Da Nang’s most beautiful street named after Vo Nguyen Giap

 VietNamNet Bridge - Located between the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa roads, Vo Nguyen Giap Road is considered the most beautiful road in Da Nang – the biggest city in central Vietnam.

British destroyer docks in Da Nang Port

On the morning of December 18, the heavyweight destroyer HMS Daring of the British Royal Navy docked the Tien Sa Port in Da Nang City, starting a 4-day visit to Vietnam on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of Vietnam-UK diplomatic relations.

US Federal Reserve pulls back on stimulus effort

 The US Federal Reserve has announced a slowdown in its effort to boost the US economy.

Travel firms join forces to boost sales

 Eight travel companies in HCMC have teamed up to facilitate operations and improve products, launch tours with the best prices, run common advertising programs and create unanimous departure schedules to attract local and international travelers.

Vehicles stuck for days on snow-covered pass in Lao Cai

For the first time, the O Quy Ho Pass in the northern province of Lao Cai has been covered by snow for several days, making several hundreds of trucks and buses stuck. Drivers and passengers are experiencing unforgettable days on the snow mountain.

Black gibbons - the “soul” of the northern forests

 VietNamNet Bridge – Tiger is the king of beasts in the forests, while gibbons’ songs are the soul of the forests. There is only one forest in Yen Bai province where black gibbons still exist.

When will Vietnam deploy 4G?

 VietNamNet Bridge – While 4G LTE has become more and more popular in the world and 4G licenses have been licensed in other regional countries, Vietnam still decides that it’s now not the right time to begin the 4G era.

Int'l organizations give warnings about VN's labor force quality

 VietNamNet Bridge – International organizations, in the reports released consecutively in November, showed the worrying situation of the Vietnamese workforce.

Big opportunities for Vietnamese businesses in USA, Chile

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam is making hectic preparations to boost exports to the US market, its biggest trade partner, and to Chile, which is considered the entrance gate to Latin America.

Political Headlines December 19

 Viet Nam, Poland look to boost ties; Vietnam, Japan party officials meet; Party leader applauds public security work; President meets members of outstanding cultural families

Fund for natural disaster prevention to be established

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam’s total property losses from storms and flooding during the last three years exceeded 50 trillion VND (about 2.36 billion USD), half of the figure was recorded in 2013.

VN backs Japan investors in six sectors

VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Planning and Investment is to complete structuring laws and policies to attract Japanese investment in six prioritised sectors by 2015.

Vietnamese financier faces life sentence

 VietNamNet Bridge – Nguyen Duc Kien, one of Vietnam's most powerful financial figures, may face life sentence for violating state regulations on economic management.

Hue to close Perfume River night markets

 VietNamNet Bridge – For almost two years, local residents in Hue have complained about the night market set up on the city's foot street that runs along the poetic Perfume River.

Severe weather events in 2013

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment said in 2013, hydro- meteorological experts noted many records about the weather, such as the biggest ever hail in Lao Cai or the "cataclysm" in Quang Ngai.

The best places for watching snow in Vietnam

 VietNamNet Bridge - Apart from Sapa, Y Ty in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai, tourists can see the rare phenomenon of snow and ice in Mau Son (Lang Son), Phia Oac (Cao Bang) and Tay Con Linh (Ha Giang).

Social Headlines December 19

World Bank in Vietnam keen on climate change response; Vietnam to create jobs for 1.6 million labourers; Individuals honoured for donating special documents; Broken water pipes affect 70,000 households

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 19/12

 Central bank will continue gold auctions; Debt legislation won't be delayed; Central bank sets new rules for foreign currency lending; SBV approval to lend in foreign currency; Motorbike sales stutter despite holiday discounts

Photos: Sa Pa terraced fields covered in snow

VietNamNet Bridge - To capture these stunning pictures of snow and ice in Sapa town and on the O Quy Ho Pass, the photographer had to walk 20km because the snow was too thick and every vehicle could not move.

US State Department issues fact sheet on US-Vietnam comprehensive partnership

VietNamNet Bridge – The US State Department on December 16 issued a fact sheet on the US-Vietnam comprehensive partnership, describing it as “an overarching framework for advancing the bilateral relationship”. Following are excerpts of the document:

Vietnamese athletes have a day to remember at SEA Games

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese star swimmers Nguyen Thi Anh Vien and Hoang Quy Phuoc set a new record for Vietnamese swimming at the Southeast Asian Games both earning gold medals to help Vietnam clock five gold medals

Vietnam hopes TPP will bring more rice orders from the US

 VietNamNet Bridge – The rice exports to the US now only account for 10 percent of Vietnam’s total rice exports. However, the figure is believed to increase sharply once the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) is inked.

Snowden offers to help Brazil in NSA inquiry, bolsters case for asylum

 Edward Snowden, the former contractor for the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA), has offered to help Brazil investigate the extent of NSA's spying against the South American country in an open letter published Tuesday.

Vietnam secures second place at SEA Games

Vietnamese athletes had a successful competition day at the on-going 27th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Myanmar on December 17 as they brought home a total of six gold medals.

Art & Entertainment Headlines December 18

 Asian Records recognises 10 more Vietnamese dishes; America’s Next Top Model’s judge joins VNTM finale; Photos of Evita lure Hanoi visitors; Argentine Film Week in Vietnam; Writing campaign to promote children’s literature