(VOVWORLD) - The achievements Vietnam recorded last year have laid a firm foundation for the country to develop, reform, and integrate further into the world, Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong said in an interview with the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet) festival. VOV brings you excerpts from the interview:

(VOVWORLD) - According to a World Bank study, of the total 109 countries surveyed, Vietnam is the 17th-biggest plastic waste producer and ranks 5th in the world in terms of plastic waste released to the ocean. Vietnam is now in need of strong solutions to reduce plastic waste.

(VOVWORLD) - French President Emmanuel Macron initiated a national debate on Tuesday to collect public opinions to end chaotic days caused by yellow vest protesters. He believes that people’s suggestions will help shape new policy and restructure national and parliamentary organization as well as to redefine France’s role in the EU and the world.

(VOVWORLD) - National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan is attending the 27th Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) in Siem Reap, Cambodia, showing Vietnam’s respect for regional inter-parliamentary cooperation.

(VOVWORLD) - The Vietnam General Confederation of Labor has asked its affiliates to reform workers welfare operations now that the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) has begun to take effect. Trade unions are proving to be a reliable support for workers during Vietnam’s international integration.

(VOVWORLD) - Tensions in the Middle East continued last year due to conflicting interests and fights for influence in the region.

(VOVWORLD) - 2018 was a busy and successful year for Vietnam’s National Assembly external affairs. The Assembly, together with the Party and State, maintained peace and stability, strengthened legislative relations with other countries, and raised Vietnam’s status internationally.

(VOVWORLD) - The Khmer Rouge in Cambodia were defeated on January 7, 1979, and Cambodia was completely liberated from the most brutal regime of the 20th century with the help of the Vietnamese people, a symbol of solidarity and loyalty between the two countries.

(VOVWORLD) - January 7th, 2019 marks the 40th anniversary of Vietnam’s southwest border defense war and Vietnam-Cambodia joint victory over the Khmer Rouge genocidal regime. The anniversary marks a milestone in the two countries’ traditional friendship and solidarity. The victory reiterated the legitimate rights of Vietnamese people and soldiers to defend their southwest border and helped the Cambodian to overthrow the genocidal regime and enter an era of peace, national reconciliation, and development.

(VOVWORLD) - Hanoi organized a ceremony on the first day of 2019 to welcome the first air travelers of the year. One of them was Timo Kux, a German national. He expressed his fondness for Vietnam’s beauty after visiting various local tourist sites.