HÀ NỘI – Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc yesterday hosted a banquet for diplomatic delegations and international organisations to celebrate the 71st anniversary of Việt Nam’s National Day.

On September 2, 1945, late President Hồ Chí Minh made the historic Independence Declaration at Ba Đình Square, officially giving birth to the Socialist Republic of Việt Nam.

“That remarkable event ushered in a new era in the glorious history of the nation,” Phúc said in his speech.

The Southeast Asian nation ended wars with the French and the US poor and underdeveloped, he said, yet Việt Nam has become a middle-income country with average income per capita at about US$2,200 in 2015.

The figure increased by at least 25 times from the average income per capita of $86 in 1988, when Việt Nam kicked off its Đổi mới (Renewal) economic revolution.

“The Government of Việt Nam is committed to building an enabling government that is instrumental to development, a government of integrity with strong actions in service of the people,” the PM said.

“Việt Nam will strengthen frienship and co-operation with all countries and friends around the world, particularly countries with whom we share a border”.

The country will also make efforts to sustain peace and stability in the region and to settle disagreements and differences by peaceful means on the basis of international law, Phúc said.

Việt Nam is one of the claimants of the East Sea (South China Sea) where territorial disputes have been simmering of late and are a hot spot for potential conflict in Asia.

Heroic mothers

At least 444 mothers have been honoured as Vietnamese heroic mothers for their sacrifices and contributions to the country’s liberation fight in honour of the 71st National Day. 

The central Thanh Hóa Province granted the honourary title to 347 mothers, while Thừa Thiên-Huế and Tây Ninh Provinces earlier awarded the title to 78 and 19 mothers, respectively.

Thanh Hóa People’s Committee Deputy Chairman Phạm Đăng Quyên said at the awards ceremony on Tuesday that the title of  “Vietnamese heroic mother” expresses the gratitude of the Party and the Government to women who lost their husbands and sons on the battlefield for the cause of national liberation and freedom.

Heroic mothers each receive a monthly stipend and other financial support from the Government for the rest of their lives.

Government pardon      

The Ministry of Public Security (MPS) said yesterday morning that there will be a pardon this year on the occasion of the National Day. Further details on when and how many incarcerated people will be released will be announced soon.

So far, Việt Nam has allowed 81,807 people convicted of crimes to walk free ahead of their prison terms. Another 920 had their sentences suspended. Ngô Đức Hưng, Deputy Director of the MoPS’s Department of Rehabiliatation and Community Education, also known as C86, announced these figures at a press conference this morning.

These freed convicted criminals were granted amnesty in six government pardons since 2009, a year after the Law on Special Amnesty went into effect.

A total of 20,599 prisoners were released in two mass pardons in 2009, followed by 17,520 and 10,535 people respectively for the next two years. The number of freed prisoners increased to 15,523 in 2013 and reached 18,537 last year.

“Government amnesty helps citizens and the international community learn more about Việt Nam’s clemency policy,” Hưng said.

Hà Nội Amnesty Council yesterday also announced it would pardon 120 prisoners in detention facilities under the authority of the Hà Nội Department of Public Security.

Free wifi

Communications behemoth VNPT announced they will install 18 free wifi stations in Hà Nội’s centre district of Hoàn Kiếm by September 1.

Public wifi stations will be located across 10 spots during the first stage of the Hà Nội Department of Tourism plan. Another 13 stations will follow in 11 more places by September 20 around Hoàn Kiếm (Sword) Lake, a tourist favourite.

The city People’s Committee Chairman Nguyễn Đức Chung also asked for further area assessment to decide whether to set up extra public wifi spots on Cầu Gỗ Street.

The free wifi installment comes after the city People’s Committee approved a pilot plan for the area around Hoàn Kiếm Lake to become vehicle-free from 7pm to midnight from Friday to Sunday every week. The plan will go into effect starting tomorrow. – VNS