The ASEAN Community is set to formally take effect on December 31. It includes the three pillars which are economics, politics and security and socio-cultural components. The establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) will play the most important role in establishing ASEAN as a region of tremendous opportunity.

In discussions between filmmakers and tourism managers on December 19, Indian directors expressed interest in filming movies in Vietnam in the future.

More than 1,400 people have registered to donate organs and tissue, setting a new record in Vietnam, at a recent festival entitled Joining Hands for Life.

Vietnam's U23 team will play two friendly matches in Qatar next month.

Badminton player Nguyen Tien Minh failed in the quarter-finals of the Mexico Grand Prix on December 19.

Dang Quang Anh won the U10 category at the Kids Golf World Championship in Palm Resort Golf&Country Club in Malaysia.

City authorities will strictly inspect large food processing plants, wholesale markets, supermarkets and shopping malls, besides small street vendors to prevent food poisoning during the Tet holiday and festivals.

As the Christmas party goes on, sight-impaired youngsters surround Joe Edwards, holding his hands. Unable to see their ‘Santa Claus', they still look into his eyes, showing their admiration.

Countries must act beyond their borders and join together to stop the illicit trafficking of irreplaceable cultural heritage, said Edouard Planche, secretary of the UNESCO's Convention for the Fight Against Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property.

Vietnam's top swimmer Nguyen Thi Anh Vien was named one of Asia's five best female swimmers by US based Swimswam magazine recently.