DTiNews has selected its hottest events in 2014 that attracted the most attention from readers in Vietnam.
Tension on the East Sea
Thousands of articles ran during the months China placed the Haiyang Shiyou 981 oil rig in Vietnamese waters in May. People in many cities and provinces protested the incursion in sovereign waters. Several leaders in other countries also criticised China's move. The Prime Minister firmly stated Vietnam would not "exchange sovereignty for an illusory and dependent 'friendship'". The oil rig was removed in July.
60th anniversary of Dien Bien Phu victory
In May, Dien Bien Phu Province celebrated the historic victory over France in the Battle of Dien Bien Phu led by General Vo Nguyen Giap in 1954. The victory forced the French colonial government to abandon its rule in Indochina and Ho Chi Minh declared independence in 1954.
70th anniversary of Vietnam People's Army
Vietnam held a ceremony to mark 70 years of Vietnam People Army on December 22. President Truong Tan Sang awarded the nation's highest honour, the Gold Star Order, to the Vietnam People's Army for the fifth time. He said the Vietnamese army protected national sovereignty against any enemies.
Rescue of 12 workers trapped in tunnel collapse
The rescue of 12 trapped workers in a collapsed tunnel at the Da Dang-Da Chomo Hydropower Plant in Lam Dong Province took four days from December 16 to 19. Some 800 rescuers were mobilised. The 12 workers -- 11 men and one women -- were brought out through a small tunnel dug by the army around the collapsed debris, one of three teams working around the clock to save the trapped workers.
Major corruption cases prosecuted
Duong Chi Dung and Mai Van Phuc
The Hanoi's People's Court handed down death sentences for former Vinalines chairman Duong Chi Dung and the company's former CEO, Mai Van Phuc, on May 7. Dung was accused of buying an outdated floating dock, causing a loss of VND700 billion (USD33.3 million) to the state budget. In June, Vietnamese banking tycoon, Nguyen Duc Kien, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for fraud, tax evasion, illegal trade and "deliberate wrongdoing causing serious consequences".
Innocent prisoner released after 10 years
Nguyen Thanh Chan from Bac Giang Province, who was sentenced to life in prison for murder, was been released after the guilty party confessed. The National Assembly demanded a re-check on all petitioned innocence case. Experts also proposed various measures to prevent similar incidents of wrongful imprisonment.
Major constructions completed
Many constructions were completed and began operation, such as the National Assembly House and the 8.93km-long Nhat Tan Bridge, Vietnam's longest cable-stayed bridge. In December, Noi Bai Airport opened a new terminal, T2, one of the biggest and most modern terminals in Vietnam.
Ex-inspector kicked out of government housing
The authorities withdrew a house from, Tran Van Tuyen, a retired member of the Party Central Committee and the ex-chief of the Government Inspectorate. The Central Committee's Commission for Inspection found Tuyen had illegally acquired properties in Ben Tre City allegedly. They are examining the promotions by Tuyen of 60 officials before retirement.
JTC bribery case discovered
In late March, Japan Transportation Consultants Inc. (JTC) admitted to Yomiuri Shimbun Newspaper it had given JPY80m to Vietnamese railway officials to win a contract. Six officials from Vietnam Railways were prosecuted for their abuse of power and negligence.
High unemployment rate
The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs reported in the first quarter of 2014 that Vietnam had one million unemployed people, of which 162,000 had doctorate or masters degrees and 79,000 were university graduates. Thousands of businesses shutdown. The country produces 800,000 graduates each year and only 70 percent had found jobs.
