Year 2007: The Remarkable Events in Vietnam

In the year 2007, Vietnam continues her strong and stable development in politics, economics and is recorded as one of the fastest growing economics in the world. Vietnam has gained many achievements from educations, culture, social development to external affair in politics. However, Vietnam also has to face with many obstacles in Climate change (increasing flooding level in Central, landslide), inflation and disease.
Here are the summary of some events (good and bad) which are believed to be significant in year 2007:

1) Economic growth, foreign investment, import and export turnover (doanh thu) are all highly increased.
Vietnam has gained her highest GDP (Gross Domestic Products) over recent year, GDP is estimated to reach number of 8.5 %, higher than 2006 which was 8.17%. Personal income is increased to 855 USD per person per year.
Export turnover is about 14 billion USD, increased 20.5% in comparison with last year. Total import turn-over is 59 billion USD.

2) Inflation increases tremendously, workers struggle with risen living cost.
This year, inflation is recorded as a tremendous increasing, estimated around 11%. Meanwhile salary is not much improved and poor people are facing with many difficulties in life as cost for living is risen day by day.

3) Vietnam to affirm (khẳng định) her position in United Nation and to be elected as a non-permanent member of UN Security Council
Vietnam as the country has just been elected by the 62nd General Assembly as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2008-2009 tenure (nhiệm kỳ) with a high level of trust of the international community.

4) Safety helmet: safety awareness and obedience of law
From December 15, 2007, all motorcyclists have to wear safety helmet when using motorcycle. The punishment for those who don’t conform to this law is very strict. Although there were many opinions before launching this law, it was amazing to see that 98% of people had worn safety helmet from 15 December. It is believed that wearing helmet will improve people awareness of road safety and then reduce number of accident.

5) Central of Vietnam: facing with continuing flooding and typhoons


This year is also an unlucky year for people who live in Central of Vietnam. A lot of people died, lost and injured by bad weather, even thousand of people were in hunger and homeless.


6) Cholera (dịch tả): a warning of Vietnam food safety and hygiene
The first cholera infected patient was found on 23rd October 2007 and after that, many cholera cases had been found over 13 provinces. “Mam tom” was strictly forbidden, and this banned issue is still one of the scandal of ministry of health. By the end of the year, there was announcement from Minister of Health declare that cholera had been in control and there was no more cholera patient.

7) Bridge collapse, : a warning of safety in Construction
Bridge collapsed in Can Tho province in September killed 54 people, injured 80 people and hundred of people lost their beloved husbands, fathers, and sons.
Recently, accident of Ban Ve hydroelectric power plant (công trình thủy điện), killed many engineers and technician.
These two accidents had drawn people pay attention to safety in major construction in Vietnam.

8) Sport: tears and smiles
2007 is also a remarkable landmark in history of Vietnam sport. In SEAGAMES, we were in the third rank over ten countries participated and we just lost the second position to Malaysia until the last minutes of SEAGAMES. In football, we have defeated many big teams to enter into quarter final of Asian Cup, as well as get into the second round for Olympic games. However, it was very disappointed to Vietnamese fan to see football team totally lost in Seagames.

Many other events happened in year 2007, and most of them contributed to the development of Vietnam economics and society. Vietnam is now looking forward to year 2008, and she will get a big improvement, a big success in the coming year.

Reference: http://www.laodong.com.vn/

Team work practice:

Every member of the club is divided into some small groups which includes 4 to 5 members. A paper and a pen will be sent to each group to summarize what they are discussing, and to use for their presentation. Each group will discuss to answer following questions:
1) Using main reading as reference, added from your knowledge and experience, which is the most remarkable events in 2007 in Vietnam?
2) Why does your group choose this event? Does this event have any impacts or improvement to Vietnam social and economic development?
3) Besides this chosen event decided by your group, please list down three other events your group think they are remarkable.
4) Which event/topic/issue has a big impact in your life? Please tell us the reason why.