In the context of national and global socio-economic difficulties, the diplomatic work of Viet Nam in 2012 continued to flourish, proving the country’s increasingly raised role and status in the region and the world.

Laborers expect to hear something from the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) about the policies on assisting and laborers in the context of the unemployment rate increase.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Half of the materials used to produce herbal medicine sold at markets are imported and their quality remains a question to both relevant authorities and consumers, health experts have said.

VietNamNet Bridge - Thanh Hoa province’s police agency is working with a military engineering unit to make net guns to stop illegal racing.

Vinacomin implement next year's production plan; Dragonfruit association denies price-fixing; Petroleum prices cut by up to 2 cents; Housing prices might be even lower next year; Malaysian petrol distributor buys Vietnamese companies

The laws on tertiary education, union, deposit insurance, pricing, legal dissemination and education, judicial assessment, advertising, water resources, anti-money laundering, and sea of Viet Nam will take effect since January 1, 2013.

The inspection department of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Thursday said violations of software copyrights have decreased this year but use of pirated software at foreign companies has intensified.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Duong Ha, Vietnam’s largest antique collection by couple Duong Minh Thoi (1899-1976) and Ha Thi Ngoc (1902-1979), debuted on Thursday at the Museum of Vietnamese History in District 1.

The use of antidepressants during pregnancy is not linked to a higher overall risk of stillbirth and death in newborns, a study said Tuesday, confounding a long-held opposing view of such drugs. 

 VietNamNet Bridge – The title of national special relic site was awarded to Ba Be Lake in the northern mountainous province of Bac Kan at a ceremony on December 29.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has decided to give a warning to former chairman of Electricity of Vietnam (EVN), Dao Van Hung, for big losses of the group’s subsidiary EVN Telecom.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Dieu Han, 22, became the first Vietnamese girl to win the Miss ASEAN crown at the contest in Chiang Rai, Thailand last week.

VietNamNet Bridge - Many dramatic movies such as “Les Misérables,” “The Impossible” or “The Tower” will make debuts at local cinemas in January 2013.

 Beginning August 21, the Vietnamese stock market reacted negatively to the arrest of bank millionaire Nguyen Duc Kien, the co-founder of Ha Noi Stock Exchange-listed Asia Commercial Bank (ACB).

VietNamNet Bridge - On January 1, the police of the Mekong Delta City of Can Tho said that nine Chinese men were administratively fined for having different activities from the purpose of entry without permission of the authorities.

VietNamNet Bridge - In 2013, the 17-year-old female swimmer--Nguyen Thi Anh Vien will be invested with a record high funding from the General Department of Sports and Physical Training, over VND1 billion ($50,000).

VietNamNet Bridge – On January 1, Dak Lak province authorities held the memorial and burial ceremony for the remains of 31 martyrs who sacrificed in the resistance war against America at the local cemetery for martyrs.

VietNamNet Bridge - The handicapped information technology expert Nguyen Cong Hung, 31, died on December 31, on a business trip from HCM City to Vinh Long Province.

 VietNamNet Bridge – If the Government effectively implements its business rescue plan this year, the securities market will prosper, say market insiders.

 VietNamNet Bridge – A new photo exhibition offers a closer look into the daily lives and feelings of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Viet Nam who continue to suffer from discrimination.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Viet Nam Professional Football Co (VPF) has invited Kazuyoshi Tanabe to be their deputy director in the 2013 season.

VietNamNet Bridge - After three days of the New Year holiday, from the afternoon of January 1, 2013, people flocked to Hanoi and HCM City, resulting in traffic congestion in the city.

The Congressional Budget Office said the Senate-passed bill to avert the "fiscal cliff" would add roughly 4 trillion dollars to federal deficit over a decade, largely because it would extend low tax rates for most Americans. 

VietNamNet Bridge – On December 29, over 40,000 Buddhists attended the lantern festival at Hoang Phap temple, in Hoc Mon district, Ho Chi Minh City. This festival has been recognized as the country’s largest Buddhist festival.

 Midwife system faces major obstacles in rural provinces; VND1 bln to assist Hoang Sa archipelago fishermen; School-based health clinics lack basic sanitation facilities