Vietnamplus

2020 was a special year for ASEAN as well as for Vietnam as ASEAN Chair in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite such a tough 12 months the country demonstrated its stature, mettle, and wisdom in many regards.

Vietnam has completed an updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) with plans to reduce total greenhouse gas emissions 9 percent by 2030 in an attempt to respond to climate change.

A business matching conference was held in Can Tho city recently to boost trade and investment links between the Mekong Delta and China’s Taiwan.

HeartBeat Vietnam, VinaCapital Foundation (VFC)’s healthcare programme, has funded 8,000 life-saving operations for disadvantaged children with congenital heart defects in Vietnam since the programme was launched in 2006.

ASEAN and Indian leaders reaffirmed commitment to orienting bilateral ties in the 21st century during the 17th ASEAN-India Summit held in Hanoi on November 12 under the chair of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

The 23rd ASEAN-Japan Summit was held online under the chair of Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc chaired the 23rd ASEAN-China Summit held online on November 12 afternoon with the participation of ASEAN leaders, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, and the bloc’s Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi.

Sales of automobiles by members of the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (VAMA) in October surged 22 percent against the previous month to reach 33,254 units, indicating consumption is recovering to pre-pandemic levels.

Modern Diplomacy, an invaluable platform for assessing and evaluating complex international issues, on November 10 ran an article giving an assessment of Vietnam’s performance as ASEAN 2020 Chair and the significance of the 37th ASEAN Summit for the region amid current challenges.

More than 150 doctors at the Hanoi-based Military Central Hospital 108 performed transplant for six patients with organs from a brain-dead donor.

The Hanoi-based Military Central Hospital 108 has become the first medical facility in Vietnam and Southeast Asia to successfully perform a double forearm transplant.

Non-performing loans (NPLs) among commercial banks increased sharply in the first three quarters of this year due to the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vietnam has still affirmed its attractiveness despite a range of difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Doctors at the Hanoi-based Military Central Hospital 108 has successfully conducted first double arm transplant in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

The Vietnam Engine and Agricultural Machinery Corporation (VEAM) saw revenue slump 18 percent year-on-year to reach 910 billion VND (39.3 million USD) in the third quarter of this year.

On September 17-18, as the beginning of a series of online events centering around ASEAN region, APAC Solar Energy Digital Event 2020 ASEAN Chapter was held successfully, which is also the only online virtual event that focusing on the burgeoning solar development in Asia Pacific at that time.

Vietnam's GDP may achieve a growth rate of 6 percent or greater in 2021, according to economists and industry experts.

Ho Chi Minh City had disbursed nearly 23 trillion VND (987.48 million USD) of public investment capital as of September 22, completing 54.2 percent of its yearly target, the Office of the city People’s Committee has reported.

Economic activities, trade activities in particular, in the northern province of Vinh Phuc have regained growth in October, with prices of goods and services remaining stable.

Indonesia has officially entered its first recession since the 1998 Asian financial crisis as its economy contracts again in the third quarter of this year, albeit at a slower pace.