Vietnam’s retail sales of goods and services rose to 10.2 percent to around 156.7 billion USD in 2016, data from the General Statistics Office (GSO) has revealed.

 The closure segment of Tan Vu-Lach Huyen bridge, the to-be longest cross-sea bridge in Southeast Asia, was installed at a ceremony in northern Hai Phong city on January 6.

 The Asia Pacific Gateway (APG) submarine fiber optic cable line has been put into operation after four years under construction.  

 Government officials have announced that mineral exploitation will be more tightly controlled under a new regulation coming into effect on January 15.

 The focus of development for Ho Chi Minh City’s property market shifted from the south to the east in 2016, experts said.

 No one can count how many markets there are in Vietnam but many agree that they are the vivid reflection of the Vietnamese culture. Markets vary by regions. It is their uniqueness that inspires tourists.

Vietnam has overtaken Japan, the Republic of Korea (RoK), Thailand and Taiwan on the list of most desirable locations for expat career opportunities, according to new data released from the latest Expat Explorer survey.

 Minister of Defence Ngo Xuan Lich inspected the US-funded dioxin decontamination project currently underway in Da Nang airport in the central city of Da Nang on January 8.

 HCM City authorities plan to expand e-government services this year, the Vice Chairman of the city’s People’s Committee said during a recent 

 A discussion on January 4 in Hanoi on global youth citizenship discussed ways for young Vietnamese to actively equip themselves with knowledge and skills to engage in global issues in an increasingly integrated world.

 Public space in Vietnam’s urban areas has failed to meet demand or create typical characteristics to identify each city, Deputy Minister of Construction Phan My Linh said. 

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong will pay an official visit to China from January 12-15, according to the Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations.

 The Standing Committee of the 14th National Assembly will convene its 6th session on January 9. 

 Vietnam’s participation in ASEAN cooperation in the environment has clearly demonstrated the country’s proactive, active and responsible integration into the world.

 The Government has issued a resolution on the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on sea and fishery cooperation with Indonesia. 

  Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc asked the Finance Ministry to take prompt measures to collect revenues for the State budget right from the beginning of the year at the ministry’s teleconference in Hanoi on January 6. 

 Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has congratulated the Vietnam-India Friendship Association on the 45th founding anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations (January 7, 1972).

 Strong trust, mutual understanding and convergence of views mark longstanding India-Vietnam ties, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni told Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties.

VietNamNet Bridge - Dong and foreign-currency liquidity was plentiful throughout the year. The interest rate was stable at a five-year low while the dong/dollar exchange rate was also stable with the dong depreciating by 1.2 percent.

VietNamNet Bridge -  The Marble mountains is a group of five limestone mountains, named after the five elements of the ancient oriental philosophy: metal, wood, water, fire and earth in Da Nang City.