VietNamNet Bridge – Many companies in HCM City plan as usual to help disadvantaged workers go home for Tet (the Lunar New Year) and organise celebrations here for those staying back.

 2013 AFC Cup fixtures announced; Tu, Nam win national chess tournaments; Youths get set for volleyball champs; Toan awarded retrospective bronze

Defined as the credit activities which occur outside banks, shadow banking has become a new big threat.

 Apple plans to bring some manufacturing of its computers from China to the United States next year, chief executive Tim Cook said, in a move aimed at sparking more domestic high-tech production.

The two best resorts of Viet Nam will be honoured at the Viet Nam Tourism Awards 2011 on Saturday at the Ha Noi Opera House.

Answering the questions of HCM City People’s Council deputies, the Deputy Director of HCM City Police Agency said the police planed to call for travel firms to contribute cash to pay reward of VND5 million ($250) for those who catch robbers.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Russia-based Rosatom Nuclear Energy State Corporation and Vietnam Electricity are working closely to implement the first nuclear power project in south-central Ninh Thuan province.

 Death toll in the Philippines due to Typhoon Bopha (local name Pablo) has continued to rise to 418 based on the latest data released Friday by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

 Argentina on Thursday condemned what it called "coordinated" charges of protectionism lodged against it by the United States and European Union at the World Trade Organization.

  FM Pham Binh Minh visits Republic of Korea; Vietnam, China border provinces boost cooperation; Lao leader receives high-ranking Vietnamese delegation; Vietnamese and Lao Fronts share experience

 Troops waged fierce assaults on rebels around Syria on Thursday, as top Russian and US diplomats failed in talks with the UN peace envoy to reach any "sensational decisions" on ending the conflict.

During his official visit to Japan, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung on December 6 had meetings with former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and representatives from the Communist Party of Japan (CPJ)

 VietNamNet Bridge – A national conference reviewing the implementation of two major laws and their effectiveness in the workings of the country's legal system was held in the capital city yesterday, Dec 6.

The 2013 New Year holiday would last four days. However, travel firms say most clients book short term 2-3 day tours.

The government is considering slashing the lending interest rate to 10 percent in an effort to rescue businesses which have been thirsty for capital. However, this has not been welcomed by commercial banks.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The unique practice of worshipping Hung Kings in Phu Tho province, Vietnam has been recognised by UNESCO as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage.

A new video clip has been posted on Internet showing a teacher whipping students on their faces.

VietNamNet Bridge - On December 5, Navibank Saigon FC declared its dissolution because the FC did not find any sponsor. Meanwhile, Saigon Xuan Thanh FC is unlikely to attend the 2013 football season.

A series of investment projects in e-commerce have been kicked off, seemingly promising to heat up the market which remains cool despite the presence of the giant eBay.

VietNamNet Bridge - In recent years, Korean music has made a stable foothold in Vietnam and created both positive and negative consequences.

VietNamNet Bridge – Twenty one lakes in Hanoi and 150 hectares of water surface have disappeared over the last 20 years, since 1990.

Vietnam is currently at the 11th position among countries facing high risks of cyber attacks in the world, according to the latest report of Symantec, a California-headquartered global computer security software corporation.

It is quite a normal thing that a brand turns up and then disappears from the market. However, economists say the disappearance of a series of once well-known Vietnamese brands is really worrying.

 VietNamNet Bridge – For so long the office of hustlers, sellers and scammers, the sidewalk is quickly becoming a place where students and even State employees turn to earn some extra cash.

VietNamNet Bridge - Stealing a business name--leading to confusion for customers and affecting the reputation is a big concern of many tourism firms.