A week-long festival entitled “Taste of the world” started in Ho Chi Minh City on December 26 by the Municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.  

The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) will employ a domestic coach if it sacks the German coach, Falko Goetz, said VFF Chairman Nguyen Trong Hy.  

The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) Secretary General, Tran Quoc Tuan, has officially resigned from his current post after he was asked to stay on by the VFF Executive Board.  

Le Huynh Thuy Ngan has entered the top 20 of the Miss Tourism Queen International beauty pageant, being held in Xi’an, China from December 13-29.  

People in the Central Highlands believe that when the gongs are played, there is an encounter between the human and spirit worlds, between the worlds of the living and the dead.

Grandmaster Le Quang Liem has been selected by Ho Chi Minh City as one of its seven most outstanding youths in 2011.

A large number of Vietnamese and foreign artists will gather at Heineken Countdown Parties in Ho Chi Minh City and Nha Trang City on December 31 to welcome the New Year 2012.

The ADC-Vinh Long Television 2011International Cycling Tournament kicked off in Can Tho city on December 25.

Vietnamese actress Minh Huong, who starred as the heroine Doctor Dang Thuy Tram in “Dung Dot” (Don’t burn) by director Dang Nhat Minh, has won the Best Actress award at the 8th International Military-Patriotic Film Festival “Volokolamsk line” in Russia.

HCM City held a ceremony on December 23 to reward athletes and coaches who won high prizes at the recent 26th Southeast Asian Games (SEA) in Indonesia.

The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) has signed a US$1.65 million contract with Japan’s Dentsu Company to sponsor Vietnam’s national football teams for one year from 2012-2013.

Vietnamese fencers will have their eyes set on at least one spot in the 2012 London Olympics as they compete in the qualifying events next month.

Three emerging Vietnamese artists have had their work featured in a lacquer painting exhibition held by the Republic of Korea’s Cultural Centre in Hanoi.

A book telling Vietnamese and Korean fairytales, named “The lazy boy is transformed into a cow”, will make its debut in Hanoi on December 28, the Korean Cultural Centre has said.

Vietnam will participate in the 2012 Asian Shooting Championships, scheduled for Doha, Qatar, from January 11-22.

Vietnamese music fans welcomed 10 well-known foreign singers and bands this year, from renowned names like Bob Dyland, Backstreet Boys and Westlife to boybands and girlbands which are at their peak of career like Super Junior and 2NE1.

A ceremony was held in Hanoi on December 22 to honour students, athletes and coaches who won prizes at international contests.

Vietnam surprisingly defeated stronger Georgia 3-1 in the third round of the 2011 Women’s World Chess Team Championship (WWCT2011) in Mardin, Turkey, on December 21.

Vietnam’s national football team has climbed 35 notches to 99th position with 351 points in the FIFA December rankings.

The 31st National Television Festival closed in Danang city on December 21, presenting 27 gold, 27 silver and 57 bronze medals for the best works.

Asteroids Galaxy Tour, a fairly well-known music team of Denmark, will attend a count-down event on New Year's Eve at Hanoi Opera House on December 31.

The International Business Times (Ibtimes) has announced a list of the top ten best movies based on Rotten Tomatoes critics.

Supermodel Tyra Banks, the creator of the global hit reality show Next Top Model, will be a special guest in the final round of the Vietnamese version of her show, to be held in HCM City on January 8.

Gymnasts Do Thi Ngan Thuong and Pham Phuoc Hung will have their eyes set on the remaining spots at the 2012 London Olympics as they compete in the qualifying event in England on January 10-13.

A painting exhibition entitled “Harvest” by artist Nguyen Van Cuong is being held at HCMC Museum of Fine Arts, offering a fascinating glimpse at the peaceful countryside in northern Vietnam.

The 2011 National Taekwondo Tournament for Strong Clubs closed in Hanoi on December 20.

The National broadcaster, Vietnam Television, will launch a new music programme of Bai Hat Yeu Thich (Most Favourite Songs) from January 2012.

Vietnamese athletes won 43 gold, 42 silver, and 62 bronze medals, finishing fourth at the sixth ASEAN Para Games, which concluded in Indonesia on December 20.

Do Tri Dung, the champion of the 2011 Vietnamese singing contest for children showcased his talent at a special Christmas music gala in Melbourne, Australia.

The northern mountainous area of Ha Giang has become an attractive tourist destination for its natural beauty and a wide variety of unique foods.