he circular that guides the establishment and management over open investment funds has been issued, which is hoped to create a “set of new investment tools”.

VietNamNet Bridge – For Nha Trang-based artist Nguyen Lieu, the conical hat of Viet Nam has more than iconic value.

Hollywood shoe designer Christian Louboutin visits Vietnam; Boy singer boasts talent in int’l television channels; 5D World Rider offers discount tickets; Japanese conductor to wield baton in Hanoi; Hoi An Day to take place in town  

Smuggling and illegal trading have increased along the borders and coastal regions as the Lunar New Year approaches.

A solo painting exhibition called ‘Harvest’ by artist Nguyen Van Cuong opened on December 178 at HCM City Museum of Fine Arts.

VietNamNet Bridge – The highest Tet bonus this year for employees working in factories in HCM City industrial parks and export processing zones will be VND99 million (US$4,700) by a domestic enterprise based in Hiep Phuoc Industrial Park.

The spirit of Christmas has filled streets, shopping centres and stores in HCM City with striking colours, decorations and items, with prices rising by 5-20 per cent compared to last year.

The World Bank Group's Board of Executive Directors has discussed the Vietnam Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) for the 2012-16 period and approved the first three operations under the new CPS.

Iraqi Vice President Tariq al- Hashimi on Tuesday said he is ready to face trial on condition that it is held in Iraq's northern Kurdish region.

Domestic tours have become not favored by Vietnamese travelers, because they are more expensive than outbound tours.

Tablet PCs now not only can undertake office jobs for office workers, but can also help serve customers at café and restaurants.

VietNamNet Bridge – The indoor football team will be busy next year with a full schedule that will see them compete in three international tournaments beginning in February.

Vietnamese universities fail to attract the most excellent and the richest students, because they choose to go studying abroad when feeling disappointed about the domestic university education.

While businesses feel worried that they may fail to fulfill the yearly business plan in the big economic difficulties, they have heard another shocking news: the electricity price increases from December 20.

VietNamNet Bridge – Gymnasts Do Thi Ngan Thuong and Pham Phuoc Hung will have their eyes set on the remaining spots at the 2012 London Olympics as they compete in the qualifying event in England on January 10-13.

VietNamNet Bridge – Significant outcomes have been attained in curbing population boom in Viet Nam, with 18.5 million people lower than estimated by 2010, according to health officials yesterday, Dec 20.

VietNamNet Bridge – President of the Senate of Thailand Teeradej Meepien will be making an official visit to Viet Nam.

The United States, Japan and India held their first trilateral dialogue here on Monday over a "wide range" of regional and global issues of common interest.

VietNamNet Bridge – Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has ratified two international protocols as measures to prevent and fight organised crimes across national borders more effectively.

VietNamNet Bridge – Drivers and assistants of HCM City's inter-provincial busses allegedly involved in transporting smuggled goods have been suspended from work for further investigation.