Industry has grown by 17% as compared to 2005. Sectors of high development rate are coal mine (18.7%) and seafood processing (17.2%)…Localities of high growth rate are Hanoi (16.6%), Hai Phong (18.1%), Vinh Phuc (25.6%), Binh Duong (25.3%), Ha Tay (23.3%), Hai Duong (23.2%), Dong Nai (22%), Can Tho (22 %) and Quang Ninh (18%).

Agro-forestry and aqua-culture products have grown by 3.45%. Agriculture has coped with lots of difficulties such as typhoons, diseases in livestock and poultry. Cultivation area has reduced by 4.800 hectares as compared to 2005 due to a shift in crop structure to avoid drought.

The service sector has grown by 8.29%. Service proportion in GDP has increased as compared to 2005, accounting for 38.08% of GDP. Total phone subscribers reached 25.44 million, or 30 phones per 100 persons. The number of internet users has been about 14.5 million, accounting for 17.2% of the population. There are 3.6 million foreign tourists to Vietnam, a lower number than planned.

Export-import growth rate has been high. Export volume reached $39.6 billion, increasing 22.1% against that of 2005. 9 export items have over-$1- billion-turnover (cited in the bulletin numbered 99/TN). Export market structure has changed with the US accounting for 20% of the total export value or $7.9 billion, the EU 18% or $7.1 billion, Japan 13% or $5.1 billion. Import value in 2006 reached $44.41 billion, or an increase of 20.1%. Major import items are production materials such as paper, chemicals, plastics, cloth, computer spare-parts, machinery and equipment. Trade deficit values $4.48 billion, equivalent to 12.1% of the export value, lower than those of 2005 ($4.65 billion and 14.4%).

Investment attraction has been relatively strong: Overall social investment has increased by 19.8% against that of 2005, exceeding plan. The ratio of investment to GDP is over 40%, which is a high level. ODA commitment mounted to $4.45 billion, the highest ever. Donors have affirmed their support to Vietnam in implementing the 5-year socio-economic development program. The ratio of ODA disbursement is 101%, exceeding planed targets and higher than 2005’s. The amount of foreign direct investment (including that of newly registered and capital-increased projects) reaches $10.2 billion, or an increase of 49.1% against that of 2005. The amount of implemented FDI in 2006 reached $4.1 billion, increasing by 18% compared to 2005.

Budget revenue and expenditures: Budget revenue is 110.2% of budget estimate (with domestic revenue increasing by 103%, gains from crude oil 126%, from import-export 106.3%). Budget expenditures are 108.4% of budget estimate (expenditures for development investment increase by 105.9%, for regular items 105.6%, debt payment and aid repayment are as estimated, for salary reform costing 25.737 billion VND, or an increase of 168.9%). National budget deficit makes up for 4.98% of GDP, which is high but still in safety limit.

Consumer price index (CPI) increased 6.6%, lower than the economic growth rate and the 2005 price hike (8.4%). Highest increase is recorded in gold (27.2%) because of the world’s increasing price, food 14.1%, household utensil and equipment price 6,2%.

Job creation: 1.65 million jobs have been created, 103% against the set target. Man-power export reaches 78,850, or an increase of 3% against plan.

Bird flu reoccurred in the provinces of Bac Lieu and Ca Mau in December. The risk of disease wide-spreading has been high.

Drought has hit a large area and left severe consequences. In the provinces of Phu Yen, Binh Dinh and Khanh Hoa, there has been a water shortage of around 67% -90% of the annual average water volume. In the North, there has been a 15-30% reduction in water resource. Water shortage has caused difficulty to agriculture and husbandry.

There is possibly a price index hike due to increased consumption demand, natural disasters and diseases. Price adjustment of essential energy products (electricity, petrol, oil and coal) would affect the fluctuation of price.

Traffic safety has been a burning issue, no clear-cut solution has been made. Over the 11 first months, there have been 13,253 traffic accidents, killing 11,489 and injuring 10,213.

GDP growth rate: 8.2 % -8.5%;

Export volume growth rate: 17.4 %;

Total social investment accounts for 40% of GDP (an equivalent to that of 2006);

Consumption Price Index is lower than the GDP growth rate;

New employment for 1.6 million people.