Foreign conglomerates have poured hundreds of millions of dollars into Vietnamese fintech firms, as more bank-fintech cooperation agreements have been signed recently.

VietNamNet Bridge - Experts believe that if Vietnam imposes a carbon tax on coal-fired plants, ‘clean power’ will be able to compete with thermal power.

VietNamnet Bridge - Vietnam is the 57th among 163 surveyed nations in the recent Nature Publishing ranking in scientific research. 

 Foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction in the first 11 months this year has exceeded forecasts by hitting US$33 billion, up over 82% compared to the same period last year.

 The Temple of Literature has suddenly announced the closure of its parking lot, surprising many visitors.

 A tourism company in the central highlands has given an elephant to Dak Lak Province's Centre for Elephant Conservation.

 Monkey Junior, the English learning app which won first prize at the Vietnamese Talent Awards 2016, has just received Google start-up financial support funding of USD100,000.

 Fishermen are increasingly entering foreign waters, while local firms are importing unprocessed seafood for export as local resources are diminishing.

 The average electricity retail price will officially rise today to VNĐ1,720 (7.6 US cent) per kWh, increasing 6.08 per cent from the current tariff of VNĐ1,622 (7.1 cent) per kWh.

 The world’s leading food service retailer McDonald’s has officially opened its first restaurant at 2 Hang Bai Street, Hanoi, marking its first foray into the northern market three years after opening its first restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City.

 Residents at several apartment buildings in Hanoi have complained about being bit by rove beetles which invade their rooms every night.

 Smartphone ownership has continued to grow in both urban and rural areas in Vietnam, according to the 2017 Nielsen Vietnam Smartphone Insights report.

 Vietnamese athlete Vo Thanh Tung brought home the first bronze in the men’s 100m freestyle-S5 with a time of 1’19.56” at the World Para Swimming Championships 2017 opened in Mexico City on December 2.

Vietnam and the EU are working to finalize legal and language – related issues for the EU-Vietnam free trade agreement (EVFTA) towards the official signing and ratification of the trade deal next year.

 The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi will be reopened for visitors to pay tribute to the late President on December 5 after more than three months of repair.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has approved a plan on implementing some urgent solutions in response to the European Union (EU)’s warning about  illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

VietNamNet Bridge - Union Gaming Securities Asia (Macau) estimates that if Vietnam has 30 casinos, it could earn $1.2 billion in gross revenue.

 Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index notes continued improvement in health of manufacturing sector, though at lower levels.

 Poor waterway infrastructure and lack of wharves as well as stopover stations are major obstacles preventing the full development of waterway tourism in HCM City, according to river transport and tourism companies.

 Located 1,000m above sea level, Ho Thau Commune in the northern mountains has cool weather all year round and breathtaking landscapes.