Vietnam will invest in 10 energy technologies in the 2021-2030 period with a view to ensuring energy security for the country’s socio-economic development, as part of the “Research, Application and Development of Energy Technologies” programme.

They include advanced technologies in the exploration and exploitation of oil and gas, photovoltaic solar energy, smart electrical grids, radiation and radioisotope techniques in agriculture, industry, natural resources, and the environment, among others.

Those technologies are selected based on Vietnam's national energy development strategy, realising its commitment to achieving the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

These orientations will be implemented in five main contents, thus shaping the tasks of science and technology on a large scale with the participation of corporations, companies and pioneering companies in each field of energy.

Prime Minister calls for IMF’s continued assistance for Vietnam

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh called on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to prioritise assistance for Vietnam, while receiving Era Dabla-Norris, head of the organisation’s Article IV Consultation of the Department of Asia-Pacific, in Hanoi on October 3.

The host leader appreciated IMF’s precious assistance for Vietnam so far, including policy consultation, technical support, and personnel training, especially its analysis, assessment, and recommendations about economic governance amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He also applauded the fund’s timely and appropriate policy measures and response over the last two years to help countries surmount the most trying times of the pandemic.

As Vietnam is a developing country conducting transition and still facing numerous difficulties, he asked the IMF to increase policy advice on economic governance and risk response for the Government and relevant agencies, continue providing training programmes and technical support on economic management, and actively help the country with green economy development, energy transition, climate change response, digital transformation, and the development of a digital economy and e-commerce.

For her part, Era Dabla-Norris congratulated the Vietnamese Government on socio-economic development achievements in 2022 and previous years, noting that the economy has continued its success in 2021 and 2022 compared to many other countries thanks to a successful vaccination campaign, strong and effective solutions taken by the Government, and the bases and stepping stones formed before the pandemic.

At the meeting, the IMF representative also raised many recommendations, including combining macro-policies in a prudent, concerted, unanimous and consistent manner, properly implementing policy marketing to manage risks and mitigate policy selection’s impacts, and properly carrying out the recovery and development programme.

Friendship Order conferred on outgoing RoK Ambassador

Empowered by President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son on October 3 presented a Friendship Order to the outgoing Ambassador of the Republic of Korea (RoK), Park Noh-wan, in honour of his valuable contributions to promoting bilateral ties.

Son hoped the outgoing ambassador, regardless of his future positions, will make further contributions to pushing the relationship to new heights and tightening the two nations’ solidarity for the sake of their people, and for peace, stability, prosperity, cooperation, and development in the region and in the world.

For his part, Park expressed his honour to receive the Friendship Order and his affection for Vietnam and its people.

He noted that 2022 marks the 30th founding anniversary of the Vietnam-RoK diplomatic relations and is an occasion for the two sides to boost cooperation across all fields.

The ambassador said he will be dedicated to developing the bilateral ties no matter what roles he might take in the coming time.

Health Ministry recommends measures to prevent monkeypox

The Ministry of Health has recommended people to follow six measures to protect themselves from monkeypox, as Vietnam announced the first case of the disease on October 3.

The measures include covering nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, and washing hands often with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Meanwhile, people with an acute rash of unknown cause, accompanied by one or more suspected symptoms, should contact a medical facility for monitoring and counselling. At the same time, it is also necessary for them to self-isolate and avoid sex.

People are advised to avoid close and skin-to-skin contact with monkeypox-infected people and with infected objects and utensils.

People travelling to countries with monkeypox outbreaks should avoid contact with mammals (dead or alive) such as rodents and marsupials as they may contain the virus.

Ensuring food safety, practicing a healthy lifestyle, and increasing physical activities are also recommended.

Vietnam attends Seoul workshop on politics development in Asia

A delegation of the Communist Party of Vietnam attended the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP)’s workshop with the theme of developing politics in Asia via political parties, which was held in Seoul, the Republic of Korea, from September 28-30.

Attending the event were 22 political parties from 13 Asian countries and several observer delegations from parties, regional and international organisations, and diplomatic corps in Seoul.

The workshop looked to enhance cooperation among political parties for the sake of peace, security, prosperity and development in the region and the world.

Participants adopted the Seoul Declaration, affirming the importance of promoting cooperation and coordination among political parties in Asia in future political development in the region and emphasising the roles of political parties in the political arena and in promoting democracy.

The Vietnamese delegation delivered a speech at a discussion on the role of political parties in promoting democracy.

On the sidelines of the event, they held meetings with political parties to discuss ways to boosting ties in the near future.

Vietnam-Laos border exchange festival wraps up

The 3rd Vietnam-Laos culture-sport-tourism border exchange festival rounded off in the northwestern border province of Dien Bien on October 3.

Beginning on the first day of October, the festival was part of activities to mark the 60th anniversary of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic relations and 45 years since the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation between the nations.

It featured an opening ceremony, musical performances, a traditional costume fashion show, an exhibition, and sporting events. The music show involved ten Vietnamese and six Lao troupes who staged more than 60 performances.

At the closing ceremony, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism awarded certificates of merit to 24 Vietnamese and Lao delegations.

The 4th festival is slated for 2027 in the central province of Quang Nam.

Party leader urges Party Central Committee to seek new measures for implementing major issues

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong stressed that many major issues have been implemented for a long time but the results have not met expectations, thus requiring new resolve and new measures to address them at a different scale to meet the requirements of the new situation. 

He made the remarks when addressing the opening of the sixth plenum of the 13th Party Central Committee on October 3. The Party leader said this plenum aims to scrutinize the study and implementation of key major contents and issues in the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress.  

Regarding the socio-economic and State budget performance in 2022, General Secretary Trong said fast, complicated and unprecedented changes in the world have negatively affected economic recovery and development in Vietnam. 

He asked the Party Central Committee to analyse the outstanding features of the year 2022, clarify existing shortcoming and weaknesses as well as difficulties and obstacles, and pinpointed their causes with a view to defining guiding viewpoints, targets and tasks and solutions for 2023.  

As the plenum will consider and give opinions on the orientations of the national master plan for 2021-2030 with a vision to 2050, the Party General Secretary affirmed that this is a new and difficult task. He urged the Party Central Committee engage in in-depth discussion of the proposal submitted by the Party committee of the Government, thus contributing practically to the building, issuing and implementing the national master plan. 
 
Other issues on the plenum’s agenda are the assessment of the implementation of the policy on national industrialization and modernization, and the progress of the building and perfection of a law-governed socialist state.  

The Party chief also underlined the importance of a report reviewing 15 years implementing the resolution of the fifth plenum of the 10th Party Central Committee on continuing renewing the Party leadership over the political system, which is submitted to this plenum. 

He said this is an important content of the task on building clean and strong Party and political system. He required that during discussion of the report, attention should be paid to seeking new breakthrough but feasible solutions to meet the development requirements in the new stage.

Hanoi to build culture and tourist park on alluvial islet in Red River

The Hoan Kiem District People’s Committee in Hanoi is planning to develop an alluvial islet in the Red River into a cultural and tourist park to exploit the potential and advantages of the river’s natural beauty.

The cultural tourism park will be built based on the natural terrain and be a place of gardens and cultural tourism spaces associated with Hanoi and the Red River’s history, traditional customs, and culture.

Local authorities plan to have a functional area on the alluvial islet for agricultural and tourist landscapes, on which nearby households will be allowed to grow short-term crops for people to visit, take photos, and enjoy the special fruit.

Lawns will be interspersed with existing perennial trees to create greenery, while sites for entertainment and sports, fishing, swimming, diving, and river sightseeing will be created.

Local authorities plan to build green parks along the banks of the Red River, in which existing large trees will be retained. Some space will be reserved for functional areas with short-term trees, ornamental plants, and seasonal flowers planted, combined with tourism services.

Concert to be held to celebrate Vietnam-US ties

A concert celebrating 20 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the US will take place at Hanoi Opera Theatre on October 7, according to the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra (VNSO).

The event will see the performance of Vietnamese-American classical pianist Nguyen Quynh who will present a new work by American composer Paul Chihara written exclusive for her.

Paul Chihara was the founder and chairman of the UCLA Visual Media graduate programme, which is devoted to training composers for film, Broadway musicals, and/or the concert stage.

The concert will comprise two parts, featuring four works by Samuel Barber, Paul Chihara, Anton Webern and Arnold Schönberg.

Vietnam attends ICAPP special conference in Seoul

A delegation of the Communist Party of Vietnam attended a special conference of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) in Seoul, the Republic of Korea, on September 28-29.

The gathering was attended by 22 political parties from 13 Asian countries and a number of observers from parties, regional and international organizations and diplomatic missions in Seoul.

ICAPP was established in September 2000 with the aim of promoting exchanges and cooperation between Asian political parties. To date, it has affirmed its active role in gathering political parties in the region and promoting connections with partners in many regions of the world. It has organized workshops with practical topics such as poverty alleviation, natural disasters and environmental protection, promotion of green development, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2022 special conference on political development in Asia aimed to further strengthen cooperation among political parties in maintaining peace, security, prosperity and development in the region and the wider world.

The conference adopted the Seoul statement, affirming the importance of promoting cooperation and coordination among political parties in Asia for the future political development in the region. It emphasized political parties’ role in the political arena and in promoting democracy in countries, and the relationship between the electoral system and the development of political parties.

Vietnam temporarily leads Miss Grand International’s Top 10 Pre-Arrival

Vietnam is currently leading the voting for the Top 10 Pre-Arrival’s second round of Miss Grand International 2022.

According to the beauty pageant’s organising board, Miss Grand Vietnam 2022 Doan Thien An received the highest scores, surpassing 19 foreign contestants to top the rankings.

The organizing board also noted that fans can continue voting through various channels, including Facebook and Instagram until October 5.

Moving forward, contestants in the Top 10 Pre-Arrival with the highest points will have a special dinner with Nawat Itsaragrisil, president of Miss Grand International.

Thien An, 22, of the Mekong Delta province of Long An was crowned Miss Grand Vietnam 2022 on October 1.

Standing at 1.75-metres tall, she is currently a student of the Industrial University in Ho Chi Minh City. She weighs 60 kg and measures 88.5-66-98.

European dance concert to thrill Ho Chi Minh City audiences

Audiences in Ho Chi Minh City are set to have the chance to enjoy a range of impressive performances at “A Night of European Dances” which is scheduled to take place on October 8 at the Saigon Opera House.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Ballet, Symphony Orchestra and Opera (HBSO), three major works will be staged which are infused with the spirit of dance.

Oscar Navarro is a Spanish composer born in 1981 who works in both Spain and California, focusing on film music.

HBSO noted that his Second Clarinet Concerto will be given its Vietnamese premier during the concert, with Hoang Ngoc Anh Quan performing as the soloist.

The concert will be conducted by Leon Bosch of the Netherlands, an eminent clarinetist who is also a senior teacher at the Zuyd University of Applied Sciences in Maastricht. He previously conducted the HBSO Orchestra in 2021.

Trial of 74 defendants accused of smuggling nearly 200 million litres of petrol to start this month

The trial of 74 defendants accused of smuggling nearly 200 million litres of petrol worth VNĐ2.9 trillion (US$130 million), is set to begin on October 25 and last 45-60 days, the People's Court of the southern province of Đồng Nai announced on Monday.

The defendants are accused of smuggling and accepting bribes.

Earlier this year, the Central Military Procuracy charged high-ranking officials from the Border and Coast Guards with involvement in the smuggling cases.

The People's Procuracy of Đồng Nai Province issued an indictment against Phan Thanh Hữu, director of Phan Lê Hoàng Anh Trading Co.; Nguyễn Hữu Tứ, a resident in Vĩnh Long Province; Đào Ngọc Viễn, director of the Ocean Hải Phòng Ltd.; and 70 accomplices.

In addition, Ngô Văn Thụy, former Captain of Team No 3, General Department of Customs' Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department, was prosecuted for taking bribes.

According to the indictments, in September 2019, Hữu and Viễn discussed contributing capital to smuggle fake petrol. Hữu and Viễn asked Phùng Danh Thoại, who was then head of the Petroleum Office's Logistics Department, to use his influence over the Coast Guard to smuggle about 200 million litres of petrol.

After that, Hữu, Viễn and Phạm Hùng Cường, who resided in Hải Phòng City, Thoại and another man named Trọng contributed capital of about VNĐ53 billion (US$2.21 million), to buy gasoline from Singapore to smuggle into Việt Nam.

Viễn introduced Hữu to a petroleum seller in Singapore to discuss petrol deals. They rented two vessels, each with a capacity of 8,000 tonnes, to carry petroleum from Singapore to Việt Nam and deliver it to Hữu's fleet named Nhật Minh.

The smuggled gasoline was pumped from Hữu's vessels to petroleum depots and then consumed in many provinces and cities in the southern region.

Because the smuggled petroleum was white, unlike the yellow petrol usually found in Việt Nam, Hữu and his accomplices bought pigments and solvents to disguise their crimes.

In addition, Hữu also used Nhật Minh vessels to transport smuggled petroleum to Cambodia. Each month, the smuggling ring undertook between three to six trips with about five million litres of petroleum smuggled at a time.

For each trip to Việt Nam, Hữu paid rental, brokerage fees, and bribes to some individuals in Government agencies. Hữu got 40 per cent of the profit, and Viễn, Cường, and Thoại took 60 per cent.

Between March 2020 to February 2021, they undertook 48 trips, totalling nearly 200 million litres of smuggled petroleum, worth nearly VNĐ2.9 trillion ($130 million). More than 196 million litres have been consumed. Hữu took more than VNĐ105 billion. 

Escaped monkey attacks children on Binh Thuan Island

A monkey has attacked nearly 10 children on Phu Quy Island in the southern central province of Binh Thuan after escaping from its cage.

On Monday afternoon, the monkey which is 70 cm high and weighs 10 kilos entered a nursery school in Ngu Phung Commune. It ran into a class with 20 children and hit a four-year-old girl, injuring her arm.

The child was taken to a local medical centre and has been vaccinated against rabies.

The monkey belonging to a family in Long Hai Commune was bought from the mainland. It has escaped from the cage and in the past month ravaged residential areas in Long Hai and Tam Thanh communes.

The animal has injured 10 local children aged between 2 and 13 years old. The furniture of many households has also been damaged by the monkey.

Local authorities are still hunting for the monkey.

Digital transformation slow in HCMC healthcare sector

HCMC is slowly introducing digital transformation to ease the burden on hospitals and the healthcare system.

To this end, electronic prescriptions will be implemented by the Health Ministry by the end of 2022 or the beginning of 2023, according to Circular No.4. Moreover, patients’ information will be digitally stored in the hospital systems.

HCMC’s medical examination and treatment centers have been using electronic prescriptions and storing prescription information in the hospital’s system.

The Children’s Hospital HCMC Deputy Director Nguyen Minh Tien said electronic prescriptions had been used since the hospital’s inception. Most hospitals and healthcare centers in HCMC use electronic prescriptions, but a few still use paper prescriptions.

However, weaknesses have been spotted as there has been a shortage of highly-trained and knowledgeable employees since Covid-19 broke out.

Given the situation, the Vietnam Young Physicians’ Association partnered with the University of Medicine and Pharmacy and units to set up www.Y360.vn to establish an academic platform for medical healthcare personnel and offer professional training for all members.

VN to spend VND950 billion on street expansion of Cao Lanh – Lo Te

The Ministry of Transport has just approved the investment project to improve Cao Lanh – Lo Te Street, passing both Dong Thap Province and Can Tho City.

The project is for a 29-kilometer street section, which can then connect to Lo Te – Rach Soi Street. There will be a new Lo Te intersection and 29 new bridges on a system of new collector roads in the section.

The total investment amount is VND950 billion (US$39.8 million). The project is planned to be carried out from 2022 to 2025.

Hanoi removes ID and household registration in administrative procedures

People will no longer have to submit their ID cards, paper household registration books, and paper temporary residence books when conducting administrative procedures at public agencies in Hanoi, according to a document issued by municipal People's Committee Chairman Tran Sy Thanh.

Under the document, which aims to accelerate the application of population data, identification, and electronic authentication for national digital transformation, the city will put the information system to manage administrative procedures into operation by the end of 2022.

The chairman of the municipal People's Committee has commissioned the Hanoi Police to coordinate with the Ministry of Public Security (MSP) in collecting electronic identification data from citizens in the area. In addition, the Hanoi Police must issue electronic IDs to all Hanoi citizens this year.

The Hanoi mayor has also asked the departments to review and restructure administrative procedures, emphasizing the removal of ID cards, paper household registration books, and paper temporary residence books in administrative procedures.

Earlier, the MSP on September 30 discussed the criteria for granting citizen ID cards and conditions for implementing the 2020 Residence Law, which provides that household registration books and temporary residence books will not be required when conducting administrative procedures after December 31, 2022.

Young people should pay attention to sustainable development in creative start-ups: Deputy PM

The creative start-up process always has potential difficulties, so from the very beginning, young people should focus on sustainable development criteria, said Deputy Prime Minister Vũ Đức Đam.

He made the statement at the National Youth Start-up Forum 2022, which was held by the Central Youth Union on Saturday.

Emphasising challenges facing the country, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, Deputy PM Đam said that to continue the economic recovery and development, striving to make Việt Nam a high-middle-income country, young people were one of the important forces.

It is necessary to nurture and promote the spirit of legitimate enrichment in each young person, and among Vietnamese people.

All must create the most favourable conditions for start-up work and creative innovation, thereby improving Việt Nam's competitiveness in the international arena, including in the business environment and sustainable development.

Speaking at the forum, Standing Secretary of the Central Youth Union Nguyễn Ngọc Lương said after the first National Youth Start-up Forum in 2018 and the second in 2020, many policies have been developed and adjusted by ministries to promote start-ups.

Currently, Việt Nam is still in the process of recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. With solidarity and consensus, the country was trying to gradually restore economic growth.

#Run4WildlifeHN to return in November

The annual race #Run4WildlifeHN will return to Hanoi on November 6 after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, said Education for Nature – Vietnam (ENV), the country’s first non-governmental organisation focusing on wildlife conservation.

The race is organised by the Hanoi Half Marathon and Sporting Republic with the support of the ENV to raise public awareness about the use of drugs made from wild animals; and encourage the community to commit not to trade or consume illegal wildlife.

It consists of a 21km half marathon, 10km challenge, 5km family run and walk, and 1km kids sprint. The race will take place at the Ciputra urban area.

People can register for participation at https://hanoihalfmarathon.com/register/ between now and October 23.

Funds raised from the race will be used to support wildlife protection in Vietnam.  

In the first two quarters of 2022 alone, the ENV recorded 1,862 wildlife-related violations.

HCMC to expedite traffic works under master plan

Since HCMC’s master plan for traffic infrastructure development has been only 35% completed, the city will speed up work on the long-stalled projects this year and next.

Tran Quang Lam, director of the HCMC Department of Transport, said bottlenecks in site clearance and financial difficulties have hindered the execution of the city’s transport system in accordance with a master plan approved by the Government years ago. The city has only achieved 35% of its target in the master plan, Lam said.

Lam explained the lack of a mechanism to raise funds from sources outside the State budget had caused the current infrastructure’s sluggish expansion.

Regarding major works, HCMC would have six expressways connecting to other localities, five national highways, three beltways, five elevated roads, eight railways, eight metro lines, six bus rapid transit (BRT) routes and three tramways or monorails, according to the master plan approved by the Prime Minister in 2013.

However, only two of the six expressways are operational, namely HCMC-Long Thanh-Dau Giay and HCMC-Trung Luong, while beltways Nos. 2 and 3 are still under construction.

The metro and BRT projects are gradually being implemented and the other traffic constructions are still in the planning and capital allocation stages.

Thus, the HCMC Department of Transport will continue to speed up the city’s 29 key projects, particularly the construction of the expressway and gateway projects.

Greenhouses threatening forest land of Lam Dong

The mushrooming of hundreds of hectares of greenhouses on the forest land of Lam dong Province is now a matter of concern.

According to the Lam Dong Agriculture and Rural Development Department, there is a total area of 4,476.2 hectares zoned off for the construction of greenhouses, up 133 hectares over 2020.

Among them, 2,435.5 hectares are used for flower horticulture, 1,818.1 hectares for vegetables and 222.6 hectares for other crops.

Another 2,697.1 hectares are mainly used for vegetable and flower cultivation, factory nursery gardens and perennial tree gardens.

In Lam Dong, greenhouse development is spinning out of control, with many consequences on the land. Many households and individuals “step up” to build net houses and greenhouses on forestry land.

Vietnam has good track record against sex selection: UNFPA

UNFPA Regional Director of Asia and the Pacific Bjorn Andersson on October 4 spoke highly of Vietnam's efforts in addressing son preference and gender-biased sex selection over the last 15 years.

Addressing the “South-South Consultation Workshop on Addressing Son Preference, Undervaluing of Girls, and Gender-Biased Sex Selections”, organised in Hanoi by UNFPA Asia and the Pacific, Andersson described the country's track record on the work as "very good", adding that many good practices have emerged.
 
Today, around 140 million women are believed to be “missing” around the world, as a result of son preference and gender-biased sex selection, which is a pervasive form of gender inequality and discrimination, according to Andersson.

The rise in sex selection is alarming as it reflects the persistent low status and devaluing of women and girls, he stressed.

It is in this context that UNFPA is calling for renewed attention to the issue and accelerating efforts to develop policies, the data and evidence base and undertake programming that end all forms of gender-based discrimination, including son preference and gender-biased sex selection, Andersson noted.

The workshop brought together representatives of government agencies and experts from Armenia, Azerbaijan, China, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Georgia, who shared experience in this regard in their respective countries.

Vietnam, Canada eye stronger comprehensive partnership

With the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions eased, the granting of visas should be made more convenient and quick to boost cultural and people-to-people exchanges and enhance friendship between Vietnam and Canada, Ambassador to the country Pham Cao Phong told an event on October 3.

Delivering a speech at a ceremony hosted by the Vietnamese Embassy in Ottawa to mark the fifth anniversary of the Vietnam – Canada Comprehensive Partnership, the diplomat further said official visits, online and offline meetings, and phone talks between the two governments’ leaders and minsters have provided a strong foundation for the two countries to further expand bilateral ties and reinforce common priorities.

He said the Vietnam – Canada economic linkage, as a driver of the Comprehensive Partnership, should be further stepped up by making the most of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for the Trans-Pacific Progress (CPTPP).

The diplomat urged the two sides to push for a sustainable and reliable supply chain and advance cooperation in science, technology, innovation, green energy, climate change and environment, saying these areas will help the two nations sustain economic security.

Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, for her part, said Canada wishes to forge a long-term relation with Vietnam, and that the Southeast Asian country plays a critical role in Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, given that they boast a close people-to-people exchange and both are members of the Francophone community.

Canada looks forward to Vietnam’s support to become an ASEAN strategic partner, she noted, adding that last year, ASEAN was Canada’s fourth largest trade partner with bilateral goods exchange reaching 25 billion USD.

Israel's agricultural technologies introduced in Hai Phong

An exhibition area displaying Israel’s agricultural technologies and water solutions has been opened in the northern port city of Hai Phong, featuring stalls run by 11 Israeli enterprises.

On display are modern equipment serving drip irrigation, industrial and aquaculture water treatment technologies, water storage and transportation, and new generation biogas technology, among others.

The opening of the area was part of activities held within the city's innovation and startup festival Techfest Haiphong 2022, which runs from September 27 to October 4.

PM orders more efforts in corruption fight

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has ordered ministries, agencies, and People’s Committees of provinces and cities to immediately address shortcomings in the corruption prevention and control, and boost thrift practices.

In a dispatch dated October 3, the leader urged leading officials of ministries, sectors and localities to popularise the outcomes of the 10-year corruption fight as well as tasks and solutions for the coming time.

They were requested to remain resolute and persistent in implementing measures in the fight with greater political determination, and stronger, more drastic and effective actions.

It is also necessary to improve the quality and efficiency of dissemination and education to raise awareness of Party officials, members and public servants, he noted, stressing the importance of continuing to perfect mechanisms, policies and laws on socio-economic management and corruption prevention and control.

Strengthened discipline, and strict punishment must be used to deal with any corruption cases, the leader said.

He also asked leaders of ministries, sectors and localities to continue perfecting the apparatus organisation and increasing the capacity and operational effectiveness of offices and units involved in the work.

Vietnam affirms resolute condemnation of terrorism at UN meeting

Vietnam underlined its resolute condemnation against terrorist acts in any form or for any purpose at a plenary meeting held by the Sixth Committee (Legal) of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly on October 3.

In his remarks, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, held that the countries need to have a comprehensive approach to counter-terrorism at the national, regional, and global levels, with the UN playing the coordinating role, in line with international law and the UN Charter.

They should continue to effectively deal with structural challenges like inequality and political, economic and social injustice, he said, noting that as countries are striving to recover after the COVID-19 pandemic and facing numerous socio-economic difficulties, the international community’s assistance for the struggling countries are of great importance.

He called on countries to perform their obligations in accordance with international law while preventing the conducting, incitement, or sponsorship of terrorist acts against others.

The diplomat added Vietnam has made efforts to implement the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and international obligations in the terror fight, stressing it has also cooperated closely with international organisations and other countries in this regard.

Vietnam has joined 15 global conventions and many regional and bilateral agreements on the fight against terrorism and trans-national crimes. In particular, it has attached importance to national obligations under the UN Security Council resolutions on the fight, included regulations on the issue in many relevant legal documents, and continuously improved law enforcement bodies’ capacity, including by setting up a counter-terrorism training centre under the Ministry of Public Security in February 2022.

Source: VNA/SGT/VNS/VOV/Dtinews/SGGP/VGP/Hanoitimes