VietNamNet Bridge – They say to succeed it’s necessary to leave no stone unturned, but it’s a good thing one family in the coastal southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau never heard this saying.

VietNamNet Bridge - The pepper output and inventory level around the world is on the rise, while emerging export countries are trying to expand growing areas and increase exports at competitive prices, putting pressure on Vietnamese farmers. 

Widespread water pollution nationwide has inflicted an estimated economic loss of VND11.6 trillion (US$510.7 million) in the last ten years and the situation is not getting better, 

 VietNamNet Bridge – Around 50 per cent of HCM City’s 22 pedestrian bridges are underused because of inconvenient locations and the typical habits of local residents, 

Volume passes annual target in November, in a year when rice exports were widely expected to struggle.

 Authorities in central Hà Tĩnh Province on December 20 stopped the illegal burning of frozen contaminated fish by a local company.

 Many schools in the mountainous areas in the central region have closed as the temperature dropped to 4 degrees.

 Some 4-8 million Vietnamese people are suffering from xerophthalmia – a progressive eye disease caused by vitamin A deficiency that can dry out tear ducts and eyes.

 Kien Giang players won the women’s doubles title at the National Best Tennis Players Tournament, Vietravel Cup 2017.  

 The Transport Corporation Hanoi  (Transerco) on Thursday introduced two new bus routes to strengthen links with suburban areas.

 A worker died after an antenna tower in the Mekong Delta province of Vinh Long collapsed on Thursday.

 The General Department of Land Management under the Ministry of National Resources and Environment has decided to launch an inspection into land management and usage in five provinces and cities in 2018, Youth newspaper reports.

 The United Nations (UN) should build a long-term and comprehensive strategy to prevent conflicts and maintain global peace, said Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, head of Vietnam’s Permanent Mission to the UN. 

Up to 76 foreign investors were granted stock certificates by HCM City Development Bank (HDBank) at a ceremony held at the bank’s head office on Thursday.

VietNamNet Bridge - Amazon is pursuing a two-step strategy to enter the Vietnamese e-commerce market. 

 Maximum credit growth this year is forecast to be just 18-19 per cent, meaning that the banking system will not use up the increased room of 21 per cent.

 Vietnam’s exports are expected to reach more than US$212 billion for the first time this year, much higher than the $176 billion recorded last year.

 Vietnam and Laos issued a joint statement during the official friendly visit to Vietnam by General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and President of Laos Bounnhang Vorachith from December 19-21.

The Ministry of Education and Training has published a new draft circular on secondary and high school recruitment. One significant change is to allow secondary schools with applications exceeding enrolment quotas

 VietNamNet Bridge – HCM City will see a sharp increase in MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) tourists in 2018, according to the local Department of Tourism.