May 17-23: National general election sees high rate of turnout

Nhan Dan Online reviews the notable events that made headlines over the past week.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong casts ballots in the elections of deputies to the 15th NA and all-level People’s Councils. (Photo: NDO/Dang Khoa)
Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong casts ballots in the elections of deputies to the 15th NA and all-level People’s Councils. (Photo: NDO/Dang Khoa)

National general election sees high rate of turnout

The elections of deputies to the 15th National Assembly (NA) and all-level People’s Councils for the 2021-2026 term took place successfully nationwide on May 23.

Most cities and provinces reported high rates of turnout exceeding 90 percent in the May 23 elections, with some recording rates as high as 99.99 percent as of 10pm on the day, reported the National Election Council (NEC).

In almost all electoral units, the voting finished on time in line with the regulations.

The council reported that voters nationwide eagerly participated in the elections, showing a high sense of responsibility to the country.

President Ho Chi Minh’s birthday anniversary marked nationwide and abroad

Party and State leaders pay homage to President Ho Chi Minh. (Photo: NDO)

A wide variety of activities were held nationwide to celebrate the 131st birthday of President Ho Chi Minh (May 19, 1890-2021).

On the occasion, a delegation of the Party, State, National Assembly, Government and Vietnam Fatherland Front leaders laid wreaths and paid tribute to the late President at his mausoleum in Hanoi.

Various exhibitions and forums were held across the country and abroad to highlight Uncle Ho’s life and revolutionary career.

Celebrating Uncle Ho’s birth anniversary in a practical manner, it is necessary to further promote the study and following of Ho Chi Minh’s thought, morality and style, as well as to widely spread the spirit of rising above and of self-reliance.

PM attends Future of Asia international conference

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh delivered a speech at the 26th International Conference on the Future of Asia that was held virtually on May 20.

The event had the theme “Shaping the post-COVID era: Asia’s role in the global recovery”. It is one of the leading policy dialogue forums annually held by Japan’s Nikkei news agency since 1995, with the participation of Asian and global leaders, entrepreneurs and scholars.

In his speech, PM Chinh said it is time for all countries to set aside conflicts and differences, stand united to offer mutual support and win over the pandemic together.

The PM also proposed five principles and six contents of cooperation to build an Asia of peace, cooperation and stronger development during the post-COVID-19 era.

Le Quoc Minh appointed as Nhan Dan’s Editor-in-chief

Le Quoc Minh receives the decision appointing him as Nhan Dan's Editor-in-chief. (Photo: Duy Linh)

Deputy General Director of the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Le Quoc Minh has been appointed as Editor-in-chief of Nhan Dan (People) Newspaper, replacing Thuan Huu, who had been in charge of the Party’s central organ since 2011.

Minh has held various positions at the VNA including the roles of Editor-in-chief of the VietnamPlus online newspaper and the agency’s Deputy General Director.

On January 31, 2021, he was elected a member of the Party Central Committee for the 2021-2026 tenure at the 13th National Party Congress.

Plan for implementation of UKVFTA adopted

The Prime Minister has approved a plan for the implementation of the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA).

The plan aims to assign tasks and responsibilities to relevant agencies and organisations, and to decide on direction measures and others to implement the deal fully and effectively.

S&P Global Ratings raises Vietnam’s outlook to 'positive'

S&P Global Ratings raises Vietnam’s outlook to 'positive'

The S&P Global Ratings announced that it has retained Vietnam’s sovereign credit rating, improving its economic outlook from 'stable' to 'positive'.

The Finance Ministry said Vietnam is the only country in the world to have its outlook improved by Moody’s, S&P and Fitch.

The S&P made the decision on the back of Vietnam’s impressive economic achievements and continuous reform in policymaking amid COVID-19 pandemic.

PM signs and promulgates resolution on COVID-19 vaccine procurement

The Prime Minister has just signed and promulgated Resolution No.09/NQ-CP regarding COVID-19 vaccine procurement.

Accordingly, the Government has assigned the Ministry of Health (MoH) to urgently organise the purchase of vaccines as quickly as possible such that vaccinations can be widely distributed to the people.

Previously, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has repeatedly emphasised that buying COVID-19 vaccines is a necessary and urgent task that must be carried out immediately.

Vietnam in top seeded group in AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers

Vietnam’s national U22 team members during a training session in Hanoi on May 14, 2021. (Photo: Vietnam Football Federation)

Vietnam’s national U23 team are ranked 13th and among five squads in the top seeded group of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers.

The AFC recently announced the list of 46 teams divided into two regional groups for a draw of the qualifiers.

The No. 1 seeded group in Southeast Asia and East Asia also includes reigning champions the Republic of Korea along with Australia, Thailand and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Vietnamese students earn third prize at 2021 Regeneron ISEF

A Vietnamese project has won the third prize at the 2021 Regeneron ISEF Grand Awards, making Vietnam one of 34 countries and territories to be honoured among the 81 taking part.

The project on robot arms for the disabled with full arm paralysis by Pham Duc Linh and Nguyen Duc An from Han Thuyen High School in the northern province of Bac Ninh recieved the prize.

Vietnam ranks among top 10 destinations for expats in 2021

Quy Nhon is a famous destination in Vietnam.

Coming in 10th place out of 59 countries in the Expat Insider 2021 survey, Vietnam ranked first in both the Personal Finance and Cost of Living indices.

With more than 12,000 respondents, it is one of the most extensive surveys about living and working abroad, sharing insight into expat life in 59 destinations.

The survey offers in-depth information on expats’ satisfaction with the quality of life, ease of settling in, working life, personal finance, and the cost of living in their respective country of residence. Additionally, the respondents shared about how they have been experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic and how it has impacted their lives.