Vietnam's rice export volume is likely to reach around 6.15 million tonnes and be worth over US$3.15 billion in 2018, up 5.7% in volume and 19.6% in value over the previous year.

VietNamNet Bridge - With a population of 95 million and a high percentage of young people of working age, Vietnam is now in the ‘golden period’ to develop consumer credit.

 Amidst the Fourth Industrial Revolution entering ­Vietnam, many businesses are ­attempting to equip ­themselves with advanced technologies and new ­methods of performance in the aim of improving the country’s productivity levels.

 Vietnam's real estate market continues to be of major interest to foreign investors.

Duong Hoang Thong from Hanoi has created artistically carved candles imprinted with the cultural traits of Vietnam.

Artisan Lam Ngoc Vinh in Hoc Mon district, Ho Chi Minh City, creates mini bonsai trees which are truly works of art showing the artisan’s ingenuity, meticulousness and passion.

VietNamNet Bridge - While giving different predictions about Vietnam’s GDP growth rate in 2019, institutions all agree that Vietnam will have to face high risks in the time to come.

Vietnamese firms have not been able to fully tap incentives offered by free trade agreements (FTAs) that Vietnam has signed, experts said. 

 A documentary titled “Vietnam: Connecting East Africa” will be broadcast on the Discovery East Africa channel on December 27 for the first time, and on the Discovery Southeast Asia three days later. 

 Vietnam relies heavily on imported machinery and equipment from China, and experts are worried the country might become a landfill of outdated technologies, urging measures to tighten the import of second-hand machinery and equipment.

 The Ministry of Finance aims to issue 200 trillion VND (8.78 billion USD) worth of Government bonds and develop green Government bonds in 2019.

 The domestic cashew industry would continue to face difficulties in processing and trading cashew nuts next year, according to the Vietnam Cashew Association (Vinacas).

 The second level-2 field hospital, recently set up by the Ministry of National Defence, is considered a new landmark in Vietnam’s participation in the United Nations’ peacekeeping operations.

 A mass wedding for 50 couples, featuring people with disabilities, was held in Ho Chi Minh City on December 21 by the “Dao Phat Ngay nay” (Buddhism Today) Fund from the city’s Giac Ngo Pagoda.

 The Unlisted Public Company Market (UPCoM) has gained less attention compared to the Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi stock exchanges in the past few months, but there are some names expected to boost investor confidence.

 Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his economic advisory team discussed measures to tackle shortcomings and realise the 7-percent growth target set for 2019 at a session in Hanoi on December 22.

 The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee on December 22 approved an ordinance on amendments and supplements to several articles of four ordinances related to planning.

 Football has inspired patriotism and national pride, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said on December 21 when hosting the national football team and head coach Park Hang-seo.

 The government has established the National Mental Health Program, but industry observers have noted that it only covers approximately 30 per cent of the country and uses a very narrow list of mental illnesses.

 The People’s Court of the south central province of Binh Thuan on December 21 handed out prison sentences to 12 defendants, including two customs officials, involved in a multi-trillion VND fuel smuggling case, the biggest unveiled so far in Vietnam.