit, received a military guard of honour at the Vietnamese Presidential Palace before the talks.

(Luong Thai Linh / REUTERS)read more

India and Vietnam agreed to further strengthen bilateral strategic cooperation in defence and oil and gas sectors. read more

President Kovind received a warm welcome at the Vietnam National University in Hanoi as the wives of embassy staff and the students joined in and sang a chorus for him to show respect. read more

Spouses of Embassy Staff and students of University of Vietnam sang “Ye Dosti Hum Nahi Todenge” in presence of President Ram Nath Kovind in Hanoi, Vietnam. The president has gone to Vietnam as part of a two-nation tour, before he goes to Australia.read more

A disaster official in Khanh Hoa province says some 600 soldiers have been mobilised to search for the missing and evacuate people from high-risk areas. read more

Lewis Hamilton had said this week, in discussing new venues like Vietnam, that he would like more grands prix in places with ‘real racing history’ such as Europe and the United States. read more