Hanoi (VNA) - The following is a list of selected news summaries reported last weekend by the Vietnam News Agency.
– Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh inspected the construction site of the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway project and attended the groundbreaking ceremony of a social housing project in Lao Cai city in the northern mountainous province of the same name on December 22.
The nearly-400-kilometre railway, expected to have a total investment of around 11.6 billion USD, will pass through nine provinces and cities, namely Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Hung Yen, Hai Duong and Hai Phong. Its construction is expected to start at the end of 2025 and be completed by the end of 2030. Read full story
– PM Pham Minh Chinh on December 22 attended the inauguration ceremony of the resettlement area projects in three villages of the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai which had been severely affected by flash floods and landslides caused by Typhoon Yagi in early September.
Typhoon Yagi hit Vietnam’s mainland in September, causing severe human and asset losses in the northern region. In Lao Cai alone, the typhoon left 139 dead, 12 missing, and 88 injured, and caused an estimated economic damage of 7 trillion VND (275 million USD). Particularly in the villages of Lang Nu, Nam Tong and Kho Vang in Lao Cai, flash floods left 84 dead and missing, while dozens of houses were buried or washed away. Read full story
– The central city of Da Nang must fully harness its distinctive potential, outstanding opportunities, and competitive advantages to achieve double-digit economic growth, solidifying its role as a growth hub of the central - Central Highlands region and the nation, said PM Pham Minh Chinh on December 21.
The cabinet leader made the request while chairing the first meeting of the Steering Committee for implementation of the Resolution on urban governance and pilot special mechanisms and policies for Da Nang’s development. Read full story
– Standing Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh on December 22 visited the Archbishop Residence of Hanoi, the Evangelical Church of Vietnam (North), and the Committee for Solidarity of Vietnamese Catholics to offer greetings for Christmas 2024 and the upcoming New Year 2025.
Binh highlighted the Party’s and State's policy on supporting the development of Christianity, encouraging its followers to embrace good deeds, fulfill their civic duties, and contribute to economic development serving the prosperity of the nation. Read full story
– Do Van Chien, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee, on December 22 visited and extended Christmas greetings to Nguyen Nang, Archbishop of the Ho Chi Minh City Archdiocese and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam.
On behalf of the Party and State's leaders, Chien wished all Catholic priests, dignitaries and followers in the HCM City Archdiocese and the whole country a peaceful and merry Christmas. Read full story
– Sixteen contracts worth 286.3 million USD in total, and 17 cooperation agreements between Vietnam’s defence industry units and businesses from various countries such as the US, India, France and Belgium were signed at the Vietnam International Defence Expo 2024 held in Hanoi from December 19-22.
As of 12:00 PM on December 22, the expo had welcomed over 260,000 visitors, and 1,872 bilateral meetings and contacts had been held, with collaboration opportunities in various potential areas discussed. Read full story
– Vietnam expects to officially export fresh passion fruit to the US in 2025 as negotiations on plant quarantine measures for the fruit near completion, according to the Plant Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The ministry has said negotiations on technical issues were already completed in August. Now, legal procedures are underway for the official export of fresh passion fruit to the US. The Vietnam Association of Vegetables and Fruit forecasts that Vietnam might earn around 50-100 million USD from exporting fresh passion fruit to the US each year. Read full story
– Ho Chi Minh City marked a significant milestone in its long-awaited mass transit development on December 22, with the official launch of its first metro line after years of delay.
The Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien metro line links Ben Thanh Market in district 1 with Suoi Tien Theme Park in Thu Duc city, marking the first of eight planned routes for its mass transit system. Read full story
– Vietnam clinched an impressive 5 - 0 victory over Myanmar on December 21 evening, retaining their top spot in Group B and securing a place in the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2024 semi-finals, where they will take on Singapore.
In his national team debut, naturalised striker of Brazilian origin Nguyen Xuan Son struck a brace and created two assists, while the other goals were scored by Vi Hao, Quang Hai, and Tien Linh. Read full story./.
