Highlights of domestic events this past week

(Baonghean.vn) - The 2nd session of the 14th National Assembly; the Government's regular meeting in October; disciplinary action against former Minister Vu Huy Hoang; a karaoke bar fire in Cau Giay (Hanoi) killing 13 people; Vietnam elected as a member of the United Nations International Law Commission;... are some of the prominent domestic events of the past week.

1 - Continuing the 2nd session of the 14th National Assembly

The National Assembly spent most of its time discussing the socio-economic situation last week.

On November 1st, the National Assembly discussed the 5-year financial plan; the objectives and directions for mobilizing and using borrowed capital and managing public debt for the period 2016-2020; and the medium-term public investment plan for the period 2016-2020. Discussions also covered the results of the 2016 state budget implementation; the 2017 state budget estimates and the central budget allocation plan. Minister of Finance Dinh Tien Dung delivered a speech clarifying and explaining issues raised by National Assembly deputies.

November 2nd: Discussions in the National Assembly on: the economic restructuring plan for the period 2016-2020; the results of the implementation of the socio-economic development plan for 2016 and the socio-economic development plan for 2017; Government members giving explanations and clarifying issues raised by National Assembly deputies.

November 3rd: Continued discussion on socio-economic issues. Government members delivered explanatory statements, clarifying issues raised by National Assembly deputies. November 4th: Discussion on the implementation of the national target program for building new rural areas (2010-2015) in conjunction with the restructuring of the agricultural sector.

2 - Regular Government Meeting in October 2016

Illustrative image.

The regular government meeting for October opened on the morning of October 29th with many topics to discuss aimed at achieving the goal of boosting exports and creating a strong impetus for economic growth in the last quarter of 2016, from 7.1% to 7.3%; while also effectively controlling inflation so that it does not exceed the 5% ceiling for the whole year.

In his opening remarks, the Prime Minister noted that in October, the Government had successfully organized the biggest diplomatic events of the year: three international conferences – CLMV 8, ACMECS 7, and WEF-Mekong. These conferences attracted the attention and participation of leaders from various countries, businesses, development partners such as the United Nations, the World Bank (WB), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), ambassadors from various countries, and leading global and Vietnamese corporations and companies – the largest number ever.

Through its organizational efforts, Vietnam has demonstrated its role and position in the region and internationally, leaving a positive impression on the conference participants, especially regarding the host country's initiatives during the organization process. The Prime Minister believes that these are valuable experiences for preparing for the APEC 2017 Conference.

3 - Disciplinary action against former Minister Vu Huy Hoang

Former Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang.

On November 2nd, the Party Central Committee Secretariat met under the chairmanship of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to consider disciplinary action in personnel matters against the Party Committee of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and Mr. Vu Huy Hoang (former Central Committee member, former Secretary of the Party Committee, former Minister of Industry and Trade).

Mr. Vu Huy Hoang's violations and shortcomings have had serious consequences, affecting the reputation of the Party Committee, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and himself personally.

The Secretariat of the Central Committee requested the Party Committee of the Government to coordinate with the Party Caucus of the National Assembly to direct the implementation of the administrative disciplinary process against Mr. Vu Huy Hoang, ensuring it is consistent and timely with the Party disciplinary action as prescribed.

4 - Floods continue to wreak havoc in central Vietnam, causing significant loss of life and property.

Floodwaters reached the rooftops of houses in many areas of Quang Binh province.

As of November 5, 2016, the recent floods in central Vietnam have resulted in 10 deaths and 5 missing people.

Regarding casualties, 10 people died, an increase of 4 compared to the preliminary report on November 3rd, including the discovery of the bodies of 3 missing people in Phu Yen (Quang Binh: 3 people, Quang Tri: 2 people, Dak Lak: 1 person, Binh Dinh: 1 person, Phu Yen: 3 people);

The floods have left 5 people missing, 45 houses collapsed or swept away, 60 houses damaged, and 9,367 houses flooded. Several sections of national/provincial roads, including the Khanh Le – Lam Dong road (Khanh Hoa) and DT.709 (Ninh Thuan), are still flooded, cutting off traffic.

The Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control stated that it will continue to monitor the developments of tropical depressions and floods; guide vessels to evacuate and avoid dangerous areas; and instruct vessels to secure their moorings, especially on islands.

Proactively relocate people from areas at risk of flash floods, landslides, and waterlogging; inspect reservoir safety to ensure the safety of dams and downstream areas, especially those that are releasing floodwaters, are full, or are releasing floodwaters into downstream areas in neighboring Cambodia.

5 - Vietnam elected as a member of the United Nations International Law Commission.

Ambassador, Dr. Nguyen Hong Thao - Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

According to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on November 3, 2016, at the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly, Vietnam's candidate, Ambassador to Kuwait Nguyen Hong Thao, was elected as a member of the United Nations International Law Commission (ILC) for the 2017-2021 term.

This is the first time a Vietnamese representative has been elected to the International Law Commission. The fact that a Vietnamese candidate has become a member of this important United Nations body demonstrates Vietnam's international standing, prestige, and increasingly deep involvement in multilateral forums and the United Nations, as well as the international community's recognition of Vietnam's positive and responsible contributions to the common affairs of the international community.

At the same time, this result also reflects the recognition and trust of international friends in the capabilities of Ambassador, Dr. Nguyen Hong Thao.

6 - Karaoke bar fire in Cau Giay (Hanoi), 13 dead.

The scene of the fire.

The fire, discovered at nearly 2 PM on November 1st, originated in a karaoke bar and quickly spread to neighboring buildings on Tran Thai Tong Street, Dich Vong Hau Ward, Cau Giay District, Hanoi. After 7 hours of firefighting, authorities found 13 fatalities. The facades of four buildings, each approximately 8 stories high, were completely destroyed. Many motorbikes and cars were also damaged.

Regarding the fire, the Prime Minister requested the Hanoi People's Committee to take measures to promptly support the victims and their families, and directed localities to strengthen inspections and resolutely suspend the operation of karaoke bars and restaurants that do not comply with fire prevention and fighting regulations.

The Standing Committee of the Hanoi City Party Committee directed the city's police force to coordinate with other functional forces to quickly examine the scene and investigate the cause of the fire.

7 - Meritorious Artist Pham Bang passes away.

Pham Bang and Quoc Khanh in the comedy skit "The Way and the Act".

Artist Pham Bang passed away at 8 PM on October 31st after two months of treatment for hepatitis and cholangitis at Hong Ngoc Hospital. His passing leaves behind deep sorrow among his colleagues and fans nationwide.

Meritorious Artist Pham Bang was born in 1931 in Hanoi. He was both a stage artist and a comedian. He was famous for his comedic roles that brought laughter to audiences of all ages.

In 1959, he joined the amateur theater troupe of poet Hoang Cam and writer Nguyen Huy Tuong. Later, he was recruited into the Hanoi Performing Arts Troupe. When the Hanoi Drama Theater was established, he participated in many roles, becoming famous for his villainous characters.

In addition, he participated in many comedy sketches, Tet comedies, comedy galas, year-end gatherings, etc. He also acted in films such as "Holy Day" and "Motherland". In 1993, artist Pham Bang was awarded the title of Meritorious Artist.

8 - Another person wins nearly 65 billion VND in the lottery.

The Vietlott jackpot on the afternoon of November 2nd was worth nearly 65 billion VND.

The results of the Vietlott lottery draw on the evening of November 2nd have confirmed another winner of the Jackpot prize worth nearly 65 billion VND.

According to the results announced on the website of the Vietnam Lottery Company (Vietlott), the winner of the special prize on the evening of November 2nd had the numbers 03, 05, 08, 10, 13, and 22. The prize value this time is 64.8 billion VND.

In this lottery draw, there were also 79 winning tickets for the first prize (10 million VND each), 4,255 second prizes (300,000 VND each), and 66,894 third prizes (30,000 VND each). This was the 46th draw since this type of lottery officially launched in July.

Previously, in the lottery draw number 39 on October 16th, the first winner of the computerized lottery was identified, receiving over 92 billion VND, which, after tax, amounted to over 83 billion VND. Thus, the two Jackpot wins were only a little over two weeks apart.

Peace

(Synthetic)