Nhandan Newspaper – October 19-25: National Assembly convenes 10th session

Nhandan Newspaper – October 19-25: National Assembly convenes 10th session

1. National Assembly convenes 10th session

The 10th session of the 13th tenure National Assembly officially opened in Hanoi on October 20 to continue implementation of the 2013 Constitution; examine and make decisions on socio-economic matters; and discuss and adopt several important draft laws.

The session will wrap up on November 27.

2. Vietnam joins IPU’s Executive Committee

Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly’s Committee for External Relations Tran Van Hang (first row, middle) at the session

Vietnam has been elected as a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s Executive Committee at its recent 133rd assembly.

The 17-member body oversees the administration of the IPU and provides advice to the Governing Council.

As one of two Asia-Pacific nations winning the vote, Vietnam will continue to promote the region’s position at global parliamentary dialogues, contributing to the general achievements of diplomatic efforts worldwide.

3. Vietnam elected to UN Economic and Social Council

Vietnam won its election to the 54-member United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for the 2016-2018 tenure with 182 out of 187 valid votes.

The UN General Assembly also elected 17 other new members to the ECOSOC on October 21 to serve the three-year term commencing January 1, 2016.

This is the second time Vietnam has been elected to the ECOSOC. The country first served on the ECOSOC from 1998 – 2000.

4. Vietnam’s inflation remains flat at 0% in October

The annual rate of inflation remains at 0% in October, unchanged from the previous month, according to the latest data published by the General Statistics Office (GSO).

However, the consumer price index (CPI) rose 0.11% against the previous month mainly due to seasonal factors.

5. Vietnamese government seeks growth of 6.7% in 2016

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung

The Vietnamese government has set a growth target of 6.7% for 2016 on the foundation of solid economic recovery, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said in a report to the National Assembly.

Other targets for next year include inflation of 5%, a 1.3-1.5% reduction in the percentage of poor households nationwide and 4% in disadvantaged districts, and health insurance coverage of 76%.

According to the prime minister’s report, Vietnam has met 13 out of 14 socio-economic targets set last year, with the only missed goal concerning the forest coverage rate.

6. Petrol price falls by VND136 per litre

NDO – The retail price of RON 92 petrol was reduced by VND136 per litre as of 3pm October 19, announced the Ministries of Finance and Industry and Trade.

The retail price of bio-petrol E5 was also cut by VND26 per litre.

RON 92 petrol is now being sold at VND18,003 per litre while E5 bio-petrol is trading at VND17,618 per litre.

Meanwhile, the prices of diesel 0.05S, kerosene and fuel oil 3.5S were raised by VND222 per litre, VND279 per litre and VND 445 per kg, respectively.

7. GM Liem crowned SPICE Cup champion for second time

2015 SPICE Cup champion, Le Quang Liem (right) receives the trophy and prize money from Susan Polgar, a well-known Hungarian-born American chess Grandmaster.

Vietnamese GM Le Quang Liem (Elo 2,697) was named the overall winner of the 2015 SPICE Cup Open chess tournament after drawing with former Ukrainian champion, Illya Nyzhnyk (Elo 2,628) in the last round of play on October 22 local time.

It was Liem’s second SPICE Cup title after competing in the tournament five times, following his first victory in 2011.

Chess grandmaster Le Quang Liem has made a leap in world rankings, jumping 18 notches to 32nd place, thanks to his champion title at the US annual SPICE Cup Open.

8. Vietnam named among 20 best countries to visit in your lifetime

Vietnam ranked 12th among the top 20 destinations travellers want to visit. (Photo: businessinsider.com)

Condé Nast Traveller (CNT) just released the results of its annual Readers’ Choice Awards, and for the fifth year in a row, accordingly Vietnam ranked 12th among the top 20 destinations travellers want to visit.

Wandering Chef Anthony Bourdain says going to Vietnam changed his life. “It just seemed like another planet; a delicious one that sort of sucked me in and never let go” he told CNT. We’d be happy just to sip Vietnamese coffee and eat pho all day, but the adventurous can descend into the world’s largest cave, Son Doong, in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.

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