Hanoi: Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Vuong Dinh Hue asked legislators to thoroughly scrutinise the draft revised land law so as to ensure its highest quality, while delivering opening remarks at the fifth extraordinary meeting of the 15th legislature on January 15.

The document, together with the draft revised law on credit institutions, is expected to be adopted at the meeting, which will conclude on January 18.

Stressing the importance of the draft revised Land Law to politics, socioeconomic development, national defense and security, and environmental protection, the leader said it had been tabled for discussion at many meetings and received feedback from experts, scientists, and citizens.

After adjustments, the bill comprises 16 chapters and 260 articles, he said, adding that it is eligible to be submitted to the legislature for consideration and approval.

For the draft revised law on credit institutions, Hue noted that it is directly associated with financial and monetary policies and macroe
conomic stability, and urged the legislators to give comprehensive opinions.

With 15 chapters and 210 articles, the law is expected to help ensure the health, transparency, and stability of the domestic banking sector as well as credit institutions, he said.

Touching upon the draft resolution involving special mechanisms and policies to accelerate the implementation of national target programmes, to be adopted on this occasion, the leader said the feasibility of each specific regulations should be considered at the meeting.

The deputies are also scheduled to look into some urgent finance and budget matters, including the capital supplement of the mid-term public investment plan with central budget capital for 2021-2025 from the general reserve source. They will also review the capital supplement of the mid-term public investment plan for the Vietnam Electricity from the reserve source of the mid-term public investment plan.

Hue emphasised that the meeting is significant to the implementation of the resolu
tion adopted at the 13th National Party Congress and the 2021-2025 socioeconomic development plan, towards the 14th National Party Congress.

The leader called on the legislators to uphold the spirit of democracy and the sense of responsibility to complete the meeting’s agenda with high consensus./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has freshly signed a dispatch ordering urgent investigation into the causes behind a fire that killed four people in downtown Hanoi on early January 15 morning.

The fire occurred at a house on No. 4 Hang Luoc Street, Hoan Kiem district, at 4:39 am.

In the document, the PM extended profound condolences to the bereaved and directed the capital authorities to provide material and spiritual assistance to the affected family. Additionally, he emphasised the need for the city’s close coordination with the Ministry of Public Security to promptly address the aftermath and urgently investigate the causes of the fire to take strict legal actions against any violations.

Furthermore, he called for enhanced public awareness campaigns and guidance on fire prevention, firefighting, and rescue skills for citizens and at-risk establishments across centrally governed provinces and cities. This is particularly crucial in light of the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday (Tet) – the biggest an
d longest of its kind in Vietnam.

The same day, Chairman of Hanoi People’s Committee Tran Sy Thanh also instructed the city’s police, in coordination with the People’s Committee of Hoan Kiem district and relevant agencies, to investigate the cause and handle the consequences of the fire./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: Following his attendance at the 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF-54) in Davos, Switzerland, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, accompanied by his spouse and a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam, will embark on an official visit to Hungary at the invitation of Hungarian PM Viktor Orban, marking the two countries’ first exchange of delegations at the PM level in the past seven years.

Chairman of the Vietnam-Hungary Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh City Prof. Le Minh Triet underscored Hungary’s historical significance as one of the first countries to recognise Vietnam’s independence.

Throughout the span of over 73 years, Vietnam has never forgotten the invaluable support extended by the Hungarian people during the crucial period of national construction and defence.

Noteworthy was Hungary’s commitment during January 26, 1973-May 9, 1975 when it dispatched 636 military personnel, border guards, and civil and diplomatic staff to Vietnam for a peacekeeping mission. Tragically, two of
them sacrificed their lives in April 1973 during their service. Hungary further contributed by providing training for nearly 3,500 sci-tech officers in Vietnam and waiving the country’s debts dating back to 1973, a testament to the enduring friendship between the two nations.

The official visit to Hungary by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in 2018 marked the elevation of bilateral relations to a comprehensive partnership. Hungary is now the sole comprehensive partner of Vietnam in the Central Eastern Europe.

During a joint press conference with Party General Secretary Trong, PM Orban introduced Hungary’s “Opening to the East” policy to adapt to changes in the global landscape, including its strategic cooperation with Vietnam.

Trade relations have flourished, with two-way trade surpassing 355 million USD in 2017 and exceeding 785 million USD in the first 11 months of 2023. Vietnam is the sole Southeast Asian nation exporting a substantial volume to Hungary.

Both nations are actively promoting trad
e through the effective implementation of the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and enhancement of the Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation mechanism. They aim to create favourable conditions for their goods to enter each other’s markets and encourage Hungarian firms to increase investments in Vietnam, particularly in sectors of Hungary’s strength, such as pharmaceuticals, animal farming, food processing and renewable energy.

Hungary was among the first EU member countries to ratify the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), showcasing their commitment to fostering economic ties.

To date, Vietnam has successfully negotiated and signed three framework agreements on financial cooperation with Hungary, totaling 535 million EUR. Bilateral ties have expanded beyond trade, with significant collaboration in national defense and security, healthcare, education and training, and locality-to-locality ties. Hungary, unique in Eastern Europe, has consistently increased scholarships for Vietnamese
students, reaching a notable figure of 200 scholarships.

The community of around 6,000 Vietnamese studying, living, and working in Hungary also serve as a vital bridge in fostering bilateral relations.

Furthermore, Hungary was at the forefront in supporting Vietnam during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing hundreds of thousands of vaccine doses and various medical equipment, aiding Vietnam in overcoming the crisis and reviving its economy.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang emphasised that PM Chinh’s visit is poised to enhance political trust and revitalise the enduring and friendly relations between the two nations.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, his spouse, and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation will attend the 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland and pay official visits to Hungary and Romania from January 16-23./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

HCM City: The Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations (HUFO) on January 15 held a gathering to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the National Day of Cuba (January 1, 1959-2024).

Speaking at the event, Chairwoman of the city’s Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association Truong Thi Hien said over the past half century, the loyal relationship between Vietnam and Cuba has been tightened and expanded across fields including politics, economy – trade, defence – security, agriculture, construction, education, health care, biotechnology, transport, and sports.

Hien said that last year, the HUFO, the association and the Cuban Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City organised activities to strengthen the friendship between the people of the two countries.

For her part, Cuban Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Ariadne Feo Labrada over the past years, Cuba and Vietnam have created a special relationship, particularly in 2023, when the two countries witnessed thriving cooperation. In addition, Cuba began to cooperate
with Ho Chi Minh City in the field of grassroots health care.

She affirmed that Cuba is committed to continuing efforts to restore and develop economic, trade and investment relations with Vietnam in the coming time, and to reinforce determination and political will to promote the bilateral special relationship.

Cuba will also coordinate with Vietnam in promoting youth exchange activities, sharing information, upholding good traditions and fostering the special solidarity and friendship between the two countries, she said./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency