VietNamNet Bridge – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc yesterday (Aug 31) hosted a banquet for diplomatic delegations and international organisations to celebrate the 71st anniversary of Viet Nam’s National Day.

A free wifi spot being installed at the Ha Noi Electricity Department on Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Ha Noi. Photo: VNA/VNS

On September 2, 1945, late President Ho Chi Minh made the historic Independence Declaration at Ba Dinh Square, officially giving birth to the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam.

“That remarkable event ushered in a new era in the glorious history of the nation,” Phuc said in his speech.

The Southeast Asian nation ended wars with the French and the US poor and underdeveloped, he said, yet Viet Nam has become a middle-income country with average income per capita at about US$2,200 in 2015.

The figure increased by at least 25 times from the average income per capita of $86 in 1988, when Viet Nam kicked off its Doi moi (Renewal) economic revolution.

“The Government of Viet Nam is committed to building an enabling government that is instrumental to development, a government of integrity with strong actions in service of the people,” the PM said.

“Viet Nam will strengthen friendship and co-operation with all countries and friends around the world, particularly countries with whom we share a border”.

The country will also make efforts to sustain peace and stability in the region and to settle disagreements and differences by peaceful means on the basis of international law, Phuc said.

Viet Nam is one of the claimants of the East Sea (South China Sea) where territorial disputes have been simmering of late and are a hot spot for potential conflict in Asia.

Heroic mothers

At least 444 mothers have been honoured as Vietnamese heroic mothers for their sacrifices and contributions to the country’s liberation fight in honour of the 71st National Day.

The central Thanh Hoa Province granted the honourary title to 347 mothers, while Thua Thien-Hue and Tay Ninh provinces earlier awarded the title to 78 and 19 mothers, respectively.

Thanh Hoa People’s Committee Deputy Chairman Pham Dang Quyen said at the awards ceremony on Tuesday that the title of “Vietnamese heroic mother” expresses the gratitude of the Party and the Government to women who lost their husbands and sons on the battlefield for the cause of national liberation and freedom.

Heroic mothers each receive a monthly stipend and other financial support from the Government for the rest of their lives.

Government pardon      

The Ministry of Public Security (MPS) said yesterday morning that there will be a pardon this year on the occasion of the National Day. Further details on when and how many incarcerated people will be released will be announced soon.

So far, Viet Nam has allowed 81,807 people convicted of crimes to walk free ahead of their prison terms. Another 920 had their sentences suspended. Ngo Duc Hung, Deputy Director of the MoPS’s Department of Rehabiliatation and Community Education, also known as C86, announced these figures at a press conference this morning.

These freed convicted criminals were granted amnesty in six government pardons since 2009, a year after the Law on Special Amnesty went into effect.

A total of 20,599 prisoners were released in two mass pardons in 2009, followed by 17,520 and 10,535 people respectively for the next two years. The number of freed prisoners increased to 15,523 in 2013 and reached 18,537 last year.

“Government amnesty helps citizens and the international community learn more about Viet Nam’s clemency policy,” Hung said.

Ha Noi Amnesty Council yesterday also announced it would pardon 120 prisoners in detention facilities under the authority of the Ha Noi Department of Public Security.

Free wifi

Communications behemoth VNPT announced they will install 18 free wifi stations in Ha Noi’s centre district of Hoan Kiem by September 1.

Public wifi stations will be located across 10 spots during the first stage of the Ha Noi Department of Tourism plan. Another 13 stations will follow in 11 more places by September 20 around Hoan Kiem (Sword) Lake, a tourist favourite.

The city People’s Committee Chairman Nguyen Duc Chung also asked for further area assessment to decide whether to set up extra public wifi spots on Cau Go Street.

The free wifi installment comes after the city People’s Committee approved a pilot plan for the area around Hoan Kiem Lake to become vehicle-free from 7pm to midnight from Friday to Sunday every week. The plan will go into effect starting tomorrow.

Source: VNS