The strong development of the Vietnamese securities market in recent times has captured major attention of investors and managers from foreign banks and investment funds in Vietnam. Most international investors have predicted that the Vietnamese securities market will continue develop strongly in the future.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Dung on April 3 expressed regret over the Bangkok-based Court of Appeals’ decision to refuse the extradition of Ly Tong to Vietnam which, he said runs counter to joint efforts to fight crime and terrorism in the region.

The 11th National Assembly (NA) has successfully completed its tasks after operating for 60 months, or more than 1,800 days. Working for the nation’s interests, the supreme representative of the people has further affirmed its special role and position in Vietnam’s political system through its responsible and effective activities.

The 11th National Assembly (NA) has accomplished the last Q&A session with members having to field questions on a host of burning social issues related to unreasonable land prices, illegal house building and anti-corruption.

Many overseas Vietnamese in the US and several Eastern European countries recently became aware of the so-called Viet Tan Party through several websites and tabloid newspapers published in Vietnamese abroad.

Deputies of the National Assembly (NA) on March 29 discussed Government reports on the implementation of the Law on Corruption Prevention and Control and the Law on Thrift Practice and Wastefulness Prevention. These pressing issues raise public concerns and are reported annually by the Government at NA sessions.

The 11th National Assembly (NA) has been marked with a dramatic increase in the number of adopted laws to help perfect the legal system.

Human Rights Watch has accused Vietnam of cracking down on religion and suppressing people with different political views. What is the truth behind the organisation’s move?

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem is paying an official visit to the United States this week with a view to boosting positive bilateral relations and implementing the agreements reached during US President George W. Bush’s visit to Vietnam in November last year.

The US Department of State recently released its 2006 report on human rights situation in many countries. The report said the human rights record in some parts of Vietnam “remained unsatisfactory”. This is an inaccurate judgement of the real situation in Vietnam.

According to the Prime Minister, in order to ensure the rapid, healthy and sustainable development of the securities market, it is essential to perfect the legal system, strengthen the State management apparatus and intensify market control activities.

From the bottom of their hearts, Vietnamese people, belonging to ethnic minorities or the ethnic majority who are non-religious or religious and currently live at home or abroad, always take great pride in the origin of “children of the Fairy and the Dragon” legend.

State President Nguyen Minh Triet has paid an official visit to Cambodia from February 27 to March 1 at the invitation of Cambodian King Norodom Shihamoni. This is Mr Triet’s second overseas visit after his earlier visit to Laos in February 2007, demonstrating Vietnam’s desire to strengthen friendly cooperation between neighbouring and regional countries.

The Vietnamese people are happily and proudly entering the New Year. Achievements gained in the last more than 20 years of Doi Moi (Renewal) under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, plus the impressive socio-economic records of 2006 have further consolidated our people’s confidence in its chosen path.

The US-based Christian Freedom International (CFI) has recently named Vietnam as one of the world’s leading countries in what it called repression of religious freedom. However, its irrational judgment cannot overshadow the positive achievements of religious freedom in Vietnam.

At the 10th National Party Congress, the Party outlined the development of the marine-based economy with a focus on building and implementing a long-term strategy aimed at turning Vietnam into a strong marine-based economy in the region while ensuring national security and promoting international cooperation.

President Nguyen Minh Triet began an official visit to Laos on Feb 5 at the invitation of President Choummaly Sayasone who is General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party. This is the first overseas visit by Mr Triet in his capacity as Vietnamese State President.

In his lifetime, President Ho Chi Minh considered “Can Kiem Liem Chinh, Chi Cong Vo Tu” (Industry, Thrift, Incorruptibility and Disinterestedness) as the major moral virtues of human beings, particularly of revolutionaries. His thoughts remain invaluable in the present-day life, helping to intensify the fight against corruption.

The implementation of laws by Vietnamese enterprises should be given priority in the overall plan for administrative reform in order to devise suitable mechanism to support enterprises.

The recent fourth conference of the Party Central Committee discussed and decided on issues of great importance to national development. Senior Party officials gave opinions on the national marine strategy until 2020 with the aim of tapping full potential of sea and coastal areas while defending national sovereignty and security.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s visit to Italy and his participation in the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, marks a new stage of development in the relationship between Vietnam and international friends, and confirm Vietnam’s new role and position in the international arena. This is also a chance to enhance Vietnam’s image as a dynamic, friendly and developing country.

When Vietnam joined the World Trade Organisation (WTO), there were many optimistic opinions on a new flow of investment into the country that would create job opportunities for a large segment of low-cost labourers. However, the chances for them in the post-WTO period are not quite as open-ended as they may seem.

On August 21, 2006, the third conference of the 10th Party Central Committee adopted Resolution 04-ND/TW on “Strengthening the Party leadership in the fight against corruption and wastefulness”, showing the Party’s strong determination to crack down on these negative phenomena.

Approximately 140,000 overseas Vietnamese will return home for this year’s Traditional Lunar New Year Festival (Tet), an increase of 40 percent compared to 2005, said the Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs (COVA).

The significant achievements gained by the press in the Doi Moi (Renovation) process over the past 20 years have been acknowledged and acclaimed by the Party, State and people. Never before has the strength of the press been demonstrated fully and vividly as at present with a host of far-reaching political activities being widely covered in the press.

All Vietnam’s commitments to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) started to take effect as of January 11. But the WTO is a global playing-field, which will provide Vietnam with both opportunities and challenges.

Expanding and promoting democracy is the driving force behind the strength of the Vietnamese nation. Reality shows that wherever democracy and intellect of officials and people are promoted, the socio-economy develops and political security and social order are maintained, and vice versa.

The global economy, including the powerful US economy, is likely to experience a slowdown in 2007 compared to 2006, according to Japhraim Gundzick, president of Condor Advisers, a company which specialises in emerging markets investment research and country risk reports.

The year 2007 has begun with a new dawn breaking and ahead of us lies a long and wide road. There is no way a nation which has transformed itself and experienced many ups and downs over the past 20 years will baulk at setting foot on this long-awaited road.

2006 was significant and impressive in Vietnam’s history. The year was full of events which brought internal and external resources into play to create a new position and new opportunities for Vietnam to develop.