Category: Politics

Hanoi: Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong recently demanded preventing those persons committing any of certain shortcomings from entering the 14th Party Central Committee, which many Party members considered essential to building a clean and strong leadership.

The Party leader delivered a speech at the recent first meeting of the sub-committee on personnel affairs of the 14th National Party Congress which focuses on some issues requiring special attention during the personnel preparation for the coming congress. In the address, he underlined the demand for not missing truly moral, talented, and eligible persons while preventing those committing any of certain shortcomings from entering the 14th Party Central Committee.

Voicing support for the speech, Giang Mi Say, Secretary of the Party Committee of Lung Cu commune in Dong Van district, the northernmost province of Ha Giang, noted one of the first shortcomings General Secretary Trong mentioned in his speech is to show unsteadfast political mettle; not
stay persistent in the Party’s guidelines and viewpoints; show political opportunism, desire for power, flattery, solicitation, corruption, bureaucracy, and group interests; and neither protect the right nor fight against the wrong.

Say said members of the Party Central Committee are outstanding individuals who have served in many positions, so they need to bring into play their sense of responsibility and build a strong political mettle – a factor critical to their task performance.

Besides, violating the principle of democratic centralism, practicing demagogy and arbitrariness, showing unfairness or injustice in personnel assessment and use, and repressing those straightforwardly voicing criticism are also shortcomings that a member of the Party Central Committee must avoid, according to the Lung Cu official.

Lawyer Ha Huy Tu, Director of the Legal Advisory Centre for the Poor and Community Development at the Vietnam Lawyers Association, perceived that the speech by the Party chief, who is also head of t
he sub-committee on personnel affairs of the 14th National Party Congress, is both general and detailed, easy to be applied in reality.

General Secretary Trong’s speech also aims to help the public realise signs of shortcomings to prevent ineligible persons who lack morality or talent from holding leadership posts.

Over the recent past, Tu went on, the combat against economic crimes and corruption has proved that an individual showing any of the shortcomings pointed out by the Party leader may cause negative consequences for the nation and the people.

Basing on experience of previous tenures, the speech identified righteous and comprehensive methodology for selecting personnel for not only the Party’s next tenure but also many years to come, he said.

The lawyer also highly valued the speech’s statement that the personnel preparation for the 14th National Party Congress is a task of not only the personnel affairs sub-committee, the Politburo, the Secretariat, or the Party Central Committee but also the ent
ire political system, all-level Party committees, Party organisations, agencies, units, and localities.

Meanwhile, Vu Mi Ho, Secretary of the Party cell in Then Van hamlet of Lung Cu commune, held that since members of the Party Central Committee are those winning high prestige and trust from people, to avoid shortcomings, they must do as they say, lead a good moral example, seriously adhere to the Party’s guidelines and the State’s policies and laws, order cadres and Party members to disseminate the Party’s guidelines to the public, and give detailed instructions.

He also underlined the need for each member of the Party Central Committee to proactively make self-improvement, improve their knowledge about various fields, actively perform their tasks, and conduct criticism and self-criticism so as to deserve their role as a ‘truly staunch servant of the people’./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Seoul: Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang on April 1 held working sessions with Governor of Jeonbuk province Kim Kwan Yyeong and Mayor of Naju city in Jeollanam-do province Bok Soo Kim within the framework of her working visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK), during which she assured them that the Vietnam-RoK ties are now at the best development stage in history.

Hang, who is also Chairwoman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese (OV) Affairs, described the RoK as the biggest foreign direct investor in Vietnam with a total capital value of 86 billion USD. The two countries also enjoy active exchanges on various levels, including cultural interactions and high-level delegations.

Governor Kim Kwan Yeong, for his part, praised the Vietnamese community in Jeonbuk and Vietnamese brides in particular for taking care of their families and raising their children in multicultural households, contributing to the development of both countries.

The provincial authorities will continue improving
policies in support of Vietnamese workers through simplified visa process, consider offering Vietnamese as a second language in local schools, and continue to support the stability and development of the Vietnamese community here.

Presenting Naju as a burgeoning city thriving in both industry and agriculture, Mayor Bok Soo Kim said the city needs skilled labour, citing the presence of 16 major industrial conglomerates. He also mentioned Naju’s recent labour agreement with Thuan Thanh district in Bac Ninh province and a twinning relationship established with Dong Nai province in Vietnam.

In reply, Hang proposed that the host further boost cooperation in labour, trade and vocational training, especially for skilled workers from Vietnam. She also urged continued support for the Vietnamese community living there.

While in the RoK, she attended the opening of the Vietnamese community office in Jeonbuk, and held meetings with the Vietnamese Associations in Jeonbuk and Jeonnam Gwang Ju.

The Vietnamese community
in Jeonbuk now groups about 15,000 people, primarily students, workers and women married to Korean citizens./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.

– Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on April 1 issued a directive ordering measures be taken to cope with the current heat waves, drought, water shortages, and saltwater intrusion which have hit several localities.

The directive noted that due to El Nino impact, so far this year, many regions nationwide have faced a low rainfall, high temperatures, prolonged heat waves, drought, water shortages, and saltwater intrusion, especially in the Mekong Delta, central, and Central Highlands regions. Read full story

– The Government’s drastic directions in financial and monetary management, and growth support in the first quarter of 2024 are a foundation helping Vietnam’s economy overcome difficulties and achieve impressive growth amidst a variety of challenges of the world economy, according to economists.

Minister of Finance Ho Duc Phoc said that the financial sector has continued to solve a “difficult problem” of impl
ementing a reasonable expansionary fiscal policy to both promote the economy and ensure macro-economic stability, control inflation, and ensure national financial safety. Accordingly, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) has operated the fiscal policy flexibly and effectively. Read full story

– Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has signed a decision approving a roadmap for the implementation of the national electricity development plan for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050.

The approval aims to vigorously step up the energy transition from fossil fuels to new and renewable energy sources, thus easing environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, and realising commitments to the Nationally Determined Contributions and the 2050 net-zero target. Read full story

– The 15th Provincial Governance and Public Administration Performance Index (PAPI) report was announced on April 2, showing progress in citizen perceptions on local anti-corruption efforts and e-governance but a backsliding in transparency in 2023.

The state of the economy and household prosperity were the top concern for citizens. Read full story

– General Auditor of the State Audit Office of Vietnam (SAV) Ngo Van Tuan had a working session with Comptroller General of Peru Nelson Eduardo Shack Yalta in Lima on April 1 to seek stronger bilateral cooperation.

Hailing the Office of the Comptroller General’s experience in maintaining transparency and accountability for the government, Tuan expressed his hope to promote bilateral collaboration through expanding delegation exchanges, and enhancing the sharing of expertise and training cooperation. Read full story

– The US Department of Commerce (DOC) has issued a preliminary conclusion on the anti-subsidy investigation into frozen warm water shrimp originating in Vietnam, according to the Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam (TRAV).

The investigation, initiated on November 14, 2023, was conducted by the DOC at the request of the American Shrimp Processors Association with the investigated period from Janu
ary 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022. Read full story

– Coconut trees are seen in many localities across Vietnam, mostly in the Mekong Delta and the central coast region. However, the coconut industry including the value chains from planting, purchasing, processing, consumption, and export, has long been developing spontaneously without specific, clear planning.

As consumer demand for coconut products increases and Vietnam sees more opportunities to export coconut, the issue then becomes how Vietnam develops its coconut industry effectively and sustainably. Read full story

– Airplane engine manufacturer Pratt and Whitney (PW)’s recalling of a number of A321Neo aircraft operated by Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air has caused the domestic aviation industry to face a serious shortage of aircraft, said Director of the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV) Dinh Viet Thang at a conference held by the Ministry of Transport on April 1.

The official said due to the recall, the aircraft will stop operating
in 2024 and 2025, beginning from January 2024. Read full story

– The Vietnam International Travel Mart (VITM) Hanoi 2024, slated to take place from April 11-14 under the theme “Vietnam tourism – Green transition for sustainable development,” is said to closely follow a new global trend of “Net zero tours” which promotes sustainable tourism and reduces negative impacts on the environment.

With the theme, VITM Hanoi 2024 aims to promote responsible tourism, turning Vietnam’s tourism into a green economic industry with green destinations and products. It also prompts tourism businesses to equip their staff with knowledge about green tourism. Read full story

– Lai Gia Thanh won the first title for Vietnam at the International Weightlifting Federation World Cup on April 1 in Phuket, Thailand.

The world champion topped the men’s 55kg in the snatch event with a lift of 120kg, leaving behind two powerful ChomChuen Nathawat of Thailand (119kg) and Pang Un Chol of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (118kg).
Read full story

– A total of 65 prizes have been presented to individuals and groups winning the “Denmark in Your Eyes” painting contest at a ceremony in Hanoi on April 2.

Themed ‘Green Future,’ the competition was co-organised by the Danish Embassy and the Vietnam – Denmark Friendship Association (VIDAFA). It had received more than 21,500 entries from 256 schools and clubs across 42 provinces and cities nationwide./. Read full story

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Tokyo: Politburo member, permanent member of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee’s Secretariat and Chairwoman of the CPV Central Committee’s Organisation Commission Truong Thi Mai is leading a high-level delegation on a working visit to Japan from March 31 to April 3.

The visit is taking place at a time when the Vietnam – Japan relations are growing fruitfully with the latest milestone being the upgrade of the ties to a ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World’ last November.

The delegation held separate meetings with Vice President of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of Japan Aso Taro and Secretary-General of the LDP Motegi Toshimitsu, and received Governor Shuhei Kishimoto of Wakayama prefecture.

At the meetings, Mai, who is also Chairwoman of the Vietnam – Japan Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group, affirmed Vietnam always treasures the comprehensive strategic partnership with Japan. She expressed her readiness to cooperate with the go
vernment, LDP, and various political parties and localities of Japan to deepen and enhance the bilateral relationship in line with its new position and level.

To deepen the bilateral ties in the new phase, the Party official proposed both sides, especially the CPV and LDP, leverage the roles of the ruling parties in concretising common high-level perceptions and important contents stated in the joint statement on the upgrade of the bilateral relations.

It is also necessary to strengthen the bilateral political relationship through high-level leaders’ visits and meetings through party, state, government, parliamentary, and people-to-people channels, while promoting economic cooperation and locality-to-locality exchanges, she noted.

Mai also expressed her wish that Japan would continue to pay attention to and create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community living and working in the country.

For their parts, the leaders of the LDP and Wakayama prefecture highly appreciated Mai’s proposals. They sai
d Japan always attaches importance to the bilateral ties, considers Vietnam an important comprehensive strategic partner in the region, and is ready to work with the Vietnamese Party and State to enhance the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation across various fields.

They said the LDP is willing to promote its friendship with the CPV, as well as to support Japan’s continued collaboration with Vietnam in industrialisation, modernisation, economic connectivity and cooperation in sustainable development-oriented areas and international issues.

The leaders said they back the two countries’ localities and people-to-people organisations to increase exchanges, enhance mutual understanding and consolidate the Vietnam-Japan friendship foundation.

The Vietnamese delegation also met CPV officials and members and staff of the Vietnamese Embassy. Mai acknowledged their positive contributions and suggested them further contribute to strengthening and promoting the two nations’ comprehensive strategic partnership for s
ustainable development, for the interests of their people, and for peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Vinh Long: Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s speech at the first meeting of the personnel sub-committee for the 14th National Party Congress recently has drawn great attention of officials, Party members and people, who said it showed the responsibility of the Party leader in building the Party and political system of integrity and strength.

According to head of the provincial Party Committee’s Commission for Organisation of Vinh Long province Nguyen Hieu Nghia, the 14th National Party Congress will be a significant milestone marking the transition of two generations of officials, from those who were born, grew up during the war and were educated in socialist countries, to those who grew up in peace and received education in different countries with different political regimes.

Nghia noted that the Party chief, in his speech, highlighted the need of not missing talented and virtuous people and resolutely not choosing unqualified people for the next term, thus ensuring the existence and development
of the Party.

The speech provides clear orientations for the preparations of personnel for the upcoming congress, he stressed.

The official said that contents of the speech will be popularised among all Party members in Vinh Long, thus ensuring consensus in awareness and action, enabling the selection of best officials for the Party congresses at all levels.

Meanwhile, Standing Vice President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Vinh Long Le Hong Dao said that the committee has applied the viewpoints and directions of the Party chief as well as relevant guidelines during the process of introducing qualified and reputable officials for the VFF committees at all levels.

Nghia underlined that the Party Genral Secretary Trong’s speech demonstrated the responsibility of the Party leader as well as his wish to have talented and virtuous officials serving the Party, thus better caring for the people and reinforcing people’s confidence in the Party./

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Paris: French historian Alain Ruscio, who has conducted many studies on Indochina and Vietnam, has hailed the significance of Dien Bien Phu Victory, saying it had a great influence on the struggle against colonialism of peoples around the world, and the historical meaning of the event remains valid today.

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the victory, the historian said at that time, the Indochina war was followed by people around the world, stressing that it was not merely a war between France and Vietnam but an international one.

French colonies such as Madagascar, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco and Africa closely watched the war in Vietnam with the hope that the French army would be defeated, he said. Therefore, according to him, the defeat of the French army at Dien Bien Phu was considered a victory for not only Vietnam but also all colonial peoples, opening the path to liberation for oppressed nations.

Lessons learned from the Dien Bien Phu
campaign are still valid today in the current context of many conflicts in the world, Ruscio said, underlining that a united nation that refuses to be oppressed will always find a way, even though it may encounter many difficulties and obstacles.

He noted that during the colonial period, there were many French people who stood up against the colonial regime and oppressive acts against the Vietnamese people as well as Cambodian and Lao people. Ruscio cited many examples such as Gabriel Péri, a French Communist politician, who came to Vietnam in 1934 to express his opposition to the war in the Southeast Asian nation, or journalists Andrée Viollis, Romain Rolland and Henri Barbusse.

During Vietnam’s resistance war against the US, many French people also expressed their opposition to the US invasion of Vietnam. In a speech in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in 1966, general Charles de Gaulle of France denounced US intervention in the region, saying that they would never succeed in making the people of Indochina bend.

Th
e French historian believes that all of this has created a very special relationship between France and Vietnam./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee convened a law-making session on April 1 under the chair of NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, with two groups of issues to be tabled for discussion.

Legislators will give opinions on five draft laws to be presented at the NA’s 7th session for the first review, including three amended ones – the Law on Human Trafficking Prevention and Control, the Notaries Law, the Law on Management and Use of Weapons, Explosive Materials and Support Tools, and the Trade Union Law.

The NA Chairman said that for the first time, the committee will review and comment on the dossier of the Law on People’s Air Defence, a new law to institutionalise the Party’s viewpoint on the national defence strategy in the new situation approved in Resolution 44-NQ/TW dated November 24 last year at the eighth plenum of the 13th Party Central Committee.

The NA Standing Committee will also opine on a draft resolution of the NA Standing Committee regarding job positions for full-time NA deputies and
cadres and civil servants under the NA Standing Committee’s management to serve the salary reform.

The top legislator called the salary policy reform, to start from July 1, a critically important task, adding that following this two-day session, the NA Standing Committee will convene other meetings on the issue apart from regular sessions in April and May./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency