2006 has been a year of great significance for Vietnam’s socio economic-development process, marking an important step towards the country’s international integration. The following are ten major domestic events selected by Radio the Voice of Vietnam (VOV).
1. The 10th Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) took place from April 18-25 April and was a great success. The congress reviewed 20 years of the national Doi Moi (Renovation) process and mapped out orientations and strategies for national development in the 2006-2010 period.
2. The 9th session of the 11th National Assembly held from May 16 to June 29 elected Nguyen Minh Triet, politburo member of the Party Central Committee, as State President and Nguyen Tan Dung, also Party politburo member, as Prime Minister.
3. The third Conference of the 10th Party Central Committee held on August 21 adopted a resolution on anti-corruption and wastefulness prevention. This was the first time the Party Central Committee issued such a resolution. The Central Steering Committee for Anti-Corruption was also established, showing the Party and State’s determination to combat corruption and wastefulness.
4. Vietnam became the 150th member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) after more than 11 years of conducting multilateral and bilateral negotiations and making tremendous efforts.
5. 2006 marked Vietnam’s remarkable progress as the country successfully organised the 14th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting held from November 12-19. Asian nations agreed to nominate Vietnam for non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council for the 2008-2009 term.
6. Vietnam has promoted bilateral relations with many countries in the world through meetings with Heads of State such as Chinese Party General Secretary and State President Hu Jintao, Russian President Vladimir Putin, US President George W. Bush, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chilean President Michelle Bachele. Notably, new developments occurred in Vietnam-US relations after the US Congress approved Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) legislation for Vietnam.
7. Despite price fluctuations, especially in oil and gold prices, and crop losses caused by brown-backed hopper and grassy stunned viruses, Vietnam still maintained a GDP growth rate of 8.2 percent, ranking second only to China in Asia.
8. Vietnam’s external economic relations showed signs of positive development. The country’s export turnover and foreign direct investment (FDI) reached nearly US$40 billion and US$10 billion, respectively. Meanwhile, international donors pledged US$4.45 billion in aid for Vietnam, up US$700 million from last year’s figure, demonstrating the international community’s support for Vietnam’s economic reforms. In 2006, remittances set by overseas Vietnamese to the country rose to US$4 billion.
9. Unexpected typhoons wreaked havoc on coastal areas in central and southern Vietnam. Typhoon Durian which went along the central coastal provinces and made landfall in Mekong River Delta provinces was considered a highly destructive storm.
10. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) recognised the Space of Gong Culture of the Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands) in Vietnam as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. This was Vietnam’s second intangible cultural heritage recognised by UNESCO after the Hue Royal Music.
