UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Monday called for an early end to the Syrian crisis while expressing concern for the deterioration of the conflict in the passing year of 2013.

On December 13, the people in Lai Son hamlet of Bac Son commune in Soc Son district received the money from the Hanoi Urban Environment Company as the compensation for their two months of living with the polluted water.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Groupon market has been re-mapped after a lot of happenings in the last year which witnessed the shutdown of a series of websites and the big personnel changes.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam has been consistent with its policy on teaching many different languages at general schools. However, it meets a lot of big difficulties that hinder the program implementation.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Information and Communication have proposed the government to allow raising the 3G service fees again, just two months after the first increase.

VietNamNet Bridge – While state-owned commercial banks--the big fish, have been taking slow footsteps, joint-stock banks with many disadvantages in comparison to state-owned banks, have made big leaps to scramble for good clients.

 PM Nguyen Tan Dung and US State Secretary John Kerry have expressed satisfaction with the positive development of Vietnam-US relations at a December 16 meeting in Hanoi.

 The Hanoi People’s Court on December 16 sentenced to death two former executives of the Vietnam National Shipping Lines (Vinalines) who went on trial on December 12.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Those who have a chance to visit the central coastal province of Binh Thuan should pass by Ganh Son to enjoy its primitive and unique landscape with a range of red and orange creations and pure white beach.

VietNamNet Bridge – The Government's policy to support sedentary farming has been mostly successful, but thousands of people from several ethnic minority communities continue to lead a nomadic lifestyle,

VietNamNet Bridge – A number of foreign enterprises have been accused of avoiding corporate income tax when selling shares to other companies.

The Law of the Sea of Vietnam took effect on January 1, 2013, creating a legal basis for the management, protection and effective use of the seas, islands and strengthening cooperation with other countries.

 CPI expected to rise 0.62%; Vietnam-Japan cooperation in software development; Rattan, bamboo processing have potential for large-scale production; SBV ends rate-lowering race; Beer prices rise as Tet approaches

 VietNamNet Bridge – EU Ambassador to Vietnam Franz Jessen talks with The Saigon Times Daily on the sidelines of the Vietnam Business Forum 2013 that took place in Hanoi on Tuesday regarding the business environment.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The HCM City police have asked for help from Interpol Viet Nam in their hunt for the owner of two local Gucci-Milano stores, who has been absconding since being charged with smuggling.

VietNamNet Bridge – A 24-minute film entitled Picture. Perfect by American director Winston Tao has won the highest prize, the Golden Heart Award, at the Viet Nam international YxineFF 2013 online short film contest,

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese athletes won seven gold medals on December 15 at the ongoing SEA Games 27 in Myanmar, bringing the country’s total number of golds at the event to 36.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam has the potential to become the largest trading partner of the United States in Southeast Asia, visiting Secretary of State John Kerry said on Saturday in Ho Chi Minh City.

VietNamNet Bridge – Sa Pa Town in the northern province of Lao Cai, a major national tourist attraction, wears an even more attractive look now with snowfall of more than five centimetres.

VietNamNet Bridge – Ma Minh Cam failed to defend his title at the billiard and snooker men's carom 1-cushion event at the continuing Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar.