VIETNAM TODAY

A large number of new policies and regulations influencing the entire socio-economic life will become effective in January, 2014.

The Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical Company, which manages and operates the Dung Quat Oil Refinery, will strive to churn out more than 5.18 million tonnes of products in 2014.

Many people in Hanoi have recently got into the trend of buying alligator meat despite the expensive prices.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has sent a New Year message calling joint efforts to finalize institutions, enhance people’s right to mastery to fulfill 2014’s tasks towards rapid and sustainable development.

Two twin boys, born by artificial insemination by a sperm donated by their late father, are facing difficulties adding his surname to their birth certificates.

Japan's population fell by a record 244,000 in 2013, according to health ministry estimates released on Wednesday, highlighting concerns over an ever-dwindling workforce supporting a growing number of pensioners.

Six more streets in Hanoi’s Old Quarter will be zoned off for walkers every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night from January 2014.

A survey conducted by the Hanoi Department of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs shows that more than 160 units and businesses in the capital will maintain Lunar New Year (Tet) bonuses for their employees despite economic difficulties.

Residents in HCM City, the country’s biggest economic hub, had the chance to enjoy a spectacular fireworks display lighting up the city’s sky when the clock struck twelve.

Owners of unlicensed online trading sites will be fined up to VND100 million (USD4,731), according to a new government’s regulation.

The Khanh Hoa Provincial People Committee and Hoan Vu Saigon Joint Stock Company reached a December 31 agreement designating Nha Trang City the host of Vietnam’s Miss Universe 2014.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) announced 902 people, 899 of whom have resided in Vietnam for at least 20 years, were granted Vietnamese citizenship in 2013.

China's top film director Zhang Yimou has said he violated the country's one-child policy because of the traditional belief that having multiple children would lead to greater prosperity, state media said.

The FIFA World Cup trophy arrived in Hanoi on December 31, beginning a Vietnam visit that will last until January 2, 2014.

Celebrations around the world are under way to mark the start of 2014, with thousands attending the traditional spectacular pyrotechnics in Sydney.

China has instructed officials not to smoke in public places in a rare, high-profile anti-smoking signal from authorities in the world's biggest tobacco market.

Malaysian police raided three massage parlours in Setapak on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur late last week, rescuing 35 foreign women, comprising 10 Chinese, 10 Philippine, 12 Thai and three Vietna­mese.

HCM City’s Tan Son Nhat international airport has flown more than 83,150 flights and welcomed an estimated 9.14 million passengers since it enter operations in 1999.