Hanoi (VNA) - The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.
- On November 30, 2024, the 15th National Assembly (NA) passed a resolution on the restart of the Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Project and continued study of the environmental impact of a nuclear power programme in Vietnam.
To meet the requirements of developing this high-tech energy source, over the next 10 to 15 years, Vietnam needs to train high-quality human resources to operate nuclear power plants. Read full story
- The People’s Committee of Hanoi opened a trial for the second phase of the corruption case surrounding repatriation flights for Vietnamese citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 17 defendants brought to the court.
The defendants include Tran Tung, former Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs in Thai Nguyen province who faces two charges -receiving bribes and abusing position and power while performing duties. Read full story
- Vietnam's aquatic exports reached 10 billion USD in 2024, driven by shrimp and pangasius, despite challenges related to markets, logistics, and raw materials, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) said on December 23.
Shrimp and pangasius accounted for 60% of the total revenue, with shrimp shipments climbing 16.7% to 4 billion USD and pangasius increasing 8.9% to 2 billion USD compared to 2023. Tuna exports, despite raw material shortages, hit 1 billion USD, an 18% year-on-year rise. Other fish contributed 1.9 billion USD, while squid and octopus generated 662 million USD. Read full story
- The Vietnam Science and Technology Journalists’ Club has unveiled a list of the top 10 sci-tech events of 2024, selected by reporters and editors of press agencies nationwide.Read full story
- The average bonus for the upcoming Tet (Lunar New Year) in Ho Chi Minh City is 12.7 million VND (nearly 500 USD) per person, up 3.3% from the previous year, the municipal Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs reported on December 23.
According to a survey with the participation of more than 1,500 businesses with over 310,400 workers in the southern metropolis, the highest bonus is over 1.9 billion VND at a foreign-invested enterprise. Read full story
- A prolonged low birth rate is forecast to directly impact the size and structure of the population, leading to consequences suchas labourer shortages, rapid population aging, and population decline.
Vietnam's replacement fertility rate has dropped to its lowest level in the last 12 years and is projected to continue decreasing in the coming years, according to a report of the General Department of Population under the Ministry of Health (MoH). Read full story
- As 2024 draws to a close, Vietnam’s economy is nearing the finish line of its annual targets, and continued efforts are needed to secure the best possible outcomes.
In a recently released report, HSBC revised its forecast for the country’s economic growth to 7%, up from the previous estimate of 6.5%. This optimistic projection is attributed to robust performance in manufacturing, exports, and foreign direct investment (FDI). Notably, the manufacturing sector has gained remarkable momentum, with the industrial production index rising 8.4% over the first 11 months compared to the same period last year. Exports and imports also show positive trends, while FDI inflows continue to grow. Read full story
- The Department of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism confirmed on December 24 that Ha Long Bay is not among the 56 entries in the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Mentioning a report by Reuters on December 20 that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) will send a team of experts to conduct a field survey at Ha Long Bay to bolster conservation efforts, the department said the move is part of the outcomes of discussions between Vietnam, the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) during the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee. Read full story
