VietNamNet Bridge – Firecracker smuggling is on the rise as the Tet (Lunar New Year) approaches.

 Following are a couple of entertainment and cultural events held in HCMC this weekend.

 The Finance Ministry has insisted on levying a special consumption tax on sweetened beverages, except for dairy products, news website Vietnam Finance cites the ministry’s latest draft of the amended law on taxes.

Former Deputy governor of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) and many other bankers were prosecuted for violations in bank related fields in 2017.

 Cape Town, home to Table Mountain, African penguins, sunshine and sea, is a world-renowned tourist destination. But it could also become famous for being the first major city in the world to run out of water.

 Vietnam Securities Depository reported that there were 447 foreign investors granted with transaction codes in the stock market last December, higher than the previous month when it reached 428 investors.

 Nearly 800 technology students of Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang City and Hanoi have been taking part in the event of the Open Camp in three days on January 6, 8 and 12.

 The cherry blossom festival of Da Lat city, the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong will be started from January 20, announced the provincial People’s Committee at a conference on January 11.

 If you've ever wanted a robot to do the vacuuming, then the CES tech show has something for you.

 The Temple of Literature, a popular tourist attraction in Hanoi, launched an audio guide service for visitors on January 11.

 Vietnam’s foreign reserves have grown by more than 21 per cent since last October and by $1.5 billion during the first ten days of 2018 to reach their highest-ever level, State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) Governor Le Minh Hung said.

 GrabBike drivers in Ho Chi Minh City went on strike for the second time to protest the company's new hike in its revenue share to 23.6 per cent from the previous 20.

 The Government Inspectorate has just announced finding several violations related to asset and capital usage and management, equitisation, and divestment at Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV).

These days, Moc Chau Plateau in the northern province of Son La attracts travellers to not only endless tea hills and white mustard flower fields but also white apricot flowers.

 Astronomers have caught a massive black hole letting out a "double burp" after binging on hot gas.

Indian actress Arti Singh arrived in Ho Chi Minh City on January 9 to attend the 2017 “Blue Star” Awards. 

 Hanoi plans to hold spectacular firework displays and diverse cultural, art and sports activities to welcome the Lunar New Year festival (Tet).

 "Lobster is one of those rare foods that you cook from a live state," the recipe says. "Quickly plunge lobsters head-first into the boiling water... Boil for 15 minutes," the recipe then instructs.

 Two Vietnamese workers were killed after a scaffolding structure at a hydroelectric power plant in Laos collapsed, said local authorities.

 Non-performing loans (NPLs) of credit institutions were controlled effectively in 2017, helping the NPL ratio of the entire banking system reduce to 2.3 per cent from 2.46 per cent in late 2016.