Enterprises are facing challenges in hiring and keeping employees as a result of competition from multinational corporations expanding their businesses in Vietnam, with many recruiters saying they cannot find enough qualified candidates for jobs.

 Viet Nam has an increasing incidence of respiratory diseases, with the WHO repeatedly issuing warnings that it is among the most air-polluted countries in the Asia-Pacific region, according to health experts.

More than 40 commercial banks are providing mobile payment services, while more than 90 million mobile transactions were made in the first nine months of the year, worth VND423 trillion.

 The operations of a stone quarry run by the  Asia Mineral Joint Stock Company were suspended yesterday after a collapse killed a worker and injured two others in Nghe An Province.

 The job market in Viet Nam is expected to be largely positive next year as the country continues to develop its manufacturing base, recruitment companies say.

 The state-owned Song Da Corporation will offer 219 million shares at its initial public offering (IPO) scheduled on December 25.

 Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosted a reception for visiting Lao Defence Minister Chansamone Channhalat in Hanoi on December 18.

 Using iodine in salt, a health step long enforced in Western countries, cannot by itself improve iodine shortages in Vietnamese people, experts agreed at a conference held last week in Hanoi.

 A huge potential exists in the country for start-ups that find innovative solutions for existing problems, and young people must be the game changers for this to happen.

 A pedagogy university in Ho Chi Minh City is struggling financially after implementing a tuition-free policy issued twenty years ago.

 The Vietnamese team has won the first prize of the WhiteHat Grand Prix 2017 international Cybersecurity contest.

People are rushing to buy bitcoin mining machines. Bitcoin ATMs can be found at some cafes in HCMC. Numerous calls for investments in bitcoin have appeared on the internet. And some travel firms accept payments in bitcoin.

Experts say ransomware continues attacking businesses, and that cryptocurrency mining malware has appeared on websites in Vietnam, while spyware is attacking Android smartphones.

VietNamNet Bridge - Residents are complaining about columns of smoke from burning stacks of straw in the Hanoi suburbs. 

VietNamNet Bridge - HCMC has received approval from the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) for its plan to compile textbooks for use at general schools in the city. 

 The WhiteHat Grand Prix 2017 under theme of "Vietnam Heritages" was officially opened in Hanoi capital yesterday with the participation of 277 leading network security and software teams from more than 50 countries in the world. 

 The central highlands province of Lam Dong has almost completed all preparations for the 7th Da Lat Flower Festival to be taken place from December 23-27.

 Japanese-American violinist Tamaki Kawakubo gives a performance themed “Melodies of happiness” at Hanoi Opera House on January 17.

 Pedagogy schools are facing financial difficulties as they have to subsidize for training expenses when the government’s subsidization is not enough.

 Government officers and workers will enjoy a 7-day holiday for the 2018 Tet (Lunar New Year), from February 14 - 20, 2018 (on December 29- January 5 of the lunar calendar).