One-day old giraffe at the Dai Nam zoological (photo: VNA)
Nhan Dan Online – The PM’s New Year’s article stresses the people’s right to mastery, Vietnam takes delivery of its first submarine and a giraffe gives birth in Vietnam; these are the most outstanding events of the last week.
1. PM’s New Year’s article stresses people’s right to mastery
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, in his New Year’s article, has highlighted the perfection of institutions and the promotion of the people’s right to mastery, as well as the successful implementation of 2014 tasks, laying foundations for the country’s rapid and sustainable development.
“It is time for us to have more driving force to regain our rapid growth and sustainable development. That momentum must come from institutional renovation and the strong promotion of the people’s right to mastery”, he stressed.
In 2014, the country is aiming for reaching a GDP growth rate of 5.8% and a per capita income of US$2,100 per year. Export turnover is forecast to rise by 10%, and the Consumer Price Index (CPI) by about 7%, while total investment in social development should be equivalent to 30% of GDP.
2. Vietnam takes delivery of first submarine
Vietnam’s first submarine, the Hanoi, arrived at Cam Ranh port in central Khanh Hoa province on January 1 after being transported from Russia aboard the heavy lift ship Rolldock Sea.
The Hanoi is the first of six Kilo-class diesel-electric submarines built by Russian shipyard Admiralty under an order placed by Vietnam during Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s visit to Russia in 2009.
The submarine, measuring 73.8 metres long and 9.9 metres wide, has a maximum submerged speed of 20 knots, an operational depth of 240 metres and an endurance time of 45 days. The purchase of submarines is part of the plan to modernise and enhance the defence capacity of the Vietnamese People’s Navy.
3. Passionate activities celebrate New Year 2014
A wide variety of cultural activities have taken place across the country to ring in the New Year.
A festive New Year’s atmosphere filled the main streets of Hanoi around Hoan Kiem Lake and Ba Dinh Square, as well as in nightlife areas where splendid and colorful decorative lights sparkled. A large-scale music programme including a chorus festival, with the participation of artists from Hanoi’s 29 districts, was held in August Revolution Square.
In Ho Chi Minh City, two high-range firework shows were held at midnight on New Year’s Eve; one at the front end of the Saigon River Tunnel in District 2 and the other in Dam Sen Park in District 11.
A series of outdoor activities were also held at other localities nationwide to welcome the New Year, attracting a large number of Vietnamese and international visitors.
4. Manufacturing continues to improve as PMI rises to 51.8
Vietnam’s manufacturing sector picked up pace in December as the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 51.8, the highest score since April 2011, according to HSBC.
This is the fourth consecutive month that Vietnam has seen improvement in manufacturing conditions. In November, the reading was 50.3.
Commenting on Vietnam’s December PMI, economist Trinh Nguyen of HSBC expected 2014 to be a slightly better year for the Vietnamese economy, with the manufacturing sector serving as the main driver.
5. Vung Ang power plant joins national grid
The first turbine of the Vung Ang Thermal Power Plant No.1 in the central province of Ha Tinh officially begun generating electricity for the national grid on December 29.
Vung Ang No.1 boasts the largest capacity of any thermal power plant in Vietnam to be successfully joined to the national grid with two turbines, each having a capacity of 600 MW.
The two turbines are expected to be put into commercial operation in June and December of 2014. Once completed, the plant will add an average output of about eight billion kWh per year to the national grid, helping reduce the country’s power shortage and ensuring national energy security.
6. 37 additional national treasures recognised
The Prime Minister issued a decision to recognise 37 more national treasures on December 30.
The list includes six ancient items that date back to the Dong Son civilisation (2,000-2,500 years ago), including a bronze drum in the Hung King temple in the northern province of Phu Tho, and eight sets of ancient objects dating back to the Oc Eo civilisation, which developed between the first and seventh century, including a collection of golden items which are kept in the Long An provincial museum.
Paintings by four big names in Vietnamese modern art – Nguyen Gia Tri, To Ngoc Van, Tran Van Can and Nguyen Sang – were also included in the list of national treasures. The ancient items also include pieces from the Ly, Tran and Le dynasties to the Nguyen dynasty (the 11th century to the 20th century).
7. Giraffe gives birth in Vietnam
A baby South African giraffe was born on January 2 at the Dai Nam zoological park in the southern province of Binh Duong.
According to Duong Thanh Phi, the zoo’s director, the mother giraffe, called Mi, was imported from South Africa in 2008 and experienced a 14-15 month gestation period. Her calf is healthy, measuring 1.9 metres tall and weighing 60-70 kg at birth.
Phi said South African giraffes adapt well to the living conditions in Binh Duong, where it is sunny all year round and food is abundant.
Đăng ký: VietNam News
