Vietnam’s Long Thanh Golf Trading and Investment Company broke ground for a US$1 billion property project in capital Vientiane on January 3.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has approved an investment project on Vietnam’s second telecommunications satellite (VINASAT-2), which is scheduled to be launched in 2012.

The diplomatic sector in 2009 joined hands with the nation maintaining peace and stability, maximising national aggregated strength, and utilising all opportunities advancing the country towards development and international integration, said a senior government official.

Many laws and legal regulations came into effect on the first day of the New Year.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung is confident of a successful term ahead as Vietnam assumes the role of President of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) beginning January 1, 2010.

International integration is a must for all countries, requiring them to work together for mutual benefit and common development. Like other countries, Vietnam has gradually integrated into the world and achieved initial success.

Despite numerous challenges and difficulties in 2009, Vietnam has successfully weathered the global financial and economic storm and is now back on the road to recovery.  

In 2009, Vietnamese diplomacy achieved many important results to improve the country’s status, position and strength in its process of development and integration.

A Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Doan Xuan Hung, visited Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from December 25-31.

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong on December 30 paid a fact-finding tour of the northern province of Thai Nguyen as part of the preparations for the 11th Party National Congress.

Vietnam attaches great importance to developing strategic partnership with the Russian Federation, said Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh.

A ceremony has been held in Ho Chi Minh City to celebrate Cuba’s 51st National Day, which falls on January 1.

Vietnam’s diplomatic sector obtained significant achievements in 2009, contributing to maintaining peace and stability, as well as increasing the country’s position in the international arena.

The Vietnam Lawyers’ Association has helped promote national judicial reform and protect the justice and people’s legitimate rights and interests, contributing to socio-economic development.

Deputy Prime Minister Truong Vinh Trong has asked the Government Inspectorate to go ahead with reforms to be more effective in handling petitions and complaints.

State President Nguyen Minh Triet has asked the southern province of Tay Ninh to focus on developing its transport network to spur the economy to further growth.

A Foreign Ministry spokesperson has condemned all foreign activities in regard to the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos as “illegal.”

A press briefing was held in Hanoi on December 29 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to review Vietnam’s activities at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) over the past two years.

A meeting was held in Hanoi on December 29 to coordinate publicity for activities in 2010 when Vietnam undertakes the presidency of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA).

Minister of Defence, General Phung Quang Thanh on December 28 received the visiting Commander-in-chief of the Chilean Army, General Oscar Izurieta Ferrer.

A delegation from the Cambodian province of Kratie on December 28 held talks with leaders of the Binh Phuoc Provincial People’s Council, highlighting developments and cooperation in the region.

The central Lao province of Savanakhet plans to build a memorial area dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh, according to the province’s Deputy Governor Souphanh Keomysay.

Measures to help monitor how policies on ethnic people in the central highland, central southern and southeastern regions are high on the agenda of a seminar in Lam Dong province.

The Central Steering Committee for Combating Corruption met with the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee (VFFCC) in Hanoi on December 28 to review their joint efforts in preventing and combating corruption.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung gave an order on December 28 to initiate construction of the Maspero riverbank dyke in the Mekong delta province of Soc Trang.

Tran Anh Kim – a resident living in the Red River delta province of Thai Binh – has been sentenced to 5 years and 6 months in prison on a charge of carrying out activities to overthrow the people’s administration.

The Tay Ninh Cement Plant plays an important role in boosting the local economy and giving a facelift to the revolutionary base, said State President Nguyen Minh Triet.

Vietnam-US relations continued to develop in 2009 as both parties were keen to promote their friendship and multi-faceted cooperation further.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on December 27 issued an order to kick-start the project to build a passage for heavyweight vessels to the Hau River.

Other localities should learn from the experience of the northern mountainous province of Cao Bang in creating policies for ethnic minority people, said Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Phu Trong during his working visit to the province on December 26-27.