Ten most important events in Viet Nam in 2006

1 - The tenth National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam was convened in Ha Noi from April 18-25 to decide the orientation, targets and tasks of the countrys social-economic development in the next five years (2006-2010) and beyond. In June, the 11th National Assembly at the ninth session approved the relieving and election to the posts of State President, Prime Minister and National Assembly Chairman; and the relieving and appointment of Deputy Prime Ministers.

2 - The APEC Economic Leaders Week with its climax being the 14th APEC Economic Leaders Meeting in Ha Noi on Nov. 18-19 was successfully held, contributing to heightening Viet Nams role and position in the international arena.

3 - Viet Nam concluded the 11-year negotiation process to become the 150th member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on Nov. 7. On Dec. 9, the US Congress approved the Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status with Viet Nam.

4 - To implement the Anti-Corruption Law, which took effects as from July 1, and the Resolution of the 10th Party Central Committees third Congress, the Government set up a steering board on corruption prevention chaired by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, reflecting the Partys and States determination to fight the national disease.

5- The 14th Consultative Group Meeting (CG) convened on Dec. 14-15, international donors pledged to provide a record of nearly 4.5 billion USD as official development assistance (ODA) to Viet Nam in 2007.

6 - Three big typhoons, namely Chanchu, Xangsane and Durian, hit Viet Nams central and southwestern regions, causing great losses in lives and properties.

7 - The foreign direct investment (FDI) capital hit a record of over 10 billion USD, worthy of note is the 1.2 billion USD steel plant project of the POSCO group of the Republic of Korea in southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, and the 1 billion USD electronic appliance manufacture project of the USs Intel Group in Ho Chi Minh City.

8 - External economic activities obtained remarkable progresses with export turnover reaching 40 billion USD, up 22 percent over 2005.

9 - The Ministry of Education and Training launched a campaign to fight negative phenomena in exams and craziness to "achievements" in education. The campaign was greeted by strong response from the society.

10 - The National Hospital of Paediatrics successfully conducted a bone marrow transplant for a 7-year-old boy, Dang Gia Hung, on Aug. 10, the first case in Viet Nam. The success paved the way for treating patients with marrow and blood-related diseases, and marked a new progress of Viet Nams paediatrics.

(Source: VNA)