Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang said the government allowed the electricity sector to adjust electricity prices according to the Prime Minister’s decision. Hoang addressed an online dialogue on the government portal on Friday.

Local authorities nationwide have been gearing up efforts to help disadvantaged people enjoy a happy Lunar New Year Festival.

The government deems ensuring traffic safety an important political task for 2012.

More goods have arrived on Truong Sa or Spratly Archipelago to contribute to bringing a happy Tet to soldiers stationed on the island. Young soldier Cao Phi Hung is not returning home in Dong Nai but welcomes new year on Tien Nu Island, the most remote island of the archipelago. “We are very happy to be cared for by the Party, State and people across the country. This helps to strengthen out determination to fight for the national territorial integrity,” Hung said. Lieutenant Nguyen Van Que is Deputy Head of the Fairy I

Hanoi Tourism Day opened on Sunday in Hanoi as part of the ongoing Hanoi flowers streets festival to welcome the New year 2012

Although time and customs differ by countries, New Year is believed to bring new hopes, joys and happiness for everybody.

Ten young entrepreneurs have been presented with Red Star awards in recognition of their outstanding business activities this year. The awardees are leaders or managers of prestigious businesses which generate billions of USD in revenue and creates more than 10,000 jobs. Le Hoang Ha, Director General of Son Ha International Joint Stock Company, one of the 10 honorees has a strong confidence about the significance of the award. “I think the award will encourage young entrepreneurs to continue doing their best to develop their businesses both domestically and internationally. They will become shining examples for young people”, Ha said.

Curvalle Bernard Francois, a French citizen has become the 6 millionth foreign visitor to Vietnam this year.

Tens of thousands of Vietnamese people poured out into the streets to join with Catholics and Protestants on Christmas Eve. In Hanoi, crowds of young people were flocking to the city centre the early evening, packing major streets and causing traffic to grind to a halt. A Christmas atmosphere prevailed at churches such around the capital city. People also crammed souvenir shops, selecting presents they liked in the hope that God will bring luck to them. Vu Thanh Nga, a student of Hanoi Tourism College, said: “We’ve been to Sword Lake and churches, the centerpieces of celebrations. It’s really exciting. This year’s Christmas falls on the weekend so we have more time to enjoy”. Glenne, a French writer who has been living in Vietnam for five years, said he decided to welcome Christmas and New Year 2012 in Vietnam: “I think my life now is in Vietnam. There is little difference between Christmas celebrations in France and the lunar New Year holiday in Vietnam. I will prepare special dishes at home for my friends.” In Ho Chi Minh City, traffic jams occurred when people took to the streets leading to churches and entertainment centers. Crowds choked up the areas around Notre Dame Cathedral, Le Duan Avenue in front of Independence Palace, Nguyen Hue Avenue and Ham Nghi Road. Nguyen Ngoc Duc, who lives in Thu Duc district, took his wife and children to the city centre, hoping to enjoy the jubilant Christmas atmosphere. He said: “I am very happy to be here tonight. I wish everybody a merry Christmas and a happy New Year”. On the occasion of Christmas, President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Huynh Dam visited Cardinal Pham Minh Man, HCM city’s Archbishop and dignitaries of the Evangelical Church of Vietnam.

Senior Party officials and leaders of mass organizations visited and extended Christmas greetings to Catholic and Protestant communities across the country. During a visit to the Hai Phong city Bishops’ Office, Vice President and Secretary General of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF), Vu Trong Kim praised the fruitful relationship between the Office and local authorities as well as Catholics’ involvement in emulation movements. On Friday, Vice Secretary of the HCM city Party Committee Nguyen Van Dua visited the HCM City Archdiocese, the HCM City Committee for the Solidarity with Catholics an