Category: Politics

Hanoi: Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired the Government’s regular meeting and a teleconference between the Government and the 63 localities on April 3 to discuss the socio-economic situation in March and the first quarter and set tasks for Q2.

Opening the event, Chinh said thanks to strong action by the entire political system, the socio-economic situation continued to improve, with results last month higher than January and February and the Q1 performance faring better than the same period last year in most areas.

He elaborated that the macro-economy stayed stable, inflation under control, economic growth boosted, and major balances of the economy ensured. Besides, defence – security was consolidated, political stability and social order – safety guaranteed, and people’s material and spiritual life quality improved. Bright spots were also seen in culture, education, and social security, and the fight against corruption promoted. Meanwhile, external relations were fostered and had reaped encouraging ou
tcomes.

However, there remain certain challenges, the Government leader said, asking officials to assess the socio-economic situation so far this year and devise tasks and implementation measures for April, Q2, and the coming time.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) reported that the gross domestic product (GDP) grew 5.66% year on year during January – March, the fastest Q1 pace since 2020. Some localities posted high economic growth during the period, including Bac Giang (14.2%), Thanh Hoa (13.2%), Tra Vinh (13.9%), Khanh Hoa (12.4%), Quang Ninh (8.9%), Ho Chi Minh City (6.54%), Hai Phong (9.3%), and Hanoi (5.5%).

The consumer price index (CPI) rose 3.97% from a year earlier in March and 3.77% in Q1. Interest rates were kept low, domestic demand for foreign currencies met to aid growth, production and export, and the banking system’s safety guaranteed.

In Q1, the State budget revenue was equivalent to 31.7% of this year’s target and increased 9.8% year on year. Foreign trade, exports, and impo
rts respectively went up 15.5%, 17%, and 13.9% with a trade surplus of some 8.08 billion USD. Total investment in society rose 5.2% from the same period last year, when it expanded 3.7%, statistics show.

While an approximated 6.2 billion USD in foreign direct investment (FDI) was registered during the first three months, up 13.4% year on year, the disbursement increased 7.1% to 4.6 billion USD. Many large enterprises have pledged to invest in electronics, chip, semiconductor, and renewable energy industries.

Public investment disbursement reached 13.67% of this year’s plan, compared to the 10.35% recorded during the same period of 2023, thus channeling a large sum of capital into the economy to support growth and development, the MPI noted.

However, a number of difficulties and challenges still exist. Inflationary and foreign exchange pressure remains an issue needing attention. The financial and monetary markets as well as the banking system still face latent risks. The shortage of filling materials is ha
mpering many key transport projects in the southern region, according to the MPI./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hong Kong: Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region John Lee on April 3 hosted a reception for Vietnamese Consul General Pham Binh Dam, who came to bid farewell at the end of his tenure.

Highlighting the fruitful Vietnam – Hong Kong cooperation in recent times, Lee said Vietnam and Hong Kong are currently important trade and investment partners of each other.

He also appreciated the Consul General’s active contributions to the development of the relations over the past time, saying that with his efforts and commitment, many issues that existed for decades between the two sides have been resolved, including the removal of visa restrictions for Vietnamese workers and facilitation of business and tourist visas for Vietnamese citizens. Lee said he believes that it will create momentum for further development of the relationship between Vietnam and Hong Kong in the time to come.

Expressing his pleasure at the positive changes in Vietnam – Hong Kong relations recently, Dam spoke highly of L
ee’s efforts to create a breakthrough in Hong Kong’s ties with Vietnam.

The diplomat suggested the two sides sign cooperation documents in fields such as finance, human resources, education and tourism to create a framework for government agencies and businesses of both sides to carry out specific collaboration plans. He recommended they enhance the exchange of delegations at all levels to increase understanding and information sharing as well as exchange measures to promote cooperation and resolve existing and arising issues.

Acknowledging Dam’s suggestions, Lee said he believes that the two sides will witness many strong developments in their relations in the coming time, adding that Vietnam and Hong Kong can become a role model in international relations, both coordinating with each other to resolve existing differences and developing together in areas of mutual interest./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue on April 3 asked NA committees and agencies to thoroughly prepare for the upcoming 7th session of the 15th-tenure legislature.

Speaking at a meeting with leaders of the NA committees and agencies to review their performance in the first quarter and discuss important affairs for April and the second quarter, Hue said that priority must be given to the preparation for the NA’s upcoming 7th session.

In the second quarter, the NA agencies are planning to complete dossiers and documents relating to nine law projects and one draft resolution to submit to the NA for consideration and approval. In addition, it will complete verification reports on 11 bills to submit to the legislature for discussion.

NA Secretary General and Chairman of the NA Office Bui Van Cuong presented major affairs done in the first quarter of this year, including the organisation of two extraordinary sessions of the NA and eight meetings of the NA Standing Committee. Two laws, four resol
utions of the NA, and 66 resolutions of the NA Standing Committee were deliberated, approved and given comments.

A meeting of full-time NA deputies was held to discuss eight bills that are planned to be submitted to the NA for approval at the 7th session.

According to Cuong, the affairs to support law-building activities have continued to be prioritised and focused with its quality being improved. The work closely followed Conclusion 19 of the Politburo, the law and ordinance building programme for 2024, and the NA Standing Committee’s Plan No. 81. In addition, 19 new legislative tasks were added to Plan No. 81 to properly implement the Party’s resolutions and meet reality’s requirements./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue on April 3 asked NA committees and agencies to thoroughly prepare for the upcoming 7th session of the 15th-tenure legislature.

Speaking at a meeting with leaders of the NA committees and agencies to review their performance in the first quarter and discuss important affairs for April and the second quarter, Hue said that priority must be given to the preparation for the NA’s upcoming 7th session.

In the second quarter, the NA agencies are planning to complete dossiers and documents relating to nine law projects and one draft resolution to submit to the NA for consideration and approval. In addition, it will complete verification reports on 11 bills to submit to the legislature for discussion.

NA Secretary General and Chairman of the NA Office Bui Van Cuong presented major affairs done in the first quarter of this year, including the organisation of two extraordinary sessions of the NA and eight meetings of the NA Standing Committee. Two laws, four resol
utions of the NA, and 66 resolutions of the NA Standing Committee were deliberated, approved and given comments.

A meeting of full-time NA deputies was held to discuss eight bills that are planned to be submitted to the NA for approval at the 7th session.

According to Cuong, the affairs to support law-building activities have continued to be prioritised and focused with its quality being improved. The work closely followed Conclusion 19 of the Politburo, the law and ordinance building programme for 2024, and the NA Standing Committee’s Plan No. 81. In addition, 19 new legislative tasks were added to Plan No. 81 to properly implement the Party’s resolutions and meet reality’s requirements./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Thai Nguyen: Acting President Vo Thi Anh Xuan on April 3 visited and presented gifts to those who have rendered service to the nation, and disadvantaged children in Dinh Hoa district, the northern mountainous province of Thai Nguyen, once a revolutionary base.

Her activities took place on the occasion of the 49th anniversary of the liberation of the south and national reunification (April 30) and the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7).

Xuan commended the Party organisation, authorities and people in Dinh Hoa for their achievements over the past years, and asked the district to carry forward them and grow further.

The district should pay due attention to turning the ATK Dinh Hoa revolutionary base relic site into a ‘red address’ to educate young generations about the country’s revolutionary tradition, and attract tourists to the locality, she said.

Dinh Hoa was asked to give more care to ethnic minority groups, social policy beneficiaries, revolution contributors and underprivileged chil
dren.

Xuan extended her regards and wishes to war veterans and invalids, former youth volunteers, and martyrs’ families.

On this occasion, the Acting President presented 50 gift packages to people who have rendered service to the nation in Dinh Hoa, and authorised local authorities to hand over 200 gifts to disadvantaged students there.

Earlier, Xuan and her entourage offered incense to President Ho Chi Minh at the memorial house dedicated to the late leader in Phu Dinh commune, Dinh Hoa district./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Thai Nguyen: Acting President Vo Thi Anh Xuan on April 3 visited and presented gifts to those who have rendered service to the nation, and disadvantaged children in Dinh Hoa district, the northern mountainous province of Thai Nguyen, once a revolutionary base.

Her activities took place on the occasion of the 49th anniversary of the liberation of the south and national reunification (April 30) and the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7).

Xuan commended the Party organisation, authorities and people in Dinh Hoa for their achievements over the past years, and asked the district to carry forward them and grow further.

The district should pay due attention to turning the ATK Dinh Hoa revolutionary base relic site into a ‘red address’ to educate young generations about the country’s revolutionary tradition, and attract tourists to the locality, she said.

Dinh Hoa was asked to give more care to ethnic minority groups, social policy beneficiaries, revolution contributors and underprivileged chil
dren.

Xuan extended her regards and wishes to war veterans and invalids, former youth volunteers, and martyrs’ families.

On this occasion, the Acting President presented 50 gift packages to people who have rendered service to the nation in Dinh Hoa, and authorised local authorities to hand over 200 gifts to disadvantaged students there.

Earlier, Xuan and her entourage offered incense to President Ho Chi Minh at the memorial house dedicated to the late leader in Phu Dinh commune, Dinh Hoa district./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency