Vietnam News Today (Feb 22): NA Standing Committee examines preparations for general election
	Vietnam News Today (Feb 21): Respect-paying ceremony for former Deputy PM Truong Vinh Trong
	Vietnam News Today (Feb 20): Party’s Communication and Education Commission has new chairman

The memorial service for former Deputy PM Truong Vinh Trong in Ben Tre Province (Photo: VGP)

Memorial, burial ceremonies held for former Deputy PM Truong Vinh Trong

The memorial service for Truong Vinh Trong, former Politburo member, former Secretary of the Party Central Committee, former Deputy Prime Minister, and former Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Internal Affairs, was held solemnly at the great hall of the Ben Tre provincial People’s Committee on February 22 morning.

The State-level ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc; National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan; Standing Member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Vo Van Thuong; President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Tran Thanh Man; former and incumbent leaders of the Party, State, and the VFF; along with representatives of ministries, central agencies, and localities.

Delivering the funeral oration, Politburo member and Deputy PM Pham Binh Minh, head of the State Funeral Board, said former Deputy PM Truong Vinh Trong had devoted his entire life to the Party and the nation’s revolution, and in any position, he was always a bright example of political mettle, bravery, loyalty, and dedication to the Party, the Fatherland, and the people.

The burial ceremony is to take place at noon of February 22 at the martyrs’ ceremony of Ben Tre province.

Earlier, more than 25 delegations came to pay tribute to former Deputy PM Truong Vinh Trong at the respect-paying ceremony at the great hall of the Ben Tre People’s Committee on February 21, NDO reported.

National Assembly Standing Committee convenes 53rd meeting

The National Assembly Standing Committee convened its 53rd meeting on the afternoon of February 22 under the chair of Speaker Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.

Opening the first meeting in the Lunar New Year, Ngan extended best wishes to members of the Standing Committee.

The 53rd meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee (Photo: NDO)

At the meeting, the Standing Committee is set to discuss several issues, including giving feedback on the report reviewing the Government’s work during the 2016-2021 period and preparations for the National Assembly’s 11th plenary session.

Another important matter on the agenda is the composition of candidates for the upcoming National Assembly election, scheduled to take place in May.

The meeting will close on the morning of February 23, according to NDO.

Seventeen localities re-open schools from Monday

Authorities in 17 localities across Viet Nam have resumed classes from February 22 after a long-Tet break due to the resurgence of local COVID-19 transmissions.

The move comes as the COVID-19 situation has been fundamentally put under control, as reported by VGP.

Students in the central province of Quang Nam returned to schools on Monday.

The Department of Education and Training of Lao Cai Province permitted school resumption from February 21 for high school students. However, the Tet break will extend until late February 28 for preschool children.

(Photo: Kinh te do thi)

The People’s Committee of Thai Binh Province allowed 9th and 12th-grade students to come back to schools from today.

In Bac Giang province in which two locally transmitted cases were confirmed, learners came back to schools from Monday.

Similarly, other localities re-opened schools from February 22 including Binh Thuan, Tra Vinh, Binh Duong, Hau Giang, Ca Mau, Quang Ngai, Dak Nong, Thanh Hoa and Soc Trang.

Localities like HCMC, Dong Nai, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Long An, Ha Noi, Tay Ninh, Phu Yen, Thai Nguyen, Binh Dinh, Dien Bien still require students to stay at home.

Viet Nam confirms nine new local COVID-19 cases

Viet Nam confirmed nine new community infection cases of COVID-19 on Monday, bringing the national patient tally to 2,390.

The latest cases were recorded in Hai Duong (six) and Hai Phong (three), said the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

With these cases, total patients reported since January 27 rose to 800 in 13 provinces and cities, in which Hai Duong is hit hardest with 617 cases, followed by Quang Ninh (60), Gia Lai (27), Ha Noi (35), Bac Ninh (five), Bac Giang (2), Ho Chi Minh City (36), Hoa Binh (two), Ha Giang (one), Dien Bien (three), Binh Duong (six), Hai Phong (four), and Hung Yen (two).

(Photo: VNE)

Of the national patient tally, 1,717 have recovered and exited hospitals while 35 others have been reported dead.

The nation is placing 120,827 people under medical surveillance and quarantine nationwide, of whom 588 are being kept at hospitals and 12,984 at concentrated quarantine sites, VGP reported.

Deadline for corporate tax payment may be further extended

The Ministry of Finance has suggested extension of the deadline for tax payment and land rent to assist businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Accordingly, the ministry proposed a five month-deferment for value added tax (VAT) and three-month extension for corporate income tax.

(Photo: SB Law)

For household businesses, the ministry proposed extension of the deadline for VAT and personal income tax payment for amounts payable in 2021 in the fields which previously received an extension.

Regarding land rent, the ministry proposed an extension of the payable land rent in the first period of 2021 by eligible enterprises, organizations, businesses, or individuals. The extension duration depends on the circumstances of each individual business.

The total tax amount expected to be postponed or deferred is estimated at VND115 trillion (US$5 billion), according to VGP.

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