Vietnam News Today (May 5): Amnesty must be carried out strictly, transparently: State President
	Vietnam News Today (May 4): Vietnam succeeds in fulfilling UN Security Council Presidency
	Vietnam News Today (May 3): Foreign partners help to lay foundations for Vietnam’s rise

PM Pham Minh Chinh chairs first regular Government meeting

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on May 5 presided over the Government’s April meeting, which was the first meeting of the Cabinet after it completed the personnel work last month.

During the meeting, Government members mulled over the COVID-19 fight and preparations for the upcoming elections of deputies to the 15th National Assembly and all-level People’s Councils for the 2021-2026 tenure.

They also looked into the Government’s draft action programme on the implementation of the Resolution adopted at the 13th National Party Congress, and the socio-economic situation in April and the first four months of this year, among others.

In his remarks, PM Chinh highlighted significant achievements in the macro-economy, export and investment attraction, notably inflation control, which are regarded as the best since 2016.

The government leader, however, pointed out difficulties and challenges such as the complex developments of the COVID-19 pandemic and its socio-economic impacts, plus “land fever” and issues regarding the stock market.

The PM also talked about poor-performing projects, law-related issues, the slow disbursement of public investment capital, especially foreign investment, and illegal exit-entry activities.

To complete the dual goals of socio-economic development and pandemic combat, PM Chinh asked ministries and agencies to review and perfect mechanisms and policies, saying priorities should be given to resources in service of national development.

Regarding the pandemic fight, PM Chinh requested agencies to stay alert, creative and flexible in the work, saying information must be objective to encourage people to actively engage in the combat and overcome pandemic consequences.

The PM also highlighted preparations for the upcoming elections of deputies to the 15th legislature and all-level People’s Councils, as well as the national high school graduation exam, VOV reported.

Party chief commends role of banking sector in growth

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong lauded efforts and achievements made by the banking sector during the national cause of economic development as he delivered a speech at a ceremony marking the sector’s 70th founding anniversary (May 6).

Describing the sector as the lifeblood of the economy, he hoped it to continue contributing to the nation’s reform, industrialisation and modernisation.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong speaking at the ceremony marking the banking sector’s 70th founding anniversary. (Photo: NDO)

The Party leader recommended the sector enhance the efficiency of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV)’s management and monetary policy, while ensuring the security, safety, and effectiveness of credit organisations’ operations.

The sector should keep up its efforts to control inflation, stabilise the macroeconomy, mobilise and meet demand for credit, and offer banking services serving socio-economic growth, General Secretary Trong said.

At the event held on May 5, State Bank Governor Nguyen Thi Hong underscored the SBV will closely follow orientations and policies issued under the 13th Nation Party Congress’s Resolution in directing and managing banking activities in contribution to realising targets set in the 2021 – 2025 plan and 2021 – 2030 strategy for socio-economic development as well as the vision toward 2045, as reported by NDO.

Cabinet convenes meeting amid surge of local COVID-19 cases

The Cabinet convened a meeting on Tuesday morning to discuss socio-economic performance in the first four months and responses to the surge of local COVID-19 cases over the past week.

According to the General Statistics Office (GSO), Viet Nam’s trade with the rest of the world hit 10-year high of US$206.51 billion, or a year-on-year increase of 29.5 percent, in the reviewed period.

Of the figure, export value rose by 28.3 percent to US$103.9 billion while import turnover soared by 30.8 percent to US$102.6 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of US$1.29 billion, the GSO reported.

The country’s key export items include phones and spare parts (US$18.4 billion, accounting for 17.7% of the total export volume), electronics, computers and spare parts (US$15.9 billion), machinery and spare parts (US$12 billion), garment and textile (US$9.5 billion), and footwear (US$6.4 billion).

From left to right: Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh at the Cabinet meeting, Ha Noi, May 5, 2021 - Photo: VG

The U.S. remained Viet Nam’s biggest importer, purchasing goods worth US$30.3 billion, up over 50% against the same period last year, followed by China (US$16.8 billion, up 32.4 percent), the EU (US$12.6 billion, up 18 percent), ASEAN (US$8.8 billion, up 13.3 percent), the Republic of Korea (US$6.9 billion, up 12.1 percent), and Japan (US$6.5 billion, up 1.5 percent).

Meanwhile, total retail sales of goods and services recorded a two-digit growth 10 percent to reach nearly VND1.7 quadrillion (US$73.5 billion).

The index of industrial production (IIP) was estimated to rise by 24.1 percent in April and 10 percent in the first four months, mainly driven by the expansion of manufacturing and processing (12.7 percent), electricity production and supply (6.6 percent), and water supply and waste and wastewater treatment (7.5 percent), VGP said.

Hanoi hospital becomes latest COVID-19 hotspot in Vietnam

The National Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Hanoi has become the nation’s latest coronavirus hotspot following the detection of an additional 14 cases on May 5.

The Ministry of Health has tested 400 medical staff, patients, and their family members, with 14 tests coming back positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, unveiled Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen during an urgent meeting with the Hanoi administration.

(Photo: VOV)

Among the 14 positive cases were two doctors, eight patients, and four relatives of the patients.

The remaining samples are currently being tested and the results are expected to be announced over the coming hours, added Deputy Minister Tuyen, according to VOV.

Vietnam backs reconciliation, economic development efforts in Bosnia-Herzegovina

Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, voiced Vietnam’s support for reconciliation and economic development efforts in Bosnia and Herzegovina when addressing a regular debate of the UN Security Council on the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina on May 4.

At the event, UN Secretary General’s High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina Valentin Inzko presented a report for the period from October 16, 2020 to April 15, 2021, saying that the situation of Bosnia and Herzegovina has seen progress, with the organisation of local elections in November 2020, and elections in Mostar city after 12 years.

However, he noted that the country still faces challenges in ensuring peace and security.The top responsibility belongs to Bosnia and Herzegovina, concerned communities and the people, he said.

UN member states said that it is necessary to further promote measures to improve the lives of the people, avoid statements and policies that can cause tensions, thus promoting stability and peace.

Bosnia and Herzegovina needs to continue efforts to reform and promote the rule of law, implement the Dayton Peace Agreement, organise elections and appoint vacant executive positions, and seek a holistic approach in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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