The Vietnam Oil and Gas Group has made significant contributions to the country’s energy security. Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai made the remark at a ceremony in Hanoi on Saturday to mark the sector’s 50^th founding anniversary. Mr. Hai urged the industry to spare no effort for further development. “It’s necessary for the sector to sharpen its competitiveness, and work out specific roadmaps and tasks to keep up with major oil and gas groups in the region and the world. Oil exploration needs to be expanded both in and outside the country to help ensure national energy security,” he said. On this occasion, the Vietnam oil and Gas Group was awarded with many Party and State distinctions.