After a challenging year with many trials and tribulations, Viet Nam ended 2012 with a quiet sense of optimism. President Truong Tan Sang discussed Viet Nam’s economic prospects for the next twelve months.

Nguyen Khanh Dieu Hong, a teacher at the University of Science and Technology in Hanoi was appointed the country's youngest associate professor in 2012.

VietNamNet Bridge – Keeping eagles – the bird listed as endangered species – has been a new hobby of Saigonees.

A music event to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Vietnam (September 21, 1973 – September 21, 2013) will take place at the Van Ho Exhibition Centre in Hanoi on March 2.

Although Mexico is on the other end of the globe, the ‘miracle needles’ of Vietnamese acupuncturists Prof Nguyen Tai Thu has saved more than 20,000 Mexican patients.

VietNamNet Bridge – HCM City needs 3,049 teachers in the 2012-2013 academic year, but it only could find 2,000.

 As the word goes, at the time that the Imperial Capital of Hue fell to enemy hands on July 5, 1885, Emperor Ham Nghi moved treasures from the palace to a secret location.

The Ba Tai Mountain in Kien Giang province, which has been highly appreciated for its biodiversity, the area where mineral exploitation is prohibited for conservation, is now in the danger of becoming the materials for making lime.

Major Nguyen Huu Thuan has spent 27 years serving with the Viet Nam People’s Army, 19 of which have been at sea.

VietNamNet Bridge - For the reason of restructuring its fleet and personnel, Air Mekong is going to stop its flights from March 1, 2013.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Local telcos have raced for increased subscribers with the current mobile subscriber number having surpassed 140 million.

VietNamNet Bridge - There were times the traditional brocade weaving craft of the Tay people in Tuyen Quang Province was at risk of disappearing. Thanks to the locals' great efforts, it has been preserved and developed.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to Vietnam strengthened the Vietnam-Japan strategic partnership and boosted bilateral cooperation on politics, security and national defence.

VietNamNet Bridge – Airlines have been trying every possible means to scramble for the market share. However, analysts comment that the competition in the domestic aviation market is not stiffer than ever.

In the traditional knife and scissor making village of Da Sy, Hanoi, Mr. Hoang Van Dieu is honored as the top artisan. Scissors carved with his name are popular throughout the countries and exported to Laos and Cambodia.

Hope for Vietnam’s steady growth in 2013; FDI pours into northern localities; Deloitte upbeat about Vietnam’s competitiveness; Pepper production - something of a paradox

The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs recently asked the People’s Committees of provinces and cities to help workers who became unemployed after their companies’ bosses ran away

Bac Viet Martial Arts School was established based on the traditional martial arts of the ethnic groups, particularly the Mong ethnic people in the Northwestern region.

In a 26-episode reality show ‘Martin Yan-Taste of Vietnam’, the world famous Chinese American chef Martin Yan travels through 15 provinces and cities across Vietnam and relates interesting stories on Vietnamese culture and cuisine.

VietNamNet Bridge - Let's enjoy the quietest day in the year - the first day of the lunar New Year (February 10) in Hanoi and HCM City through pictures:

VietNamNet Bridge – The Spring Festival at Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature) opened this morning, February 11, with many activities.

The HCM City People's Committee has approved a circular on the use of unbaked bricks in local buildings, aiming to boost the production and use of "green" building materials.

VietNamNet Bridge – This toy fair for children opens once a year on the second day of the lunar year in the northern province of Thai Binh. This year the fair took place on February 11.

 VietNamNet Bridge – From March 3, wood makers will have to explain the origins of their products in order to export to the European Union (EU) market, but many enterprises are still not aware of this requirement.

From now on, school curriculum in the central province of Khanh Hoa will include lesson chapters on Vietnam's Sea and Islands, with pictures and documents showing the country’s sovereignty.