The construction work began on the Thu Thiem 2 Bridge, which costs VND4.26 trillion (US$199.67 million), following a groundbreaking ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City on February 3.

Vietnam condemns barbaric acts; Chinese Party members welcomed in Hanoi; Worldwide leaders send New Year greetings to Vietnam; President pays year-end visit to Lao Cai; Vice President joins CPV’s founding anniversary in Thai Nguyen

Vietnam has committed to working diligently to maximise its use of official development assistance, National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan assured World Bank Country Director in Vietnam Victoria Kwakwa in Hanoi on February 3.

A delegation from the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) led by its Vice President Marsha Lynn Four toured the central province of Quang Nam as part of the “Veterans Initiative” programme.

 Leaders from China, Cuba, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Russia have congratulated Vietnam on the 85th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) on February 3.

 The King of the Belgians, Philippe, applauded the sound relationship between his nation and Vietnam across a variety of fields at a February 3 reception for Vietnam Ambassador in Belgium Vuong Thua Phong who came to present his credentials.

 VietNamNet Bridge - US Ambassador Ted Osius and his spouse Clayton Bond paid a visit to the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology to learn about the cultural identities of the 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam last weekend.

VietNamNet Bridge - This year the East Sea will have nine to 10 storms and tropical depressions and four to five of them will directly affect Vietnam’s mainland, a lower number than the average of previous years.

 VietNamNet Bridge - Sony Pictures has bought the copyright for the screenplay for a science fiction film “Descender”, adapted from a comic book written by Jeff Lemire and drawn by Vietnamese-origin artist Dustin Nguyen.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Hao Long Son Restaurant in the southern city of Vung Tau has been fined VND10 million ($500) and will be closed for three months for “mistakenly” taking VND22 million ($1,100) from the account of a Japanese diner.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Actress and businesswoman Ly Nha Ky, the former Vietnam Tourism Ambassador, is the youngest Asian ever to sponsor a project for the Museum of Arts Décoratifs in France.

 A commuter train has hit a vehicle at a level crossing north of New York City, killing at least seven people and injuring 12, officials say.

VietNamNet Bridge – It is difficult to access information about how much money the State has earned from selling state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and how the money has been used.

VietNamNet Bridge – The historic central city of Hoi An plans to restore 80 ancient wells, most of them locate on the north bank of the De Vong River near the Thanh Ha pottery village. 

VietNamNet Bridge – A cruise ship carrying 25 people, including 16 foreign tourists, suddenly caught fire on Tuesday evening in Ha Long Bay in the northern Quang Ninh Province. 

 VietNamNet Bridge – Police in the northern Quang Ninh province have confiscated nearly 140 foreign liquor bottles of unclear origin from a truck in Ha Long City's Dai Yen Ward.

 At least eight people have died after a TransAsia Airways plane clipped a bridge and crashed into a river near the Taiwanese capital, Taipei.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Blankets of cloud and midst covering mountain ranges and beautiful valleys in winter entice both domestic and foreign travelers to the northwestern region of Vietnam.

 Jordan has executed two convicts, including a female jihadist, following the killing of one of its air force pilots by Islamic State (IS) militants.

 Many wild animal farmers have been accused of abusing permits allowing them to breed species such as pangolins, porcupines and civets to help protect them.