Two-time V-League champions Hoang Anh Gia Lai have signed a one-year deal with Nigerian Timothy Ajembe from the Ninh Binh team after a two-week trial, according to the team's coach Nguyen Tan Anh.

Vietnam's wood exports reached US$479 million in December last year, bringing the year's timber turnover to US$5.37 billion.

The Dong Van Stone Plateau Global Geo-park in the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang held a ceremony to welcome its first New Year visitors on January 1 with flowers and gifts. 

In 2014, Hanoi will focus on taking various measures to raise the efficiency of fire prevention and fighting and rescue work in a bid to reduce the total number of fires by 5 – 10 percent against last year’s figure.

The Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical Company, which manages and operates the Dung Quat Oil Refinery, will strive to churn out more than 5.18 million tonnes of products in 2014.

Six more streets in Hanoi’s Old Quarter will be zoned off for walkers every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night from January 2014.

The Vietnamese language will be added to curricula at Lao schools and other education facilities built by the overseas Vietnamese (OV) community in the country next year.

A survey conducted by the Hanoi Department of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs shows that more than 160 units and businesses in the capital will maintain Lunar New Year (Tet) bonuses for their employees despite economic difficulties.

The Mekong Delta province of Tra Vinh on December 31 held a ceremony to receive a certificate recognising Cham Rieng Cha Pay, a traditional folk music practised by Khmer ethnic people, as part of the national intangible cultural heritage.

President Truong Tan Sang has asked the Central Highlands province of Dak Nong fully tap its potential and strengths while accelerating scientific and technological application for higher and sustainable economic development.