2011 is an important year for Vietnam as the 11th National Party Congress- the event of first magnitude in the year will open in Hanoi.

The year 2010 has passed. Many events, both positive and negative, have happened. But in general, the country is making constant progress.

With an impressive growth and the increasing position in international arena, Vietnam has just only big opportunities to make further breakthroughs but also faces a number of challenges.

In 2010, Vietnam successfully organised many diplomatic economic events and actively participated in international economic forums, helping to increase its position in international arena and to create favourable conditions for national development.

Vietnam’s socialist-oriented market economy has been operating according to both the market mechanism and administrative regulations.

The activities of the ASEAN Socio-cultural Community (ASCC) in 2010 have distinctly reflected Vietnam’s role in orienting priorities for the Community and formulating a roadmap to implement these priorities with regard to ASEAN member countries’ benefits and interests.

The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) opposes the scientifically groundless decision by some member organizations of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in Europe to put Vietnam’s Tra fish on its Red List, in its 2010 seafood consumption report, said VASEP Vice Chairman, Nguyen Huu Dung.

The World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF)’s unverified and scientifically groundless information about Vietnam’s Tra fish has raised public doubts over the reliability of information released by the organisation.

Vietnam and the EU have established an important and comprehensive partnership with each other. The Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) signed in October marks a new period in bilateral relations and the two sides plan to discuss a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) for the future.

Since its accession to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Vietnam has always been an active, dynamic and responsible member of the forum.

Around 66 percent of Vietnamese businesses don’t understand the basic content of WTO agreements and nearly 55 percent don’t grasp Vietnam's WTO commitments related to their sectors or business areas, according to the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).

The 17th ASEAN Summit and other related meetings from October 28-30 is highly significant for the on-going process of building an ASEAN community by 2015.

The 17th ASEAN Summit and related meetings  gives ASEAN a chance to comprehensively review the outcomes of cooperation within the bloc and with its partners over the past few years and to layout the priorities for the next stage of its development.

It is imperative that foreign exporters unite if they want to penetrate the potential, risky US market.

A new mechanism for defence cooperation has been opened as defence ministers of the 10 ASEAN member countries and the bloc’s eight dialogue partners gathered in Hanoi on October 12 for the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+).

Over the last millennium, Thang Long-Hanoi has always been the crucible of the nation’s brave soul. Civilization, righteousness, generosity, and tradition have mingled in the capital city. The civilization of Thang Long-Hanoi represents the civilization of Vietnam.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has praised Vietnam’s experiences and determination in implementing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as well as its major contributions to reforming the UN.

Achieving the UN’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) depends on a common effort by every country. 2010 is a pivotal year for Vietnam to fulfill its socio-economic development tasks.

Vietnam is seen as a successful model of implementing the UN’s millennium development goals (MDGs) and the country has now reached 90 percent of its MDGs, ranking first in Southeast Asia.

It is necessary to have a correct understanding of modern capitalism to know where the world will go. To realize this difficult and complicated task, we should look at the issue from its true perspective.

State President Nguyen Minh Triet on August 24 started an official visit to the Laos People’s Democratic Republic, which is expected to bring the bilateral relations to a new height.

Ever since the relevant agencies found out that the Vedan Vietnam Corp. Ltd. was discharging untreated wastewater into the Thi Vai River nearly two years ago, disputes over compensation for farmers living in the polluted areas have not yet been resolved.

Fifteen years ago today Vietnam was officially admitted to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) in Brunei - a milestone in Vietnam’s regional and international integration, as well as ASEAN’s development.

The 43rd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) took place in Hanoi on July 19 along with 20 other related meetings to pave the way for the fourth coming 17th ASEAN Summit and underline the status of ASEAN in the region as well as the international arena.

Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh will pay an official visit to Russia from July 8-12 at the invitation of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

Competition is part and parcel of the market economy for any businesses aiming to get the lion’s share, sell as many products as possible, and make a big profit. However, opportunists have spread rumours to encourage unhealthy competition and get the upper hand over their rivals. 

How to provide the latest, interesting and accurate information is always a main focus for every journalist's efforts until the end of their career.

The Ministry of Transport’s recent proposal to collect fees from car users to help maintain the country’s road network has sparked a contentious debate, as it impacts not only urban car users, but also farmers and fishermen who are already financially overburdened.

Hanoi’s real estate market is thriving but the sharp increase in housing prices, especially west of Hanoi, creates risks.

Budget overspending from 6.9 percent of GDP in 2009 which is estimated to drop 5 percent in 2010 still presents difficulties for the Government in managing this year’s State budget.