October 18-24: Second session of 15th National Assembly opens

Nhan Dan Online reviews the notable events that made headlines over the past week.

Senior leaders attend the opening ceremony of the 15th National Assembly's second session. (Photo: NDO)
Senior leaders attend the opening ceremony of the 15th National Assembly's second session. (Photo: NDO)

Second session of 15th National Assembly opens

The second session of the 15th National Assembly opens in Hanoi on October 20, both in-person and online. Legislators is meeting virtually from October 20 to 30, and then join in-person discussions from November 8 to 13.

The deputies are expected to consider and adopt two bills and five draft resolutions.

Five other bills will also be tabled for discussions.

The deputies will scrutinise reports on the implementation of the socio-economic development plan and state budget estimate in 2021, and COVID-19 prevention and control, along with decisions on socio-economic development plan, state budget estimate and central budget allocation plan for 2022, among others.

The NA Office has also drawn up plans for a scenario where the pandemic continues to develop complicatedly nationwide.

National Press Awards: Nhan Dan wins special prize for documentary series

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Permanent member of the Secretariat Vo Van Thuong present the special prize to Nhan Dan journalists. (Photo: Hai Nguyen)

Nhan Dan (People) Newspaper has won the special prize of the 2020 National Press Awards for a documentary series entitled “Vietnam in the Ho Chi Minh Era - A Television History”.

The television series comprises 90 half-hour episodes, documenting Vietnamese history from the birth of the Communist Party of Vietnam to the present day and was aired during prime time from 2020-2021 on television channels across the country.

Nhan Dan also won an A prize for a five-article series on the challenges and opportunities of COVID-19, a B prize for another five-article series on the journey to determine the identities of fallen soldiers, and a C prize for an article refuting the labelling of Vietnam as a currency manipulator.

Vietnamese leaders pay tribute to Most Venerable Thich Pho Tue

The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Central Committee on October 22 held a funeral for Most Venerable Thich Pho Tue, Supreme Patriarch of the Patronage Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS), who passed way a day prior at the age of 105, at Vien Minh (Rang) Pagoda in Hanoi’s Phu Xuyen district.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue sent wreaths to pay tribute to the late Most Venerable.

On behalf of Party and State leaders, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on October 22 paid homage to Most Venerable Thich Pho Tue.

The Most Venerable, who led an 85-year religious life, was also a member of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee and head of the Vien Minh Pagoda.

Vietnamese ports among top 50 effective container seaports

The Cai Lan International Container Terminal in the northern province of Quang Ninh ranked at 46th in the Container Port Performance Index. (Photo: VNA)

Three Vietnamese seaports have been named among the top 50 of the Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) launched by the World Bank and IHS Markit.

Cai Lan International Container Terminal in the northern province of Quang Ninh ranked at 46th while Hai Phong Port and Cai Mep International Terminal in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau ranked at 47th and 49th, respectively.

The CPPI is based on the total port hours per ship call, with this being defined as the elapsed time between when a ship reaches a port to its departure from the berth after completing its cargo exchange.

Vietnamese photographer honoured at International Photography Awards 2021

Vietnamese photographer Viet Van from the Lao Dong (Labour) newspaper was among the Honourable Mentions given out by the International Photography Awards (IPA) 2021.

His photo themed “Red Ball” was duly honoured in the special section of the professional category.

The awards’ category is specifically for professional photographers who snap stunning images which make use of technical effects.

Boxer Nguyen Thi Thu Nhi wins first-ever WBO world belt for Vietnam

Boxer Nguyen Thi Thu Nhi wins first-ever WBO world belt for Vietnam (Photo: WBO)

Nguyen Thi Thu Nhi won the first-ever World Boxing Organisation belt for Vietnam after defeating her Japanese opponent Etsuko Tada in a fight on October 23.

Nhi took the title after 10 rounds, each lasting 2 minutes, in the women's mini-flyweight title fight, held at Wadong Ansan Stadium in Ansan city, the Republic of Korea.

In her most recent match in early 2020, she defeated Kanyarat Yoohanngoh of Thailand in 10 rounds to take the WBO Asia Pacific Minimum-weight crown.

UNDP debuts climate change news portal for Vietnamese youth

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Vietnam launched a news portal on climate change for young people at a discussion held virtually on October 22.

Organised in collaboration with the Italian and British embassies in Vietnam, the event took place on the threshold of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) and gathered more than 2,400 Vietnamese youths from different regions.

The portal provides a learning space for young people to access reliable, accurate and contextual information in Vietnam on climate science, agriculture and forestry, energy, waste, circular economy and climate policy. It reshapes and updates climate science and policy into youth-friendly learning themes.

Phu Quoc to pilot welcoming international tourists from November 20

The Hon Thom cable car system in Phu Quoc island city. (Photo: sggp.org.vn)

Phu Quoc island city will be the first locality in the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang to pilot welcoming international tourists from November 20 under the vaccine passport programme.

Under the plan, visitors from regions with high levels of safety in COVID-19 prevention and control such as Europe, the Middle East, Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, North America and Australia will be permitted.

Visitors must meet the requirement of full vaccination at least 14 days after receiving the second dose and not more than 12 months to the date of entry. Those who have certificates of recovery from COVID-19 within six months and negative COVID-19 test results within 72 hours of departure will also be allowed.