Vietnam continues to pursue its unswerving long-term external policy and regards Japan as one of the top priorities in this policy, said Chairman of the Vietnam National Assembly (NA), Nguyen Sinh Hung.

The Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) will strive to generate jobs for 1.6 million people and reduce the poverty rate by 2 percent in 2012.

The 4 th Vietnam-Singapore Defence Policy Dialogue is taking place in Hanoi from January 8-10.

A senior Vietnamese parliamentarian has called for an enhancement of coordination between the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) and other mechanisms in the region, in order to develop regional potential.

The Supreme People’s Procuracy held a conference in Hanoi on Jan. 8 to launch their tasks for 2012 in the presence of President Truong Tan Sang.

Vietnam, in its 2011-2020 strategy, sets a target of achieving a balance of trade in 2020, Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang said.

 The Dung Quat Oil Refinery in the central province of Quang Nam plans to turn out and sell around 6 million tonnes of products this year.