The Greek Ambassador to Vietnam, Nikos D Kanellos, is showcasing his paintings inspired by Vietnamese culture and landscape at a solo exhibition entitled "Kanellos in Vietnam".

 The Viet Nam Journalists Association has launched the ‘ASEAN – One Community’ press photo contest, calling for the participation of members of press organisations from the ASEAN members.

 Local authorities have been placed on full alert for typhoon Sarika, which is predicted to make landfall in areas from Quang Ninh to Hai Phong at around 4pm today.

 More than 400 talented students from HCM City and neighbouring provinces have taken part in the YouthSpeak forum which encourages them to take action and initiate positive societal change. 

 Doctors at HCM City’s Medical University have successfully performed surgery to remove a giant kidney stone from a 59-year-old woman.

Typhoon Sarika lashed China's southern resort island of Hainan on Tuesday, with torrential rain and winds of up to 162 kilometers per hour (100 mph) forcing authorities to evacuate almost half a million people and halt transport services.

 Low-cost carrier Jetstar Pacific on October 18 announced the opening of four new international routes to Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Taipei. 

 Construction of a centre for natural resources conservation and fauna and flora rescue has begun in Thua Thien-Hue, a central province with rich biodiversity. 

 Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha has promised that Vietnam will successfully implement commitments in greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction and climate change mitigation. 

 Ho Chi Minh City authorities on October 18 announced a Zika outbreak on communal and ward scale. 

 The Vietnam National Swimming Championships 2016 officially kicked off at My Dinh National Sports Complex in Hanoi on October 18. 

 Artists from the Vietnam National Opera and Ballet will perform the romantic ballet “Giselle”at the Hanoi Opera House on October 21 and 22. 

VietNamNet Bridge - The image of Vietnamese people queuing up at the cash register at Zara on opening day showed that the young fashion industry faces new challenges.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Com young sticky rice flakes - one of Ha Noi’s culinary specialties - has long been close to Hanoians’ hearts. Like the city where it was born, com is elegant, fresh and simple.

 The Canadian Navy’s ship, HMCS Vancouver, with 36 officers and 200 crew members on board arrived in Ho Chi Minh City on October 18, beginning its four-day visit to Vietnam.

 The central province of Quang Nam on October 18 organised an oil spill response exercise at the Chu Lai – Truong Hai Port with the participation of hundreds of specialised vehicles and relevant forces. 

 The national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines said it has canceled 14 flights to the port city of Hai Phong on October 19 due to storm Sarika. 

VietNamNet Bridge - After a month of intensive treatment, the male patient has Whitmore’s disease, or Melioidosis, a rare infectious disease, has recovered. 

 President Tran Dai Quang held a reception in Hanoi on October 18 for Palestinian Ambassador Saadi Salama, during which he affirmed Vietnam’s consistent stance of supporting the Palestinian people’s just struggle for basic national rights. 

 President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan praised Pratibha Mehta, UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam, for her activities and initiatives to support the Southeast Asian nation in various areas.