Ships are second delivery of 2014 deal for Tokyo to provide Vietnam with 6 used fishing vessels that will be converted into patrol ships for coast guard.
Hong Le Tho, under investigation for allegedly abusing democratic freedoms, allowed to leave detention for house arrest Wednesday for medical reasons.
Assistance being offered on problems ranging from lost passports to being a victim of human trafficking, but some see PR stunt.
News of first Roman Catholic cardinal from Myanmar welcomed by people of diverse faiths, while Vietnam's third cardinal in almost 40 years draws only tepid praise.
Authorities offered Dieu Cay choice of leaving or serving out rest of 12-year term.
Hanoi has demanded that Beijing reveal exact location where incident took place.
Pham Quy Ngo, deputy minister of public security, dies just one day after senior Vietnamese official said Ngo should be suspended during probe into graft charges.
Vietnam is fifth biggest jailer of journalists in the world, and second in Asia-Pacific region after China.
New law bans sharing of news, information on various social networks; critics say it is against current laws, constitution, human rights
