The 15th meeting of the National Assembly (NA)’s Standing Committee will convene from September 12 – 15, according to the NA Office.

During the course of the session, full-time legislators will handle a number of important issues, including the supervision of the implementation of the NA Standing Committee's resolutions on arrangement of administrative units at district and commune levels from 2019 – 2021, and the enforcement of the law on citizen reception and settlement of complaints and denunciations. 

They will give opinion on a draft report on the outcomes of the NA's supervision of the enforcement of regulations on thrift practice and combating wastefulness from 2016 – 2021.

The NA Standing Committee will also examine reports presented by the Government, Supreme People’s Court and Supreme People’s Procuracy on the enforcement of the Constitution, laws and NA's resolutions, citizen reception and settlement of complaints and denunciations, and enforcement of sentences this year.

In addition, the Government’s reports on anti-crime and anti-corruption in 2022 as well as those on the national target programmes on new-style rural building and on sustainable poverty reduction from 2021 – 2025 will be tabled for consideration.

Vietnam works hard on early disaster warning

Heavy rain forecasting and early warning systems are being focused on to mitigate the effects of floods, flash floods, landslides and inundation, according to Director of the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Mai Van Khiem.

Natural disasters are becoming more unpredictable and extreme due to climate change, causing more extensive damage to people and property.

Vietnam has seen increasingly unpredictable natural disasters this year, with non-seasonal rains and flooding accompanied by thunderstorms, strong winds and storms.

To improve forecasting, weather forecasters have extended natural disaster warnings to 10 days.

Seasonal forecasting has also been extended. The sector has a newsletter identifying natural disasters issued twice a year.

Forecasts of storms and tropical depressions are issued three or five days in advance, forecasts of heavy rain two or three days, and warnings for thunderstorms released from 30 minutes to two hours. Severe cold spells are forecast five to seven days in advance.

A detailed warning map of flash floods and landslides has been developed at district level in order to inform regions when there is heavy rain.

French singer expresses love for Vietnam through music

A French singer-songwriter has expressed his love of Vietnam through song so as to encourage similar sentiments among international friends.
 
Vietnamese-French composer and singer Gerard Addat has composed many songs that embrace Vietnamese features and promote the country’s destinations.

This is one song from his album about Vietnam, which was released in March.

Gerard was born and raised in Ho Chi Minh City then went to France at the age of 13. Sweet and peaceful childhood memories have been a source of inspiration, and he has visited Vietnam many times over recent years.

His songs about Vietnam reflect his memories of places he has visited, like his birthplace HCM City, or Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Thua Thien-Hue, and Hanoi. They also express his sentiments when visiting his childhood school or enjoying the breeze in the Red River Delta.

Gerard frequently performs at events promoting Vietnamese culture in France.

His album about Vietnam has been a success and reached out to music lovers across the globe.

Workshop talks legal policies for Overseas Vietnamese

A workshop on legal policies with the Vietnamese community in Europe was held on September 9 in both online and offline formats.

Co-hosted by the National Assembly’s Committee for External Relations and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' State Commission for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs (SCOV), the event was linked between Hanoi with the UK, France, Germany, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Russia.

Speaking at the event, Vice Chairman of the NA's Committee for External Relations Nguyen Manh Tien expressed his wish to listen to OV people's opinions about policies and laws for the Vietnamese communities abroad, considering them an important reference to perfect laws, thus simplifying administrative procedures, meeting their aspirations and creating favourable conditions for them to return home, do business and invest in the home country.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and SCOV Chairman Pham Quang Hieu asked participants to discuss policies regarding entry-exit, investment, house purchase and ownership in Vietnam, apart from citizenship policies./.

FM: Vietnam considers EU one of top important partners

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son has affirmed that Vietnam always considers the European Union (EU) one of its top important economic and development partners.

During a reception in Hanoi on September 9 for Chairman of the European Parliament (EP)’s Committee on International Trade (INTA) Bernd Lange, Son stressed that Vietnam seriously delivers on commitments in the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), including those regarding sustainable development.

He added that Vietnam will continue perfecting its law related to labour as well as follow international commitments to which it is a member.

The host suggested both sides continue deepening bilateral ties via increasing the exchange of high-level delegations, effectively implementing existing cooperation mechanisms, accelerating the approval of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement, and expanding coordination in climate change, innovation, green and digital transformation, sustainable development, renewable energy, health care and food security.

He wished they would continue working effectively together at multilateral forums, including the ASEAN-EU framework. He also welcomed the EU’s cooperation within the Mekong framework.

Lange, for his part, affirmed that the EP, including the INTA, will continue supporting Vietnam in delivering on commitments in the EVFTA as well as in expanding collaboration in sustainable development.

Two-way trade has thrived with an annual growth of 15 percent, making Vietnam the top trade partner of the EU in ASEAN.

Prime Minister welcomes Chairman of EP’s Committee on International Trade

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Chairman of the European Parliament (EP)’s Committee on International Trade (INTA) Bernd Lange in Hanoi on September 9, affirming that trade - investment cooperation is an important pillar in the Vietnam - EU relations.

The host leader highlighted Vietnam’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, and diversification and multilateralisation of international relations, of which the EU is an important partner of the country.

He applauded strides in the Vietnam - EU comprehensive partnership and cooperation, noting that after two years of enforcing the EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), bilateral trade has grown continually while the EU’s investment into the Southeast Asian nation has also been on the rise.

PM Chinh asked the EU to continue creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese goods to enter its market, and urged its member states to soon finalise the ratification of the EU - Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) so as to further promote bilateral economic ties.

He called on the bloc to soon lift the “yellow card” warning and continue providing technical assistance for the country to eradicate illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The Vietnamese Government always creates a fair and stable investment environment and is ready to listen to opinions to improve administrative procedures and legal regulations in order to provide optimal conditions for foreign investors, including those from the EU, he affirmed, adding that the country will continue seriously and fully implementing the commitments in the EVFTA, including the ones on sustainable development.

The PM recommended the two sides to increase mutual visits and meetings at all levels while maintaining and effectively bringing into play cooperation and dialogue mechanisms to enhance mutual understanding and identify cooperation orientations for the time ahead.

He also asked the EU to strengthen ties with Vietnam in climate change response, sustainable development, green transition, and renewable energy.

On this occasion, the government leader underlined Vietnam’s support for the reinforcement of the ASEAN - EU strategic partnership.

For his part, Lange noted Vietnam is one of the EU’s important partners in the region, and the EP always supports stronger bilateral cooperation in all spheres, especially when the EU is carrying out many policies oriented towards the Indo-Pacific region, including Vietnam.

He highly valued the country’s efforts to seriously implement the commitments in the EVFTA, thus helping to effectively carry out the deal and create momentum for bilateral trade and investment ties in the time ahead.

The official held that Vietnam has an attractive investment climate amid global uncertainties, and agreed to coordinate with the country to promote EU members’ ratification of the EVIPA.

Vietnam’s leaders offer condolences over death of Queen Elizabeth II

Vietnamese leaders on September 9 offered condolences to the Royal Family, Government, parliament, and people of the UK over the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc sent a message of condolences to King Charles III, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh extended condolences to Prime Minister Elizabeth Truss, and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue did the same to Speaker of the House of Lords John McFall and Speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle.

In the messages, the leaders of Vietnam offered deep condolences to the Royal Family, Government, parliament, and people of the UK, expressing their acknowledgement of the Queen’s sentiments towards and precious support for the two countries’ cooperation.

The same day, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son sent condolences to UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs James Cleverly.

Queen Elizabeth II passed away on September 8 at the age of 96.

PM receives Minister - Head of Lao PM’s Office

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted a reception in Hanoi on September 9 for Minister - Head of the Lao Prime Minister’s Office Alounxai Sounnalath.

Briefing the guest about Vietnam’s socio-economic situation, PM Chinh affirmed that Vietnam is ready to stand side by side with Laos to deal with socio-economic issues amid uncertain and complicated developments in the world.

He expressed his delight that two-way trade topped 950 million USD in the first eight months of this year, up 24% from the same period last year. The Vietnamese Government provided 733 billion VND in aid for the Lao counterpart and the sum was disbursed for training and projects.

Hailing the Lao PM's Office and the Vietnamese Government Office for regularly sharing experience, the PM suggested they effectively implement the Memorandum of Understanding on the cooperation plan for the 2022-2023 period; work closely together to step up the implementation of agreements reached during the Lao PM’s visit to Vietnam early this year; and prepare for high-level visits and remaining activities during the 2022 Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam Year of Solidarity and Friendship.

PM Chinh asked the two sides to actively coordinate to address problems so as to accelerate the progress of cooperation projects; create all possible favourable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to invest in Laos and Lao enterprises to do business in Vietnam, especially those in agriculture.

He added that Vietnam is considering the continued purchase of electricity from Laos's projects.

Alounxai, for his part, informed the PM about the results of his earlier talks with the Vietnamese Government Office.

The minister affirmed that Laos always treasures and wants to preserve, nurture and develop its great friendship and special solidarity with Vietnam.

He pledged to actively implement directions and agreements by the two countries’ senior leaders, thus contributing to fostering the special solidarity and friendship nurtured by generations of Party and State leaders and people of both nations.

Ambassador spotlights Vietnam-Australia ties in five decades

Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Nguyen Tat Thanh has written an article highlighting outstanding achievements in Vietnam – Australia ties over the past five decades on the threshold of the official Australia visit by Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son.

Son will visit Australia from September 10-13 to co-chair the fourth Vietnam-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

In his article, Thanh wrote that the two countries have shared common interests, offered mutual support and trust on core issues within both bilateral and multilateral framework.

He pointed out that economic and sci-tech cooperation is a bright spot in bilateral ties with two-way trade surpassing 10 billion USD for the first time in 2021. The figure soared by 40% annually to 9.6 billion USD in seven months of this year. According to the latest statistics, Vietnam has become the 10th biggest trade partner of Australia while Australia is the seventh largest trade partner of the Southeast Asian nation.

National defence-security cooperation has also been expanded on the basis of mutual trust while education ties and people-to-people exchange have become ever stronger.

On the significance of FM Son's visit, Thanh said it is the first ministerial visit to Australia since the two countries reopened the door following the pandemic. It is also the first Australia visit by Foreign Minister Son to realise the annual foreign ministers’ meeting mechanism. Notably, it will take place ahead of the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties next year, starting a series of high-level visits between both sides in the future.

Via the visit, Vietnam wants to reaffirm its wish to consolidate and develop strategic partnership with Australia, Thanh said, adding that it will afford both sides a chance to review their ties and outline measures to further deepen mutually beneficial collaboration as well as step up several important contents about multilateral cooperation after ASEAN established comprehensive strategic partnership with Australia in October 2021.

About the prospects of Vietnam – Australia ties, the ambassador said economy, national defence-security, and innovation will be three key pillars. Both sides will continue enhancing links across the priority fields of education-training, natural resources-energy, agro-forestry-fisheries, manufacturing, tourism, sci-tech, digital economy and services.

He suggested establishing bilateral partnership in energy so that Australia could offer financial and technological support to Vietnam to switch to a low-emission economy.

Toward the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year, he said they will further deepen ties via Party’s external relation and State diplomacy channels, as well as in promising fields such as digital economy, sustainable supply chain, locality-to-locality cooperation, corporate support and cultural exchange.

Vietnam aims to reinforce relations with Egypt: FM

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son hosted a reception for Egyptian Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Aly Kamel Aly in Hanoi on September 9, during which he said Vietnam attaches importance to the bilateral traditional friendship and wishes to enhance multifaceted cooperative ties.

Applauding bilateral relations, especially in politics and diplomacy, trade, and education, Son asked the two sides to keep coordinating with each other to bring cooperation on par with its huge potential by increasing mutual visits and meetings between their Parties, States, localities, and enterprises.

He suggested the two sides step up trade and investment ties to soon reach the target of 1 billion USD in bilateral trade each year, along with connections in tourism, culture, and education - training.

The minister said he hoped the two foreign ministries will work to effectively bring into play the mechanism of the Inter-Governmental Committee, and organise practical activities to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Vietnam-Egypt diplomatic relations in 2023 (September 1, 1963 - 2023).

For his part, the Egyptian official said his country also treasures and wishes to deepen the traditional friendship with Vietnam.

He agreed with directions suggested by the Vietnamese minister, adding that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt will work closely with its Vietnamese counterpart to increase the exchange of high-level delegations and meetings and improve effective cooperation in trade, investment, transport, tourism and education and training, among others, thereby contributing to friendship and multifaceted ties.

Former health officials prosecuted over Tamiflu scandal

Former Deputy Minister of Health Cao Minh Quang and accomplices have been prosecuted for alleged wrongdoings in the purchase of materials for producing Tamiflu and the drug containing the Oseltamivir phosphate element to tackle the A/H5N1 flu virus in 2006.

Cao Minh Quang, Duong Huy Lieu (former Director of the ministry’s Planning and Finance Department), and Nguyen Viet Hung (former Deputy Director of the ministry’s Drug Administration), were prosecuted for “lacking a sense of responsibility, causing serious consequences”.

Luong Van Hoa (former General Director of the Cuu Long Pharmaceutical Company), Nguyen Thanh Tong (former Deputy General Director of the Cuu Long Company), and Nguyen Van Thanh Hai and Ngo Huu Hieu Nghia (former officials at the firm) faced charges of “abusing position and power while performing duties”.

According to the indictment issued by the Supreme People’s Procuracy on September 9, in the face of the complex A/H5N1 outbreak in 2005, the Prime Minister approved a plan to stockpile Tamiflu and produce Oseltamivir for disease prevention and control.

The Ministry of Health (MoH) assigned its Planning and Finance Department to work with the Ministry of Finance to set prices for the Oseltamivir drug made in Vietnam. The Cuu Long Pharmaceutical Company, set up in 2004 with the State holding a 51.07% stake, but then becoming a completely private business in 2019, was among the firms receiving the MoH’s orders for drug production.

From February to April 2006, the company imported 520kg of Oseltamivir materials at a total cost of 9.1 million USD from Singapore’s Mambo. It paid Mambo 5.25 million USD while the remaining 3.848 million USD was allowed to be paid later, within six months since the date of goods reception.

After that, as material prices decreased, then General Director Luong Van Hoa told his inferiors to ask Mambo to discount the remaining sum Cuu Long had to pay. He did not report or gave false reports on the material price discount during meetings with the MoH. When the move was uncovered, he was demanded to report on the issue but still ordered his inferiors to regularise payment documents.

According to the indictment, the money Cuu Long retained and did not pay to Mambo came from the State budget. The Cuu Long suspects abused their positions and power to commit wrongdoings and intentionally did not report to the health and finance ministries, leading to a loss of 3.848 million USD to the State budget.

The procuracy also held that the then health officials lacked a sense of responsibility in performing duties, so they did not find out that the Cuu Long company got the discount and retained 3.848 million USD.

Among them, former Deputy Minister Cao Minh Quang, who was then head of a steering board for settling issues related to Tamiflu and Oseltamivir, signed a decision to establish an inter-sectoral inspection team to examine drug purchases, preservation and use.

However, when team leader Nguyen Viet Hung reported that Cuu Long had not paid the money to Mambo, and the health and finance ministries demanded an investigation, Quang did not respond, the indictment said.

Man in Hanoi arrested for alleged anti-State propaganda

Hanoi police have launched criminal proceedings against and temporarily detained a man residing in Mo Lao ward of Ha Dong district for anti-State propaganda.

Phan Son Tung, born in 1984, faces the charge of “making, storing, distributing or spreading information, documents, products against the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam” as regulated in Article 117 of the 2015 Penal Code, the Hanoi Department of Public Security said on September 9.

The decisions were approved by the municipal People’s Procurary.

US to increase support for Quang Tri’s mine clearance

Ambassador Bonnie Denise Jenkins, US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs, paid a working trip to the central province of Quang Tri on September 9 to learn about its post-war recovery.

Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Hoang Nam presented results of the cooperation between Quang Tri and international and foreign non-profit organisations in addressing the consequences of bombs and mines left from war.

He said according to a report by the Vietnamese Defence Ministry in 2017, Quang Tri was the province most affected by bombs and mines, which scattered 81.36% of the province. From 1996 till July 2022, the province raised over 146,6 million USD from international and foreign non-profit organisations for post-war mine clearance, and so far 275.85 million sq.m have been cleared.

Since 1996, the US Government has assisted Quang Tri in clearing bombs and mines, building schools for the disabled and medical stations, and improving the emergency response capacity at a total cost of around 91.1 million USD.

Nam asked the US Department of State to continue funding clearance projects in Quang Tri via foreign non-profit organisations, helping the province improve the capacity of coordinating bomb and mine clearance, and launch projects in support of Agent Orange victims.

Jenkins said she wished to work more closely with the locality to address bomb and mine consequences, while praising women’s role in the effort.

President of Cambodian NA to pay official visit to Vietnam

President of the Cambodian National Assembly Samdech Heng Samrin, his wife and a high-ranking delegation of the Cambodian NA will pay an official visit to Vietnam from September 12-14.
 
The visit will be made at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Vuong Dinh Hue, according to an announcement of the Vietnamese NA’s Committee for External Relations.

Vietnam, Indonesia look to beef up religious cooperation

A delegation of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs led by its Vice Chairman Nguyen Tien Trong had a working session on September 8 with the delegation of the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs led by Head of Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) Muhammad Aqil Irham.

Speaking at the Jakarta session, the Vietnamese official said as a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country, the State of Vietnam always respects right to freedom of religion and belief, and consistently pursues the policy of respecting and guaranteeing the right to freedom of citizens to follow or not to follow any religion.

Regarding the Muslim community, Trong said that Vietnam has the Islam and Bani religions, with most of the believers being Cham people living in 13 localities across the country.

There have been six Islamic organisations recognised by the State of Vietnam at the provincial and city levels, he added

The Vietnamese official said he hopes the Government Committee for Religious Affairs and the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs will continue sharing information on the religious situation, policies and laws on religion of each country; and cooperate in guiding and creating conditions for religions, especially Islam, to integrate and promote their role in creating an increasingly stable and better society, and for ASEAN community’s peace and prosperity.

Regarding the Halal issue, the Government Committee for Religious Affairs proposed the Indonesian side to strengthen cooperation with and support Vietnam in developing Halal standards; recognise Halal certificates to create favourable conditions for Vietnam's Halal products to enter the Indonesian market.

For his part, Muhammad Aqil Irham affirmed that Indonesia and Vietnam have similarities in terms of religious harmony and the policy of respecting religious freedom.

The Indonesian side also agreed to strengthen the Muslim relationship between the two countries through the exchange of teachings and rituals, and training activities.

Indonesia is willing to cooperate with Vietnam in the Halal field, contributing to promoting the bilateral economic and trade cooperation, Irham stressed.

National external information service award presented to French historian

Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang on September 8 presented the consolation prize of the 7th National External Information Service Awards 2021 to historian Alain Ruscio, an expert on Vietnam's modern history.

His award-winning article was on Vietnam’s efforts to pave the way for decolonization in 1945, published in the electronic version of L'Humanité (Humanity) on September 4, 2020.

Before becoming a historian, Alain Ruscio was the first correspondent of L'Humanité newspaper in Hanoi in 1980s, during which he had chances to meet General Vo Nguyen Giap who was the first Commander-in-Chief of the Vietnam People’s Army and led the army from victory to victory during Vietnam’s resistance wars, and other famous leaders of Vietnam. After these meetings, he wrote many articles about Vietnam.

The organising board of the 7th National External Information Service Awards received over 1,000 entries in 14 languages which were published as articles in print and online newspapers, websites licensed by competent agencies, radio and TV broadcast, press and landscape photos, and books.

Notably, foreign authors and press agencies, overseas Vietnamese and Vietnamese embassies abroad also sent works to the awards.

The event honoured 102 best entries, including one special, 10 first, 19 second, 29 third and 43 consolation prizes.

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