Domestic news highlights last week

Celebration of the 130th birthday of President Ton Duc Thang

President Tran Dai Quang presents a painting of Uncle Ho and Uncle Ton to the Party Committee, government and people of all ethnic groups in An Giang province. Photo: Nhan Sang/VNA

On the morning of August 20, at Ong Ho Islet (My Hoa Hung Commune, Long Xuyen City, An Giang Province), the Provincial Party Committee, People's Council, and People's Committee of An Giang Province solemnly held a ceremony to celebrate the 130th anniversary of the birth of President Ton Duc Thang (August 20, 1888 - August 20, 2018) - a staunch communist, exemplary leader, close comrade in arms of the great President Ho Chi Minh, an outstanding son of his homeland An Giang with a rich tradition of patriotism and revolution, a loyal soldier of the international communist and workers' movement.

This year's ceremony to celebrate the 130th birthday of President Ton Duc Thang was attended by more than 600 guests, including leaders of the Party, State, central agencies and organizations, provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta, provincial leaders, departments, agencies and localities; President Ton Duc Thang's family; people in An Giang province and provinces and cities nationwide.

President Ton Duc Thang is a shining example of a communist soldier. He overcame all the harsh challenges in imperialist prisons and the fierceness of war, dedicating his whole life to the cause of national liberation, unifying the country and bringing happiness and prosperity to the people. President Ton Duc Thang devoted his whole life to the Vietnamese Revolution and endured many hardships during 17 years in Con Dao prison.

Typical exchange in studying and following Uncle Ho's example

On the evening of August 24, in Hanoi, the Central Propaganda Department coordinated with Vietnam Television and the Hanoi Party Committee to organize a program to exchange typical examples in studying and following Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and style in 2018. Attending were comrade Vo Van Thuong - Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Head of the Central Propaganda Department and comrades of the Party Central Committee: Mr. Nguyen The Ky - General Director of the Voice of Vietnam, Mr. Tran Binh Minh - General Director of Vietnam Television...

Participating in the exchange program were 6 typical individuals who were outstanding in studying and following Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and style in 2018 in many fields. At the exchange, the typical individuals shared real stories about studying and following Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and style in daily life and work.

Also in the program, many stories and reports about role models and people who have studied and followed Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and style from very simple yet noble and admirable things were spread. Interspersed with stories and exchanges with guests were performances praising President Ho Chi Minh. The practical and specific actions of typical examples in studying and following Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and style were shared, spreading the good values ​​in Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and style, making practical contributions, helping localities complete political tasks, contributing to strengthening people's trust in the Party.

The Government met to discuss emergency housing support for households affected by natural disasters.

On the morning of August 23, in Hanoi, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc chaired a meeting with leaders of several ministries, branches and localities on emergency housing support for households affected by flash floods and landslides.

In general, nationwide, according to statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development from 59 provinces and cities, there are nearly 5,592 households currently homeless or living in temporary housing. There are over 42,100 households at high risk of being affected by flash floods and landslides that need to be relocated to ensure safety.

After the ministries, branches and localities discussed how to provide effective, timely and appropriate support, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc concluded the meeting. The Prime Minister directed localities to focus on integrating housing for homeless households into existing residential villages. In the support work, the Prime Minister requested to be precise and target the right people; timely resolution; and mobilization of other resources along with State resources.

The Prime Minister also agreed with the proposal of localities on the direction of support to ensure housing meets the 3 hard standards (i.e. hard foundation, hard frame, hard roof) and toilets. The Prime Minister requested localities to act immediately, ensure money reaches the people and be responsible to the Prime Minister, helping people stabilize their lives soon.

Cat Linh - Ha Dong railway to test run entire route in September

A street view from the Cat Linh - Ha Dong metro. Photo: Viet Linh.

At a recent meeting on the progress of the Cat Linh - Ha Dong railway project, Mr. Vu Hong Phuong - Deputy Director of the Railway Project Management Board, said that the construction progress of the items has been completed about 96%.

The unfinished items include the station architecture, units in the maintenance area (depot), depot infrastructure... The reason is that the Chinese general contractor has not yet imported all the materials. This unit is slow in completing the detailed trial operation plan, maintenance procedures, and system safety certification documents.

According to Mr. Phuong, from September 20, the project will carry out alignment and test operation of all items according to plan (including the train and 11 related equipment). Commercial exploitation is expected to take place after 3-6 months of testing.

Assessing the progress of the project, Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The acknowledged that there has been some progress in recent times but the project may still be behind schedule. The Minister requested that commercial operations be carried out within 6 months after the trial run.

Ho Chi Minh City: Extending the time to collect fees at the beginning of the school year

Teachers and students of Luong Dinh Cua Primary School, District 3, participate in class activities on the first day of the school year. Photo: Thu Hoai/VNA

To reduce pressure on the collection and use of tuition fees and other fees at the beginning of the 2018-2019 school year, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training requires public educational and training institutions in the area to extend the collection time and not collect multiple fees at the same time.

The City Department of Education and Training requires units to fully and publicly notify all collections in writing to each parent (clearly stating the contents of the collections according to regulations, agreed collections and collections and payments). At the same time, when collecting, receipts must be issued to each student through the school's finance department, and absolutely must not be assigned to teachers to directly collect and pay money. In addition, educational institutions must fully implement financial management regimes according to regulations.

There are 60 products with geographical indications protected in 39 provinces and cities.

Green-skinned grapefruit has been granted a certificate of geographical indication registration by the Department of Intellectual Property, Ministry of Science and Technology. Photo: Huynh Phuc Hau/VNA

On the afternoon of August 23, in Hanoi, the Department of Intellectual Property (Ministry of Science and Technology) organized an event to promote products protected by geographical indications and launched the publication "Geographical Indications - Natural and Cultural Heritage of Vietnam”. The publication aims to provide readers with a picture of the quality, reputation, traditional values ​​and origin of products bearing geographical indications.

As of June 2018, 60 geographical indications in 39 provinces and cities have been updated, introduced, protected, gradually affirming their position in the production and trade of local specialty products. Regarding geographical indications, the National Office of Intellectual Property has chaired and implemented many programs, projects, and support activities, accompanying localities, enterprises, associations, and professional associations in the construction and management of geographical indications, contributing to improving efficiency, promoting the organization of production and trade of products bearing geographical indications of localities.

Publishing the publication “Geographical Indications - Natural and Cultural Heritage of Vietnam" to contribute to state agencies in formulating policies, and at the same time arouse pride in introducing Vietnamese products to the international market.

The second time the Ministry of Culture rejected the proposal to sell tickets to the Do Son buffalo fighting festival.

Fighting buffaloes participate in the Do Son buffalo fight. Photo: Giang Chinh.

Recently, Hai Phong City sent a document to the Ministry of Culture for the second time.sale proposaltickets for people and tourists to attend the Do Son buffalo fighting festival. However, the Ministry of Culture responded that these activities are included in the scientific dossier of the national intangible cultural heritage of the Do Son buffalo fighting festival. "On the other hand, buffalo fighting activities are part of the Do Son buffalo fighting festival. Therefore, the proposal to sell tickets and collect money on the 9th day of the 8th lunar month is against the law," the document signed by Deputy Minister Trinh Thi Thuy stated.

Specifically, selling tickets to collect money for Do Son buffalo fighting is contrary to the provisions of Clause 20, Article 2, Decree 28/2017 of the Government; Clause 4, Article 9, Circular 15 of the Minister of Culture.

Violations in the high school exam in Son La: Another subject prosecuted

Headquarters of the Department of Education and Training of Son La province. Photo: Huu Quyet/VNA

According to information from Son La Provincial Police, on August 22, the Investigation Security Agency of Son La Provincial Police issued a decision to prosecute Nguyen Thanh Nhan (born in 1966, residing in To Hieu ward, Son La city, Son La province), Deputy Head of the Examination and Education Quality Management Department - Department of Education and Training of Son La province for the crime of "Taking advantage of position and power while performing official duties", stipulated in Point a, Clause 2, Article 356 of the Penal Code; issued an order prohibiting Nguyen Thanh Nhan from leaving his place of residence, and a search warrant for his residence and workplace.

Previously, on July 31, the Investigation Security Agency of Son La Provincial Police issued a decision to prosecute and temporarily detain three subjects related to cheating in the 2018 National High School Exam at the Son La Provincial Examination Council.