Vietnam sent a record-high 105,000 guest workers abroad in 2014, 113 percent of the year's target, according to the Overseas Labour Management Department.

 The People’s Committee of central Quang Tri province began a trial run of the “one-stop-shop” customs model at the Lao Bao-Densavan border gates between Vietnam and Laos on January 5.

Angelito Capindo Rojas, chef of sunken cargo ship Bulk Jupiter, was handed over to representatives of Philippine Embassy in Vietnam on January 6 in Vung Tau city, southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

The Vietnam Football Federation said on January 6 that its Vice Chairman Tran Quoc Tuan has been appointed as head of the management team of the upcoming 2015 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup finals.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The flight carrying Mr. Nguyen Ba Thanh from the US to Vietnam was canceled due to bad weather and the rumors "Thanh was poisoned" is false, said Prof. Pham Gia Khai of the Central Healthcare Board on January 6.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Forest ranger officials and residents in the Central region said the protection of forests turned over to communities could not be properly managed due to shortcomings in policies.

Along with more large Vietnamese enterprises investing in Laos, Laos’ leading enterprises are also seeking business opportunities in Vietnam based on the advantages of economic relations.

Analysts believe that the Malaysian retailer Parkson has had to shut down one of its shopping malls in Hanoi because it has been taking a loss over the last few years. But other sources say the reason is a “three-party civil dispute”.

The National Assembly Television Channel made its debut in Hanoi on January 6, with Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung in attendance.

VietNamNet Bridge – Domestic Internet connections will not be affected by the cut of AAG cable system but international links from Vietnam will encounter problems for three or four weeks.

 The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has permitted the National Money Printing House (NMPH) to produce gold bars and gold souvenirs, according to the instructions of the bank's governor.

Chief Judge of the Supreme People’s Court Truong Hoa Binh and his Singaporean counterpart Sundaresh Menon have agreed to soon sign a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the two supreme courts.

 Standing Deputy Minister of Public Security, Sen. Lieut. Gen Dang Van Hieu hailed Vietnam’s working visit by Director General of Security of the Ministry of Defense of Israel Amir Kain as an important landmark in bilateral defence ties.

 The Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee (CPVCC) on January 6 voted to introduce additional candidates to the Politburo and Secretariat for the 2016-2021 term at its ongoing 10th meeting.

VietNamNet Bridge – Instead of enrolling students through the national university entrance exam, universities now require candidates to sit entrance tests.

At a recent conference to review the operation of the finance and banking sector in 2014, Minister of Finance Dinh Tien Dung said that Vietnam would issue an additional $1 billion of government bonds to the international market.

 VietNamNet Bridge – If tourists come to Viet Nam with hopes of experiencing something truly special they should design their own tours, says Tran Dan, a tour guide and founder of Art Tour Vietnam.

 VietNamNet Bridge - With a record length of three caves in the lava cave system recently discovered in Dak Nong Province, Vietnam has five longest lava caves in Southeast Asia. Previously, Hang Doi 1 and 2 (Bat Caves) in Dong Nai held the top spots.

VietNamNet Bridge – Director of the Ministry of Planning and Investment's Foreign Investment Agency Do Nhat Hoang spoke to Dau Tu newspaper about how the new national information system for foreign investment would benefit investors.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The One Roof Temple, Duoc Temple and Hue Quang Tower Garden, important works of the special national-level monument of Yen Tu in Quang Ninh Province, are being demolished for reconstruction.