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.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Noted water puppeteer Phan Thanh Liem has just opened his second miniature theatre for water puppetry at his private home in Hanoi’s Long Bien District.

 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.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The HCM City Department of Transport has proposed the city People’s Committee allow a pilot electric motorbike rental programme in District 1.

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

 VietNamNet Bridge – Two companies involved in an illegal case of hazardous waste landfill in central Ha Tinh Province have been fined a total VND1 billion or US $45,000.

 Singapore’s entrepreneur training debuts in Vietnam, Large steel structure factory inaugurated in Dong Nai, Experts: HCMC apartment supplies seen rising next year, Growth continuing in FMCG

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 People’s Court in Mekong Delta’s Can Tho City sentenced one foreigner and three Vietnamese to prison for cheating 37 people of some VND5.3 billion (US$235,500) via social network Facebook.

 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).