JLL Vietnam has reported that the real estate markets in both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi had a very strong 2016, with multiple new highs recorded in all facets of the residential market. 

 Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc expressed his delight at the development of Vietnam-US ties, especially since the establishment of comprehensive partnership, during a reception for visiting US Secretary of State John Kerry in Hanoi on January 13. 

 Vietnam’s acting Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and visiting US Secretary of State John Kerry had a meeting in Hanoi on January 13 to exchange measures to enhance the two countries’ comprehensive partnership in the coming time.

The Chinese government will closely work with the Vietnamese counterpart to fully implement the common perceptions and agreements reached by the two countries to bring practical benefits for the two peoples.

 Vietnam and China have agreed to continue fostering cooperation in ensuring security and order, making it an important pillar of the bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

 The Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam)’s Exploration Production Corporation (PVEP) and the Exxon Mobil Vietnam Company signed a framework agreement on the Blue Whale project development and gas sale in Hanoi on January 13.

 PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosted a reception for U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on January 13 in Ha Noi.

 Six people were seriously injured when a bridge hit by a barge collapsed in the southern Ca Mau Province on January 13.

Hanoi authorities have announced a contest to find the best ideas to solve the city’s traffic problems with prizes amounting to VND6bn (USD266,000).  

FPT Telecom JSC and FPT Securities JSC, two companies under the umbrella of information technology company FPT Corp, both debuted shares on the securities market on January 13.

At a ceremony on the evening of January 12, Today’s Woman magazine (Phu Nu Ngay Nay) named Nam Em their choice for the most inspiring and admired Vietnamese woman of 2016.

 Established in 2001, the music band of Vo Thanh Trang Secondary School in Tan Phu District has become one of the most renowned student bands in Ho Chi Minh City.

An offcial ceremony that included cannon salute took place in Beijing, China, on January 12 to welcome visiting General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Nguyen Phu Trong.

 The average bonus given to Vietnamese workers for Tet is 4.9 million VND (218 USD) per worker, almost equivalent to a month’s average salary and 96 percent of last year’s level of 5.1 million VND (227 USD).

 Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Uong Chu Luu held talks in Hanoi on January 13 with his Hungarian counterpart Gergely Gulyas, who is on a working visit to Vietnam from January 12-16.  

 The National Assembly plans to pass 24 bills and debate 14 other draft laws in 2017, along with considering many important policies, stated NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan in a New Year interview with Vietnam News Agency.

 The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) will work to foster relations between Vietnam and China in a long-term and sustainable manner.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Only around 100 wild elephants, and an additional 60 in captivity, remain in Viet Nam, with most living in Dak Lak, Dong Nai and Nghe An provinces, a conference on elephant conservation heard on Wednesday.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Animal protection group PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has listed HCM City among the top 10 havens for vegans and vegetarians in Asia.

The HCM City Tourism Association has sought the continuation of an existing visa waiver for citizens of five Western European countries (UK, France, Germany, Spain and Italy) and the addition of India and Australia to the list.