State President appeals for joint efforts in COVID-19 combat
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc appealed to people at home and abroad, businesses, and organisations to make material and spiritual donations to join with the entire political system in driving back COVID-19 at the launch of a COVID-19 fundraising campaign, which was held virtually by the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee on May 27.
Stressing that the country is now in need of contributions from every person, the State leader asked citizens from all social strata both at home and abroad, businesses in all economic sectors, organisations, followers of religions, as well as people of other countries to join hands with the entire Party, people, and army to defeat the pandemic.
At the launch, President Phuc, leaders of ministries and sectors, socio-political organisations, and religious dignitaries made donations to the pandemic prevention and control. Meanwhile, businesses and philanthropists pledged contributions worth over VND2.7 trillion VND (US$116.8 million) to the efforts.
Vietnam calls for stronger partnership in dealing with COVID-19 at 142nd IPU Assembly
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The Vietnamese delegation attending the 142nd IPU Assembly (Photo: VNA)
A Vietnamese delegation attended the virtual opening of the 142nd IPU Assembly, which was held on May 26 (Hanoi time) under the theme “Overcoming the pandemic today and building a better tomorrow: the role of parliaments”.
Addressing the event, National Assembly (NA) Standing Vice Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to continue promoting the partnership between the International Parliamentary Union (IPU) and regional parliamentary organisations and international organisations in preventing and settling crises or emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also briefed participants on drastic, synchronous and timely measures taken by Vietnam to fight against the pandemic, which have drawn the engagement of the whole political system and the determination and consensus of all residents.
NA Standing Committee opens 56th meeting
The 14th National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee commenced its 56th meeting in Hanoi on May 27, with the preliminary results of the general elections among the issues high on the agenda.
During this session, the Standing Committee discussed a preliminary report on the results of the elections of deputies to the 15th NA and all-level People’s Councils for the 2021 - 2026 tenure, held on May 23.
It also gave opinions on the Government’s reports on the 2019 State budget balance, the 2018 State finance, and thrift practice and wastefulness prevention last year.
Vietnamese official re-elected as Vice President of WMO’s Region II
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General Director of the Vietnam Meteorological and Hydrological Administration Tran Hong Thai (Photo: VNA)
General Director of the Vietnam Meteorological and Hydrological Administration Tran Hong Thai has been re-elected as Vice President of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO)’s Region II (Asia) for another term (2021 – 2024).
The re-election took place as part of the Region II’s 17th session, which ran virtually on May 25 and 26 with the participation of 35 members.
Thai was first appointed as Vice President of the Region II in 2019, marking the first time a permanent representative of Vietnam has WMO assumed such a position.
During his past tenure, the Vietnamese official had fulfilled his missions, including coordinating the association’s activities, ensuring the implementation of its recommendations and solutions in line with the WMO Convention, and promoting cooperation among members.
Nearly 10 tonnes of lychee flown to Japan
First batches of lychee from the 2021 crop of the northern province of Bac Giang left for Japan on flights arranged by national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines on early May 27.
The flights, carrying close to 10 tonnes of the tropical fruit, were bound for the two major Japanese cities of Tokyo and Osaka.
One day earlier, Bac Giang held a ceremony marking the shipment of early-ripening lychee grown in its Tan Yen District to the Japanese market. The district shipped 20 tonnes of lychee to the market on May 24-26.
The first shipment of lychees exported to Japan, a large market with very high quality standards, has shown the locality’s determination, seriousness and responsibility in the process of producing and consuming lychee.
Vietnam obtains six medals at Asia-Pacific Informatics Olympiad
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The Vietnamese students taking part in the Asia-Pacific Informatics Olympiad 2021 (Photo: VNA)
Six Vietnamese students have pocketed medals, including two golds, at the Asia-Pacific Informatics Olympiad (APIO) 2021, the Ministry of Education and Training said on May 26.
With two gold, one silver, and three bronze medals, Vietnam ranked fourth among the 35 countries and territories participating in the event, following China, Iran, and Japan. Compared to Vietnam’s performances at the previous APIOs, this result is the best so far, the ministry noted.
The virtual APIO 2021, hosted by Indonesia, attracted 845 contestants, 228 of whom were nominated for medals.
Earlier, all the eight Vietnamese students participating in the Asian Physics Olympiad 2021 also won prizes, bringing home two golds, one silver, three bronzes and two certificates of merit.
Report on youth action for climate change in Vietnam debuts
The Special Report “Youth for Climate Action in Vietnam” was launched during an online ceremony held in Hanoi on May 29 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Vietnam, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) and the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union.
With feedback from youths nationwide, the 56-page Special Report is part of the UNDP’s “Climate Promise” with funding from the governments of Germany, Sweden, Spain and Italy, as well as from the European Union and other sponsors.
It comprises six topics, including bottlenecks and common measures, greenhouse emission reduction, climate change adaptation, nature-based solutions, climate change policy, and youth action roadmap. In each topic, authors offered specific recommendations to authorities for the 2021-2025 period.
Painting by Vietnamese talented painter sold for US$1.1 million at Hong Kong auction
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Vietnamese paintings put up for auction at the 20th and 21st Century Art Evening Sale of Christie’s Hong Kong (Photo: VNA)
The masterpiece “Jeune femme attachant son foulard” (Young Lady Tying Her Scarf) by renowned Vietnamese painter Le Pho (1907-2001) was sold for US$1.1 million at a recent auction in Hong Kong (China).
The ink and gouache on silk artwork fetched the highest bid among four works by Vietnamese painters put up for auction at the 20th and 21st Century Art Evening Sale of Christie’s Hong Kong.
The artworks Les Teinturieres (Dyers at Work) by Nguyen Phan Chanh, Le Bol Bleu (Blue Bowl) by Le Pho, and La Joconde (Mona Lisa) by Mai Trung Thu, gained US$563,000, US$354,000 and over US$724,000, respectively.
Vietnam win berth for 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup
Vietnam secured a 1-1 tie with Lebanon in the return leg of their playoff on May 25, clinching a berth for the 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup finals for the second time, thanks to the away goals rule.
Chau Doan Phat opened the scoreboard for Vietnam in the 36th minute, only four minutes until the game’s end, but Lebanon equalised just 30 seconds later.
Previously, Vietnamese players missed many chances for score, while goalkeeper Ho Van Y made many excellent saves that denied dangerous shots from their rivals.
The teams had a goalless draw in the first leg held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on May 23.
The 2021 World Cup finals will take place in Lithuania in September.
