Vietnam news today (January 4): Vietnam to enter “elderly population structure” in 2026: study
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Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong (Photo: Bao Ha Giang)

Congratulations to Myanmar over Independence Day

Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong has sent a message of congratulations to President of Myanmar U Win Myint on the occasion of Myanmar’s 73rd Independence Day (January 4, 1948-2021), Vietnam Plus reported.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc also extended his greetings to State Counsellor of Myanmar Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh cabled his congratulatory messages to State Counsellor and Foreign Minister Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Minister of International Cooperation U Kyaw Tin.

Vietnam and Myanmar set up diplomatic ties on May 28, 1975.

The two countries are members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

National Strategy for 4th Industrial Revolution adopted

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has adopted the National Strategy for 4th Industrial Revolution with an aim to gradually create new technologies in favor of accelerating growth model transformation in Viet Nam.

Under the Strategy compiled by the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Government expects to raise the digital economy contribution to gross domestic product to 30% by 2030.

It aims to bring Viet Nam into top 40 countries in terms of global innovation index (GII), top 30 countries in terms of cyber security index, and top 50 countries in terms of e-government index (EGDI).

Meanwhile, 5G network coverage would be available nationwide.

To realize the targets, the Government maps out solutions including improving institution quality, advancing connection infrastructure and data exploitation, developing human resources, and investing in development of some priority technologies, according to VGP.

(Illustrative photo: VNE)

Session highlights special links between Vietnamese, Lao armies

The Lao Embassy in Vietnam, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations, and the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association had a working session with the Hanoi Capital High Command on January 4, Vietnam Plus said.

The event took place on the occasion of 77 years since the establishment of the Vietnam People’s Army (December 22, 1944 - 2021) and the 72nd founding anniversary of the Lao People’s Army (January 20, 1949 - 2021).

The diplomat considered the working session as a demonstration of the close-knit ties and special solidarity between the Vietnamese and Lao armies and peoples, expressing his hope that the countries’ younger generations will keep treasuring and promoting these relations.

The working session in Hanoi on January 4 (Photo: VNA)

At the session, Maj. Gen. Nguyen Quoc Duyet, Commander of the Hanoi Capital High Command, affirmed that the high command always adheres to the Vietnamese Party and State’s foreign policy, which attaches special importance to relations with Laos. He highlighted Vietnam’s consistent viewpoint of bringing into play the special solidarity and friendship with Laos and wish that Laos will firmly safeguard its independence, sovereignty, and stability and develop more and more strongly.

Duyet noted over the past five years, the high command has organised many working visits to Laos and also welcomed delegations of Lao military officers, as reported by Vietnam Plus.

Vietnam to suspend flights from countries with new coronavirus variants

The Ministry of Health has just submitted a report to the Prime Minister, proposing that Vietnam stop operating and restrict licensing flights to Vietnam from countries and territories with the new variant of the SARS-CoV- 2 virus.

According to VOV, in an attempt to prevent the new variant from further entering Vietnam, the MoH proposed that the Prime Minister direct a number of relevant ministries and agencies to stop operating and restrict the licensing of flights to Vietnam from countries and territories that have recorded the new variant of the virus.

Currently Vietnam has only received foreign diplomats, business executive and highly skilled workers to come and work in the country.

In addition, domestic airlines have conducted flights to repatriate Vietnamese citizens stranded overseas due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vietnam is considering suspending flights from the UK and countries that have recorded the new variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The new strain variant VOC202012/01 was said to originate from the United Kingdom and it has so far spread to 34 countries and territories worldwide, including Vietnam.

Currently, more than 40 countries have imposed bans and restrictions on travel from the UK and countries that have recorded the new variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

In Vietnam, a female resident of Tra Vinh province, was confirmed on January 2 as the country’s first case of the coronavirus variant. She is being quarantined at a hospital in Tra Vinh for medical observation and treatment.

Stock market aims for sustainable development in year ahead

The Vietnam stock market is anticipated to develop in both scale and quality of operation this year, affirming its role as an effective capital mobilising channel for the local economy, according to Minister of Finance Dinh Tien Dung, VOV reported.

Minister Dung made the statement during a gavel striking ceremony held on January 4 to mark the opening of the first trading session of 2021.

During the ceremony, the Minister emphasised that 2021 can be considered an important year for national politics due to the organisation of the upcoming 13th National Party Congress expected to provide a solid foundation for the local economy and the stock market this year.

Furthermore, the amendment of the Investment Law and Enterprise Law, especially the official enforcement of the Law on Securities, is anticipated to create a new legal foundation to enhance competitiveness, improve transparency, and the operational efficiency of stakeholders towards the sustainable development of the Vietnamese stock market.

With regard to key objectives ahead throughout the year, Minister Dung requested that the State Securities Commission and relevant units continue to fine-tune the legal system for the securities market, speed up the restructuring of the securities and insurance markets, whilst also accelerating the equitisation process of State-owned enterprises.

This should be done alongside increasing market size and liquidity, and introducing new products in transactions over the course of 2021, he stressed.

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