Chinese citizen supports Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa

Xisha islands - Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago – should belong to Vietnam as both mainland China and Taiwan have never actually controlled this territory, said Chinese citizen Zhang Pei Qiang.

In a comment sent to VOVWorld website of Radio the Voice of Vietnam (VOV), Zhang Pei Qiang expressed his hope that the situation in the South China Sea (East Sea) will not detrimentally affect relations between Vietnam and China.

He said both countries should settle the issues through peaceful negotiations to ease tensions and prevent another violent conflict like it was in 1979, in which  the two countries suffered bad consequences.

Workers hospitalised due to suspected food poisoning

About 170 employees of Nienshing garment company in northern Thai Binh province have been admitted to hospital with suspected food poisoning.

The victims were sent to Thai Binh provincial hospital and near-by Hoang An and Lam Hoa hospitals on June 2 after showing symptoms of food poisoning, such as stomachache and vomiting.

They were reported to have eaten dinner at their work place on June 1 before being hospitalised the next day.

Thai Binh provincial Department for Food Hygiene and Safety head Le Van Dien said poisoned workers purchased their meals at Dung Hop business, which was also attributed to a previous large-scale food poisoning case involving 160 workers from Phuc Khanh industrial zone in Thai Binh, in August 2012.

The cause of the suspected food poisoning is currently under investigation.

The Bulgaria-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group has voiced its backing for Vietnam in the East Sea issue after China illegally positioned its oil rig deep inside Vietnam’s waters in early May.

After being briefed by Vietnamese Ambassador Le Duc Luu, the group’s President MP Dimitar Dubov said that as a European Union member, Bulgaria totally supports the May 8 statement by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, which said that unilateral actions could affect security in the region.

The group called on China to refrain from any unilateral act that can damage peace and stability in the region, while respecting the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, to which China itself is a signatory.

It also asked parties involved to carry out negotiations to settle disputes in peaceful ways and ensure safety, security and freedom of navigation in the East Sea.

In addition, the Vietnamese community in Sri Lanka on June 1 gathered to show their support for officers and soldiers who are conducting their law enforcement tasks around the area China’s drilling rig is illegally standing.

At the beginning of May, China illegally dispatched the rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 as well as a large fleet of armed vessels, military ships and aircraft to Vietnam’s waters, and positioned the rig at 15 degrees 29 minutes 58 seconds north latitude and 111 degrees 12 minutes 06 seconds east longitude. The location is 80 miles deep into Vietnam’s continental shelf and exclusive economic zone.

On May 27, China moved the rig to 15 degrees 33 minutes 22 seconds north latitude and 111 degrees 34 minutes 36 seconds east longitude. The new location is 25 nautical miles from Tri Ton Island in Vietnam’s Hoang Sa archipelago and 23 nautical miles east-northeast from the old location, still completely within Vietnam’s continental shelf.

China’s armed vessels aggressively fired high-power water cannons at and intentionally rammed against Vietnamese public-service and civil ships, causing damage to many boats and injuring many people on board.

Mongolia-Vietnam Friendship Association condemns China's actions

The Vietnam-Mongolia Friendship Association (VMFA) has issued a joint statement expressing concern about the current East Sea situation after China put the oil rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.

A Vietnam-Mongolia Friendship Association delegation led by its Chairman Ho Xuan Hung visited Mongolia from June 1-6 as part of the celebration for the 60th anniversary of Vietnam-Mongolia diplomatic ties (1954-2014).

To mark the event, the Vietnam-Mongolia Friendship Association (VMFA) and the Vietnamese Embassy in Mongolia have hosted a business roundtable discussion.

At the seminar, the two sides agreed that unilateral actions by China in the East Sea is a serious violation of the sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction of Vietnam stipulated by the 1982 UN Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC). China’s blatant acts of escalation in the East Sea are causing grave concern to China’s neighbors.

They described the seminar as a good opportunity to enhance understanding and mutual trust, mutually benefiting cooperation between Vietnam and Mongolia.

Both sides agreed to strengthen cross-cultural exchange, education, boost economic and trade cooperation, and support the Vietnamese community in Mongolia and the Mongolian community in Vietnam.

Within the framework of the event, the Vietnamese delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Mongolian Union of Peace and Friendship Organizations and visited a School no 14 named President Ho Chi Minh in Ulanbato.

Blaze destroys forest in Nghe An Province

A fire destroyed more than 90ha of a forest yesterday in the Nam Loc Commune, Nam Dan District, in the central Nghe An Province.

The district People's Committee vice chairman Le Khanh Hoa said that the fire reportedly broke out in a pine forest in the Thien Nhan Mountain in Nam Loc Commune at around 11.30 am yesterday. It then spread to the keo (acacia auriculiformis) and eucalyptus forests.

The fire was extinguished around 8am today.

Hoa said that the heat wave and strong winds made firefighting difficult. One person was injured when the fire was being extinguished.

The local authorities are investigating the cause of the fire.

According to the Forest Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the risk of forest fires has increased in the central provinces.

The provinces which are reported to be facing the highest risk of forest fires are Binh Dinh, Ha Tinh, Ninh Thuan, Quang Binh, Quang Ngai, Da Nang in the central and the northern Lao Cai Province.

Vietnam to experience prolonged hot spell

A long spell of hot weather is forecast to cover the northern and central regions during June, with the average temperature forecast to range between 25-30 degrees Celsius.

According to the National Hydro-meteorological Forecast Centre, the severe weather will bring with it heavy showers and storms. There will be around three bands of heavy rain in the regions during the month, mainly in northern mountainous provinces.

Experts have also warned that June is the rainy season in the north, so localities there should be on the alert against dangerous weather phenomenons such as thunderstorms, hail and whirlwinds, and especially landslides and flash floods caused by heavy rains.

In the northern, central and Central Highlands provinces, the average temperature in June is forecast to be between 0.5 and 1 degrees Celsius higher than in previous summers.

Meanwhile, the average June rainfall in the northern central coastal and southern localities will be 20-50 percent lower than in previous years.

More unusual weather is predicted this year, with heatwaves and storms likely to hit the country earlier than in previous years.

The centre also said hot weather will continue in provinces in all regions across the country for longer than usual, as the rainy season may arrive later than in previous years.

Red bauxite sludge covers farms in northern province

Toxic red mud from an nearby bauxite mine forced Dao Van Tuyen, a resident of Dong Ben 2 Village in Thuong Am Commune in northern Tuyen Quang Province, to abandon his 1,000-square-metre field for more than a year.

His field is near a bauxite project run by the Hoa An Company, which uses a large earthen reservoir to store the mud waste.

The waste is the main solid waste produced when alumina is extracted from bauxite.

Tuyen said every time it rained, the red mud spilled over into the rice fields, killing everything. He said his and other families in the area had lost their fields under a sea of red mud.

Phan Thi Tan, another resident, said she could not raise fish any more because of the toxic mud. She said she had to spend more than VND20 million (US$900) to build an 80 metre stone-fence around her house to protect it from the mud.

According to a Vietnam News Agency reporter's investigation, Hoa An Company is exploiting bauxite from an area much larger than has been authorised.

The reporter said the company was not treating the mud correctly and so it created a huge environmental problem.

Dam Thi Tham, a resident of Dong Ben 2 Village, said the company signed a contract to hire one acre from her family for two years in 2009, but had not returned it.

"They said they're losing money so they can't return the land and they can't compensate me," Tham said, adding that there were 20 other households in the same situation.

Pham Van Tinh, head of the Mineral Natural Resources Unit in Tuyen Quang, said the department would "carry out an examination in the coming time and will impose suitable punishment".

HCM City takes steps to tackle rising salinity

The HCM City People's Committee has told local district authorities to take steps to prevent saline-water intrusion and drought for this year's crops in suburban areas.

Under the order, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will closely monitor saline-water intrusion in rivers and canals at the city's stations, including at Nha Be, Cat Lai, Thu Thiem, Ong Thin Bridge and Kenh Xang – An Ha Canal.

The agriculture department will also check irrigation works and sluice gates to ensure water supply for farming and aquaculture production, the committee has said.

The department will also be responsible for training farmers in how to use water efficiently.

As part of the plan, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment will inspect waste water discharge at Le Minh Xuan, Tan Tao and Tan Phu industrial parks and other production establishments.

To prevent pollution of irrigation canals, the city will fine any company that does not treat waste water or does not meet waste water-treatment regulations.

The People's Committee said that rural districts would have to monitor water usage to prevent shortages, and plant drought-resistant plants.

The People's Committee has told the HCM City Irrigation Service Exploitation Management Company to maintain irrigation works, store irrigation water in fields and canals, and prepare pumps and fuel in case of drought or forest fires.

According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the rainfall in the Central Highlands and southern regions in May, June and October is forecasted to be lower than average, while rainfall from July through September will be about the same as in previous years.

WB helps upgrade fishing port in Binh Dinh

Deputy Director of the Coastal Resources for Sustainable Development Project (CRSD) Tran Van Vinh, announced the World Bank (WB) has granted VND47 billion to help the central coastal province of Binh Dinh upgrade its De Gi fishing port in Phu Cat district.

The project aims to create favourable conditions for around 3,000 ships docking at De Gi port every year, most of them are off-shore fishing ships. It is also expected to increase the quality of post-fishing services, generate jobs for 400-600 local workers, and protect the ecological environment around the port.

Approximately 2.4ha will be subject to site clearance to pave the way for transport networks, waste treatment plants, electricity services, buildings, and expanded fishing port.

Phu Cat District People’s Committee Deputy Chairman Luong Ngoc Anh said the upgrading of De Gi port will contribute greatly to local socio-economic development.

It will help off-shore fishing vessels anchor safely in adverse weather conditions, and encourage local fishermen to engage in fishing activities, thus contributing to the protection of Vietnam’s sea and island sovereignty.

As scheduled, the project will be completed and put into operation in 2016.

Transnational drug trafficking bust leads to one arrest

Border guards in collaboration with customs forces from Quang Binh province on June 1 arrested one suspect, seizing 600 tablets of drugs.

The suspect accused of illegally transporting the drugs from Laos to Vietnam via Vietnam’s Cha Lo border gate is a 22 years old man named Son, living in Khi Lec town, Nhom Ma Lat district, Khammouan province in Laos.

Law enforcement officials also confiscated one black Wave motorcycle, LAK260,000 (the Lao currency) and one cell phone.

Son reportedly admitted he engaged in the transportation of narcotics through the border gate to sell in Ha Tinh and Quang Binh provinces.

Officials are continuing their investigation into the case.

Islanders enjoy same power price as mainland counterparts

Electricity prices in islands have been reduced to the same level as those in the mainland as of June 1.

Residents in rural and mountainous areas which have not been connected to the national power grid are also entitled to the new adjustment.

Earlier, people living in these areas had to pay much higher prices for electricity, with the prices in islands as high as 10,000 VND per kWh, compared to the average 1,508.85 VND per kWh applied for areas connected to the national grid.

The Government’s price support is aimed at helping improve local living standards, drive economic growth and ensure security.

In addition, welfare beneficiary households of certain categories as stipulated by the Prime Minister also become entitled to the same power subsidy amount as poor families as of June 1.

Families living under poverty line will continue to enjoy subsidy equivalent to the cost of 30 kWh at the lowest level in the electricity price frame.

The Electricity of Vietnam group has been making efforts to expand the national electricity network to remote areas and islands.

On February 2, Phu Quoc Island in southern Kien Giang province was connected to the national electricity grid.

Meanwhile, works are also being stepped up to bring power from the grid to Ly Son Island, the central province of Quang Ngai, early this October.

Nation-wide day to celebrate loving families

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will launch a campaign calling on people across the country to enjoy a two-hour family meal from 5pm on June 26 to mark the 2014 Vietnam Family Day.

Through the programme, the ministry hopes many Vietnamese people will respect warm moments with their families, appreciating the immeasurable value that exists in Vietnamese families.

The event will honour the cultural traditions of Vietnamese people who consider the family meal as an ideal time for family members to discuss morality, lifestyle and their educational or working lives. Jointly held annually by the ministry, the Vietnam Women’s Union and the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, the day aims to raise public awareness of family values, and honour good family traditions.

The organisers also plan to promote and educate families on patriotic tradition during this year’s event, contributing to safeguarding the country’s sovereignty over its sea and islands.

Campaign launched to end violence against children

A campaign to end violence against the young has been launched in northern Hoa Binh province, starting the national Month of Action for Children, which runs through June.

The aim is to raise awareness and encourage people to speak out and take action on behalf of children.

“I fully support Vietnam’s wish to share its voice and join with the world to end all forms of violence against children. Let’s make a commitment to end violence so every child can grow up to in a healthy and safe environment,” implored Minister of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs Pham Thi Hai Chuyen at the launch.

There is significant evidence that violence, exploitation and abuse can affect children’s physical and metal held, impairing their ability to learn and socialise as well as their transition to adulthood, with adverse consequences developing later in life.

Between 2006 and 2011, violence and abuse against approximately 5,600 children in Vietnam was reported to police.

To mark the national action month, the National Fund for Vietnamese Children presented 1 billion VND (47,000 USD) to its Hoa Binh chapter.

School quality project helps reduce school drop-outs

The rate of dropout has reduced remarkable to almost zero at primary schools in mountainous areas in the central province of Quang Nam thanks to a project to enhance school quality funded by foreign donors.

According to Nguyen Tan Tu, head of the Primary Education Section of Quang Nam province’s Education and Training Department, the School Education Quality Assurance Programme (SEQAP) has been implemented at 48 primary schools in 8 poor mountainous districts since March 2010.

Under the project, the target schools received assistance to shift from half-day to full-day attendance, including training and guidance materials for teachers.

In particular, more than 5,800 students at the schools, who are mostly from ethnic minority groups, have been provided with free lunch in order to keep them at school. At the same time, more classrooms and other facilities have been built to serve the needs of students during full-day school attendance.

As a result, the rate of attendance has increased at these schools while no students have quit school since the project began. Study results have also improved among ethnic minority students.

The SEQAP project has been carried out in 36 cities and provinces nationwide and will continue until December, 2015 with an investment capital of 186 million USD, of which 27.9 million USD came from the Vietnamese government and the rest financed by the WB, the UK Department for International Development and the Belgian Development Agency.

It is designed to improve the quality of primary education, raise ethnic minority children’s study results and create equal education opportunity for all children.

Free surgeries for children with harelips, cleft palates

Fifty-nine children with harelips and cleft palates in the Central Highlands received free surgery worth nearly 900 million VND (43,200 USD) from May 30 to June 2.

Most of them are from disadvantaged families and ethnic minority groups in Dak Nong, Dak Lak, Lam Dong, Gia Lai and Kon Tum localities.

The programme, the 3 rd of its kind in Dak Nong province, was held by the Hanoi-based Centre for Researching and Aiding Smile Operation (OSCA).

The centre has so far provided free operations for over 500 children in the region.

Meanwhile, the Children’s Fund in the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang on June 2 provided money to support 41 poor ethnic children with the defects.

Averagely, one out of every 700 babies in Vietnam was born with cleft lip and palates. This is relatively high compared with the global rate of 1/1,000. However, if promptly treated, most babies with the defects can make a full recovery.

Cao Bang succeeds in protecting rare gibbons

More than 129 Cao Vit gibbons, one of the world’s rarest primate species, are being protected in Trung Khanh district of the northern mountainous province of Cao Bang, as part of a project launched by Fauna & Flora International (FFI) in 2004.

According to elderly people in Ngoc Khe, one of the three communes preserving the gibbon community, the no-tail and black or yellow species were seen in thick forests long ago. Local residents called them “Cao Vit” or “Cao Huyt” as these words sounds like their howls. However, as time passed by, the primate population decreased due to deforestation.

In 2002, the FFI discovered the gibbons still inhabiting the Ngoc Khe, Ngoc Con and Phong Nam communes of Trung Khanh district. Two years later, the organisation found around 37 individuals, and set up a project in March to restore and expand the habitat for the primates.

In 2007, FFI helped Cao Bang province establish the Cao Vit Gibbon Conservation Area, which covers nearly 3,000 ha in the three aforesaid communes.

Nong Van Toa, director of the area’s management board, said since the 2004 project was activated, local residents have been supported with effective ways to improve their living standards. They no longer have to go to forests for firewood, Toa added.

Livestock interest groups have been developed to reduce farmers’ dependence on forest resources. Additionally, over 200 households have been equipped with breeding and cultivating techniques.

Besides Cao Vit gibbons, the conservation area is home to many other rare animals such as monkeys, bears and deer, all of them well protected by local people.

Pooling Vietnamese resources in France

A meeting of Vietnamese experts and intellectuals was held in Paris on June 1 to examine ways of bringing into full play their contributions to the homeland.

Addressing the gathering, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Duong Chi Dung affirmed that Vietnamese intellectuals are a critically important resource for Vietnam.

He emphasized that the Party, State and Government are always highly appreciative of the contributions of Vietnamese intellectuals overseas, including those inFrance, to the cause of national construction and defence.

At the meeting, delegates expressed hope that they would like to share professional and managerial skills with their peers in Vietnam, while promoting research, sci-tech, and education & training development in the country.

They made recommendations to the Party and State to attract more Vietnamese intellectuals overseas to national development.

Attendees with unanimity strongly condemned China’s abhorrent violation of Vietnam’s territorial waters when it located the Haiyang Shiyou-981 oil rig illegally in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.

They offered carefully thought-out conceived and developed suggestions on approaches to resolve the dispute on the basis of international law. They also praised the soldiers who are protecting the national sovereignty of the country and proffered a variety of programmes to assist them.

Oil& gas companies support children in Mekong Delta

A group of the nation’s leading oil and gas companies on June 2 donated VND3 billion to the National Fund for Vietnamese Children (NFVC) to support education and provide scholarships for children in the Mekong Delta.

The oil and gas companies include Chevron Vietnam, PetroVietnam Exploration Production Corporation (PVEP), Mitsui Oil Exploration Company Limited (MOECO) and PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP).

The funds were donated as part of an ongoing programme begun in 2009 supported by these same companies which has provided over 3,800 academic scholarships and funds to enhance education in schools located in Can Tho and the provinces of Ca Mau, Kien Giang, Bac Lieu and Hau Giang.

Addressing the signing ceremony, President of Chevron Vietnam, Barry Andrews emphasized that Chevron and its partners focused on supporting the community in three fields-health, education and economic development.

NFVC Director Hoang Van Tien said that this is the sixth year that donors have cooperated with his organization to support its educational programs and reflected their strong commitments to make further contribution to Mekong Delta region’s the development.

Meanwhile, the Centre for Researching and Aiding Smile Operation (OSCA) has co-ordinated with the Dak Nong provincial Red Cross Society and Dak Nong General Hospital to provide health check-ups for 77 children and free surgeries for 59 disadvantaged children with harelip and cleft palate.  Total funding for the surgeries to date has amounted to VND900 million.

Student Association in US celebrates 1st founding anniversary

A ceremony was held in Washington DC on June 2 marking the first founding anniversary of the Vietnamese Youth and Student Association in the US (2013- 2014).

Addressing the event, Ambassador Nguyen Quoc Cuong called on Vietnamese students and youth to uphold their traditions – enthusiasm, dynamism and creativity.

The Association is home to more than 16,000 Vietnamese students and youth in the US who consistently show their strong solidarity and support for those Vietnamese living far away from home.

It has officially launched its website www.sinhvienusa.org, and organized many significant events, such as US journey, US hand circle, and charitable programmes in support of flood and storm victims and poor outstanding students who pursue overseas study, The Vietnamese diplomat said.

He described Vietnamese students as “itinerant ambassadors” representing a Vietnam of renovation and international integration.

Cuong asked the Association to strengthen connectivity between overseas Vietnamese students in the US and those in other countries to make further contributions to national development in the homeland.

Sixth grader wins AIP’s photo contest about traffic

Sixth grader Ha Dieu Linh in the northern province of Ha Nam won a photography contest for junior high school students.

The photography contest “Safe Walking” was launched by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training and the Asia Injury Prevention Foundation for junior high schools nationwide.

The two month contest received 4,175 entries. Sixth grader Ha Dieu Linh of Kha Phong Junior High School in Ha Nam Province won the first prize.

100 photos that entered the final round will be displayed in Dam Sen Entertainment Park to the end of June.

Heavy rain uproots trees in HCMC

An hour heavy rain uprooted many trees across Ho Chi Minh City on June 1, which caused traffic jam, power cut in a large area.

A tree toppled over at the junction of Nguyen Trai and Phung Hung Streets in District 5, causing blackout in the district.

The tree fell on a fast food restaurant near the junction. Fortunately, pedestrians were not injured.

Many trees at the crossroad between Tan Da and An Duong Vuong were also uprooted by strong wind, heavy rain.

The heavy rain also flooded several streets in HCMC like Tan Hoa, Hong Bang, Nguyen Trai.

114 works win 2014 National Press Awards

The 2014 National Press Awards will be offered to 114 outstanding works of the media from 183 entries of the finalists, announced by the awards Jury Board on Sunday.

There are eight A- Class prizes, 27 B- Class prizes, 41 C- Class prizes and 38 consolation prizes.

Chairman of the Vietnam Journalist Association Thuan Huu said that total of entries selected into the final round of this year competition accurately and timely reflected the economics, politics, social problems and national defense of the country.

The 2014 National Press Awards Competition received total of 1,665 entries from 151 press agencies, 271 freelances and 45 individuals.

The award ceremony will take place in Hanoi on the 83rd anniversary of the Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day (June 21).

Schools asked to prevent food poisoning

Education authority in Ho Chi Minh City has asked to increase food poisoning prevention at schools.

A document issued by the city’s Department of Education and Training said that schools in the city need to prevent food poisoning, ensure sanitation safety at canteens

Those schools that do not have canteens should sign contracts with food providers that can deliver meals within two hours to ensure freshness, the document said.

A school official or medical staff must be available to test meals before students and they should not deliver meals to students if finding unsafe signs, the document added.

In case that schools cook for students, it must buy food with clear indication of origin and legal companies. School management boards and medical staff should check hygiene practices in food safety management, food storage, preparation and serving.

There should be daily report of all steps.

VNN/VNA/VNS/VOV/SGGP/ND