Thanks to the government’s stimulus package and businesses’ increasing efforts to survive the economic downturn, workers will soon see their jobs more secure as analysts predict that the rate of unemployment will be gradually reduced by the end of this year.

PM Nguyen Tan Dung returned to Hanoi on March 12, concluding his first official visits to Qatar and Kuwait. The trip not only strengthened the friendship between Vietnam and the two Gulf nations but also laid a firm foundation for increasing bilateral cooperation in investment, trade, energy, food and labour.

Vietnam began to develop a model of e-government nearly a decade ago in an effort to streamline administrative procedures and establish a communications channel between the administration and its citizens. However, to increase the efficiency of the model requires a firmer resolve from all the State agencies.

The Japanese government has decided to resume official development assistance (ODA) to Vietnam with a total aid package of around US$900 million for 2009. This decision testifies to its trust in the Vietnamese government’s determination to combat corruption.

A Vietnamese delegation led by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung left Hanoi for Hua Hin, Thailand, on February 28 to attend the 14th summit of the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The quality of product is one of the leading concerns for consumers before they make a purchase. However, the recent discoveries of poor quality products has raised the alarm about the levels of responsibility shown by businesses and management agencies.  

The Dung Quat Oil Refinery, the first in Vietnam, officially came on stream on February 22, opening up new prospects for the national economy.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung left Hanoi on February 15 for an official three-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the invitation of the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

In celebrating the anniversary of the Party’s birth and welcoming a new Spring, we promote the strength of our entire nation, positively integrate into the world economy and accelerate the national renewal process to modernize the country, enrich the people and realise an equitable, democratic and civilised society. That is the country’s vitality.

Spring is coming. Spring breezes are blowing and flowers are blooming. With full hearts, we look back on the past and plan for the future.

The Government has recently decided to provide financial assistance to poor households to ensure they will enjoy the traditional Lunar New Year (Tet) festival. The decision shows the Government’s firm resolve to assist the poor who are the most vulnerable to economic difficulties.

Vietnam continues to face challenges in 2009 - the most important being to prevent the economic downturn which has resulted from the world’s financial crisis and the implementation of anti-inflation measures.

In 2008, commercial banks entered a big interest rate race, the exchange rate reached a record high of VND19,000/US$ at times, and businesses scaled down their production due to capital shortages. These are market “shocks” from which Vietnam should learn to regulate the economy in 2009.

Vietnam experienced many ups and downs in 2008, particularly the negative effects of the global financial and economic crisis. As the world is expected to go through big upheavals in 2009, the crux of the matter is how to seize opportunities, overcome difficulties and maintain stability.

2008 is considered a special year for Vietnam’s economy as the country has belonged to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) for two years, facing both opportunities and challenges on the common economic playing field.

The year 2008 saw fluctuations on the banking and finance market and the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) devised strong measures to manage the market.

Vietnam is committed to respecting, protecting and promoting fundamental human rights in line with the United Nations Charter as well as with other international norms and practices. 

The country is facing an economic recession as its growth rate and exports have sharply decreased and sales of essential goods such as steel, cement and fertilizer have seen serious stagnation.

Vietnamese businesses have gained much experience since the country joined the World Trade Organisation (WTO) two years ago. Local businesses now know that by actively integrating into the global economy and quickly grasping opportunities they can limit their exposure to the vicissitudes of the market.

Indian President Pratibha Devisigh Patil will meet State President Nguyen Minh Triet in Hanoi on November 27 as part of her first visit to Vietnam.

Cooperation within the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum has helped raise Vietnam’s internal strength and boosted its trade and investment with other economies in the region, said Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem.

President Nguyen Minh Triet left Hanoi on November 18 for an official visit to Venezuela at the invitation of President Hugo Chaves Frias. This is the first visit to Venezuela by the Vietnamese State President.

Over the past few years, a large number of rural young people have left their home villages for big cities in hopes of earning a living and supporting their impoverished families at home. However, the migration has set alarm bells ringing about its consequences.  

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen began an official two-day visit to Vietnam on November 4 at the invitation of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung. This is his first visit to Vietnam after he took office for a fourth term in September 2008.

The State President’s visit to Russia aims to consolidate mutual understanding and strengthen strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia. The visit to Mongolia affirms a desire to further strengthen traditional relations of friendship between Vietnam and Mongolia.

The seventh Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 7) is a political event of great significance for enhancing the partnership between the two continents and affirming the strong development of the ASEM cooperation process.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung will pay an official visit to China from October 20-23 and attend the 7th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Beijing on October 24-25 at the invitation of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. The visit is expected to concretise the strategic and comprehensive partnership between the two countries.

A high-level Vietnamese delegation led by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung returned to Hanoi on October 14, concluding an official two-day visit to Australia. The visit helped further develop the two countries’ political ties and also expand bilateral cooperation in various areas.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung began an official two-day visit to Australia on October 13 at the invitation of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. The visit aims to promote friendship and multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries, especially now that Australia has just formed a new government.

It is important for Vietnam to shield itself from the impacts of the US financial crisis by devising proper solutions and policies to support its production and business activities.