Christmas, also known as the Nativity of the Lord, marks the birth of Jesus Christ and is widely celebrated in many countries as a time for family reunions, sharing love and fostering a warm, joyful atmosphere within families and communities.

The 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress is set to convene in Hanoi on December 26–27, drawing 198 guests and 2,025 official delegates organised into 105 delegations.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as the core engine of modern urban governance, shaping how cities plan, operate and deliver services, participants heard at the Vietnam–Asia Smart City Summit 2025, which took place in Hanoi on December 23.

The first-instance trial of 55 defendants in a bribery case involving the Food Safety Authority (VFA) under the Ministry of Health is scheduled to commence on January 5, according to a decision issued by the Hanoi People’s Court on December 22.

VOV.VN - As the Christmas 2025 season draws to a close, festive cheer can be felt throughout Hue city, from churches and parishes to residential neighborhoods and central streets, creating an atmosphere of peace, warmth and affection.

VOV.VN - A young man has been questioned by authorities after posting an online comment threatening to bomb Long Thanh International Airport in Dong Nai province, which he later described as a joke.

Total revenue of the digital technology industry in 2025 is estimated at US$198 billion, up 26% compared to 2024 and 16% higher than the annual plan, heard participants at a recent conference organised by the Ministry of Science and Technology to review the industry's milestones this year and set objectives for 2026.

VOV.VN - For the first time since Vietnam began participating in the competition, a Vietnamese student team has captured the top honor at the VEX Robotics Open Asia Signature Event, marking a historic milestone for the country’s robotics movement.

VOV.VN - Northern Vietnam is expected to be hit by a strong cold surge during the Christmas period, with temperatures dropping significantly and widespread chilly conditions forecast between December 23 and 25.

The People’s Committee of Dong Thap has issued an official directive instructing relevant departments, sectors, and local authorities to continue implementing robust measures to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing across the Mekong Delta province.

The Academy for Green Growth (AGG) under the Vietnam National University of Agriculture and the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment (VACNE) wrapped up the “For a Green National Environment” programme 2025 while unveiling the results of its "National Green ESG Enterprises 2025" survey.

The appellate court on December 22 accepted appeals by defendants in the case involving Phuc Son Group and several localities seeking reduced sentences, with some prison terms converted into suspended sentences.

Cuba will maintain its tradition of educational cooperation with Vietnam by offering 15 full scholarships to Vietnamese students for the 2026–2027 academic year, the Cuban Government has announced.

VOV.VN - The State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a press briefing in Hanoi on December 22 to provide information on the upcoming national conference reviewing the implementation of Resolution No. 36 and related directives of the Politburo and the Party Secretariat on overseas Vietnamese affairs.

VOV.VN - Dozens of people were taken to hospital with suspected food poisoning after eating banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich) from a shop in Phu My Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, with relevant agencies investigating the cause.

The Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRCS) Central Committee has announced the notable outcomes of the programme “65 years of Vietnam–Cuba solidarity,” marking a special humanitarian highlight in the Vietnam–Cuba Friendship Year 2025.

VOV.VN - In 2025, a spate of serious fires broke out across the country, spreading to apartment blocks, houses in narrow alleys, eateries and workshops, causing significant loss of life, inflicting profound suffering on families and highlighting persistent gaps in fire prevention and control.

VOV.VN - Sky-watchers in Vietnam will have the opportunity to observe the Ursids meteor shower, which will reach its peak on the night of December 22 and into the early hours of December 23, according to Time and Date.

A delegation from the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos held an incense-offering ceremony to honour war heroes and martyrs at the Lao – Vietnam Combatant Alliance relic site in Keun village of Thulakhom district, Vientiane province, on December 21.

VOV.VN - A series of deadly traffic accidents in 2025 across Vietnam has reignited concerns about road safety, highlighting persistent gaps in infrastructure, enforcement and driver behaviour despite years of safety campaigns.

The national tourism data platform Visit Vietnam has been introduced and is scheduled for full operation in the second quarter of 2026, marking a pivotal step into the digital era of Vietnam’s tourism.

VOV.VN - Two species from Vietnam - the sucker-mouthed fish Supradiscus varidiscus and the bee Habropoda pierwolae - have been included in the American Museum of Natural History’s list of more than 70 new species identified in 2025.

VOV.VN - Vietnam is seeking to upgrade its national digital identity application, VNeID, into a comprehensive digital super platform that will serve as a single access point connecting the government, businesses, and citizens, according to the Ministry of Public Security.

VOV.VN - Frost covered large areas of Mount Fansipan, Vietnam’s highest peak, on the morning of December 20 as temperatures dropped to around 0 °C, creating a rare winter scene on the so-called Roof of Indochina.

VOV.VN - Dong Nai province in southern Vietnam on December 20 held a solemn memorial and reburial ceremony for the remains of 41 fallen soldiers, including 31 who died during wartime in Cambodia.

Politburo member, Party Central Committee Secretary and President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Bui Thi Minh Hoai on December 19 paid visits to the Archdiocese of Hanoi and the Committee for Solidarity of Vietnamese Catholics (CSVC) to extend Christmas greetings.

Vietnam has demonstrated unwavering commitment to the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) over the past five years, actively addressing emerging migration challenges, according to an official of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

The Hanoi People’s Committee, in coordination with Sun Group, officially broke ground on a road project connecting Gia Binh Airport with the capital city of Hanoi on December 19.

VOV.VN - The 55th UPU (Universal Post Union) International Letter-Writing Competition for Young People 2026 was launched at a ceremony held at Chu Van An Secondary School in Hanoi on December 19.

VOV.VN - The Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence on December 19 inaugurated a memorial complex honouring international solidarity and support at the Vietnam Military History Museum in Hanoi.