Piano recital with Edna Stern; Visual artist displays latest installations; IDECAF to screen comedies; US$1.8 million earmarked for Cat Tien relic preservation; House music legend prepares to hit the decks

 Foreign NGOs grant US$250 million in 2013; Rescuing passengers trapped inside deformed car; Three Vietnamese rescued from Malaysia massage parlours; Authorities seize drug precursors to Australia

 Danang port handles first cargo of 2014; Wood exports top US$5.3bln in 2013; Japanese retailer Aeon opens first VN mall; Shares end the year on a high; Ministry cuts fees on trade activities; Viettel outdoes VNPT second year in a row

While domestic banks have insisted on the delay of the implementation of the Circular No. 02 on classifying debts in accordance with international standards, foreign banks want the opposite thing. Meanwhile, SBV does not want any further delay.

 Tens of thousands of Hanoians and Saigonese, old and young alike, heralded the New Year on the street on December 31 night with music and in the light of low-range display of fireworks.

 Nam to play tennis in Costa Rica, Venezuela; Middle distance runners battle it out in Binh Duong; Aquatic sport centre opens in Can Tho; FIFA World Cup trophy arrives in Hanoi

 VietNamNet Bridge – Six more streets in Hanoi’s Old Quarter will be zoned off for walkers every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night from January 2014.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The real situation of the real estate market in 2013 can be described by the 10 figures.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The number of foreign visitors to Vietnam has risen sharply during the 2014 New Year holiday as many provinces and cities across the country have offered attractive tourism services and incentives.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Mekong Delta province of Tra Vinh on December 31 held a ceremony to receive a certificate recognising Cham Rieng Cha Pay, a traditional folk music practised by Khmer ethnic people,

 South Sudan's President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Wednesday declared a state of emergency in Unity and Jonglei States.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The year 2013 wrapped up with busy foreign relations activities, making important contributions to the national construction and development.

Some scientists and analysts believe that Vietnam would gain bigger benefits in its socio-economic development if it applies the GMT+8 time zone instead of the current GMT+7. The issue remains controversial.

 VietNamNet Bridge – State owned nursery schools in big cities, which have been overloaded with local children, are not capable to receive immigrant workers’ children.

Hundreds of people have been flocking to the Cu Klong commune in Krong Nang district of the central province of Dak Lak these days to look for sapphire and quartz crystals they believe are under the earth in the forests.

 The Travel 365 Forum of the prestigious travel magazine National Geographic reviewed the world tourism 2013 with many famous places that attracted tourists in the world, including HCM City.

 Latvia said its banking system operations in euros have been stable and smooth since entering the eurozone and became the bloc's 18th member early Wednesday.

VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese model Phan Hoang Thu was in the top ten contestants and won the Miss Southeast Asia in the beauty contest, which took place on December 31 in Malaysia.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The growth of Vietnam's stock in 2013 was over 20 percent, while that of other Southeast Asian countries declined or increased only 3-10 percent.

 VietNamNet Bridge - Wishing to have a strange experience or just accidentally welcome the New Year in Vietnam, many foreign visitors were surprised by the bustling atmosphere in Hanoi.

 VietNamNet Bridge - On 31/12/2013, Vietnam’s first Kilo submarine named HQ 182 Hanoi arrived at the Cam Ranh Port in Khanh Hoa Province after a journey lasting a month and a half.

VietNamNet Bridge – A large number of new policies and regulations influencing the entire socio-economic life will become effective in January, 2014.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Khanh Hoa provincial People Committee and Hoan Vu Saigon Joint Stock Company reached a December 31 agreement designating Nha Trang City the host of Vietnam’s Miss Universe 2014.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism December 31 announced ten outstanding cultural, sport and tourism events in 2013.

VietNamNet Bridge – The south-central coast province of Binh Thuan is known for its stunning beaches. However, the location is also a popular destination for pilgrimages to Co Thach, a unique pagoda located on a rock cliff