The 14th session of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee (CPVCC)’s Theory Council opened in Hanoi on January 16 under the chair of the council’s head Dinh The Huynh.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Land issue violations cost the capital city VND160 billion (US$7.6 million) and 3.88ha of land during 2014, Ha Noi Inspectorate Deputy Chief Bui Van Dinh said on Monday at a meeting.

 Stress is the reason why we find it hard to empathise with someone we do not know, researchers suggest.

 VietNamNet Bridge introduces the second part of a recent talk between US Ambassador Ted Osius and our readers. Mr. Ted Osius commented that patriotism is the driving force for national development and both Americans and Vietnamese are patriotic.

 Law enforcement agencies are coping with difficulties in implementing a number of new regulations and laws with effect this year due to the absence of guidance documents.

 Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has approved a project on technical assistance supporting civil service reform in Vietnam, reported the Vietnam government portal.

VietNamNet Bridge – Local scientists should change their way of thinking and research what businesses and the economy need, instead of studying what they want so as to contribute more to the country’s development.

VietNamNet Bridge - Seven of 12 newly recognized national treasures exhibited or preserved in Hanoi.

Photographer brings Vietnam to Cyprus; Vietnamese photographer shortlisted for int’l creative competition ; Traditional music returns to the big stage; Ancient sculptures of lions and “Nghe” exhibited in HCM City

Fishing boat rescued near Truong Sa; Two arrested for trafficking women in Son La; US Ambassador donates blood ahead of Tet; RoK funds US$3 million e-learning project; Five providers of guest workers to Taiwan suspended

HCM City extends FDI project licences; National agency to check SOE health; Ministry steps in on dairy dispute; National Assembly should tighten Uber taxi controls; Businesses called to invest in telemedicine

 VietNamNet Bridge – The tourism authorities of Danang City and Quang Nam and Thua Thien-Hue provinces have prepared many new tours, entertainment services and festivals to woo visitors this year.

 Total revenue of Vietnam’s tourism industry was estimated at VND230 trillion in 2014, up 15% from the figure recorded in the previous year.

 Members of the Tsukiji fish market – the world’s largest wholesale market from Tokyo, Japan – introduced high-grade seafood products and food preservation technologies to Vietnamese firms in HCM City on January 15.

 Vietnam always attaches much importance to developing comprehensive friendship and cooperative relations with Japan and considers it one of top priorities in its foreign policies.

 The first group of students being sponsored by the Australian Government's New Colombo Plan to undertake short-term study in Viet Nam this year has arrived in Ha Noi.

 Vietnamese futsal (indoor football) teams will take part in an international tournament organised by the Football Association of Indonesia, starting today in Jakarta.

 The Thanh Hoa team has signed a contract with Patrick Roberto Daniel Da Silva to strengthen its chances of winning ahead of the Toyota V.League 1's third round.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The water pipeline bringing water from the Da River to Ha Noi broke again yesterday, the tenth time in the past four years.

 The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has allowed the Vietnam Bank for Industry and Trade (VietinBank) to incorporate a subsidiary in Laos with total chartered capital of US$50 million.

 Crucial issues related to Vietnam Construction Bank (VNCB) will be decided at a general meeting slated for this weekend, including the central bank’s plan to convert VNCB into a wholly State-owned bank.

VietNamNet Bridge – Importers complain that they now have to pay a higher storage fee because it takes agencies more time than before to have specialized examination.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Top Vietnamese swimmer Hoang Quy Phuoc will fly to Japan for a long-term training course to sharpen his skills.

 Four of the world's biggest tech giants - Apple, Google, Intel and Adobe - have agreed to a new settlement of $415m (£273.5m) in an attempt to resolve a lawsuit.

 Thua Thien Hue and Quang Nam provinces and Da Nang city recently unveiled a joint campaign to promote tourism in the central region, home to a slew of famous beaches and world heritage sites.