HÀ NỘI — As 2023 is nearing its end, the Vietnam News Agency has selected the top 10 events shaping the country in the year as follows:

1. Mid-term meeting of 13th-tenure Party Central Committee

The Party Central Committee perceived that during the first half of its 2021-26 tenure, the country has steadily surmounted numerous difficulties and challenges to obtain important and relatively comprehensive results in multiple areas. It ordered focus be paid to the implementation of five key tasks during the last half of the tenure so as to successfully carry out the resolution of the 13th National Party Congress.

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

2. GDP growth tops 5 per cent 

Loading and unloading containers at Gemalink Port, Cái Mép - Thị Vải, Bà Rịa - Vũng Tàu Province. — VNA/VNS Photo Hồng Đạt

Amid difficulties and challenges, the Vietnamese economy has managed to secure a gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of over 5 per cent.

Many positive signs have also been recorded, including the nation’s brand value reaching US$431 billion to rank 32nd among the 100 most valuable nation brands in the world, the rice export volume surpassing 8 million tonnes worth over $4.4 billion – the highest since 2009, and foreign direct investment (FDI) hitting the highest level since 2020 with $28.85 billion in registered capital and $20.25 billion disbursed. In particular, the country has posted a trade surplus for the eighth consecutive year that stood at $26 billion, almost three times more than the figure in 2022.

3. Party General Secretary and President of China, President of United States visit Việt Nam

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping (left) and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyễn Phú Trọng had talks on December 12, 2023, in Hà Nội. — VNA/VNS Photo

The state visits to Việt Nam by Party General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping and President of the United States Joe Biden further intensified Việt Nam's relations with China and marked an upgrade of bilateral ties with the US to a comprehensive strategic partnership. So far, Việt Nam has established comprehensive strategic partnerships with six countries, namely China, Russia, Japan, India, the Republic of Korea and the US.

Việt Nam has also actively contributed initiatives to regional and international organisations, showed its role in and sense of responsibility towards the settlement of global issues, and sent rescue forces to help address earthquake consequences in Türkiye.

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

The Politburo’s Regulation 114-QĐ/TW, 131-QĐ/TW, and 132-QĐ/TW reflect the Party and State’s resolve to push ahead with the fight against corruption and other negative phenomena in personnel affairs; with examination, inspection and auditing; and with investigation, prosecution, judging and judgement execution.

Many especially serious and complicated cases of corruption and other negative phenomena have been investigated and brought to trial. Particularly, in the case involving Vạn Thịnh Phát Group, the Saigon Joint Stock Commercial Bank (SCB), and some others, 23 inspectors and auditors were investigated while a person was found to have taken bribes worth up to $5.2 million – the biggest sum so far.

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

Mỹ Thuận-Cần Thơ Expressway. — VNA/VNS Photo Huy Hùng

The completion of 14 key transport projects, including some sub-projects in the first phase of the North-South Expressway project, has raised the total length of expressways nationwide to 1,892km. This helps achieve one of the three breakthroughs targeted in the strategy for socio-economic development during the 2021-30 period.

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

6. Progenitor of traditional medicine, many destinations recognised by UNESCO

Hạ Long Bay - Cát Bà Archipelago in the northern coastal province of Quảng Ninh and neighbouring Hải Phòng City was officially recognised as a world natural heritage by UNESCO. Meanwhile, Hội An ancient city in the central province of Quảng Nam and Đà Lạt City in the Central Highlands province of Lâm Đồng have been named in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in terms of crafts and folk art, and music, respectively.

Progenitor of Vietnamese traditional medicine Hải Thượng Lãn Ông Lê Hữu Trác was honoured as an eminent personality by the organisation.

In addition, Việt Nam won the World’s Leading Heritage Destination 2023 title of the World Travel Awards for the fourth time. The tourism sector is expecting to serve 12.5 million international visitors in 2023, exceeding the set plan by about 5 million.

7. Terrorist attack in Đắk Lắk promptly brought under control

Armed forces mobilised to bring the situation under control in two communes Ea Tieu and Ea Ktur, Cư Kuin District, Đắk Lắk Province, following the brazen terrorist attack on local authorities' headquarters. — VNA/VNS Photo Phan Anh Dũng

The terrorist attack against the people's administration with particularly serious consequences in Ea Tieu and Ea Ktur communes, Cư Kuin District, the Central Highlands of Đắk Lắk, in the early morning of June 11, was controlled within 24 hours, returning peace to local residents. Ninety-one suspects were prosecuted and detained, while six others were put on the special wanted list. Public opinion has strongly condemned the rashness and barbarism of terrorists.

8. Fire disaster at mini apartment building in Hà Nội

The fatal blaze at a mini apartment building on Khương Hạ Street that killed 56 people and injured 37. — VNA/VNS Photo Phạm Kiên

The fire at a mini apartment building late September 12 in Hà Nội's Khương Hạ Street claimed 56 lives and injured 37 others. The disaster rang an alarm bell about lax construction management in urban areas.

Implementing the Prime Minister's direction, relevant sectors have reviewed and rectified the construction management work, and deployed urgent solutions to enhance fire prevention in apartments, mini apartment buildings, and houses for rent, aiming to ensure life and property safety of the people.

9. Việt Nam tops SEA Games held outside territory for first time

Vietnamese track and field athletes won gold medals at the SEA Games 32 in Cambodia. — VNA/VNS Photo Minh Quyết

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

10. Drink-driving law takes effect

In the first nine months of 2023, the number of traffic accidents caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol decreased by 25.8 per cent, while the number of deaths and injured people dropped by 50 per cent and 22.6 per cent, respectively, compared to the same period last year. As of November, 670,623 such drivers were fined, up 148 per cent year-on-year. The strict handling of violations has contributed to raising public awareness of ensuring traffic safety, and forming a regulation requiring drivers to be "completely sober while operating a vehicle.” — VNS