July 24-30: Grand ceremony marks Wounded and Fallen Soldiers’ Day

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

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong speaking at the ceremony (Credit: VGP)
Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong speaking at the ceremony (Credit: VGP)

1. Grand ceremony marks Wounded and Fallen Soldiers’ Day

A grand ceremony was held in Hanoi on July 27 to mark the 70th anniversary of Wounded and Fallen Soldiers’ Day (July 27, 1947 – 2017).

The event was attended by numerous high-level incumbent and former Party and State leaders as well as representatives of revolutionary veterans, heroic mothers, heroes of the People's Armed Forces, Labour heroes, sick and wounded soldiers, relatives of martyrs, and revolutionary contributors around the country.

2. Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue visits New Zealand

Deputy PM Vuong Dinh Hue (right) meets with New Zealand's Speaker of the House of Representatives David Carter. (Credit: VGP)

Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue paid an official visit to New Zealand from July 26-28 at the invitation of his counterpart Paula Bennett.

During his stay, the Deputy PM worked with his counterpart, New Zealand Finance Minister Steven Joyce, and New Zealand's Speaker of the House of Representatives David Carter.

During their talks and meetings, Deputy PM Hue congratulated New Zealand on its recent achievements along with the country’s outstanding growth and sustainability over many consecutive years while becoming one of the world's most liberal competitive economies.

3. Embassy in Malaysia works to protect Doan Thi Huong’s rights

Representatives from the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia and the Malaysian lawyers protected the legitimate rights and interests of Doan Thi Huong, a Vietnamese suspect in the murder of Kim Chol citizen of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, at the trial at the High Court in Shah Alam City, on July 28.

Following the conclusion of the trial, the embassy’s representatives and lawyers spoke with Huong with regards to following litigation procedures.

4. FDI over past 7 months rises by 5.8%

Disbursed foreign direct investment in 2017 was estimated at US$9.05 billion as of July 20, a yaer-on-year increase of 5.8%.

In the first seven months of the year, total newly registered and supplemented capital, as well as capital contribution and share purchases was more than US$21.93 billion, up 52% from the same period last year.

5. Vietnam’s trade deficit estimated at US$3.1 billion in seven months

Vietnam’s merchandise trade deficit widened to an estimated US$3.1 billion in the first seven months of 2017, equivalent to 2.7% of exports.

During the period, exports rose by 18.7% to US$115.2 billion while imports came in at US$118.3 billion, up 24%.

6. Vietnamese student wins first prize at international piano contest in Thailand

Pham Le Phuong wins first prize at international piano contest in Thailand (Photo: qdnd.vn)

Pham Le Phuong, a student from the Vietnam National Academy of Music, has won the first prize in her age group, for 11-13 year-old contestants, at the seventh Mozart International Piano Competition held in Thailand on July 22-25.

She won the admiration of the judges and walked away with the highest prize thanks to her superb performance of ‘Mozart concerto No 23 in A major’ in the final round.

7. Vietnam finishes third in Asian futsal championship

Thai Son Nam Club of Vietnam claimed the third place in the Asian Football Confederation Futsal Club Championship after defeating Qatar’s Al Rayyan 6-1 in Ho Chi Minh City on July 30.
Bluewave Chonburi club of Thailand secured the champion title for the second time after narrowly defeating Giti Pasand of Iran 3-2.

8. U22 Vietnam beat Korean All-Star team at friendly football match

Vietnamese player Nguyen Cong Phuong surrounded by Korean players

The national under-22’s Vietnamese football team secured a 1-0 victory over an All-Star team from the Republic of Korea in a friendly match on July 27.

The first and only goal of the match did not come until the 70th minute when Vietnamese striker Nguyen Van Toan was able to put one past the Korean goalkeeper.

9. Fourth Vietnam-Japan cultural exchange festival kicks off in Da Nang

The fourth Vietnam – Japan cultural exchange festival opened in the central coastal city of Da Nang on July 28, bringing together over 100 artists from 60 art troupes from the two countries.