Hanoi (VNA) – As 2023 is nearing its end, theVietnam News Agency has selected the top 10 events shaping the countryin the year as follows:

1. Mid-term meeting of13th-tenure Party Central Committee

The Party Central Committee perceived that during the firsthalf of its 2021 - 2026 tenure, the country has steadily surmounted numerousdifficulties and challenges to obtain important and relatively comprehensiveresults in multiple areas. It ordered focus be paid to the implementation offive key tasks during the last half of the tenure so as to successfully carryout the resolution of the 13th National Party Congress.

The Party Central Committee also reviewed the leadership anddirection performance by the Politburo and the Secretariat, and held a mid-termvote of confidence as regulated.

2. GDP growth tops 5%

Amid difficulties and challenges, the Vietnameseeconomy has managed to secure a gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate ofover 5%.

Many positive signs have also been recorded: the rice export volume surpassing8 million tonnes worth over 4.4 billion USD – the highest since 2009, and foreigndirect investment (FDI) hitting the highest level since 2020 with 28.85 billionUSD in the registered capital and 20.25 billion USD in the disbursed sum. In particular,the country has posted a trade surplus for the eighth consecutive year thatstood at 26 billion USD, almost three times more than the figure in 2022.

3. Party GeneralSecretary and President of China, President of US visit Vietnam

The state visits to Vietnam by Party General Secretary andPresident of China Xi Jinping and President of the US Joe Biden furtherintensified Vietnam’s relations with China and marked an upgrade of bilateralties with the US to a comprehensive strategic partnership. So far, Vietnam hasestablished comprehensive strategic partnerships with six countries, namelyChina, Russia, Japan, India, the Republic of Korea, and the US.

Vietnam has alsoactively contributed initiatives to regional and international organisations,showed its role in and sense of responsibility towards the settlement of globalissues, and sent rescue forces to help address earthquake consequences in Türkiye.

4. New regulations on power control,corruption and other negative phenomena prevention issued

ThePolitburo’s Regulation 114-QD/TW, 131-QD/TW, and 132-QD/TW reflect theParty and State’s resolve to push ahead with the fight against corruption and other negative phenomena in personnel affairs; with examination, inspection, andauditing; and with investigation, prosecution, judging, and judgementexecution.

Manyespecially serious and complicated cases of corruption and other negative phenomenahave been investigated and brought to trial. Particularly, in the case involvingVan Thinh Phat Group, the Saigon Joint Stock Commercial Bank (SCB), and someothers, 23 inspectors and auditors were investigated while a person was found tohave taken bribes worth up to 5.2 million USD – the biggest sum so far.

5. A record of 475km of expressways putinto use in one year

Thecompletion of 14 key transport projects, including some sub-projects in thefirst phase of the North - South Expressway project, has raised the totallength of expressways nationwide to 1,892km. This has helped make one ofthe three breakthroughs targeted in the strategy for socio-economic developmentduring the 2021 - 2030 period.

Thegroundbreaking ceremonies for 12 sub-projects in the second phase of the North -South Expressway project right on the first day of the year were also followedby the start of an array of other important transport projects.

6. Progenitor oftraditional medicine, many destinations honoured by UNESCO

Ha LongBay - Cat Ba Archipelago in the northern coastal province of Quang Ninhand neighbouring Hai Phong city was officially recognised as a world naturalheritage by UNESCO. Meanwhile, Hoi An ancient city in the central province ofQuang Nam and Da Lat city in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong havebeen named in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in terms of crafts andfolk art, and music, respectively.

Progenitor ofVietnamese traditional medicine Hai Thuong Lan Ong Le Huu Tracwas honoured as an eminent personality by the organisation.

In addition, Vietnam has won theWorld’s Leading Heritage Destination 2023 title of the World Travel Awards forthe fourth time so far. The tourism sector is expecting to serve 12.5 millioninternational visitors in 2023, exceeding the set plan by about 5 million.

7. Terroristattack in Dak Lak promptly brought under control

The terrorist attack against the people'sadministration with particularly serious consequences in Ea Tieu and EaKtur communes, Cu Kuin district, the Central Highlands of Dak Lak province, onJune 11 early morning was controlled within 24 hours, returning peace to localresidents. Ninety-one suspects were prosecuted and detained, while six otherswere put on the special wanted list. Public opinion has strongly condemned therashness and barbarism of terrorists.

8. Fire disaster at miniapartment building in Hanoi

The fire at a mini apartment building lateSeptember 12 in Hanoi's Khuong Ha street claimed 56 lives and injured 37others. The disaster rang an alarm bell about the lax constructionmanagement in urban areas.

Implementing the Prime Minister'sdirection, relevant sectors have reviewed and rectified the constructionmanagement work, and deployed urgent solutions to enhance fire prevention in apartments, mini apartmentbuildings, and houses for rent, aiming to ensure life and property safety ofthe people.

9. Vietnam tops SEA Games held outsideterritory for first time

At the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 32)in Cambodia, the Vietnamese sports delegation won 136 gold, 105silver, and 114 bronze medals, ranking first in the tally. This isthe first time Vietnam has secured the top place at a SEA Games held outsideits territory after two times being the best team at home in 2003 and 2022.

10. Drink-driving regulation takes effects

In the first nine months of 2023, the number of trafficaccidents caused by alcohol-drinking drivers decreased by 25.8%, while the numberof deaths and injured people dropped by 50% and 22.6%, respectively, comparedto the same period last year. As of November, 670,623 of such drivers were fined,up 148% year-on-year. The strict handling of violations has contributed toraising public awareness of ensuring traffic safety, and forming a regulationrequiring drivers to be "completely sober while operating vehicle”./.