Historic decision
The results of the 13th National Assembly and People’s Council elections at all levels, high school graduation examinations, the Action Month for Children and the Shangri-la Dialogue were prominent events this past week.
The 100th anniversary of the day late President Ho Chi Minh left the country to seek ways for national salvation (June 5)
During numerous scientific seminars and activities, researchers, theorists and others highlighted the historic significance of late President Ho Chi Minh’s decision 100 years ago to go abroad on a quest to save the nation.
During his 30-year journey through 28 countries and territories, Nguyen Ai Quoc discovered the illuminating handbook by Lenin, which was a turning point in his revolutionary ideology, helping him to draw this important conclusion: To salvage the nation and liberate the people, there is no other way except the proletarian revolutionary path. This is an example of President Ho Chi Minh’s independent and creative thought.
The President Ho Chi Minh’s quest for national salvation left valuable lessons for the country. The revolutionary path is never smooth. Therefore, each person should take responsibility for the nation and contribute to national construction and development.
Election results for NA and People’s Council deputies announced
The recent national elections were held in a democratic, fair, lawful and safe manner and were considered a national festival for everyone. Nearly 62 million voters went to the polls, a 99.51 percent national voter turnout
Voters elected 500 deputies to the NA, including 78 from ethnic minorities (accounting for 15.6 percent), 42 non-Party members (8.4 percent), and 62 below 40 years old (12.4 percent), as well as 167 re-elected (33.4 percent) and 4 self-nominated (0.8 percent) delegates. 15 of the 182 candidates proposed by central agencies were not elected this time.
The success of the election will play an important role in implementing the 11th National Party Congress’s resolution. It is a foundation for building, consolidating and completing a socialist law-governed state in the new term. The results affirmed that the decision to organise the NA election and the People’s Council elections on the same day was correct and in line with the current situation.
Regular Government meeting in May
In the first five months of this year, GDP is estimated to have increased 5.6 percent. The State budget collected VND227 trillion, equal to 46.6 percent of this year’s total estimates and the State budget spent more than VND299 trillion, equal to 41.3 percent the year’s estimates. Also, thanks to drastic measures, prices are beginning to fall and the consumer price index (CPI) increased by 2.21 percent in May, which was much lower than in April.
During the meeting, the Government reviewed the five million hectare forest project, and creating a forest protection and development programme for 2011-2020. it also worked on draft resolutions for the administrative reform programme for 2011-2020, and on accelerating international economic integration in 2011-2015 with a vision to 2020, as well as planning for human resources development in 2011-2020.
High school graduation examinations
During the three-day exams, only 3,801 out of 1,047,654 students across the country quit the exams (0.36 percent). 45 violated the rules and were suspended (half of last year’s figure) and 8 supervisors broke the rules but the exams took place safely.
Deputy Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Vinh Hien said that it was not true that the exam questions were made public in Thanh Hoa province over the past day. The questions were based on standard knowledge and in line with the examinees’ qualifications.
Action Month for Children 2011 promotes “A safe, friendly and healthy environment for every child”
Child protection and care services in 2011 will aim to reduce the number of disadvantaged children to below 6 percent and ensure 100 percent of children under six have access to free medical services. In addition, 60 percent of villages and communes will be safe for children and 80 percent of disadvantaged children will receive regular support.
During the month, many practical issues will be discussed, including children’s playground, and the impact of violent games.
World No Tobacco Day (May 31): smoking cigarette costs VND20,000 billion each year
Vietnam is one of the 15 countries with the highest number of tobacco users in the world. The number of adult smokers is estimated at 20 million and there are around 33 million who are directly affected by second-hand smoke.
Smoking cigarette costs VND20,000 billion each year and the same amount for treating tobacco- related diseases. As many as 40,000 tobacco-related deaths are reported in Vietnam every year and the figure is likely to hit 70,000 by 2030 if no measures are taken to prevent the negative effects of tobacco.