A brighter outlook is forecast for the Vietnamese economy in 2015 and the following years amid difficulties and challenges, according to economic expert Nguyen Minh Phong.

Daniel Toohey, 31, an Australian tourist, was chosen to carry the 6m-long firecracker at the spring festival of the Dong Ky Village, Bac Ninh Province.

 Tens of thousands of monks, nuns and Buddhist followers from across the nation have begun the annual spring pilgrimage to the Bai Dinh pagoda at Gia Sinh commune, Gia Vien district in the northern province of Ninh Binh.

VietNamNet Bridge – Have you ever been to a museum showcasing gigantic skeletons of whales?

 Vietnam’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga has reaffirmed the nation’s strong commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter at an open debate of the Security Council on February 23.

 Since 1993 the Rencontres du Vietnam (Meet Vietnam) science and education foundation has organised numerous international conferences aimed at helping young scientists establish contacts with international colleagues.

 Eating peanut products as a baby dramatically cuts the risk of allergy, a study reported in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests.

 VietNamNet Bridge - Hundreds of poor women soak their bodies in brackish water all day long to catch clams.

VietNamNet Bridge – A recent report by the Viet Nam e-Commerce Association revealed growing disparity in e-commerce development among provinces and cities, and urged the Government to implement policies

 Indonesia and the Philippines possess enormous development potential for Vietnamese start-ups, said guest speakers at the recent Start-ups 2015 conference held in Hanoi.

Chef of Hanoi’s Fortuna Hotel, Kenji Tam, who has been recently awarded first prize at ‘The Best Taste’ contest, presented a set of three dishes, inspired by the atmosphere of Tet in Vietnam.

 Three students go missing off Quang Ngai; Fire destroys market kiosks in Hai Duong; 46 hospitalised after being injured by fireworks; Nine Vietnamese fishermen rescued off Vung Tau coast; HCM City exhibits model locomotive

Vietnamese photographer listed in famous photo book; Spring festivals draw visitors to Bac Ninh; Longest-ever Tet cake made; 200 artists featured on DVD for Lunar New Year; Int’l poets to join Vietnam festival

 Space remains for local retailers in domestic market; FTAs provide plentiful opportunities for agriculture; Companies to battle for top talents in 2015; Vietnam-UK trade slightly decreases in 2014; Cashew crop sets record

Celebrating the Year of the Goat, Minister of Planning and Investment Bui Quang Vinh shared his thoughts on the momentous year ahead as Vietnam readies for AEC and global economic integration.

Amid cheers from other visitors and family members of local resident Nguyen Thi Huong, Swedish tourist Bjorn Emmerik could not help but feel embarrassed while trying to wrap a piece of Banh Tet, just three days ahead of the Lunar New Year.

VietNamNet Bridge – The Foreign Investment Agency has estimated the number of offshore projects to be licensed for local enterprises this year at around 150, and registered capital for fresh and operational projects at US$1.5-2 billion.

 A festival was held at the Dong Da Park in Hanoi on February 23 to mark the 226th anniversary of the Ngoc Hoi–Dong Da Victory over the Chinese Qing invaders.

The Government encourages public universities to manage their own funding in order to improve the quality of education and human resources, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said during a recent visit to Ton Duc Thang University.

 The Ha Noi Police Department has increased manpower at popular traffic routes to ensure order and safety after the nine-day Tet holiday, Colonel Dao Vinh Thang, head of the Ha Noi Traffic Police, said yesterday.

 Winner of Vietnam’s Next Top Model Hoang Thuy has left deep impression on international audience at a show of famous designer Jeremy Scott in the framework of the ongoing New York Fashion Week.

 Hundreds of thousands of local and international tourists flocked to renowned tourism sites across the country during the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday, which fell on February 19.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Tens of thousands of local and international visitors headed to Vietnamese destinations during Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday, which fell on February 19 this year.

 The national beach football team will gather in Nha Trang in central Khanh Hoa province from February 25 to March 29 to prepare for the Asian elimination round of the upcoming 2015 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

 Tet dishes have special significance as they reflect the Vietnamese tradition of each family member expressing their personal progress, happiness and professional prosperity through the tray of dishes.