2020 is a landmark year for Vietnam in the international arena. It is assuming a two-year-long non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council, which includes two months as president of the highest decision-making body of world politics.

Civil servants, public employees and members of the armed forces are set for a new basic salary, with the highest increase in the past eight years.

Sculptor Ta Quang Bao seemed calm talking to friends and acquaintances at the opening of a recent exhibition, but deep down he was hiding strong emotions at the start of his first solo show.

An exhibition of 20 photos by Swedish and Vietnamese amateur photographers was held at the residence of the Swedish ambassador to Vietnam on Sunday.

The loss of sand has caused erosion and increased salinity as well as subsidence in the Mekong Delta.

The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) has launched an electronic operation centre using artificial intelligence.

The tensions between the US and Iran are feared to create uncertainties which could influence Vietnam’s economy, experts say.

Market surveillance units last year cracked a number of major counterfeit rings countrywide as the fight against trade frauds took place on a scale never seen before, Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh said.

By the end of 2019, more than 1,000 Vietnamese nurses received training and worked in Germany while being greatly appreciated by the German side, according to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.

Vietnam has set a target to eliminate malaria by 2030, since it has recently achieved remarkable results in preventing and combating the dangerous tropical disease.

The Vietnamese women's football team have refused an award of VND500 million ($21,739) offered by a local company after being offended by their requirements.

A vaccine against African Swine Fever (ASF) is being developed in Vietnam.

A Cambodian passenger has had a bag containing valuable items which were left on a Vietnam Airlines flight returned.

Three prioritised orientations in the economic pillar of ASEAN in 2020 was revealed during the first meeting of ASEAN Senior Economic Officials in 2020 (SEOM 1/51), which is underway in Hanoi from January 12-14.

Blind musician Ha Van Chuong has released a book titled Nham Mat Nhin Sao (Watching Stars With Closed Eyes) aiming to inspire people with disabilities.

Hanoi police on January 13 announced they have issued a decision to start legal procedures against 22 people in the disturbance case happening in Dong Tam commune, Hanoi’s suburban district of My Duc, on January 9.

Vietnam is in the third place of Group D of the ongoing AFC U23 Championships after drawing Jordan 0-0 in the match on January 13 at Chang Arena Stadium in Thailand.

Up to 3,785 cases of drink driving have been handled in the first seven days of 2020, with total fines of more than VND12.5 billion ($539,400).

Vietnam presided over a United Nations Security Council session on January 13.

Three teachers in Hanoi have been selected to represent Vietnam to participate in the Microsoft Education Exchange 2020 scheduled to take place in Australia on March 23-26.

These sugar-coated lotus seeds are a popular gift for newlyweds, but the sweets are also bought for friends and family during Tet. 

As an array of new-generation Free Trade Agreements (FTA) start to take effect in early this year, Vietnam’s export commodities can enjoy competitive advantages as a result of the removal of tariff barriers.

To lure more foreign investment in infrastructure, Vietnam needs to have a clear public-private partnership (PPP) framework.

This is the first time a study on anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of bee venom (apis mellifera) on experimental animals has been carried out in Vietnam.

Home-made sweets and cakes have become more popular for the Lunar New Year or Tet Holiday in Vietnam despite their quite high prices.