Press digest – March 6

March 07, 2017 9:43 AM GMT+7

Vietnamese top legislator holds talks with Lao counterpart

Vietnamese National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan held talks with her Lao counterpart Pany Yathotu on March 6 in Ha Noi.

The talks took place on the occasion of the official visit of Chairwoman Pany Yathotu from March 5-10.

The two top legislators praised the reciprocal visits of senior leaders as helping boost the bilateral ties in specific areas. They were unanimous in working together to effectively implement signed documents, programs, and plans.

Lao NA Chairwoman pledges to implement set agreements

National Assembly Chairwoman of Laos Pany Yathotou pledged to work closely with the Vietnamese legislature to effectively implement agreements set between the two Parties and NAs during a meeting with Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in Ha Noi on March 6.

Yathotou believed that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, the Vietnamese people will score greater achievements during its reform and successfully realize the Resolution adopted by the 12th National Party Congress.

PM greets Lao top legislator

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosted a reception in Ha Noi on March 6 for Lao National Assembly Chairwoman Pany Yathotou who is on a six-day official friendly visit to Viet Nam.

PM Phuc stressed that the visit is an important political event as it is expected to generate a new impetus to cementing and deepening the special solidarity between the two countries, especially when they are marking the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the 40th anniversary of the Bilateral Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.

President calls for effective implementation of VN-Laos agreements

President Tran Dai Quang has urged the Vietnamese and Lao legislatures to forge ahead with coordination to implement effectively cooperation agreements between the two countries, especially deals reached at the 39th intergovernmental committee meeting.

During a reception for Lao National Assembly Chairwoman Pany Yathotou in Ha Noi on March 6, the President asked the two countries to further collaboration and share experience in building institutional and legal systems as well as inspecting law enforcement.

12th National Women’s Congress to open in HN

The opening of the 12th National Women’s Congress, themed “Solidarity – Renovation – Equality – Integration”, will be televised on March 7 morning at the National Convention Centre in Ha Noi.

Attending the event will be 1,155 outstanding women representing all walks of life, different ethnic groups, religions and regions nationwide.

During the 2017-2022 tenure, the Viet Nam Women’s Association (VWA) sets the goal of improving material and spiritual lives of women, building a strong and professional VWA and continuing emulation campaigns for the sake of gender equality and women’s advancement.

VN has 200 super-rich people

Viet Nam has 200 super-rich people, with fortunes valued at US$30 million or more, according to the Wealth Report 2017 by the UK’s leading independent real estate consultancy Knight Frank.

The recent report showed that the number of ultra high net worth individuals (UHNWI) in Viet Nam was up 32 against 2015, and 50 against 2014. This super-rich group increased sharply by 320% from 2006 to 2016, the fastest growth in the world in comparison with India’s 290% and China’s 281%.

VN, US work to address post-war consequences

The Viet Nam-US Society (VUS) and the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) held a workshop in Ha Noi on March 6 to address post-war consequences such as Agent Orange (AO)/Dioxin, and leftover bombs and mines in Viet Nam.

President of the VUS Nguyen Tam Chien welcomed the US war veteran delegation to visit Viet Nam, and recognized their active contributions to healing the pain of war between the two countries in the past.

He said the Viet Nam – US cooperative relations have changed with significant strides in recent years.

Gasoline prices slightly drop

The domestic retail price of RON 92 petrol and E5 bio-fuel dropped by 76 VND and 58 VND per litre, respectively, from 15:00 on March 6, following a joint decision by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Finance.

This has been the first reduction of petrol prices for the year 2017.

With the decision, the ceiling prices of RON 92 and E5 bio-fuel are 18,022 VND and 17,760 VND per litre, respectively

President Duterte: Philippines, VN should step up cooperation

The Philippines and Viet Nam should work to strengthen bilateral cooperation across sectors in line with the strategic partnership established in 2015, said Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.

President Duterte made the statement while receiving Vietnamese Ambassador to the Philippines Ly Quoc Tuan, who came to present his credentials.

The President lauded growing relations between the two countries in the past and wished Viet Nam greater successes in its national development cause.

Global Fund continues supporting VN’s HIV, TB, malaria fight

Executive Director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Mark Dybul has pledged support to Viet Nam to sustainably maintain achievements in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

During a meeting in Ha Noi on March 6 with Deputy PM Vu Duc Dam, Mark Dybul spoke highly of Viet Nam’s successes in AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria prevention, with falling fatalities from HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis and malaria in the pre-elimination phase.

The fund has so far provided nearly US$400 million in non-refundable aid for Viet Nam in the effort, a large amount of the sum is for the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Cruise ship docked in Ha Long Bay catches fire

A wooden cruise ship docking at the Tuan Chau International Port, caught fire early in the morning on March 6, according to officials in Ha Long Bay./.

(Source: VGP/VOV/VNA)