Highlights of domestic events this past week

(Baonghean.vn)The President of Myanmar visits Vietnam;Opening of the World Economic Forum on the Mekong region;Disciplinary warningformer Minister of Industry and TradeVu Huy Hoang;Train accident in Thuong Tin (Hanoi): 6 dead;... these are some of the prominent domestic events of the past week.

1. The President of Myanmar visits Vietnam.

The military band played the national anthems of both countries at the official welcoming ceremony.

At the invitation of President Tran Dai Quang, President Htin Kyaw of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and his wife will pay a State visit to Vietnam from October 26-28.

Vietnam and Myanmar have a long-standing relationship, share many cultural and religious similarities, and both countries are currently members of ASEAN. The government and people of Myanmar have always given the Vietnamese people their support in the two struggles against French colonialism and American imperialism, as well as in the current process of national construction and defense.

In 1947, Vietnam established an Information Office in Yangon, which was later upgraded to a government representative office in 1948. To date, the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Myanmar continue to be strengthened, with many substantive and effective developments and significant achievements.

2 - Continuing the 2nd Session of the 14th National Assembly

Delegates attend the working session of the 2nd meeting of the 14th National Assembly on the morning of October 27th.

On October 24th, National Assembly delegates met in the assembly hall to discuss the draft Law on Auctioning Assets; and some remaining points of disagreement in the draft Law on Beliefs and Religions.

On October 25th, the report explaining, receiving feedback, and revising the draft Law on Associations was presented, along with discussions on some remaining points of disagreement in the draft Law.

On October 26th, discussions were held on the draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Penal Code No. 100/2015/QH13.

On October 27th, the National Assembly discussed the Law on Foreign Trade Management. In the afternoon of October 27th, National Assembly deputies worked in groups to discuss and give opinions on the draft Law on Legal Aid (amended) and the draft Law on State Liability for Compensation (amended).

On October 28th, the National Assembly heard a report from the Government on anti-corruption efforts in 2016.

3 - Opening of the World Economic Forum on the Mekong Region

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and leaders of several Mekong countries, representatives of the WEF, and businesses at the opening session of the conference: Photo VGP

On the afternoon of October 25th, the World Economic Forum (WEF-Mekong) conference opened in Hanoi. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc attended and delivered a speech.The Prime Minister warmly welcomed the leaders of various countries, businesses, and delegates attending the WEF - Mekong.

The Prime Minister affirmed that the Mekong region is a dynamic development hub in Asia with many rapidly growing economies thanks to accelerated reforms and international integration. This region is a crucial connecting point in Asia and a market with great potential, boasting a population of 240 million and a GDP exceeding US$660 billion.

However, the Mekong region is facing numerous challenges. These include a significant development gap with other ASEAN economies, a diminishing advantage in low-cost labor, and climate change occurring faster than predicted.

Through this WEF-Mekong conference, Vietnam hopes that Mekong countries and businesses will engage in dialogue with WEF businesses on ideas and measures to strengthen public-private partnerships and develop business and investment cooperation that benefit all parties.

4 - The 18th International Meeting of Communist and Workers' Parties

Delegates attending the International Meeting of Communist and Workers' Parties pose for a group photo. (Photo: Doan Tan/VNA)

On October 28, the 18th International Meeting of Communist and Workers' Parties opened in Hanoi with the participation of more than 100 delegates representing communist and workers' parties from countries across all continents of the world.

The International Meeting of Communist and Workers' Parties was established in 1998. Over 18 years of operation, the Meeting has attracted the participation of more than 120 Communist and Workers' Parties from 85 countries worldwide, becoming an important forum for Communist and Workers' Parties to exchange information, share experiences, and strengthen cooperation and coordinate actions for the common struggle. This is the first time the Communist Party of Vietnam has hosted this Meeting.

In his opening remarks at the meeting, Mr. Hoang Binh Quan, Member of the Central Committee of the Party and Head of the Central Committee's Foreign Affairs Department, warmly welcomed representatives of Communist and workers' parties from various countries to attend the meeting in Vietnam.

5 - Disciplinary warningformer Minister of Industry and TradeVu Huy Hoang

Former Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang has been recommended for a warning.

At its seventh session (October 17-21), the Central Inspection Committee concluded that the Party Committee of the Ministry of Industry and Trade for the 2011-2016 term had committed violations and shortcomings, including a lack of responsibility, lax leadership and direction, and violations of Party and State regulations on personnel work.

The Central Inspection Committee concluded that the aforementioned violations by the Party Committee of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and Mr. Vu Huy Hoang had serious consequences, affecting the prestige of the Party, the State, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and Mr. Vu Huy Hoang personally, causing public outrage.

The Committee recommended that the Party Central Committee discipline the Party Committee of the Ministry of Industry and Trade for the 2011-2016 term with a reprimand; issue a warning to Mr. Vu Huy Hoang; and at the same time, request relevant units to promptly review and discipline the organizations and individuals who violated regulations; and revoke and annul the erroneous decisions in personnel matters.

6 - Train accident in Thuong Tin (Hanoi): 6 dead

The scene of the accident.

The accident occurred at approximately 5:20 AM on October 24th, at a level crossing in Van Giap village, Van Binh commune (Thuong Tin district, Hanoi). A car with license plate 30A-602.25, crossing the railway tracks at that location, was hit head-on by a train traveling towards Hanoi.

The accident resulted in the deaths of four people in the vehicle at the scene, while three others were taken to the hospital in critical condition. One of the three victims taken to the hospital died en route, and another died shortly afterward.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc extended his condolences to the families of the deceased victims, inquired about the injured, and requested relevant agencies to urgently investigate and clarify the cause of the accident.

The Ministry of Transport has also issued a directive requesting strengthened measures to ensure traffic safety at level crossings between roads and railways, focusing on the construction of automatic barriers, speed bumps, completion of access roads, isolation fences, and signage.

7 - Nearly 600 people escaped from a drug rehabilitation center, causing chaos in Dong Nai.

Dong Nai Rehabilitation Center. Photo: Ngoc An.

At 11 PM on October 23rd, 600 trainees at the Dong Nai Rehabilitation Center (Xuan Phu commune, Xuan Loc district) simultaneously escaped. They rushed onto National Highway 1, causing chaos and blocking traffic. Some trainees were reportedly involved in disruptive behavior and stealing property from local residents.

During the night, authorities deployed a manhunt and set up checkpoints to ensure safety. By 1:00 AM on October 24th, security in the area was restored. Authorities brought some of the trainees back to the camp.

This rehabilitation center, under the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs of Dong Nai province, has a capacity of 600 trainees. However, the number of trainees here has now doubled.

8. Three crew members kidnapped by Somali pirates have returned home safely.

Seaman Phan Xuan Phuong, from Nghe An province, is embraced by his family.

On the afternoon of October 25th, three Vietnamese crew members who were kidnapped by Somali pirates four years ago arrived safely in Hanoi.

The three crew members, Phan Xuan Phuong (born in 1989, from Nghe An province), Nguyen Van Ha and Nguyen Van Xuan (both born in 1981, from Ha Tinh province), had previously participated in labor export programs to Taiwan and were unfortunately arrested.

The three crew members kidnapped by Somali pirates all stated that, during their captivity, although living conditions were extremely harsh, they were fortunate not to be beaten.

Previously, in February 2012, the Taiwanese fishing vessel FV Naham 3 was seized by Somali pirates in the Seychelles archipelago (Indian Ocean). The crew included people from China, the Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

9 - Man charged with murdering wife and children of Chau Duc District Party Committee official (Ba Ria - Vung Tau)

The suspect was arrested after hiding in Ho Chi Minh City.

On October 27th, the Investigation Police Department of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province initiated criminal proceedings and detained Chau Minh Nhan (20 years old, from Vinh Long province) for 4 months on charges of "murder and robbery".

To carry out the robbery, suspect Chau Minh Nhan brutally murdered the wife and child of a district official.

The victims were Ms. Pham Thuy Nga (49 years old) and Pham Duc Toan (17 years old), the wife and son of Mr. Bui Xuan Thuong (54 years old) - Head of the Mass Mobilization Department, Standing Committee of Chau Duc District Party Committee (Ba Ria - Vung Tau).

During the interrogation, the suspect Nhan admitted that he stole property from Mr. Bui Xuan Thuong, Head of the People's Mobilization Committee of Chau Duc District Party Committee (Ba Ria - Vung Tau), because he needed money for personal expenses.

10 - Trinh Nhat Minh won the championship of The Voice Kids 2016

Trinh Nhat Minh's performance in the final night.

After nearly four months on air, The Voice Kids Vietnam 2016 has come to an end with the grand finale held on the evening of October 29th. From thousands of young contestants, the coaches and audience selected the four most outstanding contestants to compete in this final round: Nhật Minh (Team Đông Nhi – Ông Cao Thắng), Mai Anh (Team Noo Phước Thịnh), Milana and Thụy Bình (Team Vũ Cát Tường).

Young Trinh Nhat Minh captivated the audience with two outstanding performances, especially the excerpt from traditional Vietnamese opera – a form of traditional art that not every singer is capable of performing. His powerful voice, dynamic and versatile performance style, and ability to play musical instruments helped Nhat Minh win the hearts of the audience and led him to the top position in The Voice Kids Vietnam 2016.

Peace

(Synthetic)