Hanoi (VNA) – With 2018 drawing to a close, the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) looks backat the ten most prominent events of Vietnam in the year.

1. Party General Secretary NguyenPhu Trong elected State President


On October 23, atthe sixth session of the 14th National Assembly, General Secretaryof the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong waselected President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam for the 2016-2021 tenurewith the support of 476 out of 477 legislators. Earlier, the eighth plenum ofthe 12th Party Central Committee had agreed to nominate the Partyleader for the National Assembly to vote as the President.

2. All 12 socio-economic targets fulfilled


Vietnam accomplishedor surpassed all 12 socio-economic targets set by the National Assembly. Thegross domestic product (GDP) growth rate is estimated at 7.08 percent,trade surplus hit a record of more than 6.89 billion USD, and the amount ofdisbursed foreign investment surpassed 19 billion USD, the highest level todate. Meanwhile, 132,000 new businesses were established. The country welcomed nearly15.6 million foreign tourists. 2018 was the third straight year inflation hasbeen kept below 4 percent. Fiscal and monetary policies stayed flexible,meeting the economy’s capital demand.

3. National Assembly ratifies CPTPP


The Comprehensiveand Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and relevantdocuments were ratified at the sixth session of the 14th NationalAssembly on November 12. The CPTPP is considered the world’s third largest freetrade agreement at present and will take effect in 2019. It will help Vietnamexpand its export markets, attract more investment, promote growth and reformpolicies in a more transparent and open manner.

4. Drastic corruption fight fromcentral to grassroots levels


Many majorcorruption cases causing serious consequences in the fields of oil and gas,banking and land and public asset management, along with wrongdoings in somesectors and localities, were investigated, prosecuted and brought to trial.Violators, regardless of their positions, including members of the Politburo orthe Party Central Committee, Secretary of provincial Party Committee orChairperson of provincial People’s Committee, Minister or former Minister, generalof the armed forces, or officials at different levels, were all strictlypunished to clean up the state apparatus and consolidate the people’s trust.

5. Resolution issued to turnVietnam into strong sea-based nation


Resolution 36-NQ/TW,issued by the 12th Party Central Committee on October 22, with avision through 2045, aims to turn Vietnam into a strong sea-based nation withsustainable development, prosperity, security and safety and marine economicactivities greatly contributing to the national economy. It targets that by2030, marine economic sectors will enjoy breakthrough development to contributeto about 10 percent of the country’s total GDP, and 28 coastal provinces andcities will make up 65-70 percent of the GDP. The resolution also looks to increasethe country’s engagement in the settlement of sea-related issues in the regionand the world.

6. Most successful year inVietnam’s football history


Vietnamesefootballers inspired national pride and solidarity spirit with resounding achievementsin the regional arena: Winning the trophy of the ASEAN Football Federation(AFF) Suzuki Cup 2018, coming second at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)U23 Championship, and entering the semi-finals of the Asian Games (ASIAD) forthe first time. The successes were made thanks to concerted efforts ofmethodically-trained young players and their Korean talented head coach ParkHang-seo.

7. Widespread exam scoremanipulation uncovered


In the national highschool examination in 2018, result manipulation was uncovered in northern SonLa, Ha Giang and Hoa Binh provinces, shocking the public. Police launchedcriminal proceedings against and detained some suspects for investigation. TheMinistry of Education and Training later amended regulations on the nationalhigh school examination.

8. Vietnam has first tissue bank


The first tissue bankof Vietnam was opened at Viet Duc Hospital in Hanoi. It is tasked withreceiving, preserving, delivering, supplying and exchanging tissue for medical,training and research purposes. Vietnam has mastered important organ transplanttechniques relating to kidneys, hearts, livers, pancreases and lungs. Thecountry conducts more than 1,500 transplants each year with a success ratecomparable to that in many developed countries.

9. Building high-quality Vietnamesebrand


VinFast carsdisplayed at the Paris Motor Show 2018 – the world’s most prestigiousautomobile expo – affirmed Vietnamese businesses’ position and put the country onthe global automobile industry’s map. At the event debuting VinFast vehicles inHanoi last November, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc launched the movement“Vietnamese goods conquer Vietnamese consumers” to boost high-qualityVietnamese brands in global value chains.

10. Vietnam’s first field hospitaljoins in UN peacekeeping force


On October 1,Vietnam deployed a level-2 field hospital with 63 staff members to the UNpeacekeeping mission in South Sudan. Earlier, 29 Vietnamese officers hadperformed peacekeeping tasks in the Central African Republic and South Sudan. Thesemoves demonstrated Vietnam’s sense of responsibility in activities of theUN.-VNA