Foreign national information system

The Hanoitimes – Vietnam has decided to tighten regulations regarding foreign arrivals and their quarantine period.

Vietnam will tighten foreign arrivals and toughen up border control measures to prevent illegal entry ahead of Tet holiday.

The order was made by the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control at a meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam on January 21.

The committee announced the completion of a streamlined information system to supervise the medical status of upcoming arrivals from pandemic-stricken countries. Under the new system, overseas citizens will fill out a health declaration at the moment they sign up for repatriation flights and provide an address of their stay after finishing quarantine.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam presides over a meeting of the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control. Photo: Dinh Nam

The foreigners include experts, investors, business managers, skilled workers and their family members, Mr. Dam said.

He requested that concentrated quarantine sites must strictly comply with instructions of the Ministry of Health and those who violate quarantine rules must be strictly fined.

The deputy prime minister also asked localities to strengthen Covid-19 prevention and control measures and strictly enforce the measures ahead of and during the Lunar New Year celebrations.

Localities across the country were asked to contact families of the returnees to update their health conditions and quarantine them if necessary, Mr. Dam added.

At the meeting, the Ministry of Health called for continuing the consistent strategy of outbreak prevention, detection, quarantining, zoning off, stamping out, and effective treatment.

Hoang Minh Duc, the deputy head of the General Department of Preventive Medicine under the Ministry of Health, said many countries have maintained strong measures to curb the spread of coronavirus and its variants.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Health has been working with other ministries and agencies to complete mechanisms relating to the study, production and access to Covid-19. Photo: Trung Kien

The Covid-19 pandemic is still expanding around the world with over 96 million infection cases and more than two million deaths in 220 countries and territories.

The new Covid-19 strain first seen in the UK has spread to 50 countries and territories while the variant found recently in South Africa has been reported in 23 countries and territories, according to the World Health Organization.

In Vietnam, some quarantine camps which host foreign experts and Vietnamese people returning from abroad had violated regulations, posing risks of spreading the virus, Mr. Duc added.

Although 46 countries around the world are implementing Covid-19 vaccination campaigns, it would take time to create herd immunity, according to experts at the meeting.

Meanwhile, Vietnam’s Ministry of Health reported that it has been working with other ministries and agencies to complete mechanisms relating to the study, production and access to Covid-19 vaccines.

The health ministry is working with the ministries of Defense and Science and Technology to speed up domestic vaccine trials. The ministries of Health and Finance will develop mechanisms for vaccine production and supply if the vaccine trials are successful.

At the time of writing, the last community infection in Vietnam was confirmed 51 days ago but imported cases have been reported daily with the tally standing at 1,546. The majority of current patients were imported from overseas.

The Hanoitimes – A media center will be open to facilitate the coverage by both domestic and foreign reporters. More than 600 newsmen have so far registered to cover news on the congress.

The Party Central Committee’s Commission for Communication and Education has launched a campaign to disseminate information about the 13th National Party Congress that is scheduled to take place between January 25 and February 2.

Head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Communication and Education Vo Van Thuong. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

The push requires the participation of different sectors and agencies, cities and provinces, central party committees, and news outlets, Head of the Commission Vo Van Thuong said at a meeting on January 12.

Covering news on the congress is an extremely important political mission for news agencies, request by the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Communication and Education.

To prepare for the dissemination, the commission has compiled propaganda contents on the congress to support the press in the massive movement.

The commission has asked media outlets to continue reporting relating aspects that include thoughts by party members and state employees and people’s comments on and expectations for the congress.

The commission has also required related agencies to create favorable conditions for the coverage ahead, during, and after the congress.

Vietnam plans massive dissemination campaign. Source: VOV

Media center

A media center will be open at the International Convention Center in Hanoi on January 22 to facilitate the coverage by both domestic and foreign reporters.

So far, more than 600 newsmen, including over 60 correspondents and staff at foreign news agencies located in Vietnam, have registered to cover the event. More than 60 journalists registered to report online.

Mr. Vo Van Thuong asked the Media Center to ensure best conditions for reporters, especially foreign correspondents who registered to cover news online.

The commission has also released regulations on the operation of the Media Center, writing, recording, and interviewing by reporters in a spirit of covering news as much as possible to help international community and overseas Vietnamese have an overview on the congress.

Reporters who attend the congress will be tested for SARS-COV-2.

Information of the congress will also be updated via the Media Center and different channels like a news portal specializing in the event daihoi13.dangcongsan.vn to publish information in Vietnamese, English, French, Chinese, Spanish and Russian.

In addition to Media Center, there’s a document collection on display at the International Convention Center.

The Hanoitimes – The every-five-year political event will select new leadership of the Party and discuss socio-economic strategies in the next term.

8:00am Tuesday [January 26] , the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) convenes the 13th Congress today [January 26] in Hanoi with the participation of 1,587 delegates who represent nearly 5.2 million party members nationwide.

The week-long event will be broadcast live on the state-run Vietnam Television (VTV).

Opening ceremony of the CPV’s 13h Congress on January 26. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

At the opening session, the CPV’s Secretary General and State President Nguyen Phu Trong presents Assessment Report on the Implementation of the 12th Congress term (2016-20).

Mr. Trong said Vietnam now has the best-ever fortune, potential, position and prestige.

The every-five-year political event, which is the 13th congress since the Communist Party’s establishment in 1930, will last until February 2 of mostly closed door meetings setting the socio-economic course for Vietnam over the next five years.

With this regard, the congress is scheduled to elect the CPV’s Central Committee of 200 members, including 20 alternate representatives.

Issues of discussions

Apart from personnel matters that is said to consider qualifications over structure and virtues over talents, the 13th CPV Congress will also debate and approve a few key documents such as the political report and the socio-economic strategy.

Main topics are reportedly covered at the congress namely (1) review on the 12th congress’s Resolution and on the 35-year journey after the Doi moi (Renewal); (2) review on 30 years implementing Political Program 1991; (3) review on 10 years of Supplement Political Program in 2011; (4) assessment report on socio-economic reforms for 2011-20; (5) socio-economic agenda strategy for 2021-25, target to 2030, and vision by 2045.

Regarding participants, this congress marks the highest number of delegates, up 80 representatives from the previous gathering. The total number includes 15 overseas delegates who was selected by the Politburo, the country’s highest body.

Besides official delegates, former members of the CPV’s Central Committee from the 3rd tenure to the 12th tenure, a number of Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, religious dignitaries, intellectuals, artists, and youth among others are invited to attend the opening and closing ceremonies of the congress.

Among the delegates, women account for 13.99% while ethnic minorities make up 11.03%.

Participants who hold doctoral degrees account for 12.54%, master degrees 54.69%, and 32.77% bachelor’s degrees.

Security tightened

Congress attendees were subjected to rigorous coronavirus prevention screenings, and were all tested twice for the virus several days ahead of the gathering.

According to the health ministry, around 10,000 people have been tested in connection with the congress.

In terms of security, Major General To An Xo, the chief of staff of the Ministry of Public Security, said there have a number of security scenarios ranging from cybersecurity to activities against terrorism and social disorder to ensure the safety for the congress.

To ensure smooth traffic for the congress, Hanoi’s police ban a number of roads leading to the National Convention Center – the venue for the sessions – and time slots for vehicle restrictions which fall at 6:30-8:30am, 10:30-2:00pm, and 4:00-6:30pm.

Massive dissemination

Roughly 500 newsmen of 191 domestic news agencies and more than 60 reporters of 26 international media outlets have registered to provide widespread coverage of the congress.

Due to Covid-19, nearly 100 foreign correspondents have registered to virtually make coverage of the congress.

According to Le Manh Hung, deputy head of the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for Information and Education, they have invited 32 correspondents from 17 Party-run media agencies overseas, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have invited 67 correspondents from foreign media agencies to cover the event.

Hanoi (VNA) – The foreign ministers of Singapore and Indonesia support a proposal to hold an informal ASEAN ministerial meeting on Myanmar, Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said on February 18.

The statement was issued following Singapore an Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan’s meeting with his visiting Indonesia n counterpart, Retno Marsudi, in Singapore on the same day.

The MFA said the two ministers discussed possible next steps for ASEAN to address the situation in Myanmar, including how it could foster inclusive dialogue with all key stakeholders, including its external partners.

They also expressed strong support for a proposed Informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Myanmar to be convened as soon as possible, to facilitate a constructive exchange of views and identify a possible way forward.

Retno arrived in Singapore on February 17 and left on the next day.

She also visited Brunei on February 17 and met with its Second Foreign Minister Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof, where discussions on the situation in Myanmar were held. Brunei is the current ASEAN Chair.

The military took power and declared the state of emergency in Myanmar after detaining Aung San Suu Kyi and other senior figures from the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) on February 1.

Previously, the military had demanded the postponement of the new parliament sessions, citing massive voting fraud in the November 2020 elections, which saw the NLD win a majority of seats in both houses of parliament. The country’s Union Election Commission had dismissed the allegation./.

VNA

In early 2020, Novartis Vietnam Ltd. successfully transformed into a foreign-invested enterprise and fully operationalized its import activities.

Through long-term commitments, Novartis is supporting Vietnam’s domestic healthcare system and contributing to the country’s socio-economic development.

Novartis is a leader in innovative medicines across many therapeutic areas, namely oncology, cardiology (hypertension, heart failure, diabetes), respiratory diseases (asthma, COPD), ophthalmology, pain relief, neuroscience, dermatology and immunology, cell and gene therapy, and others.

The company is a leader in high-quality generics and biosimilars through the firm’s Sandoz arm, and one of the largest investors in clinical trials in Vietnam.

The Hanoitimes – Party’s personnel must be the most important task, focusing on building a contingent of cadres, especially strategic-level cadres, of high qualification who are competent and reputable leaders.

Secretary General of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and State President Nguyen Phu Trong delivered a speech at the opening session of the CPV’s 13th Congress on January 26.

Secretary General of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and State President Nguyen Phu Trong at the opening session on January 26. Photo: VGP

The speech comprises two main parts, including one focusing on lessons learned from the previous congress in 2016-20 and key points for the upcoming term.

Hanoitimes has the honor to introduce his speech in brief.

LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE 12TH CONGRESS AND REVIEW BACK ON DOI MOI JOURNEY

The President named five valuable lessons of experience.

From the reality of the Doi moi (Renewal) process, especially the experience learned from the implementation of 12th Party Congress’ resolution during the last five years, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong pointed out five valuable lessons as below:

Firstly , the Party building and rectification must be drastically, comprehensively, synchronously carried out on a regular basis and effectively deployed in terms of politics, ideology, morality, organization and personnel.

It’s a must to build up a clean, strong, comprehensive State and political system; creating a perfect mechanism of strict control of power; fighting against the moral degradation; preventing “self-evolution” and “ self-transformation” behavior; and stepping up the battle against corruption and wastefulness within the Party.

Party’s personnel must be the most important task, focusing on building a contingent of cadres, especially strategic-level cadres, of high qualification who are competent and reputable leaders.

Secondly , people should be considered the “root” in all affairs of the Party and State. It is necessary to trust, respect, and promote the people’s right to mastery, and persistently follow the motto of “People know, People discuss, People do, People inspect, People supervise and People benefit.”

People are always placed at the center position, and the subject of the renovation, construction and defense of the country; all policies must come from the real life, aspirations, rights and interests of the people, taking the happiness and well-being of the people as the target to strive for.

In addition, the Party needs to tighten ties with the people, relying on them to build up the Party, while consolidating and enhancing the people’s trust in the Party, the State, and socialism.

Thirdly , in its leadership, instruction, management and implementation, the Party must have strong determination; exert great efforts; take drastic action; be dynamic, creative, and active; take the appropriate steps to promote all resources and driving force as well as superiority of socialism; promptly remove bottlenecks and problems; uphold the responsibilities of the heads associated with promoting the synchronous strength of the entire political system; promote democracy together with maintaining discipline; and well perform coordination in leadership, management and administration to create breakthroughs for development.

Fourthly , the Party’s priority should be given to synchronously building development institutions, ensuring harmony between being unwavering and innovative, between inheritance and development, between economic renovation and political and socio-cultural renovation, between the compliance of market regulations and the assurance of socialist orientations, between economic growth and cultural and human development, between the settlement of social issues and the protection of natural resources and the environment, between socio-economic development and ensuring defense-security, and between independence, self-reliance and international integration. The Party also needs to pay special attention on promoting the key role of human, culture, education and training, and science and technology as drivers for national development.

Fifthly , the Party needs to proactively study and accurately forecast the situation to avoid passivity and surprise; consistently safeguard independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity in parallel with maintaining a peaceful, secure and stable environment for national development; and actively step up international integration intensively and extensively on the basis of maintaining independence, self-determination and self-reliance.

It’s also important to properly and effectively handle relationships with major powers and neighboring countries; effectively bring into play the country’s combined strength in combination with the power of the times; efficiently exploit all resources to meet the requirements of the nation’s construction, development and protection in the new situation.

“These five experienced lessons are important foundations for the Party to continue making use of and promoting creativeness in leadership and instructions to help the country remain firm and resolute to overcome new difficulties and challenges as well as heavier tasks in the 13th tenure,” he confirmed.

Representatives at the opening session. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

KEY MISSIONS FOR THE 13TH CONGRESS AND YEARS TO COME

For the orientation and objectives of the 13th Party Congress and subsequent years, Mr. Trong said the growing global uncertainties, climate change, natural disasters and non-traditional risks, especially cyber security, are posing major challenges to Vietnam’s stability and sustainable development.

“Amid difficulties, Vietnam has attained major results, but still faces with numerous difficulties, risks and shortcomings,” said the Party Chief.

He noted Vietnam’s economic growth has not been as expected, and the GDP growth suffered a sharp decline in 2020 as a result of the pandemic and natural disasters.

Among issues of the economy, the top leader emphasized the necessity to improve the economy’s resilience and independence, and urged greater efficiency in the operation of state-owned enterprises.

The State President also called for a focus on sustainable growth from the private and foreign-invested sectors.

Meanwhile, there are urgent needs to ensure social security and public order, while inefficiency in environmental protection and utilization of natural resources are causing public discontent.

Mr. Trong expressed concern at the low quality of certain laws and regulations, along with the limited capacity from government agencies in law enforcement processes.

“Such issues and shortcomings require stronger efforts and determination to deal with,” Mr. Trong stressed, warning of complacency and the lack of vigilance.

In order to push up further reform in the next period, Mr. Trong emphasized the importance of understanding five guiding viewpoints.

The Party leader said Vietnam will continue to stand firm on and apply Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh’s thought in a creative way. As such, the country remains steadfast in pursuing independence and socialism, defending the national interests based on international laws.

“This is the key principle and matters most to our regime, while laying a solid foundation for the Party,” stated the president.

In Vietnam’s overall development strategy, Mr. Trong said the priority is to step up comprehensive renovation towards rapid and sustainable development.

“In this process, no effort would be spared to promote socio-economic-cultural development, Party building, and ensure national defense-security.”

He expected Vietnam to accelerate the application of technology, science, and innovation from the Fourth Industrial Revolution to aid the development process.

“A strong Communist Party of Vietnam with the support of the people is capable of overcoming any challenge and difficulty and creating new miracles in the process of country building and developing,” stressed Mr. Trong.

In the 2021-25 tenure and subsequent years, the overall development goals will enhance the leadership capabilities and the fighting spirit of the Party; keep a strong and pure political organizations; build public trust toward the Party, the government and socialism; and inspire people to join hands in realizing the goal of a prosperous Vietnam.

Mr. Trong pointed out specific milestones for Vietnam, in which Vietnam will become a middle-income country with a certain level of modernization and industrialization by 2025. Five years later, in 2030, Vietnam is set to be an upper middle-income country, and by 2045 to become a developed and high-income country.

Key breakthroughs are required, Mr. Trong said, including the finalization of legal framework for development, with the foremost being the legal environment to promote the socialist-oriented market economy; develop high-skilled workforce and socio-economic infrastructure, focusing on priority projects on transportation and climate-change resilience; invest in IT and telecommunication infrastructure to lay the foundation for national digital transformation.

The Party leader set the tasks and solutions that will be submitted to the congress as followed:

Promoting Party Building and strong political system

The report vows to continue the fight against group interests and self-interested rent-seeking practices, political pluralism and multiparty practices, “peaceful transformation”, “self-evolution” and the division of power among the legislative, executive and judicial branches.

Improving qualifications of cadres, mostly key successors, is set to be another issues in the Party building. The move is aimed to ensure good working environment for them together with completing streamlined political system.

Enhancing the operations of state agencies in terms of institutionalization. It will result in disciplined working style and effective performance of political system from the grassroots to central levels.

Efforts to reform justice procedures are also included to win more trust and engagement to the Party, State, and the socialism.

Continuing growth momentum with science and technology-led approach

The report focuses on restructuring economic sectors, mainly in agriculture and rural development together with stepping up the industrialization and modernization pace. To make the goal achievable, it requires the encouragement of private sector, service sectors, and maritime economy with an aim to attain economic targets and protect the sovereignty.

The report calls for improving the management capability in macroeconomy. In terms of finance, it is necessary to curb the public debts, supervise budget spending, and restructure public procurement.

Making long-term goals and master planning in every sector is aimed to have well-prepared strategy for the sustainable development.

Applying advanced technologies and boosting digitalization, including 4.0 in the development, to make the economy more competitive and keep pace with regional peers is another priority mentioned in the report.

Rousing the national spirit and will to pursue the goal of a strong, prosperous and happy nation

It needs to put central point on patriotism, pride, self-reliance, compassion, solidarity, social consensus and national development aspirations of the entire nation.

Another goal is mobilizing both domestic strengths and international support to take advantages of local resources, ensuring social welfare and people-centered approach for fair and inclusive society.

Promoting social welfare is a must by conducting altogether programs on poverty eradication, calling on the state agencies to address the root causes of poverty, providing all people with basic needs and ensuring the poor to have accessed to productive resources.

In addition, making suitable policies and closing legal loopholes are also included in this topic.

Maintaining independence and strengthening national defense and security

It requires efforts to boost foreign affairs and international integration together with persistently keeping position on independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity to maintain peace and stability for the development.

Accordingly, socio-economic development and security and defense must be conducted together with intensified investment in armed forces, mostly strengthening the military forces towards modernization and elite by 2030.

It needs to be active in every case to fulfill given security and defense tasks. Meanwhile, promoting the external relations also requires tireless efforts.

Promoting the national solidarity by paying more attention to policies on ethnic minorities and religious practice

To make this goal attainable, it requires a political system working in a stable and transparent manner.

Tightening management of natural resources for environment protection and towards climate resilience

Authorized agencies need to complete legal framework and build strategies to effectively supervise natural resources, including land and water.

Meanwhile, more efforts are required to spend on information sharing and research to ensure water and food security, energy transition, carbon emissions, and green growth.