Party General Secretary, State President Nguyen Phu Trong has sent a congratulatory message to newly-elected General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee Thongloun Sisoulith.

In his message, the Vietnamese leader said the election of comrade Thongloun Sisoulith shows the trust the Lao Party and people have in him and the recognition of his great contributions to the Lao revolution.

Trong expressed his belief that that under the leadership of the LPRP and the General Secretary, the fraternal Lao people will continue to grasp new and greater successes in the cause of reform and successfully implement the Resolution of the LPRP’s 11th National Congress, thus building a nation of peace, independence, democracy, unification, and prosperity towards the goal of socialism.

On this occasion, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc also extended congratulations to Sisoulith who was elected as the new General Secretary of the LPRP Central Committee during the first meeting of the committee on January 15.

Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan extended her congratulations to Chairwoman of the Lao National Assembly Pany Yathotu on being re-elected to the LPRP’s Politburo.

Standing member of the CPV Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Quoc Vuong also congratulated comrade Bunthong Chitmani on being elected as Standing member of the 11th LPRP Central Committee’s Secretariat.

On the same day, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh sent a message of congratulations to comrade Saleumsay Kommasith on his election as member of the LPRP Politburo.

Head of the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations Hoang Binh Quan also extended his congratulations to comrade Sounthone Sayachak on being elected to the 11th LPRP Central Committee’s Secretariat, VGP reported.

Deputy PM, FM Minh holds talks with U.S. National Security Adviser

Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh held talks with U.S. National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien on Friday.

Both Minh and O’Brien welcomed the joint efforts to organize various activities to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and the U.S. in a flexible manner despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

They shared the view that the Viet Nam-US comprehensive partnership has advanced robustly and comprehensively across fields and agreed to further deepen the bilateral ties on the basis of respect for each other’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, political system and mutual benefits.

Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (right) welcomes U.S. National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien at the headquarters of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ha Noi, November 21, 2020. Photo: VGP

Under current regulations, when there are high risks to aviation security, security control measures can be tightened according to three levels.

Level 1 is applied in case of nationally important socio-political events or complicated situations of political security and social order.

American man among five new cases of COVID-19

Viet Nam on Friday confirmed five new COVID-19 cases, including an American man, bringing the patient tally to 1,536.

Specifically, patient 1532 is a 23-year-old woman in Ha Noi’s Hoang Mai District.

The woman flew from Canada to the Republic of Korea and then took flight VN405 to Ho Chi Minh City on December 29.

She is being treated at the Cu Chi field hospital in Ho Chi Minh City.

Earlier, two passengers onboard the flight VN405 had been confirmed positive for the virus.

Patient 1533 is a 61-year-old American man who flew from the U.S. to Singapore and took flight SQ178 to Ho Chi Minh City on December 31. Patients 1534-1536 are Vietnamese who flew from the U.S. to the Republic of Korea and then took flight VN431 to the central city of Da Nang on January 13. They are being treated at the Da Nang Hospital for Lung Diseases, VGP said. The same day, 11 patients were declared free of COVID-19, raising the total recoveries to 1,380. Cement exports unlikely to enjoy robust growth in 2021 Vietnam's cement export volume in the year ahead will remain stable, although export growth is not projected to see vigorous growth similar to 2020 as a result of the Chinese market enjoying a gradual stable supply, according to insiders. While domestic demand for cement in 2021 is forecast to increase due to increased public investment, the export segment is largely anticipated to enjoy no breakthrough due to low demand from importing countries. With regard to growth prospects for the local cement industry ahead in 2021 as provided by SSI Research, the demand for cement consumption amid the domestic market is anticipated to reach a growth rate of between 5% and 7%. According to figures released by the Vietnam Cement Association, despite recording a low growth rate in the local market due to the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic during 2020, the Vietnamese cement industry enjoyed robust growth in terms of export volume during the 11-month period with an annual increase of 15%. Most notably, the strongest growth period was recorded between May and September, with a rate of 47% compared to the period from 2019, largely due to increasing demand from the Chinese market. A representative of SSI believes that although the sector will not achieve robust growth like in 2020, the total consumption of cement and clinker will rise by approximately 2% in 2021, VOV reported. Vietnam news today (January 12): Vietnam to further promote foreign relations in 2021 Vietnam news today (January 12) features headlines include Vietnam to further promote foreign relations in 2021, NA Standing Committee opens 52nd sitting, Top leader congratulates ... Vietnam news today (January 11): Salt-making named a national treasure Vietnam news today (January 11) features headlines include salt-making named a national treasure, Vietnamese leaders send congratulations to Kuwait, 6,000 soldiers, policemen deployed to protect ... Vietnam News Today (January 10): Shrimp exporters bring home 3.85 billion USD in 2020 Vietnam News Today (January 10) features headlines including government's new rules on foreign workers, Viet Nam urges U.S. to carry out investigation into monetary policy, ..