Hoi an

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.

Speaking at the handover conference on April 15, Deputy PM Khai congratulated Phong on his new role and expressed his belief that Phong will put his full potential into service so as to ensure the Government Inspectorate will function effectively.

Khai asked the new chief inspector to accelerate the inspection plan for 2021 while strengthening the discipline of inspection officials while performing their duty.

For his part, Government Inspector General Phong vowed to be impartial and strive to effectively carry out the duties assigned by the Party, State and people.

Doan Hong Phong was elected as chief of the Government Inspectorate at the 11th plenary session of the 14th National Assembly, replacing Le Minh Khai, who has been elected as Deputy Prime Minister.

Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Bui Minh Chau joined other delegates to offered incense to Father Lac Long Quan at his temple on Sim Mountain in the Hung Kings Relic Site.

The delegates expressed their gratitude to the nation’s legendary father while vowing to promote solidarity and exert every effort towards the nation’s construction and defence in a bid to build a peaceful, prosperous and developed Vietnam.

The local leaders then offered incense and flowers to express their gratefulness to Mother Au Co at her temple on Van Mountain.

The ceremony is the most important ritual among a series of activities held annually in Phu Tho Province to pay tribute to the legendary founders of the nation and commemorate the death anniversary of Hung Kings, which falls on the tenth day of the third lunar month.

Legend has it that Lac Long Quan married Au Co, who gave birth to a sack of 100 eggs which later hatched into 100 sons.

Lac Long Quan took 50 sons to the sea and Au Co took 49 to the mountains to expand the territory, while the eldest son was crowned as the first Hung King, who named the country Van Lang and established the capital in Phong Chau, present-day Phu Tho.

This is the second year the National Online Book Festival is held with the message “Bringing books to everywhere”.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Vinh Bao said the festival has drawn the participation of 70 booths featuring about 20,000 book titles from publishing houses and units across the country.

The festival also includes an international book copyright festive day with the participation of dozens of foreign and Vietnamese publishing houses with an aim to overcome difficulties related to copyright trading activities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to create favourable conditions for domestic publishers to participate in copyright transactions with their international publishers, he added.

In preparation for the festival, all technological platforms have been readied to serve readers. Numerous exchange activities and forums will take place at book365.vn.

The event is scheduled to run until May 15.

Replying to reporters’ question about the report released on April 16 by the US Department of the Treasury, Hang noted that the report said there is insufficient evidence to decide that Vietnam manipulates its exchange rate.

She added that in the recent past, Vietnamese relevant agencies have shared information and discussed with the US to clarify that Vietnam’s exchange rate policy has been steered by managerial agencies in a uniform and flexible manner that matches the reality in the country for the purpose of stabilising macro-balances, not to create unfair competitive advantages in international trade.

“In the spirit of respecting the economic – trade ties with the US, a pillar in the comprehensive partnership between the two countries, Vietnam will maintain constructive dialogue and consultation with the US side about this issue,” the spokeswoman added.