Hong Kong surpassed major investors like Japan, Singapore and Taiwan to become the second biggest investor in Vietnam in 2014 when its enterprises registered huge investments in the property and textile-dyeing sectors.

Along with the worldwide success of Flappy Bird, a 100 percent Vietnamese-created game, and new policies set up by watchdog agencies in 2014, the industry is set to develop strongly in 2015.

 The most recent communiqué from Plum Village, the spiritual community of the venerated Vietnamese Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh, announced that the venerable monk had emerged from his coma, which was brought on by a severe brain hemorrhage in November.

Broadway satire Birdman and coming-of-age tale Boyhood are among the 10 films up for the Producers Guild of America's version of a best picture prize. 

VietNamNet Bridge – Parkson, a Malaysian invested shopping mall in Hanoi, has released a notice that it would be closed until January 7, but sources say that the closure is rumored to be permanent.

 The Prime Minister has approved an overall plan for development of concentrated information technology (IT) parks by 2020 with a vision to 2030.

VietNamNet Bridge - Supermodel Tran Ngoc Lan Khue won the Miss Ao Dai Vietnam – Road to Miss World Crown at the contest's glitzy final in HCM City last night.

Indonesian officials have expanded their search area as the hunt for missing AirAsia flight QZ8501 goes on.

 VietNamNet Bridge - After working in Europe for a period of time, Khieu Thi Huyen Trang - the winner of the Vietnam’s Next Top Model, first season – has gradually strengthened her profile in the international fashion market.

 VietNamNet Bridge - The famous 130-year-old central post office of Saigon is being repainted in yellow, at a cost of up to billions of dong.

China has scrapped its quota system restricting exports of rare earth minerals after losing a World Trade Organisation (WTO) case.

 VietNamNet Bridge – According to the General Statistics Office (GSO), Vietnam’s total domestic product (GDP) in 2014 was estimated to increase 5.98% - the highest since 2011.

 VietNamNet Bridge – As the busiest seaport in Cochin since the Champa age, Cua Dai beach in Quang Nam province, central Vietnam, is becoming severely eroded.

 New Zealand officials have warned of the danger of aftershocks after a strong earthquake hit the South Island on Tuesday morning.

VietNamNet Bridge – The entrance fares of the three most famous caves in the National Park of Phong Nha - Ke Bang - a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Quang Binh province - increased on January 1, 2015.

 Ministry urges bank listings to boost transparency; MSN sells Masan Agri, divests from Mivipack; Domestic firms brace for tough competition; Leaders insist public debt increases no cause for alarm

 Highlights for the week 5 – 10 January 

 VietNamNet Bridge – Northern central Thanh Hoa Province is speeding up preparations for “Japan Cultural Days in Thanh Hoa” programme, which is part of a series of events to kick off the 2015 National Tourism Year.

VietNamNet Bridge - "Into the Woods", "Flapping in the Middle of Nowhere " and "Taken 3" are just a few of the great films lined up for January.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Phuong My Chi has won VND1 billion (about US$ 47,500) for her performance in Bai Hat Yeu Thich (Favourite Song), a music programme broadcast by Viet Nam Television.