NCB appoints new General Director, Japan puts stress on agricultural deal with Vietnam, Korean firm to invest in Quang Nam IP, Non-cash payment method gets popular, TPP to help Vietnam balance trade relations: economists

VietNamNet Bridge - While rivers have been dying day after day due to pollution, policymakers are still busy discussing how to control pollution.

 Fire destroys ship off Binh Thuan, Two persons rescued from apartment blaze, Pork fat seized in Da Nang, Large weapons hold at Quang Ngai, National Highway No 37 to be upgraded, Developers withhold maintenance fees

MOIT has estimated that the trade deficit may be as high as $4 billion in 2015. Meanwhile, the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) has predicted the figure would be higher than $6 billion, far outstripping last year’s $0.6 billion.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Global market volatility in recent months has unnerved Vietnamese traders, with 61% citing global economic crisis as a worry over the next six months, according to a recent survey of HSBC Bank.

Last week the People's Committee of Tho Xuan District in Thanh Hoa Province had to withdraw a number of death certificates that were issued to people who are apparently alive.

 Viet Nam's national U23 team lost to Japan's fourth-ranked club JFL Selection 1-0 during their friendly match in Ha Noi on December 14.

 The southern province of Kien Giang's People's Committee on Monday announced Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung's decision to establish the Phu Quoc Economic Zone management board.

 At least 15,000 doses of Pentaxim, the five-in-one vaccine, will be available by the end of this month in the North after being in short supply for a long time.

 Police officials in southern Khanh Hoa Province have arrested two foreigners, a Briton and a Dutch national, for allegedly using fake bank cards to engage in property fraud.

 Chairwoman of the Hanoi People’s Council Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc called for greater cooperation with Warsaw during her visit to the Polish capital from December 11-13.

The eighth Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI) Regional Working Group Meeting and the first meeting of the Friends of the Lower Mekong (FLM) Working Group were convened in Hanoi on December 15.

A delegation from the National Assembly’s Committee for External Relations led by its deputy head Ngo Duc Manh paid a working visit to Mozambique from December 10-13.

VietNamNet Bridge - Some branches of foreign banks in Vietnam have applied for conversion into banks with 100% foreign capital.

Who will be the Party General Secretary, the President, the Prime Minister, the Chairman of the National Assembly, and the heads of ministries? Such questions are very common now in the country.

 Thailand Premier League's runner-up, SCG Muangthong United, will meet V.League 1 defending champions Binh Duong on January 23 during their ASEAN Tour 2016 at HCM City's Thong Nhat Stadium.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Vietnam Pay Television Association (VNPayTV) has written to MP & Silva, the exclusive sales representative for the Premier League (EPL) media rights in Vietnam, saying it wants to buy the right to broadcast matches

VietNamNet Bridge – The People's Council of many provinces and cities have completed the year-end session, which elected key personnel for the 2011-2016 term.

 VietNamNet Bridge - More than 500 Buddhist antiquities, including artifacts rated as national treasures, are on display at the Museum of Buddhist Culture in the central city of Da Nang.

Known for his garden of giant pumpkins, originating from America, Le Huu Phan in Da Lat has successfully planted nearly ten special varieties of fruits and vegetables. His garden has become a new tourist attraction in Da Lat.

VietNamNet Bridge – The former director of the Department of Home Affairs of the southern province of Bac Lieu died on December 11 after eating bat blood pudding, local newspapers reported.

VietNamNet Bridge - Seafood companies are experiencing tough days, but they are still spending big money to take over companies in the same field to prevent their situation from becoming even worse.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Catholics in Hanoi come to their churches to pray but non-Catholics can also pay a visit to these old churches and admire their sacred beauty.

 Local customs agencies will not proceed with a controversial plan to collect extra value-added and import taxes from importers, producers and traders of Anhydrous Milkfat (AMF) imports as requested by the Ministry of Finance.