The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee on December 17 chose Trungnam Group to implement the phase 1 of a project to control flooding caused by tides in the City.

 A photo contest themed “Vietnam today” was launched in Hanoi on December 17, aiming to promote the country’s tourism in the eyes of domestic and international tourists.

 More than 60 art troupes from 47 countries worldwide will join 53 local ones in the 2016 Hue Festival, which will take place in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue from April 29 to May 4, 2016.

 The European Parliament (EP) adopted an official resolution ratifying the Vietnam – EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), at a plenary session in Strasbourg city, France, on December 17.

VietNamNet Bridge - The business fields that Thais have poured money to in Vietnam – infrastructure, building materials, retail, consumer goods, food and automobiles – are all fields with great potential.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Terraced fields are recognised by the State as national scenic places and appreciated by international mass media as the peak of beauty crystallised by Vietnamese culture and labour.

 All six Vietnamese students attending the 12th International Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO) held in the Republic of Korea brought home medals, according to the Hanoi municipal Department of Education and Training.

 Party Central Committee’s meeting enters 4th working day, DPRK Ambassador vows to boost relations with Vietnam, Cambodian Senate President concludes Vietnam visit, Vietnamese General greets Cuban guest

 Viet Nam and Indonesia wrapped up the 7th technical meeting on the Delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone in Ha Noi yesterday after three days.

 Vietnam has called for dialogue and reconciliation to ensure security and human rights in Burundi in the wake of mounting violence in the African nation.

 The Vietnam-EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) sailed through the Senate of France in Paris on December 17 with 100 percent of the vote.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines conducted 365 flights between Vietnam and Indonesia in 2015, carrying more than 100,000 passengers and over 1,000 tonnes of cargos.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam has successfully produced a vaccine to combat the Porcilis Porcine Reproductive Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), which is also known as “Blue Ear Pig Disease”, according to the Vietnam Veterinary Association (VVA).

 VietNamNet Bridge – Up to 20,000 electric cars made by Renault will be shipped to Vietnam within the next five years by the Mai Linh Group.

VietNamNet Bridge - Some foreign investors have warned that they may leave Vietnam because of unfavorable conditions to do business. However, Vietnamese businesses and analysts believe they will stay in the country.

VietNamNet Bridge - Nearly all high school students who won top prizes at competitions for excellent students, when asked about their future plans, said they want to study abroad.

VietNamNet Bridge - Domestic banks are struggling to compete with foreign banks, which are powerful in online payment technology, and with businesses applying online payment methods.

VietNamNet Bridge - Thousands of hectares of forests have been cleared to make room for industrial crops, but many project investors have ‘forgotten’ to plant new forests to compensate for land that was cleared.

On December 18, the temperatures continue to fall in the North of Vietnam. Many locations, including Sapa, one of the most famous destinations in Vietnam, were covered with frost.

 Deals worth 485 billion VND signed at Vietnam-China trade fair, Quang Ninh invites investment in agriculture, Cash popularity hurting nation's economy, Pick-up trucks gain traction in VN, Renault, Mai Linh to launch electric taxi services

 VietNamNet Bridge – Sizzling hot weather in Saigon led me to make a trip up to the nation’s north. Mai Chau, an upland district in Hoa Binh Province, was my destination.

VietNamNet Bridge - When the ASEAN Economic Community takes effect, Vietnam will have to allow up to 70 percent of foreign ownership ratio in Vietnamese banks.

The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is set to offer great opportunities for the Vietnamese export market. However, opportunities may be missed if supporting industries are not prepared quickly enough to take advantage of them.

 VietNamNet Bridge – A lantern festival will kick off a long night of New Year's celebrations at the Hoi An Statute Park on December 31.

 VietNamNet Bridge – A myriad of activities will be held across Ho Chi Minh City to ring in the New Year 2016.