Aside from geopolitics, important economic domains such as agriculture, minerals, the domestic market, basic knowledge, technology and labour and management always play a pivotal role in boosting sustainable economic development and creating competitive advantages.

Corruption and wastefulness prevention is a long-term, hard and complicated fight which can not be carried out overnight as it needs effective prevention measures. In the current situation, determination to combat, detect and tackle these social evils in time is also regarded as a prevention measure.

The Ministry of Education and Training has committed itself to dealing with negative phenomena and the fabrication of academic achievement figures in education and training. The move is necessary for Vietnam to rectify and purify the education system for the sake of national development.

President of the Republic of Venezuela Hugo Chavez began his two-day official visit to Vietnam on July 31 at the invitation of Vietnamese State President Nguyen Minh Triet. The visit aims to consolidate friendship and further explore cooperation between the two countries.

The Vietnam Sugar and Sugarcane Association proposed that the Government stop importing an additional 150,000 tonnes of sugar from now till the end of the year after local sugar processors complained that there were large volumes in stock and they could face losses due to the illegal import of sugar at lower prices.

Over the past two weeks, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has asked various departments to rid themselves of illegal activities and meted out punishment to several senior officials who were found guilty in corruption cases.

The Human Rights Watch (HRW) recently named Vietnam as one of the countries committing serious violations of human rights. This is an unacceptable accusation made by hostile forces in a deliberate attempt to sabotage the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

G8 leaders put forth a statement on the situation in the Middle East, which Russian President Vladimir Putin described to be “balanced”. The statement expressed the deepening concern of G8 leaders about the current situation in the Middle East, in particular the rising civilian casualties and the damage to infrastructure.

The UN Security Council on July 15 unanimously adopted a resolution imposing sanctions on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) after the country unilaterally tested seven missiles two weeks ago. Immediately, Pyongyang rejected the resolution and warned that it would carry out further missile launch exercises as part of its efforts to bolster its military strength.

State leaders of the seven industrialised nations and Russia (G8) began their summit meeting in St. Petersburg, Russia on July 15 to cope with new global challenges. The summit is expected to heighten Russia’s role in the richest nations club in the world despite existing differences on sensitive issues between Russia and the remaining seven.

Many US congressmen have supported the US Congress’ approval of permanent normal trade relations status (PNTR) for Vietnam while some have opposed it with alleged charges against Vietnam’s human rights record. That discordant note only reflects the points of view of some hostile forces which are still trying to obstruct the development of Vietnam-US relations.

According to the National Committee on Population, Family and Children, Vietnam has 1.3 million births every year - that is equivalent to the population of a province. A surge in the number of third children is one of the major causes of overpopulation.

In the first half of this year, Vietnam’s agricultural production reached a growth rate of approximately 4 percent. The consumption market for agro-forestry products is considered one of lucrative markets, which had positively boosted production activities in certain sectors.

Following weeks of growing tension and despite warnings and threats from many countries, particularly the US and Japan, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) still went ahead with its missile test-firings early Wednesday morning.

In late June, several Vietnamese nationals residing in California, the US, who have claimed themselves to be patriots organised meetings to talk about democracy in Vietnam and released the so-called 2006 Declaration on Democracy and Freedom. They even petitioned several Western countries to force Vietnam to promote democracy in the country. What is the truth behind the move?

The ninth session of the National Assembly concluded in Hanoi this week. It was a regular activity of the legislature, but of great significance as, in addition to completing its working agenda as usual, it helped perfect the high-level State apparatus.

Vietnam’s upcoming admission to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) will be a comprehensive integration into the world economy, which will have certain impacts on the private economic sector. Therefore, if the sector fails to resolve weaknesses and pending issues, it is likely to suffer losses in the “game”, even right on its own ground.

The National Assembly has completed its law-making programme after approving nine draft laws and two resolutions and giving opinions on 13 more draft laws. Its current session in Hanoi shows deputies have made a great effort to meet urgent requirements for international integration.

The press is an important and effective means for helping to build and promote the traditional Vietnamese culture imbued with national identity. There are two notable things that the press has devoted to this cause. First, it supports, encourages and promotes a healthy and civilised lifestyle. Second, it absorbs, selects and develops the quintessence of overseas cultures and enriches the national culture.

The Secretary General of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Choumaly Sayasone began a four-day official visit to Vietnam on June 19. During the visit, leaders of the two Parties and States will exchange measures to boost the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries to a new height.

During the renewal (Doi Moi) process, the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) has implemented an open-door policy to actively integrate in the region and the world, in the spirit of befriending all countries in the international community. Therefore, every change in the world economy, positive and negative, all has certain impacts on the Vietnamese society.

Vietnam is elated at the prospect of becoming the World Trade Organisation (WTO). However, to achieve success after entering the world’s largest trade body, there will be no room for hesitation or subjectivism from policy makers, law-makers, scientists and particularly the business community.

A Vietnamese delegation led by Vice State President Truong My Hoa is attending the Global Summit of Woman (GSW) in Cairo, Egypt, from June 10-12. It is a chance for Vietnam to highlight Vietnam’s achievements and determination to implement the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the MDG for women in particular.

Renewing theoretical thinking plays a leading role in the Doi Moi (Renewal) process in Vietnam, which began in 1986. The Renewal process has since been carried out in two ways: from the grassroots level (at co-operatives and enterprises), and from the central level (Party resolutions and State decisions).

A press briefing was held in the city of Palo Alto in the US State of California on May 30 by the so-called “Vietnamese Democratic Movement” in an attempt to lobby for US congressional support for what they called “establishment of a pluralist and multi-party regime in Vietnam.”

The core of Ho Chi Minh Thought on great unity is unity within the Party for the great cause of national unity and international solidarity. Based on this spirit, he called on people to unite together to fight against common enemies. He said, “Nationalism is a great motive force”.

The positive results of Vietnam's co-operation with United Nations (UN) development agencies over the past nearly 30 years have proven the country's increasing status in the world's largest co-operative agency.

Vietnamese fishermen conduct their activities offshore with traditional experiences, accumulating over many generations. Each lesson of experience is a high price and sometimes costs the lives of those involved. For the fishing industry, each lesson costs fishermen’s lives.

Whether Vietnam will achieve successes or suffer failures when it joins the World Trade Organisation (WTO) depends on efforts from businesses. To engage in the large playing field, the State has supported enterprises with a great deal of policies including protection policies but enterprises remain weak bodies with certain shortcomings.

It is necessary to promote information about food hygiene and safety in communities, organise a system of food hygiene and safety control at food processing and business establishments, co-ordinate with the police, and intensify inspections of poor quality foodstuffs.