Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe conveyed his New Year wishes to all Vietnamese when talking over the phone with his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Tan Dung on February 13.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and US Secretary of State John Kerry discussed bilateral ties over the phone on February 12.

 Vietnamese Ambassador to Slovakia Ho Dac Minh Nguyet held a reception in Bratislava on February 12 to mark the 65th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties.

Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh talked to Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi on the phone on February 13 on measures to enhance bilateral ties in 2015, the year marking the 65th anniversary of Vietnam-China diplomatic ties.

HCMC will have eight fireworks displays to ring in the Year of the Goat on February 18 and three flower markets which will take place from now until February 18.

 VietNamNet Bridge - Traders are flocking to the districts of Tu Nghia and Mo Duc in Quang Ngai Province, where households are planting chrysanthemums in central Vietnam to serve the Tet market.

Vietnamese engineers have the capacity to create good computer microchips at competitive prices, but face challenges launching their products on the market because of the perception that “made-in-Vietnam” means low quality.

 The annual Lunar New Year (TET) calligraphy exhibition, which has taken place for over a decade along Van Mieu Street in the Dong Da district of Hanoi, has been relocated this year to the Temple of Literature.

Experts believe that foreign investors want to develop oil refinery projects because they can see the geopolitical and economic advantage in a Vietnam location.

 VietNamNet Bridge - Thousands of fishermen of Quang Ngai province have returned home from Hoang Sa and Truong Sa waters with boats full of fish to prepare for the lunar New Year festival.

VietNamNet Bridge – Following a successful 2014, investment fund management companies are seeking capital to set up new funds in Vietnam.

 VietNamNet Bridge - With many decorative LED lights, the spring flower street along the Han River in the largest city in central Vietnam is sparkling at night, attracting thousands of visitors.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Adequate compensation and income-generating opportunities are key factors that will determine the success of Ha Noi's plan to resettle thousands of residents from its Old Quarter,

The name Co Do Village may not be too familiar to people in northern Viet Nam, but when someone mentions its other name, the painters' village, most will say they've heard about its reputation as a beautiful village artists flock to for inspiration.  

 VietNamNet Bridge – For at least 40 years, hundreds of households in Huong Khe District in the central province of Ha Tinh have had to survive using water resources contaminated with petroleum.

VietNamNet Bridge – Tran Van Nhung, Phd, secretary general of the Professorship Council, disagrees with the opinion that Vietnam has too many professors and associate professors.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The capital's residents will be allowed to walk on the Nhat Tan Bridge to watch the fireworks on Lunar New Year Eve, which falls on February 18.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Plans to build national centres for the elderly following a Japanese model have been on the agenda of health care co-operation between Viet Nam and Japan,

In addition to traditional items such as conical hats and Vietnamese ao dai, foreign tourists who come to Vietnam during the lunar New Year can choose other items like lucky-money envelopes, lanterns or Dong Ho folk painting.

More than 60 percent of Japanese businesses plan to expand their future operations in Vietnam, according to a survey conducted by the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO).

Calligraphy exhibition opens at Temple of Literature; Can Tho triumph at national unicorn-lion-dragon dance event; Entertainment fills Da Nang throughout holiday; Hoi An to celebrate Year of the Goat with fireworks

Home ownership extensions rejected; Fire breaks out at City bank; Soc Trang law enforcement officials punished for corruption; Hospitals to tighten measles prevention measures; Binh Duong establishes public administrative centre

 Extra VND40 trillion for Tet cash withdrawals; OV help sought to boost farm exports; More time sought for Uber partners to complete procedures; Eximbank gets approval for mPOS service; Textile firms face high turnover

 VietNamNet Bridge – Imported flowers have become a favourite of a large number of consumers for the Lunar New Year (Tet) Festival, despite their higher prices compared with that of locally produced flowers.

Vietnam has witnessed a drain in foreign currencies over the years, with one expert saying that $33 billion flowed out of the country between 2008 and 2013 because of illegal transfer of funds and embezzlement.