Highlights of the week (from December 19th to December 25th)

Vietnam to introduce APEC 2017 on CNN
The Sub-committee for Popularization and Culture is actively contacting and working with partners and news agencies worldwide, including CNN, to introduce the image of Vietnam as well as Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) forum 2017.
China’s air route to Hoang Sa violates Vietnam’s sovereignty
China’s launch of a regular air route to the airport on Phu Lam in Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago seriously violates Vietnam’s sovereignty over the archipelago, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Hai Binh said on December 23rd.
Parishioners in Ninh Binh eagerly prepare for Christmas
Parishioners in the Red River Delta province of Ninh Binh have been eagerly preparing for the upcoming Christmas by practising art performances and decorating churches.
Vietnamese buddhists in RoK look to homeland’s sea and islands
A large number of Vietnamese buddhists in the Republic of Korea (RoK) attended a festival with flower garlands and colored lanterns to pray for peace for the sea, islands and the country of Vietnam in Seoul on December 18th.
Da Lat to be leading vegetable production centre in Southeast Asia
A plan has been issued to realize the Resolution of the Da Lat city Party Committee on intensifying hi-tech agricultural development for the 2016-2020 period.
Vietnam condemns killing of Russian ambassador
Vietnam strongly condemns the assassination of Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrey Karlov, the Foreign Ministry’s Spokesman Le Hai Binh said on December 20th.
Southeast Asian countries tighten security ahead of Christmas

Several Southeast Asian countries were put on alert on December 23rd on the threshold of Christmas and New Year following two foiled bomb plots in Australia and Indonesia and the arrest of suspected militants in Malaysia./.