PM calls for redoubling of efforts to compensate disaster losses
The settlement of the consequences of the recent storms and flooding in the central region was high on the agenda at the Government’s monthly meeting on October 30, during which Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc demanded that efforts to compensate local residents for their losses be redoubled.
PM Phuc stressed that storms and floods are common in October, but the consecutive storms and floods this year have caused huge losses of life and property, with 230 people having died, including cadres and officers of the armed forces who were performing their duties, while many civilians are still missing at sea or in landslides.
The PM requested that all-level authorities, sectors, and localities continue with search and rescue efforts, dealing with the aftermath of the storms and flooding, and paying due regard to the prevention of disease, including COVID-19, so as to return life to normal as soon as possible.
Speaker of Korean National Assembly visits Vietnam
Vice Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly's Committee for External Relations Nguyen Manh Tien (L) greets Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea Park Byeong-seug at Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport. (Photo: VGP)
Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Park Byeong-seug and his wife began an official visit to Vietnam from October 31 to November 4 at the invitation of Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.
The Vietnam-ROK and ROK-Vietnam friendship parliamentarians’ groups have served as a bridge in connecting the legislatures and peoples of the two nations.
US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo pays official visit to Vietnam
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on October 30 received US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, who was on an official visit to Vietnam on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties.
The PM thanked President Donald Trump and his administration for substantial and timely assistance to help Vietnam in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent floods in the central region.
Michael Pompeo affirmed that the US attaches importance to its comprehensive partnership with Vietnam on the principle of respecting each other’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political systems, while committing to continuing to deepen the ties in the time to come.
Export revenue rises 4.7% in ten months despite COVID-19
In the ten-month period, Vietnam posts total export revenue of US$229.27 billion, up 4.7% over the same period last year. (Illustrative image)
Vietnam’s imports and exports have maintained a positive increase in the first ten months of this year, making a considerable contribution to national economic growth despite the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic across the world, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).
In the ten-month period, Vietnam posted total export revenue of US$229.27 billion, up 4.7% over the same period last year. During the period, Vietnam’s total import revenue was estimated at US$210.55 billion, up 0.4% over the corresponding period last year.
Vietnam posted a trade surplus of US$2.2 billion in October and a record surplus of US$18.72 billion in the first ten months of this year.
Storm Molave causes huge human and property losses
Storm Molave, the ninth of this year and the fourth within a month, hit central Vietnam on October 28, causing tremendous losses for the local people.
As of 17:30 on October 31, 230 people have died or remain missing due to floods and storm No. 9, Molave.
The storm sunk 56 boats, destroyed 216 houses and unroofed 69,395 others. It also inundated 48 communes in seven districts of Nghe An Province and 35 communes in eight districts of Ha Tinh Province as well as seven communes in four districts of Thua Thien Hue Province.
Meanwhile, missing people due to landslides in Quang Nam Province, at the construction site of Rao Trang 3 hydropower plant in Thua Thien Hue Province as well as missing fishermen of two sunk ships in Binh Dinh Province have yet to be found.
Vietnam starts COVID-19 vaccine trials on monkeys
The State-owned Company for Vaccine and Biological Production No. 1 (VABIOTECH) has started trials of its experimental COVID-19 vaccine on rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) on Reu Island off the northern province of Quang Ninh.
According to Vu Cong Long, Head of the Animal Breeding Farm at the Centre for Research and Production of Vaccines and Biologicals (Ministry of Health), the vaccination of the monkeys was carried out on October 27.
Trials on monkeys are only one part of the whole process and scientists will have to continue to experiment on other animals, while conducting laboratory analyses on protective effects and immunogenicity. The trial results on monkeys will form the basis for the next step before any suggestion of human trials.
Vietnam named among the world’s top 10 locations for cycling enthusiasts
Vietnam named among world’s top 10 locations for cycling enthusiasts. (Photo: mapquest.com)
Vietnam has been ranked in the ninth place among 10 terrific locations around the world for cycling enthusiasts in an article published in early October by MapQuest, an American free online web mapping service.
According to the article, cycling culture is extremely strong in Vietnam and residents are often to be seen on their bikes, whether they’re commuting to work or riding around for fun.
From Hanoi along the coast toward Ho Chi Minh City is an amazing route, spanning over 700 miles, that takes riders along perfect sandy beaches and beautiful coastlines, it said.
