1. International forum on women, peace and development opens in Hanoi
The International Forum on Women, Peace and Development officially opened at the Centre for Women and Development in Hanoi on October 6.
The two day forum, organised by the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU) created a venue for women to work together and share information, thereby enhancing understanding, solidarity, friendship and co-operation for the goal of equality, development and peace.
The event took place on the occasion of the 85th anniversary of the VWU’s foundation, the 70th anniversary of the UN, the 70th anniversary of the Women’s International Democratic Federation, and the review of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration (Beijing+20) and the Millennium Development Goals.
2. Party Central Committee closes 12th meeting
The 11th tenure Party Central Committee’s 12th meeting ended in Hanoi on October 11 after seven days of discussions.
During the week-long event, discussions were focused on socio-economic performance in 2015, socio-economic development plans for 2016, personnel preparations for the 12th Party Central Committee, and elections of the 14th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for 2016-2021.
The Party Central Committee discussed and voted on the first round of proposed personnel for its 12th tenure.
The meeting wrapped up an overall success, laying important foundations for the leadership and the organisation for Party congresses at all levels and the upcoming 12th National Party Congress.
3. 200 Vietnamese brands honoured with Gold Star Award
The Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee and the Vietnam Youth Federation Central Committee in co-ordination with the Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association (VYEA) presented the 2015 Gold Star Award to 200 outstanding Vietnamese brands at a ceremony in Hanoi on October 4.
The 200 brands awarded this year created VND839 trillion in revenue, contributing VND91 trillion to the State budget and employing 252,000 workers.
They were honoured for their quality and efficiency of operations as well as their high sense of social responsibility.
4. TPP talk concludes
The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) has concluded after five years of intense negotiations, marking a historic milestone for its member countries, including Vietnam, which is now presented with both new opportunities and challenges.
Trade ministers of the 12 TPP members, who met for five days (instead of three days as planned) in Atlanta, the US on October 5 reached an agreement on contentious issues - including market liberalisation, intellectual property, labour regulations and state-owned enterprises - officially concluding negotiations for the ambitious and comprehensive trade pact.
5. Vietnam International Motor Show 2015 opens in Hanoi
The 2015 Vietnam International Motor Show (VIMS), the largest-ever event of its kind, kicked off in Hanoi on October 9, displaying a variety of the latest models.
The five-day event has attracted nine renowned auto brands including Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover, Luxgen, Mini, Porsche, Renault and Baic. Two famous motor companies - Ducati and Motorrad - are making their appearance at the show, expected to draw two-wheeled vehicle fans. A number of accessory producers are also taking part in the VIMS 2015.
The event offers a chance for auto lovers to access the newest models and get the latest information on the auto industry.
6. International puppetry festival opens in Hanoi
The fourth International Puppetry Festival, with the participation of both Vietnamese and international artists, officially kicked off at the Hanoi Opera House on October 10.
This year’s festival features three puppetry troupes from host Vietnam including the Central Puppetry Theatre, Thang Long Water Puppetry Theatre and Hai Phong Water Puppetry Theatre. The event also attracted groups from Russia, the UK, Germany, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Belgium and the Philippines.
The annual event offers an opportunity for puppetry troupes to present their most outstanding plays as well as for domestic puppeteers to discuss their experience with their foreign colleagues and learn about new skills, techniques and creative trends in this art form. The fourth International Puppetry Festival will last until October 16.
7. Monsoon Music Festival hits Hanoi
The highly anticipated Monsoon Music Festival 2015 kicked off at Thang Long Royal Citadel in Hanoi on October 8, with thousands of young people taking part.
The festival features the participation of about 100 local and foreign leading solo artists and bands, including the queen of Soul/R&B from the UK, Joss Stone, along with Bond, Matt Robertson, and Zara McFarlane.
During the four-day event, audiences will have the chance to enjoy shows from each participating artist and band as well as spectacular light performances. The festival will run until October 11.
8. Anh Vien leaves Military World Games with three medals
Vietnamese swimming star Nguyen Thi Anh Vien left the Military World Games with a gold, a silver and a bronze medal after securing the bronze in the women’s 200m backstroke event in the Republic of Korea on October 10.
Despite standing third in the women's 800m freestyle event on October 7, Anh Vien received the silver medal because China’s swimmer Dong Fuwei, who took second position, was found to have broken regulations. On October 9, the super swimmer Anh Vien also took the top spot in the women’s 200m individual medley finals with a time of 2:13.87.
With these achievements, the Vietnamese military team ranked 31st in in the provisional standings of this year’s Military World Games.
9. Science film festival opens
The fifth Science Film Festival opened in eight cities and provinces across the country on October 11, and is expected to encourage scientific awareness of young people.
This year’s festival, with the theme ‘The World of Light’, is taking place in eight different places - Hanoi, Vinh Phuc, Thai Nguyen, Thai Binh, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Dak Lak and Ho Chi Minh City.
Thirteen films have been selected from 140 films from 42 countries around the world by the Goethe Institute and its partners to be screened during this year’s festival. All films have been dubbed into Vietnamese.
10. VietJet Air opens Ho Chi Minh City-Yangon route
VietJet Air, Vietnam's low cost airline opened a Ho Chi Minh City-Yangon (Myanmar) route on October 9, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Myanmar.
The Ho Chi Minh City-Yangon route will operate five round-trip flights a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The flights will depart from Ho Chi Minh City at 10.25 am and land in Yangon at 12.10 am (local time). The return flights will take off at 1pm (local time) and arrive two hours and 13 minutes later.
