Spanish King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia de Grecia began an official visit to Vietnam on February 20 at the invitation of State President Tran Duc Luong. This is the first Vietnam visit by a Spanish King since the two countries established diplomatic ties in May 1977. The visit aims to further develop the friendly and co-operative relations between the two countries.

A survey conducted by the United Nations eventually concluded that the US violated international laws and conventions on human rights as it illegally detained, ill-treated and tortured prisoners at Guantanamo Bay jail.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Ephimovic Fradkov pays an official two-day visit to Vietnam, beginning on February 16, at the invitation of Vietnamese Prime Minister Phan Van Khai. The visit takes place at a time when Vietnam and Russia are making continued efforts to boost their partnership on the principles of a stable, long-term and equal co-operation and mutual benefit.

Drought is forecast to continue for the next few months. In such a context, people should save every drop of water. Canal dredging work is now an urgent task. Farmers should response to measures taken by local authorities to cope with droughts and other natural disasters.

The diplomatic crisis that stemmed from Danish newspaper Jyllands Posten’s publications of caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad has resulted in the first deaths reported in Muslim countries.

The APEC Golf Tournament, which teed off on February 5, was an activity to mark the beginning of a new year for the diplomatic sector. The tournament attracted the participation of 32 Government officials, ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps. The event was also held in the framework of a series of activities to welcome the 14th summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) forum, scheduled to take place in Hanoi later this year.

The Vietnamese people will enter the Year of the Dog (Binh Tuat lunar year) with pride of great achievements in the past 20 years of the national Doi Moi (Renewal) process and with new plans for future development.

The Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) on January 25 adopted resolution No.1481 on the so-called "need for international condemnation of crimes of totalitarian communist regimes". This is a wrongful resolution which has drawn strong protests from Russian veteran groups and other organisations across the world.

Marxism does not act for us, but provides us with an appropriate analytical method and vision, a correct political strategy to reform society and successfully apply the achievements of the Renewal process to all areas of life and the long-term process of socialist construction in Vietnam.

In 2005, the Ministry of Construction issued numerous law-regulated documents on capital construction investment to accelerate the national industrialisation and modernisation process. However, low-quality projects still remain.

In the eyes of the world public, 2005 was a challenging year for Vietnam as it braced itself for natural calamities such as severe droughts and flooding, and the bird flu epidemic. But the extraordinary efforts and iron will of the Government and people to overcome difficulties have deeply impressed many foreign journalists.

The following is part one of the article written by Asso Prof, Dr Vu Van Hien General Director of Radio the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) about the role of the media in the fight against “peaceful evolution” scheme by hostile forces.

The history of national construction and defence over the past thousands of years has seen many periods of glorious development, but never before has the country’s position and role been elevated like at present. The Doi Moi (Renewal) process in the past 20 years has resulted in tremendous and significant achievements, which have helped bring a new facelift to the country and greatly improve people’s physical and spiritual lives.

Prime Minister Phan Van Khai’s visit to the US was considered the most prominent event of Vietnam-US relations in 2005. For the first time, both countries released a joint declaration, defining the principles of bilateral relations based on constructive partnership, friendship, equality for mutual benefit and long-term stability.

2006 has come with much confidence and hope, and Vietnamese people have sufficient groundwork to believe that the country will cultivate new successes in various areas in the coming year.

2005 was considered another successful year for Vietnam’s economy. Despite domestic and global fluctuations, Vietnam secured a seven-year record growth rate of 8.4 percent with almost all major targets fulfilledsurpassed. These achievements will pave the way for the country to move forward in 2006 and the next five years.

After the Ordinance on Religions and Beliefs was approved by the National Assembly, the Prime Minister on March 1, 2005 issued a decree guiding the implementation of several articles of the ordinance. The Government Committee for Religious Affairs disseminated the ordinance and the decree and has helped localities implement it specifically.

Vietnam has made many great achievements in national construction and defence during its 20 years of renewal. People''s living standards have been much improved and the country has gained a higher position in the world. More importantly, however, the country has learned some important lessons, which will serve well the on-going national development process.

Vietnam has uncompromisingly combated corruption and the fight has progressed well. After each corruption case is brought to light, many ask why did that sector or that person become corrupt?

Over the past two years, the world market has been caught up in a swirling vortex of fluctuation in the prices of four major groups of commodities - steel, oil and petrochemical oil, gold and foreign exchange rates.

The Government has set seven key objectives to be carried out in its socio-economic development plan next year. One of these objectives is to "improve living conditions, reduce poverty and generate jobs for the people". To realise this goal, poor and ethnic people have pinned high hopes on the socio-economic development programme for disadvantaged areas (programme 135).

Market experts have predicted that the price of goods on the domestic market will keep rising significantly in December- the last month of the year. Price hikes in essential goods such as food and foodstuffs will have a great impact on the domestic market. Therefore, it is imperative to launch price control measures.