She was born in a poor, big family in Long An. As the oldest daughter, she did not have a good chance for her education.

Chairwoman of the International Committee of Friendship Villages, Rose Marie Hohn Mizo, has described the Friendship Village as a symbol of international solidarity, cooperation and mutual understanding between nations of different cultures for a common goal.

A collection of 64 poems by Vietnam’s greatest poetess, Ho Xuan Huong, has been published in Romania. The poetry was translated by the writer Constantin Lupeanu, Romania’s Ambassador to Viet Nam from 2000 and 2004, who also edited the 150-page book in Vietnamese and Romanian.

During the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Ha Noi in November, 500 young volunteers from various universities will become roving ambassadors for their country by catering to the needs of the visiting politicians and journalists. For the volunteers, it will be their first real shot at practicing serious diplomacy.

The Danish International Development Agency (Danida) would fund $850,000 for a Vietnamese project to ensure women’s equal access to land and houses in seven rural provinces.

VietNamNet Bridge – My Linh, one of the most famous pop stars in Vietnam, just came back from Japan where the Asian Divas programme was held. Linh has shared her happiness with the press.

Ms Nguyen Thi Loan, teacher of Yen Thang junior secondary school in Yen Mo district of Ninh Binh province, was one out of over 20 passengers on a car en route Hong Quang-Ha Dong driven by Nguyen Ngoc Bach. She was on her way home from Thuong Lam commune, My Duc district, Ha Tay province.

In 1982, Mrs Nguyen Thi Phuong retired and lived in residence 4 which is near Hoa Huong railway station. In the first years after liberation, this used to be a poorest residence of the ward and district. It was also a place of social evil. As a social activist, she had a good understanding of the local people's circumstances. In 1984, she asked her ward to set up a cosy home for orphans.

A photo exhibition on Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange entitled “The Pains and the Smiles” opened in Brooklyn, New York last week.

The 21 political leaders coming to Viet Nam for the APEC summit will be presented with their portraits made out of sand by artist Y Lan.