March 7-13: NA Standing Committee convenes ninth session

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

An overview of the opening session.
An overview of the opening session.

NA Standing Committee convenes ninth session

The 9th session of the 15th National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee opened on March 10, under the chair of NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue. The session consists of two phases, with the first from March 10 to 16 and the second from March 22 to 25.

Highlighting the law-making issues to be handled, NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue said the committee will opine on five draft laws and a draft resolution, to be submitted to the coming third sitting of the parliament. It will also vote on one draft ordinance and one draft resolution, while considering the Government’s proposal to add a bill amending and supplementing some articles of the Law on People’s Public Security, to the 2022 law and ordinance making programme, he added.

13th National Women’s Congress successfully held

March 7-13: NA Standing Committee convenes ninth session ảnh 1

The Congress elects 155 members to the 13th VWU Central Committee. (Photo: VNA)

The 13th National Women’s Congress for the 2022 - 2027 tenure, successfully concluded at the National Convention Centre in Hanoi on March 11 after three working days. The Congress heard a report on the results of the first meeting, of the 13th Vietnam Women's Union Central Committee. The Conference elected 31 members of the Presidium; the President and four Vice Presidents.

In her closing speech, President of the VWU Ha Thi Nga underscored that the congress adopted important documents and in the next term, the VWU’s Central Committee will continue to closely follow and concretise the Party's guidelines and policies, including the task of socio-economic development and national defence; promote creativity, self-reliance, and solidarity of women; and to take care of and protect their rights and legitimate interests, thus further upholding the fine tradition of Vietnamese women.

WB: Vietnam's economy continues to show resilience

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A shrimp processing factory (Photo: VNA)

The World Bank (WB) on March 11 released its brief updating Vietnam’s economic development in March, stating that the economy continues to show resilience and is recovering although downside risks have heightened.

Available data suggest continued recovery of domestic economic activities, with industrial production growing by 8.5 percent year on year and a broad-based improvement in manufacturing despite the surge of new COVID-19 cases to over 100,000 infections per day by the end of February. After falling in January, production of computers, electronics, and optical products bounced back, posting a year-on-year growth of 9.1 percent. Apparel manufacturing maintained strong performance with a 24.7 percent growth against the same period last year, according to the report.

UN Women representative hails Vietnam’s efforts to promote gender equality

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Elisa Fernandez Saenz, UN Women Representative in Vietnam (Photo: UN Women in Vietnam)

The Vietnamese Government has made significant progress in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG5 on Gender Equality, said Elisa Fernandez Saenz, UN Women Representative in Vietnam.

“We need to emphasise that Vietnam is now 4.7 percent higher than the global average of 25.5 percent of female parliamentarians, moving Vietnam from the 65th to the 54th in the global ranking,” she highlighted, describing this as a remarkable achievement of the country in promoting gender equality and in the empowerment of women through the increase of women’s participation in parliament. Regarding economic development, women have made a significant contribution to the economy since they constitute 47.7 percent of the labour force and make up 26.5 percent of the business owners and CEOs, much higher than the regional levels, the official noted.

Volunteers at Ukraine border: “Because we are compatriots”

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The sacred national flag becomes a “converging point” for all Vietnamese people away from home. (Photo: VSAH)

During the evacuation journeys from Kharkiv, Odessa and Kyiv, the Vietnamese volunteers have been likened to “living milestones” of peace and hope for Vietnamese people affected by the instability in Ukraine.

During the evacuation days, the thousands of Vietnamese people from Ukraine have always felt warmth upon seeing the volunteers at the border. From Romania, Poland and Hungary to Slovakia, they have become “milestones” of peace and hope for the evacuees.

In Hungary, student volunteers are carrying a large national flag and boards with the words “Vietnam” for overseas Vietnamese from Ukraine to easily see. In this way, the sacred national flag has become the “gathering point” for all the Vietnamese living abroad.

Vietnamese action thriller receives enthusiastic applause from international directors

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Poster of the film

Phat Dan Cua Ke Dien’ (578 Magnum), an action thriller by Vietnamese director Luong Dinh Dung, has received enthusiastic applause from international directors. ‘578 Magnum’, which is expected to hit the big screen in Vietnam this May, tells the story of Hung, a container truck driver, and his lone and intense journey chasing after the unknown abuser of his daughter. The cast is led by Alexandre Nguyen, along with Hoang Phuc Nguyen, Nguyen Lâm Thao Tam, Jessica Minh Anh and former Miss Universe Vietnam H’Hen Nie.

According to the film crew, Canada’s website Screen Anarchy recently published the film’s trailers, images and articles introducing ‘578 Magnum’ to its viewers. Meanwhile, British film director Mike Newell, the director of ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’ said he was surprised after watching ‘578 Magnum’ as he didn’t expect such an excellent martial arts and action movie. He also spoke highly of performances by the film’s actors and actresses. Pilar Allesandra, a famous screenwriter, gave the film much praise. The film is very attractive and it will bring the audience lots of great surprises, she commented. For his part, Korean music composer Lee Dong June, shared that Luong Dinh Dung has proven his talent in setting beautiful frames and scenes, including eye-catching images through his films. Any film made by Luong Dinh Dung is wonderful, he extolled.

Flower festivals bloom across localities in March

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White pearl flowers in full blossom in Si Ma Cai district, Lao Cai province (Photo: baodantoc.vn)

Springtime in March is a time for many localities to host flowers festivals, which have contributed to promoting natural local landscapes and tourism potential. In Na Hang district, Tuyen Quang province, the People’s Committee of Hong Thai commune kicked off the Pearl Blossom Festival on March 8. The festival features tours to pearl growing gardens, the re-enactment of the traditional fire dance of the local Red Dao ethnic people, a brocade embroidering contest, and performances of ‘Pao dung’ folk singing.

Earlier, a similar White Pearl Flower Festival kicked off in Quang Ho Thau commune, Si Ma Cai district, Lao Cai province on March 5. During the first-ever festival, which runs until March 15, visitors can go camping in the middle of the white blooming pear flower-covered hills, while experiencing the culture and cuisine of the northern mountainous locality.

The northern province of Dien Bien is making final preparations to host the Bauhinia Flower Festival from March 11 to 14, following a two-year postponement due to COVID-19 concerns. Meanwhile in Dong Thap province, a tour to explore the brilliant beauty of blooming golden yellow xyris flowers is being held at Tram Chim tourist site from 9 am to 1 pm every day, from March 8 to May 31.