Vietnam attaches importance to the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia and the relations with the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF).

 The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Council (ninth tenure) set a gross regional domestic product (GRDP) growth rate of 8.3-8.5 percent for 2018 during its sixth session that took place from December 4-7. 

 Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue has applauded contributions of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to Vietnam’s socio-economic development as well as national management.

 Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc made it clear that Hong Kong is an important partner and market of Vietnam at a reception for Shen Tian Qing, Chairman of Jia Yuan group of Hong Kong (China) in Hanoi on December 7.

 The joint coordination committee of the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam (CLV) Development Triangle Area will hold its 11th meeting in Vietnam’s southern province of Binh Phuoc from December 14-20.

 Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith co-chaired the fourth Vietnam-Laos ministerial-level consultation in Hanoi on December 6. 

Vietnam always welcomes and creates favourable conditions for foreign investors, including those from the Republic of Korea, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc assured Chairman of the RoK-based CJ Corporation Sohn Kyung-shik.

 The Party, Government and people of Vietnam always give the top priority to the special solidarity with Laos, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has said.

 The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is universal and unified, stated Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, head of Vietnam’s permanent mission to the UN.

 Although the fine art and handicraft industry has great potential to grow, poor quality design and low competitiveness are hindering the industry, said Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Quoc Khanh on Tuesday.

 A new anti-corruption resolution targets greater control over the assets and income of officials, public employees and civil servants, and requires relevant agencies to perform their tasks in a transparent manner.

 Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army Phan Van Giang received Vladimir Ivanovich Korolev, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, in Hanoi on December 5.

 Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh has described high-level meetings between army leaders of Vietnam and the EU as an important channel to increase their mutual understanding.

 Ambassador of New Zealand to Vietnam Wendy Matthews on December 4 inspected the English training course provided by New Zealand for staff of Vietnam’s level-2 field hospital No.1 at the Military Hospital 175 in Hanoi.

 Vietnam attaches great importance to defence cooperation with Japan, Deputy Defence Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh told officers and soldiers from Japan’s Self-Defence Forces at a reception in Hanoi on December 4.

 A mobile training team from the Indian Army is visiting Vietnam to help train Vietnamese sappers for UN peacekeeping missions.

 Despite existing disagreements among and between members, leaders of APEC economies will try to bolster consensus on regional issues at the APEC Summit.

 Authorities of Ho Chi Minh City and the province of Gyeongsangbuk of the Republic of Korea established cooperative ties in the Vietnamese city on December 3. 

 A series of new government policies on land use right certificates, proving financial capacity to play at casinos, and for the horse racing and international football betting business, come into effect this month.

 Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc underlined the importance of building a resolution on key socio-economic tasks and plans in 2018 at a cabinet meeting in Hà Nội on Friday.