Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has selected nine major border-gate economic zones (BEZs) as priorities to allocate government budget from 2016 to 2020.

Administration reform and corruption were among several pressing issues that municipal councilors raised during the second day of a meeting of the HCM City People's Council.

VietNamNet Bridge - Many schools are not capable of providing quality medical training, but they still received licenses from the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET).

 Fourteen hospitals in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak lack sufficient funds to pay staff salaries totalling VND15 billion (US$667,500), according to the provincial health department.

VietNamNet Bridge - More than 20 hectares of protective forests around the Da Mi hydropower reservoir in Binh Thuan province have been cleared in just the last two months. Meanwhile, agencies have blamed each other.

 Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) raised over 1.11 trillion VND or 49.6 million USD in its initial public offering (IPO) at the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE) on December 10.

 A delegation of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) is in Kuala Lumpur to attend the 69th annual general assembly of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) from December 8 to 12.

 Vietnam welcomes all actions that make active contributions to peace and stability in the region.

 Vietnam is deeply concerned about Turkey’s downing of a Russian jet on November 24 and hopes the two countries will hold dialogue to prevent tensions from escalating.

 The Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) in prepation for the 10th Meeting of the Joint Coordination Committee on Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam (CLV) Development Triangle Area convened in the Lao province of Champasak on December 10.

VietNamNet Bridge – Two months before the 2016 Lunar New Year, the market for lucky money in Vietnam has become vibrant. To welcome the Year of the Monkey, bills related to the animal are being hunted by investors.

 VietNamNet Bridge - Japanese investors have poured money in all sectors of business in Vietnam, including many high-profit industries such as agriculture, real estate and M&A.

 VietNamNet Bridge – You absolutely shouldn’t leave Vietnam without experiencing the floating markets of the western region of southern Vietnam.

About 20 companies are projected to launch initial public offerings (IPOs) on domestic exchanges this month with a total estimated value of more than VND4 trillion (US$178.6 million).

 VietNamNet Bridge – On the night of December 15, Vietnamese people will have the opportunity to observe Geminids - the largest meteor shower of the year, with the extreme frequency of up to 100 tracks per hour.

  Convenience stores remain the preferred retail space of Asian and Vietnamese shoppers.

 Vingroup may build 5-storey HCMC underground parking, Black box data incriminates over 5,100 vehicles, Six apartments gutted on Hanoi street, Residential bars, karaoke clubs disturb the peace

VietNamNet Bridge - The sharp falls in revenue, profit and the value of shares of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) firms make people think LPG is no longer an attractive business field for investors.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Da Lat, a fairy city, known with vast flowers gardens, winding mountain passes, green pine forests and amiable people, now has a new attraction for visitors - a unique clay tunnel.

 Confusion about street names and house numbers in newly-expanded areas are adding to the chaos of streets in Hanoi, making it difficult for local residents and others to find addresses.

 Toyota records positive sales in Vietnam, Project list for ODA capital plan 2015 announced, Europe eyes Viet Nam investments, Transport ministry surpasses equitisation target, 20 websites shortlisted for e-commerce awards

A system simulating the VVER-1200 nuclear reactor was launched in Hanoi on December 9, which is part of a Technical Assistance Project between the Vietnam Atomic Energy Agency and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Vietnam steadfastly pursues the policy of ensuring full enforcement of basic rights and freedom for each citizen, Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc has written in an article on the occasion of World Human Rights Day (December 10).

 Ly Hoang Nam was beaten 2-6, 4-6 by No 5 seed Kim Cheong-eui of South Korea in the second round of the Cambodia F3 Futures on December 9.

With an annual growth rate of 7-8 percent per annum, the Vietnamese lubricant market has attracted foreign brands, especially as Vietnam has now signed many free trade agreements (FTAs).