"Danish Week - Sustainable City Solutions" about to begin

A series of events on sustainable city solutions will be held in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from December 12 to 17 within an initiative of the Embassy of Denmark in Vietnam and co-organized by the National University of Civil Engineering in Hanoi (NUCE) and the University of Architecture Ho Chi Minh City (UAH), with support from local authorities, organizations, and enterprises from Vietnam and Denmark.

“Denmark is among the world leaders in green technology, and Green Growth is an important area of Vietnam and Denmark’s Comprehensive Partnership Agreement,” said Danish Ambassador H.E. Charlotte Laursen. “With this campaign we hope to create opportunities to exchange inspiration and knowledge with Vietnam on how to build green and sustainable cities.”

With the theme “Danish Week - Sustainable City Solutions”, the campaign includes exhibitions, seminars, film screenings, masterclasses, and a competition seeking practical ideas on how to ensure greener and cleaner cities.

Seminars will be hosted by NUCE in Hanoi on December 12 and by UAH in Ho Chi Minh City on December 14. Experts from the two countries will share experience, lessons learned, and best practices in urban planning policy and solutions.

Students from NUCE and UAH will also have opportunity to attend masterclasses with famous Danish architect Hans Peter Hagens and the Head of the Technical and Environment Department in Aarhus city, Mr. Mogens Bjørn Nielsen.

Exhibitions open to the public from December 12 to 17 at NUCE and December 14 to 19 at UAH will showcase some of the best sustainable architecture designs and city development projects from Denmark. In Hanoi, the exhibition will be moved to Ly Thai To Square near Hoan Kiem Lake on the weekend of December 16 and 17.

Other events include the final round of the “Raising Awareness on Green City Solutions in Vietnam” competition, where best ideas on how to ensure greener and cleaner cities will be named. The competition is being co-organized by the embassy and the Denmark - Vietnam Alumni Network.

Within the framework of the Comprehensive Partnership Agreement signed by the two countries in 2013, the relationship focuses on political dialogue, cultural exchange, commercial activities, and targeted ODA-projects matching Denmark’s strengths in green growth, food and agriculture, health, and education.

Bilateral trade between Vietnam and Denmark has increased significantly since 2011 and interest from Danish companies in cooperating with Vietnam regarding trade and investment continues to increase. More than 130 Danish companies are now in Vietnam and many more are interested in doing business in the country.

HCM City honours 18 “Heroic Mothers”

18 women are posthumously presented with the Vietnamese Heroic Mother title in HCM City on December 11

Ho Chi Minh City held a ceremony on December 11 to confer posthumously the noble State title of “Heroic Vietnamese Mother” to 18 women whose husband and children laid down their lives in the struggle for national liberation and protection.

Addressing the ceremony, Vice Secretary of the HCM City Party Committee Vo Thi Dung expressed her gratitude to the mothers who devoted their beloved to the struggle for national independence.

She also asked local authorities to take care of living conditions of those who have made contribution to the country and their families.

To date, 5,296 women in HCM City were awarded with the Heroic Mother title, with just more than 200 being still alive.

Thousands come to int’l cuisine festival in Hanoi

An international cuisine festival, the fifth of its kind, held by the Foreign Ministry’s Bureau of Diplomatic Corps Services in Hanoi on December 10 attracted thousands of visitors. 

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung, Ambassador Nguyen Nguyet Nga and many foreign ambassadors joined the crowd to enjoy unique dishes from various countries and different regions in Vietnam. 

Opening the event, Ambassador Nguyen Nguyet Nga, who is spouse of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, said the festival wants to create a platform for exchange among foreign diplomats, visitors and Vietnamese, thus enhancing mutual understanding. 

Among the 120 booths at the festival, 35 were run by foreign embassies in Vietnam. Besides food, handicrafts and local specialties were also available along with folk art performances, with proceedings going to charity.

The organising board of the event presented 200 million VND to the Binh Thuan kindergarten in the northern mountainous province of Yen Bai, which was damaged by recent flooding, and 10 gifts to orphans at the Vi ngay mai charity centre.

First ASEAN film festival held in the Netherlands

The first ASEAN film festival recently took place in the Dutch city of Utrech as part of celebrations for the 50th founding anniversary of the bloc. 

The event was graced by the presence of the Ambassadors of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam to the Netherlands. 

Speaking at the event, Chairman of the ASEAN Committee in The Hague - Indonesian Ambassador to the Netherlands Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja said the festival hopes to convey a message of ASEAN culture and history to Dutch friends via 10 films of different genres made in the five above countries. 

During the festival from December 8-10, audiences had chances to exchange with actors and actresses from Indonesia and the Philippines and enjoy food of Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines. 

With the support of the Foreign Ministry, the Department of Cinema, BHD and Galaxy companies, Vietnam introduced two films :Tam Cam: Chuyen chua ke” (Tam Cam: The Untold Story) and “Toi thay hoa vang tren co xanh” (Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass) to the event.

Public transport sector improves services

The move aims to improve public transport services and encourages people to use public transport.

With this smart instruction, all information about bus schedules will be provided to customers, such as the number of buses at the station, bus arrival times, and the next buses’ schedule. Besides, customers will be also provided with information about ticket prices, and operation time.

The move has received a warm response from public.

“The new devices help us to save time, we can know the exact time for our next trip so we can arrange our time appropriately,” said Le Thi Ngoc Bao, a resident in District 12.

Meanwhile, Le Van Minh, a resident in District 8 said: “Previously, we had to face time pressure, but now with new smart device it’s easier for us as both drivers and travellers to know the timetable for every trip.”

According to bus driver Le Khac Bao Quoc many more people are expected to use public transport because busses’ information is now available and there will be no late or delayed busses.

Besides electronic information boards, the bus stations have been equipped with detailed instructions to help travellers know more about bus routes, stop-over and pick-up points of other buses.

Moreover, the city has focused on improving infrastructure for pubic services, including areas for disabled people, and bus stops.

“We have planned to put into operation three new bus stations and 85 new bus stops in the city to serve customers’demand,” Director of Ho Chi Minh City Management and Operation Centre Tran Chi Trung said.

After a pilot period, the new devices will be implemented and installed at more than 450 bus stops in the city to attract more people to use public transport.

The city also needs to continue improving customer service, helping reduce individual transport means to the city, especially during rush hours.

Seven fishermen rescued at sea

Seven fishermen from Bình Định Province were rescued at sea on Sunday after their boat encountered difficulties in rough conditions on Saturday morning.  

The Đà Nẵng-based Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre No 2 (MRCC2) told Việt Nam News that all crew members were healthy when their boat was towed safely to Đà Nẵng port yesterday morning.

According to MRCC2, the fishing boat suffered engine failure on Saturday, 155 nautical miles off Cửa Lò beach in Nghệ An Province.

Strong waves and high winds prevented crew members from repairing the engine, and a rescue ship from the MRCC2 was sent to locate the distressed vessel.

The rescue ship towed the fishing boat and crew to the port of Đà Nẵng yesterday morning after a 17-hour trip through the night.

This incident marks the second case in three days where an MRCC2 ship was called to rescue boats and crew members.

On Friday, a ship from MRCC2 also rescued nine fishermen on a fishing boat off the coast of Nghệ An Province.

Last month, a crew member on a fishing ship from Bình Định was saved after 20 hours when his boat sank off the coast of southern Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu Province.

Tourism Ideas Contest opens in HCM City

Sixteen student teams from eight universities in HCM City participated in the Tourism Ideas Contest held the in HCM City’s Bình Thạnh District.

The Tourism Ideas Contest was hosted by the HCM City University of Technology (HUTECH) in collaboration with the city’s departments of Tourism and Science and Teachnoloy on Saturday.

Organisers are looking for creative ideas, new tourism products and solutions to support the development of the city’s tourism sector.

The contest attracted students not only studying tourism, but also from many other majors, such as  IT, social sciences and humanities and banking-finance.

The participants bring to the contest several products, such as pictures made of fish scales, bus routes for foreigners, Sài Gòn Free Walking Tours-a non-profit organization,  the app “WOW”–“Wow, HCM City is wonderful!”, smart hotels, travel by electric cars, and others.

According to the organisers, each team has a maximum of five members.

After the contest’s qualifying round on December 9, eight teams will be chosen to continue in the contest’s semi-finals on December 17 presenting details of their products after being assisted by coaches.

The best products is planned to be displayed and awarded at the gala night on December 27.

Tourism has been identified as one of the country’s key economic sectors, and tourism training has become a specialized industry.

HCM City has great potential for tourism development, but its tourism development may not be meeting with its potential.

The contest not only creates a playground for students to develop new tourism products but also strengthens the development in science and technology, start-ups and the creation in the city’s tourism.

Saigon Heat suffer defeat at first ABL match

Saigon Heat let their rival, Formosa Dreamers, come from behind to win 80-75 in their first match at the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) on Saturday in HCM City.

Playing on home turf, the Heat made an impressive start and ended the first quarter at 18-13.

The Dreamers did a better job early on in the second quarter, with a streak of 14 points to take the lead of 27-22. Akeem Scott helped the Heat come back with a three-point throw before his teammates netted 12 points to close the quarter at 37-28.

Scott continued his outstanding performance with 11 points in the third quarter, and the Heat maintained their lead of 62-55 by the end of the quarter.

The Heat led by 7 points 71-64, with 7.05 minutes to go in the game after a split from the line from their high-scoring import, Scott. However, the Dreamers sparked a three-point barrage that turned the game around.

The visitors continued to score, while the Heat failed to create attacks, leading to a loss of 75-80.

“When it’s your first game and you did not have any exhibition games, nay practice games, you really don’t know how things are going to go,” said Saigon Heat head coach, Kyle Julius. “For our first game together, I thought we had some good moments and some bad moments and we can grow and work on those.”

The Heat will next play Mono Vampire of Thailand on December 17. 

Conference talks co-management in fishery resources protection

A national conference on co-management in protecting fishery resources between the State and community took place in the central province of Binh Thuan on December 9. 

Hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD)’s Directorate of Fisheries and the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP) under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the event was attended by authorities, representatives of the fisheries sectors and fishermen of cities and provinces from Quang Ninh to Ca Mau. 

It aimed to refine legal framework and boost coordination in co-management in fishery resources protection and to rally financial support to support local fishermen and protect the coastal eco-system. 

Nguyen Thi Thu Huyen, National Coordinator of the UNDP/GEF SGP, said the National Assembly’s adoption of the Fisheries Law marks a turning point in community-based management in the fisheries sector. The law provides the legal foundation for fishermen’s official access to fisheries resources and the recognition and promotion of their role in managing such resources.

Hidenao Watanabe from the Japan International Cooperation Agency suggested establishing fishery exploitation groups with government support. 

In Binh Thuan, pilot models in co-management in fishery resources protection are underway in Phuoc The commune, Tuy Phong district and Thuan Quy commune, Ham Thuan Nam district, which have achieved positive results. 

Earlier on December 8, a working group from the MARD inspected the pilot model in co-managing ark shell farming in Thuan Quy commune, Ham Thuan Nam district.

Vietnam attends political parties’ conference in Russia

A delegation of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) attended a conference on the role of political parties in developing Russia-ASEAN relations hosted by the United Russia Party (URP) in Vladivostok, Russia, between December 7-10.

The conference was attended by representatives from political parties of ASEAN member nations and the URP. Acting General Secretary of the International Conference of Asian Political Party Jeon Jae-man was present at the event as an observer. 

Delegates discussed topics related to dialogue among parties as a mechanism for enhancing relations between Russia and ASEAN members.

They highlighted the role played by political parties, especially ruling parties, in promoting ties among countries. They also strongly opposed external intervention in countries’ internal affairs.

The Vietnamese delegates, led by deputy head of the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for External Affairs Nguyen Tuan Phong, contributed to the conference’s agenda. 

On the sidelines of the event, the Vietnamese officials held a working session with representatives from the URP, during which they discussed measures to strengthen the friendship between the two parties and states.

Kids paint their thoughts on peace

Nearly 400 Hanoian and international children painted art on the peace and beauty of Hanoi in Ly Thai To Flower Garden in the capital city on December 10.

Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Culture and Sports Tran Quoc Chiem said the event presents opportunities for kids to exchange with each other, thus fostering friendship between Vietnamese and foreign children.

The paintings show the kids’ thought of the beauty of Hanoi, its people and their aspiration for peace and a clean and safe living environment.

Nguyen Minh Phuong, 11 received first prize for her painting “Peace, solidarity and friendship”.

Min Jin Yang, 14, from the Republic of Korea, and two Hanoi kids, namely Le Hong Nhung, 12 and Tran Linh Chi, 9 were presented with second prizes.

Numerous others received third prizes and encouragement prizes for their paintings.

‘Help-portrait’ program brings joy to disadvantaged people

More than 1,200 photographers and volunteers have participated in the eighth edition of ‘Help-portrait’ program held recently in 15 provinces and cities and Tho Chu Island with the purpose of bringing joy to child cancer patients and disadvantaged people.

In addition to major activities of the programme, voluntary groups took many photos of local people living in remote areas at any appropriate time and gift them their photographed photos.

This year’s program aims to preserve and present 10,000 photos to pediatric cancer children, lonely old people and especially difficult people. These photos were taken at more than 60 nationwide places such as hospitals, charity houses and centres for children with disabilities.

At Christmas parties to be held during the programme, disadvantaged children will receive gifts donated by benefactors.

After the eight-year duration of the programme, 50,000 photos have been taken as a small contribution to alleviating difficulties for children and people with special difficult circumstances. 

Chinese contractor asks to further delay Hanoi's first sky train

The main contractor of Hanoi's first elevated railway line running from Cat Linh to Ha Dong, to the north of Hanoi, has suggested pushing back the project's deadlines to late 2018, according to the Transport Ministry.

Under the new schedule, the project would have test runs in early September 2018, and would be put into operation in November 2018. 

This would result in an 11-month delay compared to the previously proposed schedule, which would have seen test runs in October this year and a fully operational elevated railway by mid-2018.

"This is only the Chinese contractor's estimation, not an official schedule," said Nguyen Ngoc Dong, vice minister of transport. "The Transport Ministry has tasked the project's management board with reviewing its progress, and would report to the prime minister in January 2018."

The main contractor, the state-owned China Railway Sixth Group Co., claimed delayed disbursment of $250 million in official development assistance (ODA) from China is still the cause of the delay.

The main contractor still owes Vietnamese contractors over VND600 billion (US$26.5 million), despite already taking over US$65 million from its own working capital to pay them.

In October, the project's general manager Tang Hong said he had reported to the Chinese embassy to urge the disbursement as well as worked with the Transport Ministry to speed up the project.

According to Dong, Vietnam has resolved all disbursement issues on its side but the necessary procedures on China's side have yet to be completed.

Currently 95% of the project's construction work has been completed, while 60 percent of imported equipment has arrived in Vietnam and 40% of equipment has been installed. The contractors are expected to install the project's signal and electronic systems, as well as finish construction of railway stations in the coming months.

Work on the Cat Linh-Ha Dong elevated railway, which will run over more than 13 kilometers (8 miles), started in October 2011 and was originally scheduled for completion in 2013. But several hurdles, including issues with the Chinese contractor, have been stalling the project for years.

The original cost estimate of US$552.86 million has also ballooned to more than US$868 million, including US$670 million in loans from China.

Green growth promoted to respond to climate change

Climate change and increasing greenhouse gas emission are challenging Mekong Delta provinces’ sustainable growth. In order to increase their resistance and ability to mitigate the impact of climate change, local provinces are promoting the Green Growth Strategy.

The Mekong Delta is home to more than 18 million people and is Vietnam’s key industrial-agriculture hub. But the region is facing serious climate change challenges including a rising sea level, receding mangrove forests and coastal erosion.

The average temperature in the region is expected to increase 0.7 degrees Celsius by 2020 and 2 degrees Celsius by 2025. The volume of CO2 emissions in the region is likely to increase rapidly in the near future due to its rapid development.

The government adopted a National Strategy on Green Growth in 2012 focused on reducing greenhouse gas emission, greening production, and greening consumers’ lifestyles. An Giang, Ca Mau, Bac Lieu, Kien Giang, Soc Trang and Hau Giang provinces are finalizing their plans in response to the Strategy.

Vo Doan Dung of the Hau Giang Department of Planning and Investment said green growth is inevitable. He said promoting green growth will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make growth sustainable.

Le Minh Chien, Vice Chairman of the Bac Lieu Provincial People’s Committee said “Green growth is of great importance to sustainable development. We need to mobilize resources and adopt a coordinated policy to implement this task.”

The Ministry of Planning and Investment has released an Action Plan on green growth in Ca Mau, Bac Lieu, Kien Giang, Soc Trang, and Hau Giang province. Under the plan, local provinces will strengthen regional links, promote environmental sustainability, protect biodiversity, and harmonize economic, social, and environmental goals. The region will need US$5.2 billion to invest in green growth until 2025.

Ha Dang Son, an expert on green growth with the Ministry of Planning and Investment, said that provinces need to mobilize foreign aid and focus on human resource training. 

Mr. Son asked local provinces to review their plans to introduce green production and reduce greenhouse gas emissions: "Activities to reduce green house gas emissions involve developing renewable energy, reforming cultivation techniques, and restructuring agricultural production. We should promote high-tech agricultural production, and review our economic development and environment plans to boost green production.”

Vietnam inks deal with Mekong neighbors to put an end to malaria

Vietnam and its neighboring countries in the Mekong region have formed an agreement to eliminate malaria by 2030, amid concerns that the mosquito-borne disease has developed a resistance to drugs.

Representatives from Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam met on Friday to discuss the disease, that has developed a strong resistance to antimalarial drugs such as Artemisinin, the core compound used in antimalarial medicine.

The officials pledged to improve cross-border collaboration and secure adequate funding to eliminate the disease.

Malaria prevention and treatment will be provided free of charge for ethnic minority groups, migrants and remote communities, they said.

The countries will receive support from the World Health Organization through surveillance programs and national planning.

WHO officials said in a statement that the 2030 goal is within reach and must be met to guarantee the health of vulnerable communities.

“The Anopheles mosquito does not need a passport or a visa to cross borders,” said Shin Young-soo, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, as he urged the countries to unite under one strategy.

Malaria elimination in the region will set an example for the rest of the world, he said.

Malaria is a deadly disease caused by parasites that are transmitted through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. The disease sickened 214 million people and killed 438,000 in 2015, with 90% of the deaths in Africa and 70% of them children under five years old, according to the WHO.

Between 2012 and 2016, effective control tools including nets, insecticides and preventive treatment for infants helped reduce malaria cases in the Greater Mekong Subregion by around 74%.

Vietnam, which already set a national target for malaria elimination by 2030, has reduced its number of cases by 82% and deaths by 93% in the past decade. It reported 4,161 infections last year, a 55% drop from the previous year, with just three deaths.

The country has been struggling to treat malaria since 2015. Drug-resistant parasites have been detected in Binh Phuoc Province, three hours north of Saigon, and Dak Nong, Gia Lai, Khanh Hoa and Quang Nam in the central region.

HCM City department proposes doubling traffic fines

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport is proposing a significant increase to administrative fines levied for traffic violations in an attempt to ease the city’s traffic woes.

The proposal suggested doubling current fines for traffic violations in inner city areas in order to minimize traffic accidents and gridlock in the city.

After collecting feedback, the plan will be submitted to the city’s People’s Council for approval.

According to Bui Xuan Cuong, director of the municipal transport department, the number of traffic crashes and traffic related deaths increased in 2016 compared to the previous year, a majority of which could be attributed to traffic violations.

In the first 11 months of 2017, 97 people were killed in traffic crashes caused by driving on the wrong side of the street and 33 more were killed in accidents caused by speeding, Cuong continued.

Raising the fines in intended to raise awareness of traffic regulations within the local community, not to contribute to the city budget.

The measure is also backed by article 23 under the law on administrative penalties, which was promulgated in 2012, the official elaborated.

Under current regulations, motorcyclists who ignore red lights or directions of traffic police will be fined from VND300,000 (US$13.21) to VND400,000 (US$17.61).

A similar fine is imposed upon those who ride their motorcycle in the wrong lanes or on prohibited roads.

Illegal parking is subjected to a penalty between VND100,000 (US$4.4) to VND1.2 million (US$52.84) depending on the severity.

The transport department’s decision to submit the proposal comes against the backdrop of resolution passed by the lawmaking National Assembly in late November to pilot special mechanisms and policies for the development of Ho Chi Minh City.

As the special mechanism mulls over the increase in certain taxes and charges, raising fines for traffic violation falls within its scope.

Raising fines for traffic violations is also included in the city’s overall plan to reduce traffic congestion and traffic related accidents across the southern metropolis, Cuong stated.

Offenses mentioned in the proposal include illegal parking, wrong-way driving, failing to comply with traffic light signals or directions given by traffic police, amongst others.

Penalties for violations related to roadwork and public hygiene on streets are also expected to be raised if the proposal is approved.

Traffic cops will first focus on instructing and reminding local residents to follow traffic rules before a strict enforcement of the new measure, Cuong said, adding that technology will also be applied to assist the process.

Local citizens have expressed their support for the proposal and have offered constructive feedback to maximize its efficiency.

According to Tran Hai Duc, a lawyer from the Ho Chi Minh City Bar Association, raising traffic fines is necessary but requires careful consideration due to the direct impact it could have on the lives of residents, especially those with limited income.

To lower traffic crashes and congestion, other solutions should also be carried out, including raising public awareness, improving traffic infrastructure, and limiting negativity behavior from law enforcement.

Nguyen Quang Trung, a car owner, believes that the fine increase should only be applied to certain violations.

The current penalties for some offenses are appropriate and should be kept the same, Trung added.

Hanoi man arrested for battering starving 10-year-old son

Police in Hanoi have detained a man after his son fled away from an apartment where they were living together.

Tran Hoai Nam, 34, is under investigation for child abuse, following claims made by his 10-year-old son.

The boy is being looked after by his mother after he ran away on December 5.

For the past two days, he has been screaming in his sleep, the boy's mother, identified as Ngan, told VnExpress on December 7.

The boy's face is covered with scars and injuries and doctors have diagnosed him with four cracked ribs and a cracked skull.

He is unable to look at photos of his father and trembles with fear when the abuse he has been subjected to is mentioned.

For the past two years, his father and stepmother have allegedly beaten and starved him, keeping him locked up in their rented apartment and away from school.

“I don’t want to go back there,” said the boy.

Ngan and her husband, Nam, divorced in 2014 when they already had two children together. As agreed by the court, each of them took custody of one child.

From 2014 to early 2016, the boy lived with Nam, his stepwife and parents at a house in Hanoi, and Ngan was allowed to see her son on weekends.

In July 2016, Nam and his stepwife moved out of his parents’ house and cut all ties with his parents and first wife.

Ngan said she asked Nam to let her see their son several times, but Nam repeatedly turned her down.

“He always had a reason to prevent me from seeing my son. Then he changed his phone number and moved to a new place, leaving me no way of contacting my son,” she said.

The boy said he was forced to quit school after he finished his second grade and had to work like an adult.

But his father and stepmother did not stop there, and beat him over and over again, even when he had done nothing wrong.

“They often left me to starve and did not let me go outside to play," he said. "I haven't had a proper meal for two years and there were many nights I had to sleep on the floor with only a thin blanket.”

In two years, he saved up VND5,000 (22 cents) and tried to run away five times.

On December 5, after getting a sound thrashing from his stepmother because "she thought I had eaten stewed beef on the sly,” the boy decided to make his escape.

With 22 cents, he ran as fast as he could to a xe om driver that he knew without his shoes on, “so that my dad and stepmother couldn't catch me.”

The driver carried the runaway to a bus station and helped him catch the bus to his grandparents.

“Though it’s been two years, I still remember the address. When I got there, I had to tell them my name, age, and date of birth before they recognized me,” the boy recalled.

Ngan said she almost collapsed after seeing her gaunt son with injuries all over his body and long hair after two years apart.

“If he hadn't been wearing a T-shirt I bought him years ago, I wouldn't have believed he was my son,” she said in tears.

The father told the police that his son was "naughty so he had to discipline him."

Nam reenacted the way he had beaten his son for the police on Wednesday, bending a metal coat hanger into a rod and using it to beat the boy, and sometimes even using a soup ladle to strike the boy’s head or kick him in the ribs.

The stepmother has also admitted to the abuse.

Truong Anh Tu, a Hanoi-based lawyer, said Nam can be charged with "torture" and face three years behind bars.

Despite all this, the boy has still asked the police to release his father.

Child abuse is becoming more common in Vietnam, with most cases reported at nurseries; but criminal charges are rarely brought against the culprits.

The owner of a private daycare center in Saigon was arrested last month after a video of her and her employees abusing small children went viral online.

Early this year, two teachers in Hanoi were fined VND2.5 million (US$110) each after an online video showed them beating crying children with various objects, including a slipper.

In a rare case, a court in the southern province of Kien Giang sentenced two babysitters to three years in jail in January 2014 for torturing children at an unlicensed private nursery.

Another babysitter in Saigon received an 18-year sentence the same year for killing a baby after she couldn’t stop him crying. She escaped the death sentence because she was under 18 at the time of the fatal incident.

According to government data, more than 2,000 children in Vietnam suffer serious abuse that requires special help and intervention every year.