The northern region has been forecasted to face severe cold weather quite early this winter.

According to the National Centre for Hydrometeorology Forecasting, from now to the year-end, around 7-9 storms would occur on the East Sea with 3-4 to directly affecting the Vietnamese mainland.

Heavy rains would mostly happen between October and the first two weeks of December in central and southern central localities.

The cold weather would start appearing from late September and early October. The northern region of Vietnam has been predicted to have severe cold weather from mid-December, earlier than usual. This weather will end in February next year.

Meanwhile, the rainy season would end quite late.

The average temperature of the country between September and October this year and January and February 2022 would be 0.5-1 degree centigrade higher than that of many previous years.

The average temperature of this year is forecasted to be lower than that of last year.

Rivers in the central and Central Highlands regions would face the flood peak from September and October. Flash floods and landslides would also happen in the regions during this time.

The flood peak on the Mekong River would be in mid-October. Some low or riverside areas in Can Tho and Vinh Long would be flooded.

The National Centre for Hydrometeorology Forecasting reported that between October and December, coastal areas in the southern region would see three high flood tides.

Loopholes still found in HN’s social distancing

Loopholes are still being found in the implementation of social distancing in Hà Nội.

The loopholes include pandemic prevention and control activities in densely populated areas and lockdown areas not being strict enough; as well as green-channel truck drivers who transport necessary goods during social distancing being dishonest about travel itineraries.

Secretary of the Party Committee of Hà Nội Đinh Tiến Dũng told local media on Monday morning the loopholes had resulted in new clusters being found in the city in recent days.

For example, clusters of new cases were recently found in Thanh Xuân Trung Ward, Thanh Xuân District and Giáp Bát Ward in Hoàng Mai District.

Recently, there were clusters in Văn Chương Ward in Đống Đa District, Liên Ninh Commune in Thanh Trì District, HH4C Linh Đàm Apartment Complex in Hoàng Mai District.

New positive cases of SARS-CoV-2 were also reported among ambulance drivers, green-channel truck drivers and people who worked at traditional markets and supermarkets, he said.

"All of these cases warn of the very unpredictable way the pandemic attacks the community," he said.

“While the pandemic still shows its complex developments in many localities across the country, we need to continue persevering the effective implementation of social distancing."

The city was told to implement the model "COVID-19 safe family," requiring each household to sign a commitment not to go out unless necessary, he said.

Dũng ordered all relevant agencies to quickly close loopholes and focus on pandemic prevention and control measures to bring the city back to normal.

In addition to the efforts of the city administration, it needed more consensus in the community in the fight against the pandemic, he added.

Therefore, he called on all local people to seriously obey social distancing. People must stay at home and only go out if necessary as well as comply with the 5K message: Khẩu trang (facemasks) – Khử khuẩn (disinfection) – Khoảng cách (distancing) – Không tụ tập (no gathering) – Khai báo y tế (health declaration).

In order to prevent cases of green-channel truck drivers spreading the virus in the community such as cases in Giáp Bát Ward, Hoàng Mai District, green-channel drivers must transport goods directly to the delivery place without randomly parking, he said.

If drivers need to leave the cabin for any reasons, they must wear medical protective clothing and must not contact with other people. After delivering the goods, they must leave the area immediately, he said.

Hà Nội has recorded a total of 3,637 cases of COVID-19 as of 6pm on Sunday, including 38 deaths. A total of 2,900,287 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in the city.

Vietnam looks to train, retrain skills to adapt to 4IR

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam has signed a decision approving a programme on training and retraining skills of human resources to meet requirements of the fourth Industrial Revolution.

The programme aims at training new occupations and new vocational skills for at least 20 professions and occupations at the college and intermediate educational level, with priority given to information technology, new technology, high technology and future skills that meet the requirements of the fourth Industrial Revolution.

The minimum number of trainees in each industry or occupation is 120, and the total number of trainees participating in the programme is about 4,800.

It also aims to retrain to improve knowledge and skills associated with job change for at least 300,000 workers affected by the fourth Industrial Revolution with the training time of under one year, and identify new industries, training occupations, vocational skills and training models to adapt to the revolution.

Its tasks and solutions are to assess and identify training and retraining needs, develop training and retraining programmes, improve the capacity of teachers and managers of vocational education institutions and teachers in enterprises, and select vocational education institutions and enterprises to order training and retraining./.

Over 9,000 more Covid-19 patients recover

Vietnam announced 14,224 more Covid-19 infections on Monday and 9,014 patients recovered from the disease the same day, according to the Ministry of Health.

According to the ministry's report, 14,219 of the new patients are locally-transmitted cases confirmed in 41 localities such as Binh Duong (6,050), HCM City (5,889), Long An (524), Dong Nai (491), Tien Giang (221), Khanh Hoa (126), Hanoi (110), and An Giang (90). Five other patients were imported cases from other countries.

The infection number showed an increase of 1,467 infections compared to yesterday's figure. There were 7,504 infections found in the community.

As of Monday evening, 445,291 infections have been reported since the new outbreak occurred in the country in late April, with some southern localities recording high infections such as HCM City (215,810 cases), Binh Duong (110,258), Dong Nai (23,132), and Long An (21,457). The outbreak has so far spread to 62 out of 63 cities and provinces nationwide.

With these new infection cases, the number of Covid-19 patients in Vietnam has increased to 449,489. The country now stands 59th among 222 countries and territories worldwide in the number of infections.

On August 30, an additional 9,014 more patients recovered from the disease, raising the number of recoveries in the country to 228,816.

Also on Monday evening, a further 315 deaths related to Covid-19 were announced, bringing the total number of fatalities in Vietnam to 11,064. The deaths were reported in HCM City (245), Binh Duong (39), Tien Giang (7), Long An (6), Dong Nai (4), Dong Thap (3), Khanh Hoa (2), Danang (1), Hanoi (1), An Giang (1), Ben Tre (1), Binh Dinh (1), Binh Thuan (1), Soc Trang (1), Thua Thien Hue (1), and Vinh Long (1).

The country has so far conducted over 19.71 million Covid-19 vaccine shots, with over 2.52 million people having received two doses.

Vietnam join four-side fulsal tourney in Spain

The national futsal team is joining a training practice and a four-side tourney in Spain, three weeks ahead of the 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Lithuania.

The team of head coach Pham Minh Giang impressed by conceding solely one goal to Japan, Asia’s No.2, when there were only six minutes left of a match held on August 28.

Vietnamese players showed their confidence and skills, standing ready for clashes at the upcoming global tournament.

Vietnam only had two days to acclimatise to the conditions in Spain and had to adjust to play at night due to different time zones.

Members of the team lacked chances to play in official matches after a playoff against Lebanon in late May, due to the complexities of COVID-19.

Vietnam are in Group D with Brazil, Panama and the Czech Republic, with their matches on September 13, 16 and 19, respectively.

The 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup will take place in Lithuania from September 12 to October 3. The 24 participating teams were divided into six groups. The top and second-best squads of each group and four third-place teams with the best performance will qualify for the next round.

In 2016, Vietnam were among four third-placed teams earning a berth in the second round, in which they were beaten by the runners-up Russia./.

Second Covid-19 vaccine jab proposed for 250,000 HCM City workers

The Ho Chi Minh City Export Processing Zone and Industrial Park Authority Business Association (HBA) has proposed implementing a second round of Covid-19 vaccinations for around 250,000 workers.

They are among a total of roughly 320,000 workers at 17 local industrial parks and export processing zones who were given the first Covid-19 vaccination nine weeks ago.  

Of the 250,000 workers, 60,000 are staying at work and the remainder are temporarily staying at rented accommodation or have returned to their hometown.

According to the HBA, up to 70,000 workers at the city’s industrial parks and export processing zones have not yet been vaccinated against Covid-19. Meanwhile, many of them have not yet been listed in their localities for Covid-19 vaccination. The association have asked municipal authorities to hold Covid-19 vaccination programmes to give them the first shot, adding that enterprises are willing to pay all costs for the vaccination.

Currently, thousands of HCM City companies and factory workers who are living in rented houses in the neighbouring provinces of Binh Duong, Long An and Dong Nai are finding it hard to access Covid-19 vaccinations. Under the HBA’s proposal, local authorities need to create favourable conditions for businesses to co-operate with private health units to launch mobile Covid-19 vaccination activities to benefit these workers.

“Chay Len 2” online art programme scheduled for September 1

The Department of Performing Arts (DPA) under Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said that the online art programme "Chay Len 2" will take place at 8 pm on September 1.

The programme is hosted by the Department of Performing Arts and theaters under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Artists and performers from Vietnam Drama Theater, Vietnam Tuong Theater, Vietnam Circus Federation, Vietnam National Opera and Ballet Theater as well as singer Vicky Nhung will come together and deliver online performances.

It will be livestreamed on the Vietnam Performing Arts Youtube channel, the DPA's fanpage and the participating artists' facebook pages. Outstanding Artist Xuan Bac and Miss Vietnam 2015 Do My Linh are MCs of the programme.

In "Chay Len 2", artists will have the chance to perform unique art performances such as the dance excerpt "Mua Dom Dom" ( Firefly season) by the Vietnamese National Opera and Ballet and other performances by the Vietnam Tuong Theater and the Vietnam Circus Federation. A mini game is also planned for all viewers.

A representative of the DPA said that this is an activity in the series of online art exchange programmes under the theme "Sharing love, overcoming the pandemic" with the aim of cheering up the frontliners in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic as well as enriching the spiritual life of people during the social distancing period./.

Military Division 370 offers support to HCM City, one more field hospital opens

Lieutenant General Ngô Minh Tiến has ordered Military Division 370 to strictly implement pandemic prevention measures and speed up vaccinations for soldiers to help HCM City in its fight against the COVID-19 outbreak.

Tiến, deputy chief of the General Staff of the Việt Nam People’s Army, led a delegation on Monday to inspect pandemic prevention measures at Division 370.

All officers, employees and soldiers of Division 370 have completed tasks and cooperated with forces in the city, a report from the division said.

The division has donated 290 gifts, including food and vegetables, worth a total of VNĐ100 million (US$4,375) to poor and disadvantaged families, and has sent forces to work at checkpoints and locked-down areas in the city.

It has also offered 129 gifts worth a total of VNĐ110 million for families of officers, soldiers and defence officers in the division who have financial problems.

Lieutenant General Ngô Minh Tiến praised the results achieved by the division’s officers, employees and soldiers.

Field hospital opens 

Another field hospital for COVID treatment, set up by the Ministry of Public Security, opened on Monday in HCM City’s Nhà Bè District, according to the Ministry of Public Security.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Lieutenant General Nguyễn Duy Ngọc, deputy minister of Public Security, said the Phước Lộc field hospital with a capacity of 300 beds was set up within seven days with the assistance of nearly 1,500 mobile police.

Colonel Tiền Thanh Liêm, who is deputy director of the 30-4 (April 30) Hospital, was assigned as director of the field hospital.

Since the fourth wave of the pandemic, the Ministry of Public Security has taken drastic solutions to support COVID hotspots such as HCM City and other southern provinces.

Of the more than 2,000 HCM City police who have been infected, more than 10 have died of COVID-19, according to Ngọc.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Vũ Đức Đam said: “The more hospitals we build, the more lives we can save.” He added that the ultimate goal is to protect people’s health and save the lives of people and frontline forces. 

“We have set a goal of providing the best treatment for COVID patients so there will be no deaths at the hospital. To achieve this goal, we all need cooperation from not only frontline medical forces but other forces.”

“We also need cooperation from the people. The government and agencies will work to ensure social security for people, and encourage them to comply with pandemic control regulations.”

HCM City has called on private hospitals to take part in COVID treatment. Many hospitals in the city have converted part or all of their facilities for COVID treatment services, according to the Department of Health.

Mass testing

After one week of testing, HCM City found 64,300 positive COVID cases, or 3.8 per cent of samples taken. Deputy Director of the Department of Health Nguyễn Hữu Hùng said this was an acceptable level. The acceptable rate is no more than 5 per cent under the guidelines of the World Health Organization.

As of August 28, the city had administered 5,865,276 vaccine doses. Of the number, 5,577,285 were first doses, and 287,991 were second doses.

Nguyễn Hồng Tâm, deputy director of the Centre for Disease Control of HCM City, said the health sector has stored all the data of people who have received the first dose and will notify them for the second jab.

The number of new infections since the fourth wave hit the country in late April has topped 440,000. Of that number, HCM City accounts for around 210,000 cases. 

The city is treating 40,259 patients, including 2,415 children under 16 years old, 2,736 people on ventilators, and 15 patients with ECMO intervention. 

HCM City shippers to get free COVID-19 tests

Ho Chi Minh City, the country’s current biggest COVID-19 hotspot, will test its shippers for free, deputy head of the municipal Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control Pham Duc Hai said on August 30.

On August 29, the municipal People’s Committee allowed the shippers who utilise tech apps to operate within Thu Duc city and Districts 8, 12, Go Vap, Binh Tan, Binh Thanh and Hoc Mon that are being hard hit by the pandemic.

However, they must have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot and tested negative for the coronavirus.

A total of 40,133 COVID-19 patients are being treated in the southern economic hub. On August 29, the city gave the all-clear to 2,372 patients and recorded 245 fatalities.

As of August 29, the city had administered more than 6.1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

Hai said after seven days of tightening the social distancing order, the city has basically completed set targets, with a sharp drop in the death toll./.

PM approves chairman of HCM City People’s Committee

The Prime Minister has approved the election of Phan Van Mai as Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee for the 2021-2026 term.

The PM has also approved the results on relieving Nguyen Thanh Phong from the position of Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee to take on a new task. Earlier, at the second meeting of the 10th municipal People’s Council on August 24, all participating delegates agreed to relieve him from the post.

Then, the People's Council of HCM City elected Pham Van Mai, member of the Party Central Committee, Permanent Vice Secretary of the municipal Party Committee, head of the HCM City National Assembly delegation, as Chairman of the People's Committee for the 2021-2026 term. He won over 87 votes of the 89 council deputies present at the event.

Mai, born in 1973 in the southern province of Ben Tre’s Giong Trom district. He holds a master's degree on business administration, bachelor degrees on English and economics, and a certificate of high-level political theory.

On June 1, the Politburo assigned him to hold the position of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee's Permanent Vice Secretary for the 2020-2025 tenure./.

President Phuc offers condolences to family of deceased charity worker

State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc has just sent a letter of condolences to the family of a deceased Covid-19 patient in Ho Chi Minh City who was known for their various charity activities during the pandemic.

Vu Quoc Cuong, 46, was the owner of two vegetarian restaurants in District 1. His restaurants were long familiar places for many low-income people in the area. Since the pandemic struck the city, Cuong co-operated with some of his friends to offer free meals to anti-Covid-19 frontline workers.

Cuong was infected with Covid-19 on August 16 and died from the disease on August 22 at a local hospital.

Before dying, Cuong still posted on his Facebook account to encourage his friends and relatives to try to overcome this difficult time and continue their charitable work.

Cuong's story has been shared on many newspapers and social websites and moved lots of people.

State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on August 28 sent a letter of condolences to Cuong's wife, Nguyen Thi Tuyet Lan, and their four children.

In the letter, the state president wrote that he was so sorry to hear about the death of Cuong due to Covid-19. His death did not only show the devastating pandemic but also the bravery and sacrifice of many of Vietnamese people who have risked their lives to help others.

The state official stressed that Cuong had lived a beautiful life and what he did had and would continue to inspire people to live better and contribute more to the community.

"I hope that you and the children will stay strong and overcome this difficult time like what Cuong used to live with his strong belief and kind heart," he wrote. "I’m moved to know that one of your children is also joining in the anti-Covid-19 frontline team of the city. Please try to overcome your sorrow and be proud of your husband and father."

The state president said that he had asked concerned agencies to soon recognise and honour Vu Quoc Cuong for his efforts. 

Private hospitals asked to administer second vaccine shot for workers

The HCMC Export Processing Zone and Industrial Park Authority Business Association (HBA) has proposed that enterprises work with private hospitals to administer the second Covid-19 vaccine shot for workers staying at enterprises applying the stay-at-work mode in HCMC.

The proposal has been sent to the municipal steering committee for Covid-19 infection prevention and control, the HCMC Export Processing and Industrial Zones Authority and the authority of the Saigon Hi-tech Park. The participation of private hospitals in the vaccination will help reduce pressure on the medical centers of districts, the local media reported.

On August 11, Intel Products Vietnam Co., Ltd cooperated with the Bac My General Hospital to vaccinate workers of the Saigon Hi-tech Park, said HBA Chairman Nguyen Van Be, adding that the model could be expanded to other industrial and export processing zones in the city.

Therefore, HBA has worked out a program to help enterprises improve the health of laborers, proposing calling on the private sector to partake in anti-pandemic activities.

Accordingly, enterprises in industrial parks can work with private hospitals to vaccinate their employees against Covid-19 in line with the Ministry of Health’s regulations. The municipal steering committee for Covid-19 infection prevention and control and the Department of Health will provide Covid-19 vaccines, and supervisors if needed.

Be said some 250,000 workers had received one shot of the Covid-19 vaccine for nine weeks, including 60,000 workers staying at their enterprises after work. They must be administered the second shot at the earliest.

As for workers staying at their homes in HCMC’s adjacent areas, such as Di An and Thuan An in Binh Duong Province, Duc Hoa and Can Giuoc in Long An and Dong Nai, HBA proposed they should be vaccinated in their provinces.

Industrial parks and enterprises can also ask their workers to come to the nearest vaccination sites of their companies. 

Ministry checks COVID-19 work in Bình Duong, Long An

The conversion of several former factories into field hospitals, carried out under Ministry of Construction (MoC) guidance, has met several problems related to the Law on Public Investment, according to Bình Dương Province’s leaders.

The MoC special team for COVID-19 prevention and control, led by Deputy Minister Lê Quang Hùng, on Saturday and Sunday checked construction work on field hospitals and collective quarantine centres in Bình Dương and Long An southern provinces.

The two provinces proposed more urgent guidance on field hospital investment and medical waste incinerators.

Leaders of the Bình Dương Province said that the province had 27 treatment centres with more than 34,000 beds. It also has 11 field hospitals with nearly 17,000 beds. Five other field hospitals are being built with more than 15,000 beds.

During the work, they have met several obstacles related to toilet areas and fire prevention and control and the Law on Public Investment.

Specifically, the establishment, appraisal and approval of urgent projects have not clearly specified orders and procedures for implementation, as well as procedures for contractor selection.

Phạm Như Huy, deputy director of the Construction Management Department under the MoC, said that the ministry would give instructions in due course.

After checking, the MoC concluded that Bình Dương Province had actively set up plans for a worsening situation.

The province’s water supply and drainage, garbage collection, field hospital construction, concentrated quarantine centres have met demand so far.

The province has an incinerator to treat hazardous waste and medical waste with a capacity of nearly 400 tonnes per day.

In Long An Province, the MoC also recognised satisfactory results in COVID-19 prevention and control.

The province has 26 field hospitals with more than 13,000 beds, and 36 concentrated quarantine centres with nearly 5,800 beds. The province has plans for up to 20,000-25,000 COVID-19 patients.

The province has more than 1,400 clean water pumping stations with a total capacity of nearly 450,000 cubic metres per day.

Waste water from concentrated quarantine areas and field hospitals is collected in the treatment system and disinfected, ensuring compliance with national standards on medical waste water before being discharged into the environment.

Ngô Hoàng Nguyên, deputy director of the Southern Affairs Department under the MoC, proposed Long An Province continue ensure clean water supply for residents, especially for field hospitals, quarantine centres and lockdown areas.

Drainage should be checked to avoid pollution affecting residents who are quarantined and treated.

At present, treatment areas and quarantine centres in the province discharge about 10-15 tonnes of waste per day.

The province has also invested in six medical waste incinerators with a total capacity of 10 tonnes per day.

The province has also created inspection teams to check waste water, garbage and environmental sanitation in COVID-19 treatment areas and quarantine centres.

The MoC inspection team asked Long An Province to check that field hospitals and concentrated quarantine centres had proper plans for arranging patients and people needing quarantine.

“Youth for Environment” project lauded for innovative communication products

The nonprofit For Vietnamese Stature Foundation (VSF) is carrying out the second phase of the “Youth for Environment” project with 11 activities including training sessions on environmental communication and participation in field trips with experienced journalists.

Many new activities are planned such as the Plastic Talk contest to find innovative environmental communication products, a media tour on plastic waste at universities, a contest to find and sponsor initiatives on environmental solutions from youth, and Environment Day, a contest on environment ideas and an exhibition of environmentally friendly products by students at universities in Hà Nội.

The second phase will continue to be an environmental information channel for young people with innovative communication forms and a youthful approach.

The purpose is to increase youth participation in solving environmental issues, as well as promote positive changes in the environmental policy of the government and businesses towards sustainable development.

The project is carried out under support from Bắc Á Commercial Joint Stock Bank, USAID and other businesses.

Last week, the closing ceremony of the project’s first phase was held online to evaluate the results achieved after one year of implementation.  

It was one of the top 13 initiatives receiving funding from the Earth Journalism Network in 2020.

The first phase attracted more than 200 young people to participate in environmental communication, while the total number of beneficiaries was 7,600 people in the first year.

After a series of investigative articles from the Green Eyes group on the hunting, trafficking and killing of migratory wild birds, the Prime Minister issued a directive to the People's Committee of Hải Phòng to protect wild birds and investigate and penalize people who violate laws on wildlife. Participating students took part in a field trip activity with coaching from experienced journalists.

In April three core members of the Green Eyes group began the first activities in the main communication channel of the project, which has reached 3,615 followers with nearly 372,000 thousand engagements.

“As a new member of Green Eyes group, we hope to create more interesting content and access new media methods to bring the project closer to young people, as well as engage in practical activities towards the environment," Lê Minh Quân, a core member of Green Eyes Group, said.

Int’l Army Games 2021: Russian officer lauds Vietnamese snipers’ skills

Lieutenant General Phung Si Tan, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA), visited Seltsy military training ground in Ryazan province of Russia to watch Vietnamese shooters’ competition as part of the ongoing International Army Games 2021.

Tan, who is leading a high-ranking VPA delegation to visit Russia, encouraged members of the Vietnamese team and expressed his hope that they will show best performance while ensure safety against COVID-19.

On the occasion, Major General Anatoly Georgievich Kontsevoi, Deputy Commander of the airborne forces of Russia and main referee of the Sniper Frontier contest, paid a courtesy call to the Vietnamese delegation.

The Russian officer spoke highly of Vietnamese gunmen’s good skills and high sense of discipline. He held that the Vietnamese sniper team boasts high potential to enter the semi-final scheduled for August 31.

Senior Lieutenant Colonel Dinh Tat Thang, head of the Vietnamese sniper team, said that the team had gained encouraging scores with two snipers ranking third out of 17 competitors in individual events and another ranking fourth in another individual event.

Sniper Frontier has been held for the first time at the Int’l Army Games 2021. The competition takes place in four stages, in which the first is an individual skill assessment, the second is a pair assessment, the third is a team assessment, and the fourth is a speed assessment.

Each stage has different contests, with one contest taking the priority in the case of two teams sharing the same total score. The performance of the first stage determines the groups of teams as well as the contests in the later stages. The three weapons used for the competition are the Makarov K59 pistol, the AK74 automatic rifle and the 7.62 mm SVD sniper rifle./.

“Zero dong” stores support pandemic-hit people in Hanoi

At a “zero dong” mini mart.

Two “zero dong” mini marts were recently opened in Hanoi’s Thanh Xuan and Hoai Duc districts to help pandemic-hit people surmount difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

They are part of a campaign jointly organised by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCYU) and the Association of Vietnamese Students of Hanoi, Sao Do entrepreneurs club and Phu Nhuan Jewelry. The campaign is sponsored by the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade, and accompanied by the Hanoi Young Business Association and the Hanoi Association for Women Entrepreneurs.

Each family will be given a voucher worth 400,000 VND (17.6 USD) and a representative will go to the mini marts to buy essential goods on fixed dates and time so as to ensure the Ministry of Health’s 5K message.

The stores will serve up to 200 customers per day, supplying rice, noodles, milk, vegetables, and face masks, among others, of clear origin and prices.

As of August 25, eleven stores of its kind had been rolled out across the city, handing over 12,000 aid packages worth nearly 5 billion VND./. 

Art programmes planned to encourage people to surmount the COVID-19 pandemic

A special online art programme "Noi Vong Tay Lon: Dat Nuoc Dong Long, Vuot Qua Covid-19" (The Great Circle of Vietnam: The Country staying united to overcome COVID-19) is expected took place September 4.

The programme aims to raise awareness of disease prevention and control; encourage and honour the dedication and sacrifice of those actively participating on the frontline; contribute to spreading noble values and call on the whole people to remain united to overcome all difficulties and challenges.

Co-organised by the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City, the Association of Vietnamese Scientists and Experts (AVSE Global) and a number of individuals, the 120-minute programme promises to be a unique artistic gift.

The show will feature the participation of many famous artists such as People's Artist Ta Minh Tam, Thanh Lam, Hong Nhung, Duc Tuan, Cam Van, Khac Trieu, Tung Duong, Thanh Bui, Kyo York, Tan Son, and Ha Le.

With the idea of using music to connect hearts, the programme is divided into three interconnected themes. In which, the theme "Que Huong Trong Trai Tim Toi" (Homeland in my heart) is a space for artists to express their love and nostalgia for Ho Chi Minh City. The theme "Vietnam Niem Tin Chien Thang" (Vietnam faith in victory) comprises of emotional songs expressing gratitude for the love of compatriots across the country for the city named after Uncle Ho. The theme "Cam On Tinh Yeu" (Thank you for love) is imbued with performances of optimism and hope, looking forward to a brighter future. Interspersed in the performances are the performances of Don Ca Tai Tu (traditional musical art form of the south), ethnic music and performances by the Ho Chi Minh City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera.

It is expected that the programme will be broadcast online using three prepared materials: the pre-recorded part, the online performance from the artists' residences, and the live broadcast mixed with related daily stories in the context of the COVID-19 epidemic. 

Hanoi promotes participation of women in all-level management positions

The People’s Committee of Hanoi has set a target to raise the rate of women holding key positions in state management agencies and local governments to 60 percent by 2025 and 75 percent by 2030.

Women should also account for at least 40 percent in the lists of potential candidates for managing and leading positions in state management agencies at all levels by 2025, and the ratio is expected to rise to 50 percent by 2030, according to the committee's plan.

Another target is to provide training for 75 percent of women in the lists of potential candidates for managing and leading positions in state management agencies at all levels by 2025, and increase the percentage to 90 percent five years later.

In areas resided by ethnic minority groups, there must be ethnic officials in line with the population structure.

These targets were set in the city’s plan to implement the programme “Enhancing equal participation of women in leadership and management positions in different policy-making levels for 2021-2030 period” approved recently by the Prime Minister.

The programme aims to ensure the equal participation of women in leadership and management positions at all administration levels, thus promoting women’s potential and creativeness towards realising the sustainable development goals on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

To realise the goals, the municipal authorities will continue to strengthen the leadership and direction of Party committees and authorities at all levels for the female personnel work, and the implementation of relevant policies, laws and regulations.

The city administration will also promote training for female officials based on personnel development plan, and increase communication campaigns to raise public awareness of gender equality and the role played by women./.

Hoa Binh plans major national tourism area at Hoa Binh Reservoir

The northern province of Hoa Binh has announced a plan to develop a national tourism area at Hoa Binh Reservoir that covers 52,200ha.

Hoa Binh Provincial People's Committee announced the project with a view to 2035 during an online meeting. The project was approved by the prime minister on March 25.

The project will spread across Thai Binh, Phuong Lam, Tan Thinh wards, Hoa Binh Commune and a part of Da Bac, Cao Phong, Tan Lac and Mai Chau districts. This will be a national tourism site and a key project of the northern midland and mountainous region. Diverse tourism products are promised with the rich ethnic minority cultures and the biodiversity of Hoa Binh Reservoir.

There will be several zones including the entrance area connected to Bich Ha Port, a central tourism area in Da Ba District, an eco-tourism area in the north of Hoa Binh Reservoir and a bay area in Cao Phong and Tan Lac districts. There are also tourism service area in Mai Chau District and another eco-tourism area in Da Bac district.

In the first phase, the investors will focus on zoning planning, detailed planning, infrastructure development, brand building, and product development.

The second phase will be carried out from 2025 to 2035. The project will be completed put into use zone by zone.

Book highlights historical background of Declaration of Independence

The Kim Dong Publishing House has released a book named “Uncle Ho wrote the Declaration of Independence” by journalist Kieu Mai Son on the occasion of the 76th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19) and National Day (September 2).

The book recreates a short but very important historical moment in the August Revolution in 1945, when President Ho Chi Minh wrote the Declaration of Independence giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

Son has diligently collected, researched, classified and compared sources to be able to obtain detailed, specific, and convincing documents about the Declaration initiated and completed by President Ho Chi Minh. Those are documents of people who lived and worked with the late leader rewritten or recounted

Through documents that Son provides, readers know that President Ho Chi Minh read the original Declaration of Independence of the United States while in the Viet Bac war zone. After drafting, he read and consulted with members of the provisional government who were reputable intellectuals before finalising.

The book also cited History Professor Furuta Motoo of Japan’s University of Tokyo as saying that President Ho Chi Minh’s career and his thoughts are of great epochal significance, not only to the Vietnamese nation alone.

Dr. Tonnesson, a Norwegian historian, when researching the history of the August Revolution of Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh, assessed the Declaration of Independence as one of the main inspirations of a major struggle guideline, born after the Second World War. It was the process of gaining national independence on a global scale.

On September 2, 1945 at Hanoi’s Ba Dinh Square, President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence declaring the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam)./.

HCMC has one more field hospital for Covid treatment

Part of People’s Hospital 115 in District 10 in HCMC has been converted into a field hospital with 500 beds to treat Covid-19 patients as new daily cases remain high in the southern city.
HCMC Vice Chairman Duong Anh Duc signed a decision on the establishment of the Covid field hospital, which is under the municipal Department of Health.

The Covid treatment hospital, which has 840 medical workers, will admit and treat patients with moderate and serious symptoms, the local media reported.

The field hospital, located at 527 Su Van Hanh Street in Ward 12, is directly managed by the HCMC steering committee for Covid-19 infection prevention and control.

The establishment is aimed at easing the overload facing the operational Covid hospitals in the city and HCMC’s healthcare system and reducing the Covid death rate.

The HCMC Department of Health urged the hospital to prepare to admit Covid patients who are transferred from their homes or other treatment facilities.

People’s Hospital 115 is treating Covid-19 patients and patients suffering from other diseases.

HCMC has reported 209,932 Covid-19 infections and 8,624 fatalities in the ongoing fourth wave of the pandemic, which began in late April. 

Vietnam bolsters cooperation with partners in ASEAN Smart Cities Network

Vietnam will promote cooperation with partners in the ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN) while working with relevant agencies and localities to increase development chances, especially technological application in the COVID-19 fight, the Ministry of Construction said at the fourth annual meeting of the ASCN which was held in the form of videoconference on August 30.

The meeting, presided over by Brunei, the Chair of the ASCN in 2021, saw the participation of 26 member cities, representatives from the ASEAN Secretariat and partners. It discussed the preparation for the fifth annual meeting slated for November this year and activities in the coming time.

Singapore was elected as the guiding country for the ASCN in the following two years and Cambodia was nominated as the Chair of ASCN for 2022.

The Ministry of Construction briefed participants on outstanding activities of the ASCN in 2020 when Vietnam assumed chairmanship of the network, including the third annual meeting, the ASEAN Smart Cities Summit and the second ASEAN-Japan Smart Cities Network High Level Meeting, all held in a virtual format.

Members of the network adopted three important documents that orient activities of smart cities development towards joint development and prosperity. Six external partners, including Japan, the Republic of Korea, Russia, the US and Norway, also put forth proposals on smart cities development.

The meeting also looked into the ideas on the development of an ASCN portal and an investment tool for smart and sustainable cities in ASEAN.

Of note, delegates shared information on smart cities development and experience in battling COVID-19 in each country.

The ASCN was established in April 2018 at the 32nd ASEAN Summit in Singapore. It currently has 26 member cities from the 10 ASEAN members. Vietnam has three representatives in the network, which are Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City./. 

Vietnamese, Chinese State audit agencies bolster collaboration

Auditor General Tran Sy Thanh and his Chinese counterpart Hou Kai on August 30 co-chaired the online talks between the State Audit of Vietnam (SAV) and the National Audit Office (NAO) of China, which aimed to strengthen the collaboration between the two agencies.

Auditor General Tran Sy Thanh thanked the NAO, which plays the role of the General Secretary of the Asian Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASOSAI) in the 2018-2021 tenure, for its support and close coordination with Vietnam, helping Vietnam to successfully perform the role of ASOSAI President in the tenure.

Thanh briefed his Chinese counterpart on the socio-economic situation in Vietnam recently, as well as major events of the country, including the 13th National Party Congress, the first meeting of the National Assembly and anti-corruption efforts of Vietnam.

He said that the SAV, as a tool in supervising and governing the public finance of the country, has conducted auditing activities, providing auditing reports and relevant documents to NA agencies to assist them in supervising and issuing national fiscal policies.

Amid COVID-19 pandemic, the SAV has applied drastic and flexible measures in order to complete its auditing plan for 2021, while strengthening the application of information technology in auditing activities, management and operation. The SAV will start to implement auditing activities in the digital environment from 2022, he added.

In order to complete targets and plans in the future, the NA Standing Committee has adopted a Strategy for the State Audit of Vietnam Development to 2030, which defines three major pillars for the sector’s growth, including legal corridor, human resources and technology, Thanh said.

For his part, Chinese Auditor General Hou Kai said that China and Vietnam share many similarities in development, underlining that the SAV and the NAO are important traditional partners of each other, which was marked by a bilateral cooperation agreement signed in 2004.

Both sides have exerted efforts to promote cooperation in bilateral framework, while supporting each other in multilateral forums, he noted.

Vietnamese, Chinese State audit agencies bolster collaboration hinh anh 2
The State Audit of Vietnam delegation at the talks is led by Auditor General Tran Sy Thanh (Photo: VNA)

Regarding achievements that the audit sector of China has gained, Hou said that since 2012 when China decided to strengthen the leadership of the NAO over audit agencies in localities, the tasks of the NAO have become increasingly heavy and important.

In 2021, the NAO has been focusing on the major missions of monitoring economic activities, auditing financial activities and budget collection and spending, and expanding research on audit subjects, he told the event.

The two sides agreed to continue promoting the bilateral cooperation between the two State audit agencies by increasing the exchange of high-level delegations to share experience in public auditing and issues of mutual concern in suitable forms such as exchanging documents, handbooks, and organising online events amid the complicated development of the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the same time, they will consider cooperation topics in line with the implementation of sustainable development goals, especially in environmental protection and pandemic control. The two sides agreed to jointly hold a webinar on big data in public auditing this October.

Both sides concurred to continue supporting each other at multilateral forums of the ASOSAI and International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI), while working closely together to organise the 15th ASOSAI Assembly as well as the 56th ASOSAI Governing Board Meeting.

The SAV pledged to support the NAO to extend its office term as the ASOSAI General Secretary in the 2021-2024 tenure.

The two State audit agencies also agreed to review their cooperation agreement with a view to making suitable adjustments and signing it again to suit the real development situation in the two countries, thus increasing their collaboration.

The memorandum of understanding on exchange and cooperation between the two agencies was signed in March 2004. It was resigned in October 2013 and extended in July 2019./. 

HCMC has over 85,000 Covid patients undergoing home isolation and care

The current number of Covid-19 patients undergoing home isolation and care in HCMC, which is the biggest coronavirus hotspot in Vietnam in the latest outbreak, is 85,298 cases, according to the HCMC Center for Disease Control (HCDC).

Among them, nearly 60,600 patients began self-quarantining at home since the date they were found to be infected with the disease, while some 24,700 others had been discharged from hospital and are currently under home-based quarantine and care.

More than 22,200 other active cases are under quarantine and treatment at concentrated quarantine facilities citywide.

The city set up over 400 pop-up healthcare stations to monitor the health condition of Covid-19 patients receiving home-based care.

After conducting rapid Covid tests and detecting new infections, the mobile medical stations will timely cope with these cases and thus help ease the overload facing hospitals in the city. The city also launched a program providing Molnupiravir Covid-19 antiviral pills for mild-symptom Covid-19 patients.

Besides this, the city’s health authorities conducted rapid antigen tests for residents in high-risk areas every two days and for those in the remaining areas once a week.

Data from HCDC also revealed that the new infections over the past week remained high, with around 4,700 fresh cases detected daily.

As of 6 a.m. today, August 30, the city had 210,425 infections being confirmed by the Ministry of Health, including 209,980 domestic cases and 445 imported cases.

The city is providing medical treatment for more than 40,200 coronavirus patients. Of them, some 2,400 are children aged under 16, over 2,700 others are severely ill relying on ventilators, and 15 others require ECMO support.

HCDC added that there were 2,246 new recoveries and 256 new deaths reported on August 29. The total number of recovered cases in the city in the year to date has reached 104,844.

As for the city’s vaccination campaign, it had administered more than 5.8 million Covid vaccine doses as of August 28, up 58,286 doses against the previous day. 

Ninh Binh promotes biodiversity preservation

 

Boasting distinctive biodiversity, from abundant species of flora and fauna to rich and varied landscapes, the northern province of Ninh Binh has taken drastic measures to preserve its nature.

The Van Long wetland reserve, located in the north of Gia Vien district in Ninh Binh province, is dotted with spectacular islands and caves.

Covering more than 3,000 hectares, Van Long is considered the Red River Delta’s wetland nature reserve and is home to thousands of land and aquatic flora and fauna.

Among them are rare and endangered species listed in Vietnam’s Red Book, such as Delacour’s langur.

From the start of this year, the provincial Department of Forest Protection has detected 15 gross violations in the forestry sector and imposed fines totalling more than over 5,700 USD.

In the time to come, the department said it will bolster inspections to tackle violations in a timely manner to protect local biodiversity./. 

Vietnamese Embassy links Vietnamese in Thailand together amid COVID-19

The Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand held a webinar on August 30 connecting the Vietnamese community together amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Phan Chi Thanh informed participants about COVID-19 prevention and control work in Thailand and Vietnam.

He affirmed the Vietnamese Party, State leaders and the embassy’s attention to health and life of the Vietnamese community in the country in the spirit of leaving no one behind and overcoming the pandemic together.

The embassy staff offered updates on plans to help the Vietnamese community in Thailand access vaccines at the earliest, repatriation flights, citizen protection work as well as Thailand’s regulations regarding entry-exit.

President of the General Association of Vietnamese People in Thailand Trinh Cao Son thanked the embassy for sending 8,000 USD from the COVID-19 prevention and control fund to the Vietnamese community in Thailand.

Representatives of the Vietnamese associations in Thai provinces shared information about their activities and offered ideas to link the Vietnamese community in the country together to help those hit by the pandemic.
     
First Secretary of the embassy in charge of citizen protection work Le Trung Kien told Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Bangkok that said the embassy set up a permanent working group to direct the fight against the pandemic in the embassy and offer timely and effective citizen protection.

Since early this year, the embassy has partnered with domestic and host authorities to carry about 700 Vietnamese citizens home on a chartered and a repatriation flight.

Last year, it also helped bring about 1,500 citizens home on four repatriation and two chartered flights.
 
The embassy also offered medicines, food and necessities to disadvantaged Vietnamese people infected with the virus or stranded by the pandemic. It is actively looking for other sources to support Vietnamese citizens to get vaccinated, with about 100 free injections being accepted so far.

As of August 30, Thailand recorded 1,190,063 COVID-19 cases nationwide, including 11,399 deaths. Almost new and death cases were logged in the third COVID-19 wave since early April./. 

Webinar shares OVs’ experience in treating COVID-19 patients

A webinar was held on August 30 to discuss the US’s experience in treating COVID-19 patients and the establishment of a group of doctors to offer remote advice to patients in the southern provinces of Dong Nai and Tien Giang.

Co-hosted by the Foreign Ministry’s State Committee on Overseas Vietnamese Affairs, the Ho Chi Minh City Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs and the Department of Foreign Affairs of Dong Nai and Tien Giang, the event is expected to gather OVs’ ideas and suggestions in support of the fight against the pandemic in southern localities, especially in Dong Nai and Tien Giang.

Associtate Professor Ly T Luong from the Loma Linda University’s School of Medicine in California presented the mechanism how virus SARS-CoV-2 attacks human body.

Meanwhile, Associate Professor Doan Dao Vien from the Riverside Community Hospital at the University of California shared experience in classifying patients that could be treated remotely and those in need of direct examination by medical staff.

About the provision of remote consultations by doctors in Dong Nai and Tien Giang, Vien said they will use the US’s TeleHealth system to link up with patients via the Internet, which is capable of offering advice to 200-300 patients per four hours each day. However, they need a group of local volunteers to support and introduce patients.

A representative of Tien Giang authorities said the province will offer advice and treatment to patients at home as guided by the Health Ministry, and wished that the OVs would make further contribution to the homeland to overcome difficulties at present./. 

Quang Binh approves more quarantine facilities as Covid infections rise

The central province of Quang Binh has given the green light for the operation of many more quarantine facilities to cope with an increasing number of new Covid cases.

The provincial government this morning, August 30, put into operation the quarantine facilities at a vocational college, the Phuong Bac Luxury Hotel, the Viet-Laos guest house in Dong Hoi City with 500 beds in total and at two Ethnic Boarding High Schools in Minh Hoa District with a total of 408 beds.

The province is also setting up another quarantine facility at the Hoa Mai Kindergarten with 120 beds in Le Thuy District.

Further, as new Covid cases have resulted from community transmission in recent days, the province’s Dong Hoi City is working on a plan to allow direct contacts of confirmed Covid patients to self-quarantine at home, said Hoang Ngoc Dan, chairman of the city’s government, reported VnExpress.

The latest coronavirus outbreak has continued to spread in this central province. By this morning, the province reported 35 new cases and the outbreak has hit two more localities, namely Hai Ninh Commune in Quang Ninh District and Loc Ninh Commune in Dong Hoi City.

Up to now, the province has reported 476 infections, including 59 recoveries. There are also 5,300 direct contacts and 7,500 indirect contacts of confirmed Covid cases in the province.

In related news, the southern province of Tay Ninh decided to extend the stay-at-home mandate under the prime minister’s Directive 16 for another 14 days starting today. The province will make further adjustments to the social distancing period depending on the development of the disease.

To date, Tay Ninh has been following the stay-at-home mandate under Directive 16 for 42 consecutive days.

Since the pandemic hit the country early last year, Tay Ninh has reported more than 5,400 infections, including 3,350 recoveries and 87 fatalities, according to the Tay Ninh Center for Disease Control.

In another development, the provincial government of Long An, another southern province, convened an online Covid-related meeting yesterday to review the province’s efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Speaking at the meeting, Nguyen Van Ut, chairman of the province and deputy head of the province’s anti-Covid authority, said the province is set to extend the shelter-in-place order under Directive 16 for another 14 days in localities at a high risk for Covid and for seven more days in areas deemed as safe zones such as Moc Hoa, Vinh Hung, Tan Hung and Thanh Hoa.

The authorities will make further decisions on Covid restrictions based on the development of the disease.

Up to now, Long An has confirmed more than 22,100 Covid cases. Of them, nearly 14,300 patients have fully recovered while 265 others have died. 

Luang Prabang Governor: Laos – Vietnam ties growing

The Laos – Vietnam ties keep growing and bond the two peoples together, said Secretary and Governor of Luang Prabang province Khamkhan Chanthavisouk on August 30.

Congratulating the Vietnamese Consulate General in Luang Prabang on the occasion of the 76th anniversary of National Day of Vietnam (September 2), Khamkhan Chanthavisouk affirmed that the Lao and Vietnamese people are as close as brothers in a family.

He hailed the Vietnamese Party and State leaders for giving drastic directions to fight the pandemic in combination with socio-economic development.

Vietnamese Consul General in Luang Prabang Nguyen Dang Hung expressed his belief that under the leadership of the two Parties and States, the Vietnam – Laos ties will further prosper as agreed by the two countries' senior leaders, especially via the implementation of agreements following visits by Lao Party General Secrretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith and Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

Hung pledged to give further priority to boosting friendly cooperation with northern Lao localities in the spirit of expanding into new fields and tapping promising opportunities between both sides.

The same day, leaders of Luang Prabang departments, agencies and enterprises also visited the Vietnamese Consulate General to offer congratulations on the occasion./. 

Vietnamese resort named among most breathtaking eco-resorts to visit in 2021

Six Senses Ninh Van Bay in the south central province of Khanh Hoa has been named in the list of 11 breathtaking eco-resorts in the world to visit in the summer of 2021 as selected by Euronews, the Nhan dan newspaper reported.

Euronews wrote that, based on the assessment of model Danielle Copperman, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay Resort has been selected for the list.

In her own words, the hotel is an 'isolated eco-paradise', featuring on-going conservation projects and growing fresh produce on site. Danielle explored the plantations and sampled the local fruit on offer, from lemongrass, mango and papaya to pomelo, kumkwat and dragon fruit, according to Euronews.

Coming the Six Senses Ninh Van Bay in Khanh Hoa, visitors will have the opportunity to experience scuba diving and jungle adventures, with an equal emphasis on wellness and relaxation - think soothing spa treatments and flying yoga.

Along with Six Sense Ninh Van Bay, Euronews also selected a number of other famous eco-resorts in the world associated with nature conservation activities.

The other resorts include: Tivoli Ecoresort Praia do Forte (Brazil); Zadun, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve (Mexico); Terre Blanche (Provence, France); Dharana at Shillim Estate Retreat and Spa (India); Villa Persa, White Key Villas (Island of Spetses, Greece); Château d’Audrieu (Normandie, France); La Granja Ibiza (Spain); Stonefield Villas (Soufriere, Saint Lucia); The Amaala Project (Saudi Arabia); and Cottages Antoinette (Champagne, France).

The resorts have common characteristics in making the most of the available natural space, limiting the impact on the environment, implementing nature conservation projects, and educating the community and visitors about the natural environment./. 

Hanoi party secretary urges to tighten social distancing

Dung said the new clusters of cases in Thanh Xuan, Hoang Mai and Dong Da districts had shown shortcomings in the implementation of the current social distancing rules and the managements are still too lax. The new clusters of cases show high risks in traditional markets and densely populated areas with lots of alleyways or apartment buildings.

An ambulance driver and several people who had been treated, quarantined and allowed to go home recently tested positive for Covid-19. Even inside quarantine centres, management and monitoring are still lax.

According to Dung, the most effective immediate response is social distancing. Ward and communal authorities are asked to review their areas and have plans for emergencies. Households will be asked to sign a commitment stating that they would not go out unnecessary. Local authorities must tighten monitoring to limit travellers such as patrolling main streets leading to residential areas with offices and factories. Violators will be strictly punished.

Vehicles from other provinces that have been permitted to go to Hanoi must not stop along the way. The driver must wear a full protective suit when leaving the cabin and not have contact with anyone else. After unloading the goods, they must leave Hanoi immediately.

If the drivers want to stay in Hanoi, firms are responsible for ensuring preventive measures and the needs of the drivers. Drivers that want to stay in Hanoi for a long time will be tested and quarantined.

Red zones that are the most at risk will be treated as a quarantine centre. Hanoi People's Committee will carry out screen tests to detect new cases in these high-risk areas and ensure that Covid-free zones stay safe. The aim is to screen test the whole city.

Dung emphasised that the plan will not work without co-operation from the public and called for the residents to continue following social distancing rules.
The capital city has reported 3,159 Covid-19 infections since the fourth outbreak occurred in late April. On Sunday, the city recorded the highest number of infections since the new outbreak started with 133 cases. 

PM urges solutions to effectively use land resources

More solutions should be developed to improve the efficiency of State management, prevent waste and corruption in land use, and effectively use land resources to serve the task of national development, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said on August 30.

He made the statement at a conference held to gather ideas for a draft report reviewing the implementation of Resolution 19-NQ/TW of the 11th Party Central Committee on continuing to develop policies and laws on land in the period of stepping up renewal process, creating a foundation for the country to become a modern industrial country by 2020.

PM Chinh, who is head of the Central Steering Committee for reviewing the implementation of the Resolution, emphasised that land is an issue related to all aspects of economic and social activities and people’s lives.

After ten years of implementation of the Resolution, numerous achievements have been obtained, contributing to promoting effective use of land resources to serve socio-economic development, ensure social equality and stability, national defence and security, and environmental protection, he said.

He asked the participants to focus on evaluating the achieved results, shortcomings, causes, and lessons learned from the implementation realities over the past time as well as setting tasks and solutions for the future which are proposed in the draft report.

Participants at the conference agreed with the contents of the draft report which affirm the people's ownership of land. They also mentioned a number of issues that still have different opinions related to land management and use, the rights and obligations of people and businesses in managing and using land economically, efficiently and sustainably.

Concluding the event, the Prime Minister asked the Steering Committee and the drafting team to acquire the proposals and recommendations to finalise the report to submit to the competent authorities as soon as possible./. 

RoK launches search for missing Vietnamese sailor

Segye Ilbo newspaper and busanmbc.co.kr of the Republic of Korea (RoK) reported on August 29 that a Vietnamese sailor has gone missing from a Vietnamese cargo ship and the country’s Coast Guard has launched a search for him.

The Busan Coast Guard said that it had received a report about the disappearance of a crew member on the cargo ship weighing 16,960 tonnes, at around 7:30 am on August 28.

According to the initial investigation results, the 42-years-old sailor went missing at about 8:30 pm on August 27, 11 hours before the disappearance was reported by the Vietnamese side. He boarded the ship to go to the South Pacific from the waters off Busan in the evening August 27 but was not found on the ship the next morning.

The Coast Guard has mobilized patrol vessels to search along the route of the vessel, but one officer said the search faces difficulties because the exact time when and location where the man went missing could not be determined./. 

Quang Ninh hands over wanted Chinese man to China

Authorised agencies of the northern border province of Quang Ninh on August 29 handed over to the Chinese side a Chinese man on the wanted list who illegally entered and stayed in Vietnam.

Earlier on August 4, relevant forces in the province’s Mong Cai city and border guards detected a Chinese national named Xie Bin when they examined a house in Hai Yen ward. The man, born in 1996, did not have any legal immigration papers.

After investigation, police found that he was on the wanted list in China for cyber crimes.

Relevant agencies handed over the man to the Chinese side after a quarantine period in line with COVID-19 prevention and control measures.

They are further investigating those who had arranged for the Chinese criminal to illegally enter and stay in Vietnam./.

Source: VNA/VNS/VOV/VIR/SGT/SGGP/Nhan Dan/Hanoitimes