1. Hoang Xuan Vinh named first Olympic gold medallist of Vietnam
Vietnam's gold medallist Hoang Xuan Vinh (C) poses on the podium with Brazil's silver medal winner Felipe Almeida Wu (L) and China's bronze medallist Pang Wei (R).
Vietnam’s no. 1 shooter Hoang Xuan Vinh captured the men’s 10m air pistol gold medal at the ongoing 2016 Rio Olympics in the morning of August 7, thus ending the country’s long-standing thirst for a first Olympic gold.
The 41-year-old military officer returned to the world’s largest sporting event determined to redeem himself after narrowly missing out on a bronze medal at the previous Games in London four years ago.
In the finals competition, the Vietnamese history-maker performed brilliantly to claim the overall title scoring 202.5 points in 20 shots, just 0.4 of a point ahead of Sao Paulo-born Felipe Almeida Wu, a 24-year-old who is competing in his first Olympics.
2. Leaders meet voters across the country
Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong meets with Hanoi voters on August 6 to inform them of the outcomes of the 14th NA’s first session. (Credit: VNA)
During the past week, Party and State leaders met with voters in a number of cities and provinces to inform them of outcomes of the first session of the 14th tenure NA.
At the meetings, voters expressed their pleasure over the success of the first session of the 14th NA, and highly valued the personnel work at the session, saying that the election of the new board of leaders creates confidence for voters nationwide. They also expressed their concern over issues related to the fight against corruption and wastefulness; bad debt; food safety; water pollution; and the situation in the East Sea.
3. New international container shipping route opens in Quang Nam
Quang Nam's Chu Lai Port receives the first international container ship on August 5.
An international container shipping route traversing to the central province of Quang Nam was officially put into operation on August 5.
The route, launched by the Chu Lai Truong Hai (Thaco) Automobile Company, connects the province’s Chu Lai-Truong Hai port and the Republic of Korea (RoK). The first ship on this route, weighing 20,000 tonnes, anchored at the port on the opening day, opening up opportunities for domestic and foreign businesses to transport goods directly from the RoK by sea.
4. Vietnam’s industrial production up 7.2%
Vietnam’s index of industrial production (IIP) in the first seven months of this year rose 7.2% year-on-year, the General Statistics Office (GSO) announced.
The growth rate was lower than the 10% registered during the same period last year. The manufacturing sector, which accounts for more than 70% of the total value of the industrial sector, grew 9.9% over the first seven months, electricity production and distribution saw an increase of 11.6%, while the mineral industry decreased 2.7%.
5. Vietnam hosts 7th general assembly of Asian Farmers’ Association
AFA President Shimpei Murakami gives opening remarks focusing on the need for sustainable and inclusive development. (Photo: Asian Farmers AFA)
The 7th General Assembly of the Asian Farmers’ Association (AFA) for Sustainable Rural Development, hosted by the Vietnam Farmers’ Union (VNFU), opened in Hanoi on August 5.
The event acts as an informational forum on farmers’ organisations (FO) engagement in public agri-investment programmes to help eradicate poverty and hunger by 2030. The AFA, founded in 2002, is a regional alliance of 17 national federations and organisations of female and male small-scale farmers and producers from 13 countries in Asia, including Vietnam.
In an effort to ensure the rights and interests of Asian farmers, the association works to promote sustainable agricultural policies and practices, promote agriculture among the young, promote fair and just treatment of female and male small-scale farmers, and promote food sovereignty measures.
6. Vietnam wins two gold medals at International Chemistry Olympiad
Four Vietnamese students competing at the 48th International Chemistry Olympiad
Vietnamese students have bagged two gold and one silver medal at the 48th International Chemistry Olympiad in Georgia’s capital of Tbilisi.
Specifically, 11th grader Dinh Quang Hieu from the High School for Gifted Students, Hanoi University of Science, under the Vietnam National University, and 12th grader Nguyen Khanh Duy from Lam Son High School for Gifted Students in Thanh Hoa province brought home gold medals with 89.764 points (ranked seventh position) and 86.116 points (ranked 16th), respectively. In addition, the silver medal went to Nguyen Thanh Trung from Le Hong Phong High School for Gifted Students in Nam Dinh province with 79.212 points.
7. Second radar station put into operation on Son Tra Peninsula
Second radar station put into operation on Son Tra Peninsula (Photo: Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation)
The Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation (VATM) on July 31 officially inaugurated its second radar station on Son Tra peninsula in Da Nang city.
The construction of the station started in January 2015 with a total investment of over VND 217 billion (US$ 9.73 million). It is one of several key constructions of the VATM contributing to realising its project on ‘Enhancing safety and quality of flight operations services’, which was approved by the Ministry of Transport to meet Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
8. Exhibition boasts cultural diversity of ASEAN nations
Traditional lacquer products of Vietnam on display at the exhibition
An exhibition themed ‘ASEAN – Colours of Culture’ opened in Hanoi on August 3 as an event to celebrate the 49th anniversary of ASEAN (1967-2016).
The event was co-hosted by the Vietnam Women’s Association (VWA) and the ASEAN Community Women’s Circle of Hanoi (AWCH). The exhibition space is divided into different corners, each showcasing the beauty of the natural landscapes, people, traditional costumes and handicraft products of ASEAN member countries.
