Here are today’s leading news stories:

Politics

-- Vietnamese State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc is scheduled to pay a state-level visit to Cambodia on December 21 and 22, aimed at enhancing political trust and intensifying multifaceted cooperation between the two countries, the Vietnam News Agency reported.

Society

-- Storm Rai weakened into a tropical depression in the East Vietnam Sea on Monday night and no longer causes much effect on the weather at sea and on the mainland, the National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting reported.

-- A countdown event to mark the 2022 New Year will be organized on Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street in downtown Ho Chi Minh City on December 31 if the city is at low or medium risk of COVID-19 transmission, according to a plan issued by the municipal People’s Committee on Monday.

-- The administration in District 10, Ho Chi Minh City has decided to limit crowded events and alcohol sales at F&B establishments as the district is currently the only orange zone, or a locality at high COVID-19 risk, in the city.

-- Vietnam’s homegrown COVID-19 vaccine Nano Covax has met all requirements on safety and immunogenicity, the National Ethics Committee in Biomedical Research stated, adding that it still needs additional reports on the vaccine efficacy before any emergency use authorization can be granted.

-- Police in the central province of Quang Nam have arrested two men for illegally trading eight metric tons of cyanide, a highly poisonous chemical that is commonly used in gold mining.

-- Officers in Hoc Mon District, Ho Chi Minh City on Monday apprehended a 22-year-old man for setting his girlfriend on fire over a conflict. The victim survived but suffered serious burns.

-- A fire broke out at a scrap warehouse covering hundreds of square meters in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City early on Tuesday morning, damaging a lot of property at the venue.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!