The World Bank released its East Asia and Pacific Update in Hanoi on April 7, predicting Vietnam’s GDP growth at 5.5 percent in 2009.

Vietnam took notice of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s launch of its communications satellite "Kwangmyongsong-2" into orbit on April 5, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Dung.

The Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCMCYU) should further educate young people and pioneers about political ideology, morality and healthy lifestyles, considering this as an urgent and long-term task, said Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

US Senator John McCain will stop over in Hanoi on April 6 during his week-long Asian tour.

A delegation from the national Assembly Committee for Culture, Education, Teenagers and Children led by its vice chairman, Le Van Hoc, paid a working visit to Egypt from March 29 to April 4.

Vietnam is willing to share its development experience with Mozambique, especially in agricultural production, poverty reduction and education and training, said Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh.

Vietnamese State Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan has received Myanmar’s Minister of Commerce General Tin Naing Thein, who is leading a delegation of the country’s Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) to visit Vietnam.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has signed a decision ratifying an agreement on visa exemption for official passport holders between Vietnam and Brazil.

Vietnam wants to increase cooperation in information technology with China to make IT a strong economic sector in the country, said Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan.

Award Ahmed Eljjaz, Minister of Finance and Economy and Special Envoy of the President of Sudan, visited Vietnam from March 29-31.

More efforts should be made in the coming months to curb the economic slowdown, sustain steady growth, stabilise key macro-economic balances and ensure social welfare, said Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung at a regular monthly cabinet meeting in Hanoi on March 30-31.

The Japanese Government has decided to provide Vietnam with more than ¥83 billion (or US$900 million) in preferential credits for the 2008 fiscal year to help the country develop its socio-economic infrastructure, protect the environment and attract more foreign investment.

The history book of Vietnam-Laos special relationship should be completed with the best quality to meet the aspiration of their people, contributing to the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, said Party leader Nong Duc Manh.

The Confederation of Mongolia Trade Unions (CMTU) will co-organise practical activities with the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) to further protect workers’ rights and benefits, said the CMTU president.

The Vietnamese Government will create favourable conditions for German businesses to increase their investment and operate efficiently in the country, said Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

As many as 243 outstanding delegates from five Central Highland provinces of Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Dak Lak, Dak Nong and Lam Dong attended a village chiefs conference in Pleiku City on March 30.

For the first time Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung chaired an online Cabinet meeting in Hanoi on March 30, assessing the country’s socio-economic development in March.

State President Nguyen Minh Triet praised Gia Lai province for its efforts to overcome difficulties, maintain steady growth and ensure social welfare during a visit on March 29.

The northern mountainous province of Hoa Binh should make the best of its internal resources to maintain steady growth during the economic slowdown, said Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung.

Ninety-three young skilled workers have been honoured for their initiatives and creativity in production, saving billions of Vietnamese Dong for factories and enterprises.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and leaders of nine ministries and three provinces of Ninh Binh, Quang Binh and Thua Thien-Hue took part in an online conference on March 27 to assess socio-economic development in the three provinces in the first quarter of this year. 

The friendly relationship between Vietnam and Singapore is developing well, said Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung while receiving newly-appointed ambassador Simon Wong Wie Kuen in Hanoi on March 25.

The Party greatly values and has high hopes for Vietnam’s young generation, especially the role of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCMCYU), said a senior Party official at a meeting in Hanoi on March 24 to mark the union’s 78th anniversary.

The Vietnam Paper Corporation should draw up its development strategy to form the core of the country’s paper industry in the next 10-15 years, said Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

State President Nguyen Minh Triet inspected the implementation of a national highway upgrade project in the central city of Da Nang on March 23. 

State President Nguyen Minh Triet received a delegation from Japan’s International Friendship Exchange Council (FEC) led by Ken Matsuzawa, vice president of the Aoyama Gakuin Educational Foundation, in Hanoi on March 21.

The Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam (BARD) should draw up efficient business strategies and take the lead in implementing the Party resolution on agriculture, farmers and rural development, said Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh.

Vietnam is ready to contribute positively and constructively to the restoration of peace and security in Afghanistan, said a Vietnamese diplomat.

Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh on March 20 received Chinese State Councillor Dai Binggou and other officials who have been in Hanoi for the 3rd session of the Vietnam-China Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation.

The Party, State and people of Vietnam always attach great importance to developing the relationship with China, said State President while receiving Chinese State Councillor Dai Binggou in Hanoi on March 19.