June 20-25: Over 866,000 students sit 2017 national high school exam

The following are some outstanding events that made the headlines over the past week selected by Nhan Dan Online.

Students exchange after finishing their Literature test at Tran Phu High School in Da Nang on June 22. (Credit: NDO)
Students exchange after finishing their Literature test at Tran Phu High School in Da Nang on June 22. (Credit: NDO)

Over 866,000 candidates sit 2017 national high school exam

More than 866,000 students nationwide from June 22-24 took part in the 2017 national high school exam - the largest test of the year - to obtain results for high school graduation and university admission.

This year is the first year that the national exam is assigned to be hosted at venues held in 63 cities and provinces across the country. Localities have set up 63 exam councils to actively organise local examinations. There are a total of 2,364 exam venues, with 36,832 exam rooms and approximately 90,000 staff members and teachers facilitating the exams.

This is also the first year, the exam has been developed and organised in a new way, except for the Literature test, in the essay form, the remaining tests - Foreign Languages, Natural Science (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology) and Social Sciences (History, Geography, and Civilian Education) - are in the form of multiple-choice.

Vietnam-Cambodia mark 50 years of diplomatic ties

June 20-25: Over 866,000 students sit 2017 national high school exam ảnh 1

A dance performance at the celebration marking 50 years of Vietnam-Cambodia diplomatic ties on June 24. (Credit: VNA)

The 50th founding anniversary of Vietnam-Cambodia diplomatic relations (June 24, 1967) was celebrated with a grand ceremony at the Hanoi Opera House in the capital city of Vietnam on June 24.

In her speech, Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan underlined that Vietnam and Cambodia are neighbouring countries with long-standing relations. On the basis of the long standing relationship and the fight against colonialism, the establishment of their diplomatic ties created favourable conditions for the two peoples to continue standing side by side in the struggle for national liberation, and together achieved a historic victory in the spring of 1975.

In response to the urgent call of the Kampuchean United Front for National Salvation, the army and people of Vietnam once again continued to be on the side of the patriotic forces and people of Cambodia to liberate the country and save the Cambodian people from the Pol Pot genocidal regime, preventing it’s return and helping to bring peace to Cambodia, she noted.

At the celebration, President of the NA of Cambodia and Chairman of the National Council of the Solidarity Front for Development of the Cambodian Motherland, Samdech Heng Samrin, described the organisation of the ceremony as a great historical event reflecting that the countries’ traditional solidarity, friendship and sound cooperation throughout history have brought about common benefits for the two nations, especially in gaining peace, stability and prosperity.

On behalf of the Cambodian people, he expressed his deep sense of gratitude to the Party, State and people of Vietnam for their precious support and assistance to the Cambodian people in recovering and re-constructing his country. He highlighted the great sacrifice of Vietnam’s volunteer soldiers who helped free the Cambodian people from the Pol Pot genocidal regime on January 7, 1979.

In their speeches, Chairwoman Ngan and President Samdech Heng Samrin noted with satisfaction that despite countless difficulties and challenges over the past five decades, the solidarity, traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia have continually been reinforced and developed, which is a priceless, sacred and sustainable asset of the two nations.

They noted the growing bilateral cooperation between the two parliaments in politics, security-defence, economy-trade-investment, tourism, training, culture, health care, telecommunications, and cultural exchanges, as well as close cooperation at international and regional forums.

The Cambodian NA president started a four-day official friendly visit to Vietnam on June 23, at the invitation of the Vietnamese NA chairwoman. He was welcomed by high-ranking Vietnamese leaders in Hanoi and took part in a range of activities marking the 50th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties.

Vietnamese, Cambodian PMs discuss cooperation measures

June 20-25: Over 866,000 students sit 2017 national high school exam ảnh 2

Vietnamese PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen at a meeting in Binh Duong on June 22. (Credit: VGP)

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc had a working session with his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen in the southern province of Binh Duong on June 22 to discuss measures to further boost the two countries’ relations.

The two leaders exchanged opinions on cooperation in the fields of economics, defence, culture and education, and agreed to facilitate investment and the trading of goods and services between Vietnam and Cambodia.

They also pledged to foster coordination at regional and international forums, while proposing specific measures to prevent terrorism, trans-national crime, and smuggling and deal with issues related to security in order to ensure peace and stability in the region and in each nation.

At the working session, the two sides reached consensus on all issues tabled, thus helping intensify bilateral friendship and cooperation in the time ahead.

Vietnam’s parliament closes third plenary session

June 20-25: Over 866,000 students sit 2017 national high school exam ảnh 3

NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan speaks at the closing of the 14th NA’s third session in Hanoi on June 21. (Credit: NDO)

The third plenary session of the 14th National Assembly closed on June 21 with the adoption of twelve laws and twelve resolutions designed to continue realising the 2013 Constitution and foster socio-economic development.

In her closing remarks, Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan said that the newly adopted legal documents help to refine the laws on human rights, civil rights and duties, and market mechanisms, laying the new legal foundation to boost economic development.

She added that the 30-day sitting saw significant improvements as the National Assembly shifted its proceedings from speech delivery to debates taking place in an open and constructive manner, not only between deputies and government ministers but also between the deputies themselves.

A number of laws were adopted during this session, including the criminal code, the law on State compensation liability and the law on legal aid, while the vote for the bill on planning was postponed for further revisions due to widely differing opinions.

One of the highlights of the National Assembly’s plenary meeting was the Q&A session, which focused on four major topics: agriculture and rural development, culture and tourism, healthcare and investment.

95 works win 11th National Press Awards

June 20-25: Over 866,000 students sit 2017 national high school exam ảnh 4

President Tran Dai Quang (fourth, right), National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (fourth, left) and winners of prize A. (Credit: NDO)

As many as 95 media pieces won the 11th National Press Awards 2016 with the awards ceremony held in Hanoi on June 21 on the occasion of the 92nd anniversary of the Vietnam’s Revolutionary Press Day.

This year’s National Press Awards received more than 1,630 entries, the highest number recorded compared to previous editions. The organising board presented seven ‘A’, 24 ‘B’, 39 ‘C’ and 25 consolation prizes to the best entries in four categories of printed and online media, radio and television.

Entries covered the country’s most important events during 2016, especially the 12th National Party Congress, as well as socio-economic development, security and national defence, new-style area building and poverty reduction.

Vietnam, EU strengthen cooperation in sustainable energy development

June 20-25: Over 866,000 students sit 2017 national high school exam ảnh 5

VEPG make their debut in Hanoi on June 21 under support of the MOIT the Delegation of the European Union to Vietnam. (Credit: NDO)

The Vietnam Energy Partnership Group (VEPG), a joint partnership group aimed at assisting the development of the energy sector in Vietnam, made their debut in Hanoi on June 21.

The chief participants in the VEPG are the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT), who have invited representatives from other ministries and development partners active in the energy sector or other closely related sectors. Representatives from business community, NGOs and research communities are invited to participate in policy and technical dialogues.

The MOIT and development partners will endeavour to align ODA with national policies and systems, and enhance coordination and dialogue for effective ODA in the energy sector. This includes efforts to create favourable conditions for more investment in sustainable energy, to increase access to modern energy services and to improve the efficiency of the energy infrastructure.

According to MOIT Minister, Tran Tuan Anh, the foundation of this framework will create more comprehensive and coherent mechanisms of cooperation, which will enhance the desirability of resources and improve the efficiency of high-level consultations on policies. The framework put in place will also help Vietnam in the implementation of objectives on energy security and socio-economic development, as well as supporting Vietnam in maintaining its national efforts and international commitments concerning sustainable development.

Italian team win Da Nang fireworks contest

A performance by Italian team at the final night of the DIFF on June 24. (Credit: NDO)

A pyrotechnic team from Italy were crowned champions of the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) for their amazing display on the final night of competition on June 24.

The festival took place over two months and concluded with three countries including Italy, Australia and the UK, represented respectively by Martarello S.R.L, Howard & Sons Pyrotechnics and Pyrotex Fireworx, competing under the theme of ‘Wood’.

Each of the five performing nights of the festival were named after one of the Five Elements or Ngu Hanh, the name of a group of five marble and limestone mountains in Da Nang.

According to DIFF organisers, visitors to the city surged by 50% during the festival which kicked off on April 30. In addition to the main fireworks shows there were also a wide range of other food, music, art and sports events held in Da Nang.