(VOVWORLD) - Ho Chi Minh city’s youths have launched the 2018 Voluntary Spring Campaign to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1968 Spring General Offensive. Taking place until next month, the campaign will involve 30,000 students.

(VOVWORLD) - Last week the German Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Christian Democratic Union (CDU/CSU) began exploratory talks on creating a coalition government. Some breakthroughs were reached at the talks.

(VOVWORLD) -The 26th annual conference of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) will open in Hanoi on Thursday. As the forum celebrates 25 years of development, this conference will review its agenda and identify a vision for the future.

(VOVWORLD) - Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) has approved a smart city project until 2020 period with a vision to 2025. One of the project’s priorities will be creating qualified human resources.

(VOVWORLD) - Consumers demand more in products and services as living conditions improve and Vietnam further integrates into the global economy. Green growth projects help small and medium-sized enterprises conserve resources towards renovation and creativity. Vietnam is on the right track combining environmental protection and sustainable development strategies.

(VOVWORLD) -Iran’s nuclear deal is likely to be revised after US President Donald Trump set a deadline to renegotiate the deal. The stance of Iran and international support for the agreement have blocked Trump until now, but the signatories will have to consider what further steps are needed to save the agreement.

(VOVWORLD) - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, now the ASEAN Community, marked its 50th anniversary last year. Despite member countries’ different political systems, development levels, and cultural diversity, the organization obtained significant achievements over the past half a century. In the near future, the bloc will continue to promote consultation, consensus and unity to develop sustainably and inclusively despite fast-changing global geo-politics.

(VOVWORLD) -The Law on Belief and Religion, which has been in effect since January 1, 2018, is seen as a turning point in Vietnam’s religious policy.

(VOVWORLD) - A plastic microbeads ban has been in effect in the UK since Tuesday, one of the severest restrictions on use of the harmful tiny beads.

(VOVWORLD) - The diplomatic crisis in the Gulf region has become the worst since the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) was set up in 1981. Since mid-2017, there has been no progress in resolving the crisis which reflects splits between GCC members and instability in the region.