Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Gennady Bezdetko has expressed his confidence that Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's upcoming official visit to Russia will further consolidate bilateral cooperation in priority areas while granting an interview to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s reporter ahead of the trip.

The rotor of the first turbine at the expanded Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant project was successfully installed on the morning of July 6, marking a key milestone in equipment installation as the project moves towards its power generation target by the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day (September 2).

A concessional loan worth EUR70 million (US$81 million) without government guarantee for the expanded Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant Project was inked on November 10 between the Vietnam Electricity (EVN) group and the French Development Agency (AFD).

Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung on January 12 lauded the Vietnam Electricity (EVN) for its efforts in ensuring electricity supply for socio-economic development, as well as daily activities.

Construction of the expanded Hoa Binh hydropower plant began in the northern mountainous province of Hoa Binh on January 10, with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc attending the ground-breaking ceremony.