President visits Quang Ninh Province miners

President Truong Tan Sang visited mining industry workers in northern Quang Ninh Province over the weekend on the occasion of Workers' Month.

President Truong Tan Sang meets workers at Khe Cham Coal Company, a subsidiary of the Viet Nam Coal and Mineral Industries Group during Workers' Month. (Photo: VNS)

He said the company has a good tradition in creating a positive environment for workers through production emulation campaigns.

Earlier, Sang visited workers at the Vang Danh Coal Company, which employs 6,000 workers and produces more than 600,000 tonnes of coal a year.

He said Quang Ninh Province is one of the cradles of the working class in Viet Nam, and the workers here have made considerable contributions to the maturity of the country's working class.

Sang also presented gifts to Do Van Quan, whose family has three generations of coal miners.

At a working session with the State leader and provincial authorities, Chairman of Viet Nam National Coal-Mineral Industries Group (Vinacomin) Tran Xuan Hoa said nearly 90,000 labourers in Quang Ninh were working for the group, which boasts a total 138,000 labourers.

He also said that lives of most of the workers were stable.

According to Hoa, thanks to the application of advanced technology into coal exploration, the group has over the past few years made due care to the environment.

The group is on the way to ending car transport of coal on public roads and renovating dumping grounds to minimise pollution.

President Sang said Quang Ninh, together with Ha Noi and Hai Phong, are three corners of a key economic triangle, but they have yet to fully develop to their potential.

He asked the provincial officials to work with Vinacomin to review socio-economic management methods and shift the economic model from quantity-based to green growth, while keeping an eye on preserving the local heritage sites.

Sang also told local agencies to provide mining workers with more support, particularly in terms of housing, health care, education and job creation.

He urged the coal sector's leaders to look for ways to improve the coal mining industry to ensure energy security and spur economic growth.

He also said setting coal prices under market principles was a correct move. Once it was done well, it would help the sector to invest more in new and coal-saving technology, henceforth lifting up the lives of its workers.

Party General Secretary continues voter-meeting round

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and National Assembly deputies of the Hanoi Constituency No. 1 met with voters in the Hanoi district of Tay Ho on May 5.

At the meeting, the deputies reported to voters the planned agenda for the National Assembly’s third session, which is scheduled for May 21.

The voters took turn to voice their opinions, with focus on ground clearance policies. They urged an early end to suspended planning, which caused wastefulness and inconvenience to people’s life.

Many opinions called for the designation of sufficient land for transport development and public projects.

The Party leader hailed the voters’ complaints and recommendations, which, he said, helped him better understand the people’s problems as well as their wish.

He said he was happy to see obvious changes in Tay Ho, one of the most beautiful districts of Hanoi, and its important contributions to the capital city over recent years.

Buddha's birthday celebrated in VN

The Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha held a grand ceremony at the Quan Su Pagoda in Ha Noi on Saturday to celebrate Lord Buddha's 2556th birthday. The celebration is one of the most important in the Buddhist faith, not only in Viet Nam but around the world. At the ceremony, Buddhist followers honoured Lord Buddha and the living philosophy of Buddhism.

Addressing the event, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan praised the great achievements that the Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha made in recent times.

He stressed that the Party and State always respected people's freedom of religion and worship, while ensuring all religious activities are in accordance with the law. Religious dignitaries and their followers had the right to practice as they wish while fulfilling their roles as citizens.

Nhan said he hoped that the Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha, monks, nuns and followers both in and outside of the country would continue to promote Buddhist traditions, retain close links with the nation, and make active contributions to national construction and defence.

After the ceremony, Buddhist followers conducted several traditional rituals such as bathing the baby Buddha and releasing doves to pray for peace and happiness.

Buddha's birthday was also celebrated in many other parts of the country, including HCM City, Da Nang City, Quang Nam, Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue, An Giang and Kien Giang provinces.

VNN/VNS/VNA