Health insurance covered 81.7% of Vietnam’s population in 2016, 2.7% higher than the target set by the Prime Minister, according to the Vietnam Social Security (VSS).

National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong and other officials paid homage to martyrs at the Ancient Citadel of Quang Tri on January 3.

The Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) should continue promoting its key role as a State-run company in national power supply, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said at a conference in Hanoi on January 3.

The northern province of Bac Ninh will make most of its potential and advantages as well as overcome difficulties and challenges to continue creating strong breakthroughs in social-economic development and become a centrally-governed city by the 2020s.

Binh Dinh, the worst-hit province by flood in the central region, is set to receive more assistance from the Government to address flood consequences.

VOV.VN -  Promoting the strength of national unity will be one of key tasks the Vietnam Fatherland Front will focus on this year, VFF President Nguyen Thien Nhan recently told the press to mark the New Year 2017.

VOV.VN - On January 3, a refurbished friendship statue located in the province of Kompong Chhnang was officially unveiled to the public by high-ranking government officials of Vietnam and Cambodia.

The bullets were hidden inside a large amount of smuggled garment and footwear.

VOV.VN - Water from a flood control sluice submerged hundreds of houses in district 12 after the cover was blown out by high tides, seriously damaging people’s property.

More than VND64 trillion (over US$2.81 billion) was spent on the upgrading and construction of transport infrastructure in the Central Highlands over the last five years, significantly contributing to the local socio-economic development.

Vietnamese representative Pham Thuy Linh won the best costume award at the 19th Miss Tourism International which has recently taken place in Malaysia. 

The Central Highlands provinces have more than 100 communes and one district recognised as new-style rural areas, according to the Steering Committee for the Central Highlands Region.

VOV.VN - On January 4, astronomy lovers will be able to look up and watch the sky over Vietnam sparkle with the Quadrantids Meteor Shower, according to astronomers at the Academy of Science and Technology.

VOV.VN - Ninety three traffic accidents were reported throughout the country in the three New Year holidays, resulted in 79 deaths and 54 injuries, according to National Traffic Safety Committee statistics.

Noise pollution in big cities and urban areas has become more serious, badly affecting residents’ quality of life, but punishment of polluters remains ineffective.

Tens of thousands of Vietnamese seeking degrees abroad every year have created a booming industry for service providers.

Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City are set to implement some 80 projects, costing over US$60 million, in 2017 in a bid to alleviate traffic congestion.

In 2016, the National Target Programme on Sustainable Poverty Reduction during 2016-2020 had lots of new content, requiring a new approach in poverty alleviation work.

Poverty reduction programmes have had positive impacts on the living standards of ethnic minorities, but the challenge of sustaining the gains remains, experts say.

VOV.VN - More than US$750,000 was raised at a program held in Ha Nam province on January 1 to help the poor enjoy a happy Lunar New Year festival later this month.

VOV.VN - Many foreigners gathered at pubs and cafes in Ta Hien street in Hanoi’s Old Quarter to enjoy the first moments of the year 2017.

Cardboard, food waste, plastic bags and bottles littered the city center on the first day of 2017.

Traditional lottery companies throughout Vietnam’s south, meanwhile, have officially raised their stakes.

Road accidents claimed 33 lives in Vietnam at the beginning of the year 2017, a hike compared to the same period last year, police said.

The Health Ministry has recently released its top ten events of 2016.

Some 2.5 million people living in suburban areas in Hanoi do not yet have access to tap water, the city’s Centre for Clean Water and Rural Environmental Hygiene has revealed.

Vietnam had 8,978 communes and 79,899 hamlets as of July 1, 2016, representing decreases of 93 and 1,005 respectively from five years ago, according to the preliminary outcomes of the latest rural, agricultural and fisheries survey, which was released in late December 2016. 

Thousands of Hanoians on December 31 flocked to the downtown of the capital to engage in various art and cultural activities to welcome the New Year 2017.

Nguyen Hue Flower Street, a very popular attraction in HCM City during Tet (Lunar New Year festival) every year, will be ready to welcome visitors on January 25, 2017.

VOV.VN - From Hanoi, the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, I would like to extend my warmest greetings and wishes for a new year 2017 full of health, happiness and success. May humankind live joyfully in peace, friendship, cooperation, and development!