Vietnam News Today (February 2): Cabinet convenes meeting amid positive recovery, surge of COVID-19 cases

	Vietnam News Today (February 1): Promoting the strength of the great national unity bloc
	Vietnam News Today (January 31): Vietnam praised for development achievements
	Vietnam news today (January 30): Gov’t announces new multidimensional poverty line for 2022-2025

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (Photo: VNA)

Cabinet convenes meeting amid positive recovery, surge of COVID-19 cases

During the meeting, the Cabinet members will scrutinize socio-economic performance in January, growth scenario in the first half of 2020, outcomes of the implementation of its action plan on cost reduction for enterprises, and price management directions for 2021.

Economic recovery continued in the first month, with the industrial production expanding 22.2% against the same period last year, mainly fuelled by robust manufacturing (up 27.2%), according to the General Statistics Office.

Total retail sales of goods and services increased by 3.7% and 6.4% against the previous month and the same period last year.

Meanwhile, total trade value was estimated at US$53.9 billion, up 45.2% on year.

Particularly, the Cabinet will hear a report on COVID-19 responses presented by the Ministry of Health as authorities have confirmed 272 community infection cases in nine cities and provinces since January 27.

The latest cases were infected with new strains that are more transmissible, prompting at least 17 localities to close schools to prevent the spread of the virus.

In addition, the Government will also discuss a proposal on law- and ordinance-making for 2022 among other issues, as reported by VGP.

Building modern, extensive diplomacy: Deputy Foreign Minister

Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung highlighted new and important points in Vietnam’s foreign policies in the new tenure as outlined in the documents submitted to the 13th National Party Congress in an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency.

The documents of the 13th National Congress noted that foreign affairs in all three pillars – Party’s external relations, State diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy – have contributed to remarkable achievements of the country, Trung said.

Vietnam has improved the effectiveness, and further expanded and deepened relations with many international partners, he said, noting that the country has so far increased the number of strategic and comprehensive strategic partners to 30.

Vietnam has also maintained territorial integrity and national sovereignty and made many concrete steps forward in settling border issues.

The documents affirmed Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy of independence, peace, cooperation and development; being a responsible and trusted friend and partner of the international community; promoting multilateralisation and diversification of external relations; and ensuring national interests based on international law and equality among countries. The diplomatic sector is assigned the task of playing the pioneering role in creating and maintaining a peaceful environment favourable for national renewal and development, thus enhancing the country’s position.

The documents clearly state that foreign affairs must base on three pillars: Party’s external relations, State diplomacy and People-to-people diplomacy.

The most important goal is to firmly and persistently maintain national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. This goal has been put at the top position in the foreign policy of Vietnam throughout many Party congresses as well as at the 13th Congress, VOV said.

Vietnam represented at APF General Assembly

The Vietnamese sub-committee has urged the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie (APF) to boost the flow of information and exchanges among French-speaking countries to deal with the negative impacts of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, according to VOV.

The Vietnamese sub-committee, in its role as APF Vice President for the 2019 to 2021 tenure, made the call during a virtual plenary session of the APF General Assembly held from January 28 to January 29.

The nation used the event to call for better support to be given to developing nations in order to accelerate digital transformation in aspects of social life and parliamentary affairs, whilst simultaneously reducing the technology gap that exists among countries.

It is also expected that as prestigious multilateral organisations, both the OIF and APF will raise their voices in a bid to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines whilst supporting the ongoing development of vaccines in developing countries.

Photo: Dai bieu Nhan dan

Throughout the duration of the two-day event, Louise Mushikiwabo, secretary-general of the OIF, delivered various reports and answered questions concerning measures aimed at assisting member countries to respond to healthcare and political crises.

This was done alongside disseminating strategies and actions aimed at meeting goals in multilingual and multicultural development, education, higher education and scientific research, access to new technologies, peace, democracy, and human rights promotion. In addition, topics relating to the empowerment of young people and women, along with co-operation actions towards sustainable development, were also discussed, according to VOV.

Vietnam’s industrial production index up 22.2% in January

Vietnam’s index of industrial production rose by 22.2% in January as against the same month in 2020, demonstrating the sector’s strong growth, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).

Manufacturing recorded the largest gain at 27.2%, followed by an increase of 16.3% in power generation and distribution.

Water supply and waste treatment climbed 8.4% while mining and quarrying declined by 6.2%.

Major industrial products with strong growth in January included television sets, phone parts, rolled steel, raw iron and steel, automobiles, cement, textiles from natural fibre and powder milk.

The number of workers in industrial enterprises as of January 1 increased by 1.1% against the previous month but fell by 1.4% compared to a year earlier, the largest drop being in the domestic private sector at 2.5%, NDO said.

(Photo: NDO)

Various activities held nationwide to support the poor during Tet Festival

* In the morning of January 31, Lung Cu Border Guard Station, in collaboration other agencies and units in the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang, presented 150 gifts worth VND1 million each to policy beneficiary families, poor households and poor students who gained outstanding achievements in studying.

They also made over 100 banh chung (square glutinous rice cake) to students in schools in Ma Lung U and Ma Le communes.

The Nhan Dan Newspaper representative office in Dong Nai presents Tet gifts to people in Buu Long ward, Bien Hoa city, Dong Nai province. (Photo: NDO)

Da Nang City Red Cross held a charity market, aiming to donate Tet gifts to Agent Orange victims and disadvantaged people who were affected by floods and COVID-19 pandemic.

* Border guard stations in the southern province of Dong Thap, in coordination with authorities in eight border communes in the province, presented 288 gifts worth total over VND100 million to local households.

* Numerous other activities were held in Thanh Hoa, Dong Nai, Quang Binh, Thua Thien – Hue, Quang Ngai and Can Tho, giving donations to revolutionary contributors, policy beneficiaries and people who are living in difficult circumstances.

Vietnam news today (January 29): VN becomes top-performing Asian economy in 2020 Vietnam news today (January 29) features headlines include VN becomes top-performing Asian economy in 2020, diplomacy helps create favorable environment for national development, Binh Phuoc ...

Vietnam News Today (January 28): Vietnam sends congratulations to U.S. new Secretary of State Vietnam News Today (January 28): Vietnam sends congratulations to U.S. new Secretary of State, footwear sector further penetrates global supply chain and COVID-19 situation updates.

Vietnam news today (January 27): Foreign congratulations extended to 13th National Party Congress Vietnam news today (January 27) features headlines include foreign congratulations extended to 13th National Party Congress, Vietnam gains breakthrough diplomatic success, Argentinian party chief applauds ...