May 1-7: Dinh La Thang dismissed from his Politburo position

A Nhan Dan selection of notable events that made headlines over the past week.

Dinh La Thang was dismissed by the Politburo from his Politburo position for misconduct at PetroVietnam (Photo: VNA)
Dinh La Thang was dismissed by the Politburo from his Politburo position for misconduct at PetroVietnam (Photo: VNA)

Dinh La Thang disciplined for misconduct at PetroVietnam

Dinh La Thang, a Politburo member and Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, has received an official warning and is no longer a member of the Politburo of the Party Central Committee for his past financial violations as head of the National Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam).

The disciplinary measures against Thang were announced on May 7 at the third working day of the ongoing 12th Party Central Committee’s fifth session, which convened in Hanoi on May 5.

During its fifth session, the central committee will debate improving socialist-oriented market economy institutions and rearranging, reforming and improving State-owned enterprises.

The Committee will also review the implementation of the 15-year-old 9th Party Central Committee’s Resolution on the development of the private economic sector and will consider disciplinary measures against Party members.

Speaker of Japanese House of Representatives visits Vietnam

May 1-7: Dinh La Thang dismissed from his Politburo position ảnh 1

Vietnamese NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (right) and Speaker of the Japanese House of Representatives Oshima Tadamori (Photo: VNA)

Speaker of the Japanese House of Representatives Oshima Tadamori paid a three-day official visit to Vietnam from May 4-6 at the invitation of National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.

During his visit, Tadamori held talks with the Vietnamese NA leader, while paying courtesy calls to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Tran Dai Quang and met with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. He also had a meeting with leaders of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Parliamentarian Group.

At the meeting, the two sides agreed to boost bilateral ties in a comprehensive manner. Both sides agreed to further promote cooperation in labour, while the Japanese side agreed to increase the reception of Vietnamese apprentices in other areas such as agriculture, fisheries and construction.

They also shared hope to maintain high-level meetings among leaders of the two legislative bodies and strengthen cooperation and dialogue as well as experience sharing between the two sides.

Vietnam becomes official member of AALCO

Vietnam was warmly welcomed as the latest official member of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organisation (AALCO) at its 56th Annual Session on May 2 in Nairobi, Kenya.

Vietnam officially became the 47th member of the AALCO on February 24, 2017, marking a new development step in the country’s international integration, especially in the legal sector.

AALCO, originally known as the Asian Legal Consultative Committee (ALCC), was constituted on 15 November 1956. It is considered to be a tangible outcome of the historic Bandung Conference held in Indonesia in April 1955. The organisation now groups 47 member nations in both Asia and Africa.

Vietnam’s exports hit US$61.34 billion in first four months

Vietnam exported goods worth an estimated US$61.34 billion in the first four months of 2017, up 15.4% year on year while imports surged 24.9% to US$64.07 billion, according to General Department of Customs.

In April alone, exports fell 3.2% from the previous month to 16.7 billion and imports dropped 4.6% to US$17.5 billion.

Main exports in the last four months remained as phones, garments and electronic devices. On the import side, Vietnam’s major purchases were equipment and electronic devices.

The trade deficit in the first four months was nearly US$2.74 billion, equivalent to 2.2% the total export value.

Nghe An fisherman score huge catch with modern boats

May 1-7: Dinh La Thang dismissed from his Politburo position ảnh 2

The joy of a Nghe An fisherman after his most recent fishing venture generated VND1 billion. (Photo: VNE)

The NA 99588 TS fishing vessel of Quynh Luu District’s fishermen in the central Nghe An Province arrived back on shore on May 6 after their most recent trip out to sea, catching an abundance of precious beltfish, Indian mackerel and fresh squid valued at over VND1 billion.

The offshore fishing boat, captained by fisherman Ho Van Huy in Tien My Hamlet, Tien Thuy Commune, left harbour on April 28 and collected more than 40 tonnes of fish and squid eligible for export. After deducting costs, each fisherman on board was sent home with an income of VND20-30 million.

The newly-built fishing vessel was built with a total investment of VND11.2 billion, provided under Decree 67 of the Government on supporting fishermen to build new high-capacity, steel boats for offshore fishing.

Photographer Nick Ut presents his iconic 'Napalm Girl' photo to Women’s Museum

Associated Press (AP) photographer Nick Ut presented his iconic photo 'Napalm Girl' to the Vietnamese Women’s Museum on May 6.

The photo was among a series of five images presented by Nick Ut to the museum. They were taken on June 8, 1972 in Trang Bang District, Tay Ninh Province featuring Vietnamese children, including nine-year-old Kim Phuc, in the centre running down the street after their village was set ablaze with napalm.

Nick also presented the museum with a camera he used while working as a war correspondent in Vietnam at the time.

Vietnam’s “The Way Station” earns ASEAN film fest awards

The film crew of “The Way Station" at the awards ceremony (Photo credit: Director Hong Anh)

“The Way Station”, directed by Hong Anh, is in the limelight after winning “best film” at the ASEAN International Film Festival & Awards (AIFFA Award) 2017 in Malaysia on May 6.

The film also won “Best Actor” for Pham Hong Phuoc and “Best Director of Photography” for Ly Thai Dung. It received nominations in eight key categories, including best director, best actress, best supporting actor, and best screenplay.

The Way Station is adapted from Do Phuoc Tien’s story titled “Dao cua dan ngu cu” (The Island of Aliens) written in 1992. Famed writer Nguyen Quang Lap wrote the movie script in 1996.

Hanoi launches first book street

Hanoi’s first book street made its debut at December 19 Street in Hoan Kiem District on May 1 with the participation of 16 publishing units and a large number of book lovers.

As the first street in Hanoi dedicated to books, the street features 16 booths providing easy access for people with disabilities, children and the elderly. The area has a small square for exchange activities, talks and book launches, as well as public information stations and electronic books, free wifi and water, a coffee-book area, flower and souvenir stalls, and architectural designs suitable with the surrounding area.

Visitors to the book street can park in front of No. 47 and 61, Ly Thuong Kiet Street (for motorbikes) and the street side in front of Melia Hotel (for cars).