PM Nguyen Tan Dung set three major tasks for 2007, focusing on efforts to gain gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 8.5 percent, step up administrative reform and intensify the fight against corruption, at the government's regular meeting on Dec. 27.

Vietnamese women are winning more and more key positions and leadership in all socio-economic spheres, boosting up national development.

According to the Central Steering Committee for Storm and Flood Control’s report, by 7th Dec 2006, Durian death toll rises to 67 people, 31 others went missing in the typhoon, the 9th of its kind this year.

In the morning of Dec 14th, 2006, Mrs. Nguyen Viet Hong - Deputy Head of the Working Committee for Southern Region, Central Viet Nam Women's Union accompanied by a delegation of cadres of the Ho Chi Minh Women's Union visited households in Can Gio district that have been seriously damaged by the Storm No 9.

From November 6th to November 11th, 2006, the Vinh Phuc Women's Union, in co-ordination with the province's Politics College, held a course to enhance professional skills for more than 100 trainees who are the presidents, vice presidents of the Union at the grass-root level and the women cadres of the Provincial Blind's Association.

Ms Chau Kim Thuy, 60, lives in a happy family in Ly Thuong Kiet road, Duc Nghia ward, Phan Thiet city. Her children have been successful in life. So, she and her husband have been able to do charity activities.

Vietnam's current population growth rate is 1.33%, announced the Commission on Population, Family and Children at a meeting held in Hanoi on December 26 to mark the Vietnam Population Day.

In the morning of 8th Dec. 2006, the Board for the advancement of women in the Ministry of Science and Technology and that of the National Science and Technology Information Center co-held the conference titled “Gender in Science and Technology Development”.

The reduction of population growth rate and the changes in population structure have greatly helped improve Vietnam's people's living conditions and socio-economic development.

In the morning of November 29th, the Central of Vietnam Women's Union and the Women's Union of Hanoi held a meeting with the women trainees at the Center for Social Labour Education No 2 in Ba Vi, Ha Tay Province to present gifts for them on the occasion of International HIV/AIDS Prevention Day.