Investments by overseas Vietnamese in Vietnam play an important role in the development of the domestic economy, said Ministry of Industry and Trade official Duong Phuong Thao.

Handmade paper dolls have become intriguing gifts for tourists in Vietnam. Pham Tuyet Huong, 30, creates some of these dolls depicting unique Vietnamese cultures.

The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) on December 24 targeted credit growth between 18% and 20% for next year, with possible adjustments depending on the actual situation.

Ta Chi Nhu peak in Tram Tau District in the northern mountainous province of Yen Bai is the dream mountain shared by many who love climbing and "cloud hunting".

The Ly Son island district in the central province of Quang Ngai in collaboration with Vietnam's Labour Confederation will construct a monument in commemoration of civilians and sailors who died during long voyages to protect the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) islands of Vietnam.

Prisoners will get access to internal cable network, colour television and printed newspapers, a document on amendment and supplementary contents to Decree 90/2015 on prisoner management said.

The number of fatal traffic accidents occurring in expressways across the country is on the rise, according to an official from the Ministry of Transport, Lao Dong (Labourer) newspaper reported on December 24.

Vietnamese companies, especially small- and medium-sized, lack the knowledge to take advantage of the country's international integration, Vu Kim Hanh, chairwoman of the Business Association of High-Quality Vietnamese Goods, has said.

Insurance enterprises accumulated more than VND152.5 trillion (US$6.7 billion) to reinvest this year, up 18% against last year, the Insurance Association of Vietnam (IAV) said.

Links between businesses in Ho Chi Minh City and other cities and provinces in the south have improved significantly as a result of a trade co-operation programme started in late 2011.