*** During a Tet visit to Quan Thanh ward in Hanoi on January 29, President Nguyen Minh Triet praised its Party Committee, Government Administration and people’s efforts to develop it into a leading unit of Ba Dinh precinct and contribute to the country’s success. He emphasised that Vietnam has partly minimized the impact of the global economic and financial downturn and maintained a high growth rate to ensure stable lives for the people. The country also successfully organised significant national events. Vietnam’s position and prestige have increased through events such as its successful ASEAN presidency, organising the UN summit to review the Millennium Development Goals after 10 years and attending the G20 summit. These achievements are attributed to the efforts of the whole Party, people and army.

Mr Triet urged the Quan Thanh ward Party Committee and Government Administration to pay more attention to Party building and deal with people’s petitions to develop the ward into a leader in Ba Dinh precinct.

*** Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Minister of National Defence Phung Quang Thanh visited the Vietnam Naval Services on January 29.

PM Dung applauded the navy forces’ achievements in protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands and contributing to national success. He asked them to uphold their heroic tradition to prevent violations of national sovereignty and to fulfill all their assigned tasks. He also asked them to continue to develop, train officials, build infrastructure, improve the implementation of search and rescue activities to protect fishermen and sea transport as well as to strengthen army external relations.

*** Deputy Prime Minister Truong Vinh Trong sent best wishes to the officials and staff of the Government’s Committee for Religious Affairs during his Tet visit on January 29.

Mr Trong hailed the committee’s achievements in 2010 and affirmed that thanks to efforts of the whole Party, people and army, Vietnam attained significant achievements, including a GDP growth rate of 6.68 percent. These achievements are attributed in part to State officials of religious affairs.

He noted that religious affairs and the State’s management of them are complicated and will see more difficulties in the future. Hostile forces are constantly taking advantage of freedom and democracy to carry out acts of sabotage to the Party and State so the committee should devise measures to ensure the religious lives of people are in line with Party, State and Government policies.

Nguyen Thanh Xuan, Deputy Head of the Government’s Committee for Religious Affairs, said religious affairs obtained positive results in 2010. Religions operated stably and in a lawful manner and 32 religious groups have been acknowledged so far. Many social welfare and charitable activities were also carried out across the country.

*** The Politburo delegation led by General Le Hong Anh, Politburo member and Minister of Public Security, paid a Tet visit to the central highlands of Dak Lak province on January 29.

General Le Hong Anh praised the province’s efforts to gain significant achievements, particularly a rapid and high economic growth rate. In 2010, the province’s earnings reached more than VND12,813 billion, up 12.2 percent compared to 2009; agriculture, forestry and seafood increased by 5.1 percent, industry and construction rose by 19 percent and services by 20.8 percent. It generated 24,976 jobs for local people as well.

He expressed his hope that the province will uphold solidarity and creativity in 2011 to successfully implement the resolutions of the 11^th National Party Congress and the 15^th provincial Party Congress.

*** Dinh The Huynh, Politburo member and President of the Vietnam Journalists’ Association, visited the central province of Quang Tri on January 28-29.

On behalf of the Party and State leaders, Huynh congratulated the province’s socio-economic, politic and cultural achievements. In 2010, despite many difficulties caused by the global economic downturn, floods and droughts, the province still achieved an economic growth rate of 10.6 percent, and average per capita income reached more than VND16 million per year.

He hoped that Quang Tri will mobilise all resources to promote socio-economic development, effectively implement Party building and improve management capacity.

Mr Huynh and his entourage offered incense at the Truong Son National Cemetery, the National Road 9 Cemetery, the Trieu Phong Cemetary, Quang Tri Citadel and the Memorial House of late Party General Secretary Le Duan. They also presented gifts to Vietnam heroic mothers and some families of social policy beneficiaries.

*** The delegation from the National Assembly Standing Committee led by Vice Chairman of the National Assembly, Huynh Ngoc Son, visited former Party and State leaders in Ho Chi Minh City on January 29.

During a visit to former President Vo Chi Cong, Mr Son briefed him on the socio-economic situation in recent years, especially the success of the 11^th National Party Congress. He also sent best wishes to Mr Cong and his family for the New Year.

On the same day, he also visited the families of late Party General Secretary Nguyen Van Linh and late Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet.