President commences State visit to Czech Republic

President Truong Tan Sang arrived at Vaclav Havel International Airport in Prague on May 10, commencing his State visit to the Czech Republic from May 10-13 at the invitation of his Czech counterpart Milos Zeman.

During his stay, the President is scheduled to have talks and meet with leaders of the host country. He will attend the Vietnam economic-tourism cooperation forum, the opening ceremony of the Vietnam Culture Year 2015, and the inauguration of the Vietnam News Agency’s representative office.

He is set to visit Karlovy Vary city and lay a wreath at the Vitkov National Monument.

Following his arrival on May 10, President Truong Tan Sang met with Vietnamese Ambassadors and communities in some European countries.

He spoke highly of the Embassies’ performance in strengthening Vietnam’s relations with host countries and supporting Vietnamese citizens.

The leader highlighted the solidarity, mutual support, and integration into native nations by the Vietnamese communities, reiterating that the Party and State always consider expatriates as an inseparable part of Vietnam and an important drive of the country’s development and prosperity.

President Truong Tan Sang said he hopes the Vietnamese communities in Europe will continue contributing to both their home and host countries.

Party leader meets constituents in inner Hanoi

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong met constituents in Ba Dinh and Tay Ho districts in Hanoi on May 9 ahead of the upcoming 13 th National Assembly’s ninth session.

Offering constructive ideas to the ninth session’s agenda, including the draft Law on Government Organisation, constituents called for adding specific regulations on the rights and responsibility of the government in the fight against corruption.

They encouraged more transparent asset declaration by State officials and efficient talent recruitment for State bodies.

Attendees hailed a personnel plan from the recently-concluded 11th session of the Party Central Committee (11 th tenure) that covers criteria for Party Central Committee candidates for the next tenure.

They also asked for reform in personnel recruitment and incentives to attract competent and moral employees to State units, saying they are a major factor in moving the country forward.

Responding to their concerns, the Party chief said personnel recruitment is a significant and root task of the Party with candidates carefully screened as regulated in the plan.

He concurred that public disclosure of assets owned by State officials is a strong preventive measure against corruption.

The leader said it is crucial to improve the performance of People’s Councils charged with monitoring and deciding on key issues in their controlled areas to reform local governance models.

Constituents also expressed their hope for additional support to the private business sector, considering the recent decline in agro-forestry-fisheries exports in contrast to the current oversupply domestically.

Amid complicated developments in the East Sea, they said the State should offer more assistance to fishermen and ensure welfare to those serving the nation.

The Party chief also answered questions about the construction of the Long Thanh international airport in Dong Nai province, bilateral ties with China, the foreign policy of self-reliance and maintaining peace and stability.

Greeting messages to Russian leaders on victory day

State President Truong Tan Sang and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on May 9 cabled greeting messages to their respective Russian counterparts, President V. Putin and Prime Minister D. Medvedev, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

In the messages, they reiterated that the victory marked a milestone in the humankind’s history, ending World War II and bringing peace to the world.

“The bravery and sacrifice of former Soviet Union troops and people to save humanity from the extermination of fascism will be forever remembered,” read the messages.

Encouraged by the victory, Vietnamese people successfully made the August Revolution victory in 1945, giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, which was followed by the final triumph in spring 1975, they stated.

“Vietnamese people always bear in their mind the great, wholehearted support and assistance given by people from the former Soviet Union and Russia today during the past struggle for independence as well as current national socio-economic development,” said the messages.

The Vietnamese leaders also expressed their belief that with determination and effort of people and leaders, Vietnam and Russia will successfully implement joint strategic projects, lifting their strategic partnership to a new height for mutual benefit and for peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world.

Maritime administration honored for excellent performance

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung on May 9 presented the Independence Order, third class, to the Vietnam Maritime Administration on recognition of the sector’s excellent contributions to national construction and development.

The distinction presentation took place during ceremony marking the 50 th National Maritime Day (May 5) in Hanoi.

Since its inception in 1965, the sector has recorded a number of achievements.

During the war against US aggressors, it maintained supply routes through thick torpedo and bomb barriers installed by the enemy to bring goods and weaponry to fierce battlefields in the northern, central and southern regions.

Today, the sector has managed 44 seaports and 42 maritime routes handling over 120,000 vessels each year, together with a fleet of more than 1,800 ships capable of going to different destinations in the world.

Restructuring efforts have contributed to the sector’s achievement of an average growth of up to 30 percent annually during the past 10 years.

Currently, the sector’s 120 shipyards are capable of building vessels with capacity of at least 1,000 DWT, and more than 45,000 of its sailor staff are qualified internationally.

Addressing the event, Transport Minister Dinh La Thang said one of the key targets of the sector through 2020 is making the country strong and rich from the sea with the maritime economy playing as spearhead.

Therefore, the sector should carry out a comprehensive renovation, focusing on reforming policy and administrative and legal systems, he urged.

The minister also asked the sector to pump more investments in developing seaports and pay more attention to personnel training to ensure sustainable growth in the future.-

Hai Phong city celebrates liberation day

The northern city of Hai Phong marked its liberation from the French colonialists 60 years ago at a ceremony held on May 9 in the presence of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, among others.

During the struggle against foreign invaders, Hai Phong emerged as one of the cradles of the Vietnamese working class and Vietnamese workers’ movement and was among the first localities nationwide absorbing and experimenting the Marxism-Leninism introduced into the country by Nguyen Ai Quoc, the then President Ho Chi Minh.

Under the leadership of the Party and President Ho Chi Minh, Hai Phong’s people and soldiers stood steadfastly together with their peers across the country in the resistance war against the French. They contributed to the globally-renowned Dien Bien Phu victory that ended the French’s domination in Vietnam.

On May 13, 1955, Hai Phong was liberated from the French, joining the north’s new chapter of building socialism and preparing logistics for the struggle towards the liberation of the southern region and the ultimate national reunification.

Today’s Hai Phong recorded an average annual GDP growth rate of 10.43 percent and a per capita income of 2,857 USD. Poor households declined sharply, to 2.33 percent.

Addressing the celebration, PM Nguyen Tan Dung expressed his hope that the city will build on its glorious tradition and achievements to do more for its modernity as well as the wealth of its citizens.

He said he expects Hai Phong will be a key locality in develop the sea-based economy, advising it to also focus on hi-tech agriculture and scientific and technological advance application in the processing of agro-products and seafood.

Administrative reforms need to be sped up productively to turn the city into a magnet for investments, he said.-

Thai royal family supports cooperation with Vietnam

The Thai royal family will continually support cooperation projects with Vietnam, helping bolster the friendship between the two countries, said Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn while meeting with Vice State President Nguyen Thi Doan on May 8.

The Vice State President expressed her belief that under the reign of the Thai King, Thailand will achieve great development and consolidate its position worldwide.

She lauded the help of the Thai royal family and the princess as an UNESCO Ambassador to Vietnamese education sector, particularly the improvement of primary schools in Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh and Quang Ninh.

She also hailed the princess’ practical supports to scientific collaboration between the sides, which includes a research project on the planting of Vetiver grass to prevent soil erosion and create beautiful landscapes in Vietnam.

Both host and guest were pleased about the progress made by the two nations since their bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership was established in June 2013.

They agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation as the Vietnam-Thailand diplomatic ties will celebrate the 40 th anniversary in 2016.

During her time in Vietnam, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn met with top officials in central Da Nang city and Ho Chi Minh City, took part in an inauguration ceremony of a Thai study centre in Ho Chi Minh City, and visited Ninh My primary school in the Red River Delta province of Ninh Binh, among others.

Party chief hosts El Salvador liberation front leader

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has reiterated Vietnam’s priority for developing friendly cooperation with traditional friends in Latin America, including El Salvador.

Hosting Secretary General of the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front of El Salvador (FMLN) in Hanoi on May 8, the Party chief informed him of the latest developments in Vietnam, including preparations for the all-level Party Congresses toward the 12th National Party Congress.

He expressed hope for stronger ties between the two Parties, thereby developing bilateral economics, trade and investment relationship for the sake of the two peoples.

Gonzalez thanked the Vietnamese Party, State and people for their invaluable support to the FMLN and the El Salvador people over the past time, and vowed determination to reinforce ties between the two Parties, States and peoples.

Earlier, the El Salvador delegation held talks with a Vietnamese Party delegation led by Politburo member and permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Le Hong Anh, which focused on specific plans for joint collaboration.

While in Vietnam, the guests also paid a courtesy call to National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong, held working sessions with head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations Hoang Binh Quan and the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations.

Ministries told to double sustainable poverty reduction efforts

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung asked ministries, sectors and localities to heighten their sense of responsibility towards rapid and sustainable poverty alleviation to turn the country into an industrialised society by 2020.

Speaking at an online conference in Hanoi on May 8, the Prime Minister reiterated that the Government considers poverty reduction its key task, stating the involved parties need to study and propose concrete measures to more effectively implement Resolution 30a/2008/NQ-CP on poverty alleviation.

He agreed with localities’ proposals to increase the involvement of young intellectuals and design policies to support impoverished households or those near the poverty line within one year.

The National Steering Committee on Sustainable Poverty Reduction should continue to review and fine-tune policies in line with the resolution, specifically removing ineffective measures while promoting and supplementing efficient policies.

The PM suggested focusing on forest protection, supporting poor districts and ethnic minority regions to develop animal livestock, and encouraging businesses to invest in underprivileged areas.

It is also necessary to balance financial sources and increase field inspections at the grassroots level.

The National Steering Committee pledged to speed up efforts in mountainous, ethnic minority, border, coastal and island regions from 2016-2020 as well as concentrate on building infrastructure, facilitating manufacturing development and enhancing access to social services for residents.

According to the Ministry of Labour, Invalid and Social Affairs, Resolution 30a/2008/NQ-CP is a major policy of the Party and State aiming to reduce poverty in disadvantaged regions.

Over the past six years, 22.1 trillion VND (1,034 million USD) was allocated from the State budget to fund the programme, including 17.1 trillion VND (799 million USD) from the central budget and 2 trillion VND (92.6 million USD) from the local budget.

On average, each poor district receives 35-40 billion VND (1.64-1.87 million USD) per year.

The rate of poverty-stricken households from 2011-2014 in 64 poor districts reduced by an average 6 percent per year (from 377,939 poor households in late 2010 to 234,743 in late 2014), higher than the 4 percent target set in the resolution.

By 2020, at least 50 percent of districts are expected to escape from poverty while the average per capita income will double that of 2015.

Seminar on President Ho Chi Minh ahead of birth anniversary

The late President Ho Chi Minh was featured in a recently seminar held in Kolkata city in West Bengal state of India ahead of his 125 th birth anniversary (May 19).

In his remarks, Vietnamese Ambassador Ton Sinh Thanh reviewed the life and noble revolutionary career of the late President and emphasised that he is not only a great leader of Vietnam, a hero of national liberation and a world cultural figure but also the first leader to found the thriving Vietnam-India relationship.

He is a symbol of solidarity, friendship and close attachment between the two peoples, having visited India twice, in 1946 and 1958.

Geetesh Sharma, President of the city’s India-Vietnam Solidarity Committee, said Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh were the most popular foreign names in India in 1950-1970, as evidenced by a number of poems and materials written in the Indian language praising the late President.

On the occasion, Sharma also debuted his book about the President and the traditional friendship between Vietnam and India.

Director of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations Meenakshi Mishra said President Ho Chi Minh was a source of inspiration and motivation for oppressed nations across the world.

Director of the Kolkata National Library expressed his support for a display of photos and books about the late leader and the opening of a “Vietnam Corner” in the library.

Earlier, Ambassador Thanh and IVSC representatives laid a wreath at a statue of President Ho Chi Minh in a park in downtown Kolkata.

VNA