NA Standing Committee begins 45th session
The National Assembly Standing Committee began its 45th session in Hanoi on May 8 under the chair of NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan. The NA Chairwoman underlined that the 45th session is the last one before the ninth session of the NA. In addition to issues under the committee’s authority, the committee will give final opinions on the contents to be submitted to the NA at the upcoming session.
The committee will examine the draft law on adjustments and supplements to a number of articles of the Law on Organisation of the NA (for the second time), three draft NA resolutions on recognising and allowing the enforcement of decisions of arbitration agencies under the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), some specific financial mechanisms and policies for Hanoi, and the pilot model for urban administration in Da Nang.
PM calls for greater efforts to achieve growth of over 5% this year
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Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the meeting. (Photo: VGP)
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has called for greater efforts to restart the national economy with the aim of achieving a GDP growth rate of over 5% and keeping inflation under 4% this year. PM Phuc announced the targets at a meeting with businesses on May 9 that was connected to 93 venues in provinces and cities across the country as well as ministries and sectors.
To that end, the PM ordered businesses to focus on attracting investment from domestic economic sectors, firstly the private sector, and foreign direct investment (FDI), stepping up exports, promoting public capital disbursement, and encouraging domestic consumption. Resolve is needed to overcome weaknesses and spur development, in order to reach the set targets, the government leader stressed.
Vietnam’s economy could thrive again after social distancing eased: WB
Workers produce garment products for export (Photo: VNA)
The World Bank (WB) has issued an update on Vietnam’s macro-economy for May, in which it said the economy may prosper again after social distancing measures were eased nationwide on April 23.
The WB noted that after posting GDP growth of 3.8% in the first quarter of this year, Vietnam’s economy then showed signs of recession in April, when the index of industrial production fell 13.3% month-on-month - the sharpest decline ever. Retail sales fell 9.6% year-on-year as consumers encountered many changes and travel restrictions. Meanwhile, passenger and goods transport dropped 27.5% and 7.2%, respectively.
More Vietnamese citizens return home safely
More than 340 Vietnamese citizens returned home safely from the US have been quarantined upon arrival at Van Don Airport in the northern province of Quang Ninh. (Photo: NDO/Quang Tho)
More than 340 Vietnamese citizens have returned home safely from the US and were quarantined upon their arrival, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On May 7 and 8, Vietnamese authorities and representative agencies in the US, Vietnam Airlines and relevant US agencies worked together to bring the citizens back home from San Francisco Airport.
About 240 Vietnamese citizens were also repatriated from France on May 5 and 6 while 276 Vietnamese citizens were flown home from Vancouver, Canada, on May 8 and 9. The passengers included many children under 18 years old, overseas students who don’t have accommodation due to dormitory closures, the elderly, the sick and those living in difficult circumstances. Upon arriving at Van Don Airport in the northern province of Quang Ninh, the passengers and cabin crew members were quarantined in line with regulations.
Exhibition honours President Ho Chi Minh’s life and career
At the exhibition on President Ho Chi Minh
An exhibition, entitled “President Ho Chi Minh – Great leader of Vietnamese Communist Party and people; Ambassador for peace and friendship of the world people”, officially opened at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi on May 6.
The event is part of activities marking the 130th birthday anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh (May 19, 1890-2020). On display are nearly 250 documentaries and photos that recalled Uncle Ho’s journey to seek ways to save his country and form the Communist Party as well as his leadership during the resistance wars against invaders and the construction of socialism.
Vietnam incorporates new technology into coronavirus vaccine research
Medical staff test a potential coronavirus vaccine on mice.
For the first time ever, Vietnamese scientists are following a new method in line with top global standards in their research into the production of a potential coronavirus vaccine.
So far, the research team has entered its 11th day of testing the vaccine on mice with initially positive results. The test mice are healthy and are being monitored and evaluated further in respect of antibodies produced to counter the SARS-CoV-2 virus, according to Dr. Do Tuan Dat, President of the Company for Vaccine and Biological Production No.1 (VABIOTECH - under the Ministry of Health) – the unit responsible for developing the vaccine.
Immediately after the COVID-19 genetic sequence was announced, VABIOTECH cooperated with the UK’s University of Bristol to research a potential viral-vector-based vaccine against SARS-CoV-2.
Airlines allowed to operate at full capacity, ending seat distancing from 00:00 on May 7
The Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV) has notified Vietnamese airlines that seat distancing and restrictions on passenger numbers are to be abolished from 00:00 on May 7. Restrictions on the number of flights between Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang will also be removed.
The CAAV previously proposed that the Ministry of Transport increase the frequency of domestic flights from 00:00 on May 7, specifically 52 return flights on the Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City route, 20 on the Hanoi - Da Nang route, and 20 on the Ho Chi Minh City - Da Nang route. It also asked for the medical quarantining of flight crews on international flights.
