Hanoi creative city

At the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on business cooperation between Nordic enterprises operating in Hanoi and the possibility of establishing relations between Hanoi and the capitals of Nordic countries.

Speaking at the meeting, Chairman of the Hanoi municipal People’s Committee Chu Ngoc Anh affirmed that Hanoi always welcomes Nordic businesses to explore its investment environment and expand upon business opportunities in the city.

As a national political-administrative hub, a major centre of culture, science, education, economics and international transactions, Hanoi is aiming to become a “green-smart-modern” city by 2030, has said, adding that the city is also promoting technology, science and innovation; as well as addressing traffic, urban andmedical issues.

The city encourages Nordic enterprises to expand their business in Hanoi in high-potential sectors such as investment-trade-tourism promotion, smart city, e-government, green technology, energy and sustainable development, technology transfer, labour cooperation, human resources development and cultural exchange.

According to the Vice President of the Nordic Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam Quist Thomasen, Nordic companies are developing their strengths in areas such as Smart and Green cities, renewable energy and sustainable development.

For his part, NordCham Vietnam Chairman Quist Thomasen said he hoped to understand the needs and vision of Hanoi city, while at the same time introducing experiences of Nordic countries to contribute to the overall development of Hanoi.

Encouraging results

According to the Hanoi Coordination Office on New Rural Development, in the 2018-2020 period, Hanoi recognized 1,054 OCOP products, including 17 five-star products and the remaining with three-star and above ratings. The OCOP program also contributed to creating jobs for over 5,000 local workers during the reviewed period.

Nguyen Van Chi, deputy head of the Hanoi Coordination Office on New Rural Development, said the communication and information work contributed significantly to the success of the OCOP program in the 2018-2020 period, helping authorities at all levels, as well as producers and consumers understand its meaning and importance. In addition, the office strengthened trade promotion activities, supply-demand connection and product distribution and consumption.

Chi said the OCOP program faces many difficulties and challenges, especially in terms of mechanisms and policies. For example, the capital city has yet to adopt a policy to directly support those whose products are recognized. In addition, manufacturers and growers have not paid great attention to designs and packaging, making products less attractive.

The program focuses on six groups of goods and services including food, beverages, herbs, souvenirs-furniture-decorations, fabrics-apparel, and rural tourism services. OCOP products are ranked into five levels, of which the five-star level is the highest and meets international standards.

Focusing on consumption

During the 2021-2025 period, Hanoi aims to evaluate and classify at least 400 OCOP products each year. To realize the goal, the capital city needs to boost communication and information dissemination and urge broader participation. Together with OCOP product development, Hanoi will strengthen inspections and strictly handle violations, as well as promote consumption.

According to Plan 42/KH-UBND on the development of OCOP showrooms associated with craft village tourism in Hanoi in 2021, Hanoi will set up 30-40 new showrooms displaying and selling OCOP products. Each district and town will have at least two operating OCOP showrooms. The Hanoi People’s Committee will ask departments and agencies to inspect and supervise the operation of OCOP showrooms, and organize promotional programs to enhance consumption of quality products, including those from cities and provinces nationwide.

Nguyen Manh Quyen, deputy chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee, asked the government to promulgate a synchronous policy to facilitate the implementation of the OCOP program and support participants in the program.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has issued specific guidance on directing central and local budgets to support OCOP showrooms and points of sales.

Nguyen Hanh

Speaking at the Theoretical Council’s meeting in Hanoi, the Party leader highly valued the council’s work during 2016-2021, noting that it has continually reformed the operational model and methodology, gathered more scientists, institutes, academies, and universities, and built on the attainments and experiences gained in the previous terms to fulfill its functions and tasks, thereby contributing to common successes of the Party and the country.

He also suggested some issues needing attention in the time ahead and asked for thorough understanding of the requirements in the political theoretical work in the new period. The council’s role in providing consultations in terms of viewpoints, strategies and theoretical guidelines remains limited, the Party chief said, adding that many issues in the country’s 35-year Doi Moi (renewal) cause and 30-year implementation of the 1991 Platform, as well as newly emerging issues in reality in Vietnam and the world, have not been analysed and clarified.

The 13th National Party Congress identified the strategic vision as well as a detailed road map and steps to develop the country in the next five, 10, and 25 years. The international context and the demand for breakthrough development in the new period require that the Party continue reforming its development mindset in a way that fully taps into Vietnam’s potential, stature and conditions and matches development trends in the world and of the era, he pointed out.

The leader told the council to study new theoretical issues in the world, experiences of developed countries, along with scientific – technological revolutions.

General Secretary Trong also asked the council to improve the quality and effectiveness of political theory-related advice to help the Party Central Committee, the Politburo, and the Secretariat direct national development and defence efforts.

It should also proactively coordinate with ministries, sectors, central agencies, local Party committees, and political theory researchers nationwide in reality analysis and theoretical research, he said, adding that during the 25 years of operations, the council has established itself in the system of central agencies.

On this occasion, the Theoretical Council was granted a merit certificate from the Prime Minister in recognition of its contributions to the compilation of the documents of the 13th National Party Congress, the fight to protect the Party’s ideological foundation, and theoretical research.

The new patient, a 25-year-old Chinese man, has been quarantined since his entry into the country via the Huu Nghi Border Gate in northern Lang Son province on April 13.

He is undergoing treatment at the branch in Hanoi’s Dong Anh district of the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases.

So far, Vietnam has seen 2,475 recoveries from the coronavirus disease, according to the ministry’s Department of Medical Service Administration.

Eleven of those still under treatment have tested negative for the virus once, 16 others twice, and 18 thrice.

There are 40,443 people kept in quarantine nationwide at present, the ministry noted, adding that 66,366 people had received COVID-19 vaccination as of 4pm on April 16.