1. Vietnam, Laos summarise border upgrade project
A State meeting was held in Hanoi on March 16 to summarise a project on increasing and upgrading border markers along the shared boundary between Vietnam and Laos.
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, his Lao counterpart Thongsing Thammavong hailed the significance of the event in improving effectiveness in managing and protecting the boundary, strengthening national defence and security, and facilitating trade and investment links, and economic, cultural and tourism exchanges between the two countries.
Under the witness of the two PMs, Deputy PM and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh and his Lao counterpart Thoonglun Sisulith signed a protocol on the border line and national border markers and an agreement on regulations to manage land border and border gates between the two governments.
2. French Chamber of Deputies ratifies Vietnam-EU agreement
The French Chamber of Deputies on March 17 officially ratified the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between Vietnam and the European Union.
The PCA is a framework agreement that looks to adjust the relationship between Vietnam and the EU and replaces the 1995 Vietnam-European Commission Framework Co-operation Agreement, allowing Vietnam to access the EU market more easily on the basis of the equal, long-term, and stable partnership and comprehensive co-operation.
3. French NA President begins Vietnam visit
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At the talks (Credit: VN+)
President of the National Assembly (NA) of France Claude Bartolone started his official visit to Vietnam on March 18.
During their talks in Hanoi the same day, National Assembly (NA) Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung and the French guest pledged their utmost efforts to bring the two countries’ legislative ties to a new height by facilitating high-level visits.
4. Hoa Sen Group builds VND3 trillion plant in Ha Nam
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At the groundbreaking ceremony for the plant in Ha Nam
Hoa Sen Group on March 17 began construction of the Hoa Sen Ha Nam plant at the Kien Khe I Industrial Zone, in Thanh Liem district, Ha Nam province with a total investment of VND3 trillion (US$135 million).
The plant, which will be completed in September 2018, will produce main products including steel pipes, hot dip galvanised steel pipes, uPVC pipes and HDPE pipes.
5. Rice exports see sharp increase in February
Vietnam shipped over 440,000 tonnes of rice abroad worth US$178 million (FOB) or US$190 million (CIF) in February, surpassing the set target of 400,000 tonnes and rising by 5.44% month on month and by 117% year on year.
In the first two months of the year, the country exported over 856,000 tonnes of rice worth US$348 million (FOB) or US$372 million (CIF), making the average export price US$406 per ton (FOB). The earnings were higher than the same period last year at 102%.
6. Hanoi switches off lights in response to Earth Hour
Hanoi switches off lights in response to the 2016 Earth Hour campaign.
Thousands of people attended a switch-off ceremony held at the August Revolution Square in Hanoi between 8:30pm and 9:30pm on March 19 in response to the 2016 Earth Hour campaign.
During the one-hour event, thousands of candles were lit up while street lights and electrical billboards were also switched off in many public locations. The campaign was also observed in many other cities and provinces across the country, including Ho Chi Minh City and the provinces of Thai Binh, Tien Giang, Thua Thien – Hue and Ha Giang.
7. Miss Vietnam pageant 2016 launched in HCM City
Miss Vietnam Pageant 2014 winner Nguyen Cao Ky Duyen (centre) and two runners-up at the launch of the 2016 season. (Credit: VNA)
The Miss Vietnam Pageant 2016 was officially launched in Ho Chi Minh City on March 15, aiming to honour the beauty of Vietnamese women and promote the image of the country and people.
The Miss Vietnam 2016 winner will be crowned and presented with VND500 million, while first and second runners-up will receive VND300 million and VND200 million, respectively. Sub-prize winners will be awarded VND50 million each.
8. National press festival wraps up in Hanoi
The organising board present awards to participating agencies at the exhibition. (Credit: CPV)
The national press festival 2016 wrapped up in Hanoi on March 15 after three days of lively activities. The organising board gave several awards to participating agencies based on their exhibition space, covers of selected New Year’s special editions, articles and TV/radio programmes.
More than 400 news agencies took part in the festival, which opened in Hanoi on March 13, showcasing 700 New Year’s special editions and nearly 100 radio and television programmes on the Party’s 12th congress and 30-year national reform process.
9. Vietnamese wrestler wins ticket to Rio Olympics
Wrestler Nguyen Thi Lua has become the seventh Vietnamese athlete to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics after making it to the women’s 53kg freestyle final at the Asian qualifying round in Kazakhstan.
Under the rules of the qualifying round, the two athletes making it into the final in each event will qualify for the Rio Olympics scheduled to take place in August this year.
10. Chinese chess player wins HDBank Cup
Thao Nguyen and Wang Hao
Wang Hao of China claimed the overall title of the sixth HDBank Cup International Open Chess Championship 2016 scoring eight points after nine matches.
Meanwhile, Vietnam’s Pham Le Thao Nguyen was named the best female performer with five points overall.
