Paper industry grows 7% in 2013; Rubber exports surpass 1 billion USD; BIDV teams up with Japan’s top bank; US$1.36 billion investment in a new thermal power plant; VietJetAir receives foreign loan for new aircraft

 VietNamNet introduces some churches with typical architecture throughout Vietnam.

 VietNamNet Bridge – While some institutions believe that the Vietnamese real estate market would recover soon after it bottomed out, others think that it is too early to talk about the market recovery.

 VietNamNet Bridge - These days, many young people in the central provinces of Quang Ngai and Binh Dinh have transformed into Santa Clauses to present gifts to poor children.

 VietNamNet Bridge - According to experienced travelers around the world, four hotels in Vietnam are worthy to be named on the list of the best 500 hotels in the world.

 VietNamNet Bridge - While snow has not completely melted, Lao Cai province continues to suffer from spells of hoarfrost, causing severe damage to the region, estimated at VND35 billion ($1.7 million).

 VietNamNet Bridge - The Hanoi People's Committee has decided to shut down Zone 9 - a favorite amusement zone for young people, artists and expats in Hanoi - before 15/1/2014, by administrative measures or even by force.

 VietNamNet Bridge – A 2-ton elephant unexpectedly captured a mahout by its trunk and threw him into a water tank. The incident occurred in the afternoon of December 23 at the private Zoo of Dai Nam in Binh Duong Province.

 VietNamNet Bridge - Coach Hoang Van Phuc of the U23 national football team has submitted his resignation to the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) after his team’s failure at the 27th SEA Games.

 VietNamNet Bridge – In the afternoon of December 20, Japanese tourist - Mr. Hajime Mori received a campaign medal for the 25 millionth international visitor to Hanoi in 2013.

A Tourism and Festival Information Center has been inaugurated in the ancient capital of Hue in Thua Thien-Hue Province by the Hue Festival Management Board.

 Lam Quang Thanh, head of the Vietnamese sports delegation at the 27th SEA Games, which wrapped up in Myanmar on December 22, has spoken highly of the team’s achievement at the event.

 Hard Rock Cafe reschedules Rubylux show; Tet TV show gathers 60 celebrity singers, composers, actors; Special Golden Prizes awarded national TV fest; Army Day exhibition honours VN soldiers

 VietNamNet Bridge – Local authorities all try to attract as many multi-billion dollar projects as possible, while they don’t care if the projects break the national development programs or bring benefits to the local economies.

 VietNamNet Bridge – HCM City-based designer Quang Trong Quang Nhat has become the first winner of the Vietnamese version of Fashion Star TV reality show.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The government has proposed major solutions for realising major socio-economic targets for 2014, aiming to achieve a GDP growth rate of 5.8% and keeping inflation at 7%.

 President: Court sector keeps up with judicial reform; PM exhorts trade counsellors to facilitate export growth; South Korea supports Viet Nam youth leadership project  

 VietNamNet Bridge – The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee started its 23rd meeting in Hanoi on December 23 to review the outcomes of the NA’s sixth session and consider initial preparations for the next.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Nissan Vietnam has been told to re-export the sets of car parts it imported in 2009-2012 or pay the import tax for the sets of car parts as for complete built units (CBU).

 VietNamNet Bridge – As the Lunar New Year approaches, studios plan to churn out lighthearted comedies, which are cheap to make and consistently turn a profit, rather than more challenging dramas or other kinds of features.

 Pulling crackers, clinking glasses, or setting puddings on fire – mere traditions or more important? Tom Stafford explains that rituals may date back to early human history, and can even change the flavour of food.

Mobile network operators, which, ignoring users’ complaints in deciding on raising 3G service fees two months ago, have cut down the fee again in an effort to retain 3G subscribers.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Nguyen Dap has turned his fishing job into a successful tourism service on a coastal village, 3km away from the country's renowned Hoi An City.

 VietNamNet Bridge – In Viet Nam, even with its nationwide tradition of horticulture, if you play a word-place association game and mention "flowers", you know what the place is going to be.

 VietNamNet Bridge – To date, 280,000 hectares of the total 15.3 million hectares of forests have been allocated to local people for forestry production and 513,000 hectares have been allocated for management and protection.