Vietnam News Today (April 2): Three New Vice Chairmen of National Asembly Elected
	Vietnam News Today (April 1): Three candidates nominated for election as NA Vice Chairpersons
	Vietnam News Today (March 31): National Wage Council established

On behalf of the parliament, Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue thanked Nguyen Xuan Phuc for the latter’s performance over the past years. (Photo: NDO)

Nguyen Xuan Phuc relieved from Prime Minister position

The National Assembly approved the relief of Nguyen Xuan Phuc from the Prime Minister position for the 2016 – 2021 tenure on April 2 morning, part of its ongoing 11th session in Hanoi.

By secret ballot, 446 or 92.92 percent of the 452 deputies present at the plenary sitting voted for the resolution on the relief, which will take effect when a new PM is elected.

On behalf of the parliament, Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue thanked Nguyen Xuan Phuc for the latter’s performance over the past years.

On April 1 afternoon, Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong submitted the relief proposal to the NA, and legislators later held group discussion about this issue.

Nguyen Xuan Phuc, born on July 20, 1954, is a Politburo member in the 11th, 12th, and 13th tenures; a member of the Party Central Committee in the 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th tenures; and an NA deputy in the 11th, 13th, and 14th tenures.

He served as the PM for the 2011 – 2016 tenure from April to July 2016. He was elected to this post for the 2016 – 2021 tenure at the first session of the 14th parliament.

At a recent press conference, NA Secretary General and Chairman of the NA Office Nguyen Hanh Phuc said PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc was proposed to be elected the President of Vietnam, and that this is the first time an incumbent PM was nominated for the State Presidency, according to NDO.

Vietnam assumes UNSC Presidency for second time in 2020-2021 tenure

Vietnam on April 1 began activities in its capacity as President of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for April, the second and last time the country has assumed the post during its 2020-2021 tenure as a non-permanent member.

On April 1 morning (US time), the UNSC adopted the April Programme of Work proposed by Vietnam, under which the council will hold 15 open debates and 10 closed meetings discussing various peace and security matters in the world, including situations in the Middle East, Syria, Libya, Yemen, Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, West Sahara, Colombia, and Kosovo.

Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, chairs a press conference on April 1 to announce Vietnam's assumption of UNSC Presidency this month. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam will chair four video-teleconferencing (VTC) open debates this month, with the first taking place on April 8 addressing the “Maintenance of international peace and security: Mine action.” There will also be debates on “Women and peace and security: Sexual violence in conflict” on April 14, “Cooperation between the UN and regional and sub-regional organisations” on April 19, and “Protection of civilians in armed conflict: Indispensable civilian objects” on April 27.

On the afternoon, to implement its commitment to transparency and promote broader participation of UN members in UN activities, Vietnam introduced the programme of work to UN member states, NDO reported.

Vietnam welcomes expansion of ROK investment: PM

Vietnam always pays attention to creating favourable conditions for businesses and investors from the Republic of Korea (ROK) to expand their activities in the nation, said Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, noting that the bilateral ties are getting stronger thanks to the presence of Korean conglomerates like Samsung, SK, Hanwha, Daewoo, and Lotte in Vietnam.

Phuc made his statement while hosting ROK Ambassador to Vietnam Park Noh-wan, and representatives of the Korea Chamber of Business in Vietnam (KORCHAM) and five leading high-tech groups from the ROK in Hanoi on April 2.

Highlighting strong growth of the Vietnam – ROK relations across politics, defence-security, and economy-trade-investment in the past time, PM Phuc stated the Vietnamese Government is delighted to see a large number of Korean firms investing effectively in Vietnam.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and ROK Ambassador Park Noh-wan (Photo: NDO)

The Government leader said the foreign-invested sector is an important part of the Vietnamese economy, adding that its long-term growth as well as cooperation and healthy competition with other economic sectors are encouraged and facilitated. The attraction of investment, particularly from high-tech groups, obtains a special attention from the Vietnamese Government, Phuc underscored.

For his part, Park said the ROK highly values Vietnam’s successful control of COVID-19 and realisation of its dual goals of containing the pandemic and promote socio-economic development. Korean firms in Vietnam are happy with the nation sustaining its high growth rate amid the global spread of the coronavirus.

The ambassador said as the two countries will celebrate the 30th anniversary of their diplomatic relations next year, the ROK wishes to organise high-level delegation exchanges and pushes the ties to new heights, as reported by NDO.

Top Vietnamese and Lao legislators hold phone talks

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue held phone talks with his Lao counterpart Saysomphone Phomvihane on April 2, during which Hue thanked the Lao NA leader who was the first leader to send a congratulatory letter after he was elected as NA Chairman on March 31.

According to VOV, Phomvihane congratulated Hue on his election as the new Chairman of the NA of Vietnam, expressing his confidence that under his leadership, the Vietnamese NA will continue to achieve greater success as a contribution to elevating the position of the Vietnamese legislature at the regional and international forums and further cultivating the ties between Vietnam and Laos.

NA Chairman Hue congratulated Laos on the successful organization of important national events, including the general election and reinforcing the State apparatus.

He affirmed Vietnam’s recognition of great importance to and gives top priority to the enhancement of the special ties with Laos, considering it as a strategic issue of vital significance to both nations.

Vietnam strongly and comprehensively supports Lao leaders and people during the neighbouring country's national construction, Hue told his guest.

Hanoi named as most expensive Vietnamese city

The capital was the most costliest city nationwide last year, according to the Spatial Cost of Living Index (SCOLI) as compiled by the General Statistics Office (GSO).

The SCOLI aims to measure the relative costs of living in different regions and communities throughout the country.

According to the latest rankings, the cost of living in the capital stood at 100%. Second place went to Ho Chi Minh City with 99.05%, while third place belonged to Hai Phong with 97.38%.

Moving down the list, Da Nang came in fourth, with the rankings of the central city’s cost of living given at 97.11%.

Elsewhere, Lao Cai climbed three places compared to the previous year to rank fifth with 96.25%.

Completing the list of the top 10 most expensive places are Quang Ninh, Son La, Lam Dong, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, and Thua Thien-Hue.

The locality that enjoys the lowest cost of living is Hau Giang province in the Mekong Delta. Other cheap places to live locally include Soc Trang, Vinh Long, Tra Vinh, and Dong Thap, VOV said.

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