Three captive Tibetan bears transferred to care unit

Three Tibetan bears have recently been handed over to Cu Chi water park tourism site in Ho Chi Minh City for caring.

The bears, which weigh from 90-120kg each, were held in captivity by Dang Cong Thach in Tan An city of the southern province of Long An from 2005.

The province’s forest management department had encouraged Thach to voluntarily hand over these animals to functional agencies.

According to the latest statistics from the Vietnam Forest Protection Department, there are more than 1,200 bears being held in captivity in 430 bear farms nationwide. 

Since 2010, the Long An forest management department has encouraged bear farms to hand over seven captive bears.

HCM City Career Fair 2017 offers students 5,000 job opportunities

Ho Chi Minh City’s graduates and other young people will have a chance to get jobs at an annual career fair, which will take place on June 18 at HCM City University of Economics in 59C Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Dist. 3.

More than 50 businesses, including banks like ACB, VietinBank, Eximbank, MBBank, OCB, VIB, Citibank, ABBank and Vietbank, insurance companies such as Manulife, Prudential Vietnam, CHUBB Life Vietnam and Bao Viet and many others will offer around 5,000 job opportunities to the job seekers.

A  wide range of activities will be held including talk shows where guest speakers who are university professors and successful business people will talk about employment, redundancy and manpower requirements. They will also give advices to help the job seekers improve their competitiveness in the labour market.

 hcm city career fair 2017 offers students 5,000 job opportunities hinh 1 At the Soft Skills workshop with Dr Nguyen Hoang Khac Hieu, the applicants will learn how to build their credible professional image during job interview.

At another workshop, Dr Nguyen Viet Lam will introduce the applicants to CV design tools and how to make a CV to meet requirements of corporations and multinational companies.

In addition to that, participants will enjoy music performances and have a chance to get a lucky draw for a Honda Vision 2017, laptop Asus, Samsung Galaxy smartphone or others.

Driver still on the loose after hit-and-run kills two in HCM City

The families of a young woman and man killed in a deadly hit-and-run today (June 14) in the district of Phu My in Ho Chi Minh City have a message for the person responsible: Man up.

The woman was killed instantly as she slowed her motorbike at a stoplight and was rear ended by a truck driven by a yet unidentified driver who ploughed through the intersection without slowing.

A man on a second motorbike was also killed by the truck that struck the woman and just kept going not even bothering to stop and render medical assistance to those he so ruthlessly crushed.

Witnesses said the driver just slammed into the two motorbikes and sped away. He had no care in the world if the people were okay or not.

To run away from the scene of the accident and just leave the bodies on the ground like that is heartless, said one witness.

The families are pleading for information and have a message for the driver. Man up, own-up and face the consequences.

Anyone with information is urged to call the HCM police immediately. The truck is identified as number 51C-233.19.

Workshop highlights Buddhists’ role in social activities

A workshop discussing the role of Vietnamese Buddhists in social and charitable activities is taking place in Rach Gia city, the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang, on June 14-15.

The event was jointly organised by the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee (VFFCC), the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS), the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH) under the Vietnam National University Hanoi, and the Kien Giang administration.

Participants underlined that Vietnamese Buddhists have taken social and charitable activities as a way to show their humanity and kindness towards the less privileged and join the Party, the State and all-level committees of the Vietnam Fatherland Front in ensuring social welfares and equality.

They added Buddhists-sponsored activities cover a wide range of areas such as education, vocational training, transport infrastructure construction, and support for the poor, the disabled, orphans, and victims of natural disasters and Agent Orange.

Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Anh Tuan, head of the USSH’s faculty of philosophy, said since the VBS was set up nearly 40 years ago, it has organised Buddhist activities for more than 30,000 monks and nuns and 40 million Buddhist followers nationwide who have funded the building of 25 hospitals, 655 medicine supply centres, and nearly 200 classrooms for street children, among others. Buddhists have donated trillions of VND to social and charitable activities.

VFFCC Vice President and Secretary General Tran Thanh Man shared the view on the role of Vietnamese Buddhists in promoting social and charitable work, adding that their practical and effective activities have helped eliminate poverty and ensure social welfares.

He also asked the VBS to promote its role in humanitarian activities and expand good deeds.

Conference discusses ways to improve drug rehabilitation

A conference on drug harms and deterrence took place in Hanoi on June 14 with a focus on rehabilitation activities.

Discussion revolved around a range of issues, such as measures to rehabilitate drug addicts, including community-based treatment, and effective public communications campaigns.

Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) Nguyen Trong Dam stressed that the number of drug users in Vietnam is on the rise, which is likely to disturb security and social development.

The number amounts to about 210,000 people nationwide; most of them are under 35 and about 8 percent are adolescents.

While the success of rehabilitation relies largely on the addicts themselves, the aid from families and communities is also important, Dam noted.

Head of the MoLISA Social Evils Prevention Department Nguyen Xuan Lap said society need a change in perception about drug users, as well as in the approach to help addicts wean their addiction. 

Khuat Thi Hai Oanh, Executive Director of the Centre for Supporting Community Development Initiatives (SCDI), said effective rehabilitation need the involvement of the entire community.

She stressed the importance of preventative measures and capacity of medical staff.

At the conference, Tran Quoc Thong, a representative from the Khanh Hoa Social Evils Prevention Department, introduced the local model of voluntary drug detoxification, adding that a consultation network is key to the programme.

According to him, the local network have supported 389 drug users and helped 36 addicts successfully cut the habit.

Vietnam News Agency increases cooperation with Algeria Press Service

Algeria and North Africa are among important areas to Vietnam News Agency (VNA) as well as Vietnamese audiences, VNA Director General Nguyen Duc Loi said during talks with Director General of Algeria Press Service (APS) Abdelhamid Kacha in Hanoi on June 14.

He noted that information provided by the APS will help VNA ensure the accuracy, impartiality and multi-dimension of its coverage on Algerian and North African issues.

Over the past few years, the two sides have actively exchanged information under signed bilateral cooperation agreements, he said, adding that the enhancement of cooperative ties between VNA and APS is important and in line with the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Algeria.

The APS Director General evaluated that the two news agencies have implemented effectively their cooperation over the past time, and expressed his hope that the bilateral collaboration will be elevated in the coming time.

The APS has been making effective use of information provided by the VNA to better serve the Algerian public’s demand for information on Vietnam, ASEAN, and Asia, he said.

During the talks, the two sides discussed challenges facing news agencies in the context of fierce information competition, along with measures to help VNA and APS ensure the fulfilment of their missions as national news agencies.

Director General Nguyen Duc Loi thanked APS for supporting VNA correspondents based in Algeria over the past years and hoped for continued assistance from the press service for VNA reporters working in Algeria.

During the talks, the two directors general signed a cooperation agreement on continuing the exchange of text, photo and television information, along with a new type of information - infographic news.

Both sides pledged to continue providing assistance for each other’s correspondents to carry out their professional activities and supporting each other at international forums.

VNA and APS signed cooperation agreements in 2000, 2007 and 2013. 

During his working visit to Vietnam, the APS Director General visited the VNA Television Centre (VNews) and Le Courrier du Vietnam newspaper office.-

Russia’s Independence Day observed in Hanoi

Enhancing relations with countries in Asia-Pacific, including Vietnam, is one of priorities of Russia’s foreign policy, Russian Ambassador Konstantin Vnukov said. 

Speaking at a banquet hosted by the Russian Embassy in Hanoi on June 13 to mark Russia’s Independence Day (June 12), the diplomat described Vietnam as the most time-honoured and trustworthy partner of Russia. 

Vietnam and Russia are maintaining regular political dialogues at different levels, he said, noting that President Tran Dai Quang will visit Russia in the coming time and President Vladimir Putin will attend the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in November, 2017, in Da Nang city. 

In his remarks, Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh expressed his hope that the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia will further advance in the time ahead.

Hanoi, Vietnam News Agency ink cooperation deal

The People’s Committee of the capital city Hanoi signed with the State-run Vietnam News Agency (VNA) a collaboration agreement for 2017-2021 on June 13, building on the fruitful outcomes of their agreement for 2012-2016. 

Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung highlighted the role of the press as an information bridge between the capital city and other localities in the country as well as the international community.

He thanked the VNA and other centrally-run press agencies for their full coverage in all media forms of the situation in the capital city, and pledged that the city administration will provide full and accurate information to the press. 

VNA General Director Nguyen Duc Loi appreciated the municipal administration’s assistance to reporters of the VNA in their work. 

He said the timely provision of information of the administration for official press agencies is important in providing the public with accurate reports, preventing groundless and distorted rumours from spreading.

The State-owned VNA is a major news agency in Southeast Asia with more than 1,300 reporters and editors, and a network of representative offices in all 63 cities and provinces of Vietnam and 30 in foreign countries. Besides the five main editorial departments, it runs a TV channel - the V-News -, an online newspaper – VietnamPlus in five languages -, and various publications.

Under the cooperation agreement with Hanoi for 2012-2016, VNA published more than 24,000 news stories about the capital city in various media forms and in various languages, covering the latest developments across the fields in the city.

Seminar discusses child protection amid climate change

A seminar took place in Hanoi on June 13 seeking to prevent children from being pushed into work by natural disasters and climate change.

It was co-organised by the International Labour Organization and the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA).

Speaking at the event, MoLISA Deputy Minister Nguyen Trong Dam said disasters cause damage for people in terms of assets, physical and mental health, adding that families’ economic difficulties often force children to leave schools and start working.

Vietnam has worked to support disaster victims, he noted, citing that in 2016 the National Assembly passed the Children Law, which includes specific regulations on preventing child labour. The law took effect on June 1, 2017. Also in the year, the Prime Minister also approved a programme on the prevention and reduction of child labour for 2016 – 2020.

Dam urged public agencies to design plans that relocate residential areas in disaster-prone areas, implement social welfare policies, and offer child-related services when disasters take place.

Jesper Moller, Acting Representative at UNICEF Viet Nam, said since 2000, natural disasters have affected about 2.3 billion people worldwide, of whom up to 60 percent are children.

Children are at high risk of being molested and pushed into work in the aftermath of disasters.

He suggested Vietnam invest in child-protection statistics analysis and improve assessment kits for natural disaster damage, which will help the country plan better humanitarian aid for children.

Spanish-funded project helps deal with malnutrition

The food security component of the Spanish Government-funded integrated nutrition and food security project has produced positive results in dealing with malnutrition in under-5 children and ensuring food security.

The information was released at a conference to conclude the first component of the integrated nutrition and food security project targeting children and vulnerable groups in the central province of Ninh Thuan on June 13.

The project also helped increase the awareness of farmers and community of food security and integrated nutrition and food security changes.

Through the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Government of Spain has provided 1.5 million USD for the project, which has been carried out in Ninh Thuan province and the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai.

The project targets the most disadvantaged ethnic minorities, those living in poverty, and seeks to reduce inequity gaps with a goal of improving the nutritional status of more than 36 million women of reproductive age and 7.1 million boys and girls under five in Vietnam.

The ratio of acute malnutrition (wasting) among under-5 children decreased slightly to 14.1 percent in 2015 from 14.5 percent in 2014, while the rate of chronic malnutrition (stunting) dropped 0.3 percent to 24.6 percent in 2015, according to a reported released by the National Institution of Nutrition in July 2016.

Conference on forecast-based financing opens in Hanoi

The first regional conference in Asia on forecast-based financing for climate change adaption was held in Hanoi on June 13, drawing about 100 international and domestic experts in disaster risk reduction and climate change adaption.

The conference, organised by the Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRCS) and Germany Red Cross Society in Vietnam, aimed to establish a network of experts in forecast-based financing, which includes governments and scientists of countries vulnerable to natural disasters in Asia. 

At the conference, experts shared experiences and information on creative humanitarian funding mechanisms, which allows early actions to cope with natural disasters and climate change based on forecast, then implement right procedure when disasters happen.
Participants also discussed current methods and mulled over regional plans as well as measures to draw support of sponsors and policy makers.

Vice Chairwoman of the VRCS Tran Thi Hong An said that Vietnam is among the five countries hardest hit by disasters and climate change in the world. The country suffers between 10-15 tropical storms and many floods each year, affecting 50 percent of land and 70 percent of the population in main disaster-hit areas.

Forecast-based financing is a new approach that can help the prompt provision of humanitarian aid, thus reducing damage and loss for people and ensuring effective use of financial assistance. 

The regional conference runs until June 15.

Vietnam calls for women’s stronger leadership in climate issues

Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Hong Lan has asked countries to increase institutionalising the leadership of women in coastal areas in policies on climate change and disaster response.

She made the call while attending an international seminar on ensuring and promoting the rights of women in coastal areas amid climate change. 

The event took place in Geneva, Switzerland, on June 12 on the sidelines of the 35th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC). It was organised by the permanent mission of Vietnam to the UN, the World Trade Organisation and other international organisations in Geneva, along with the missions of Australia, Germany, Madagascar, and Fiji.

Deputy Minister Lan said as one of the first countries to sign and ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, Vietnam has been exerting all-out efforts to ensure and promote gender equality and women’s rights.

Meanwhile, the country is also facing an array of challenges in protecting and promoting the rights of coastal women as it is among the countries most affected by climate change.

She stressed the importance of implementing credit support and health care policies for coastal women, raising their public awareness and equipping them with necessary skills, and enhancing their leadership and participation in making climate-related policies.

At the seminar, delegates from Fiji and Madagascar shared their countries’ experience in protecting and strengthening coastal women’s rights in climate change response. They underlined the importance of harmonising national and regional policies on this issue while calling for support from the international community to cope with climate change.

Representatives from the Australian and German missions said women in coastal areas are the factor helping to change the awareness and policy relating to climate change. Therefore, their leadership and engagement in climate change and natural disaster response, especially in coastal communities, should be fostered.

A representative of HOPE International Organisation shared the view on the need to give the right to decide to women as the most suitable persons in the protection of and care for families and future generations amid climate change.

A Nicaraguan delegate suggested this issue continue to be discussed at the HRC and the seminar’s content and recommendations be sent to the HRC’s Special Rapporteur on the environment.

Nha Trang-Khanh Hoa Sea Festival wraps up

The 2017 Nha Trang- Khanh Hoa Sea Festival, themed “Extending the Circle of Friendship”, concluded on June 13 in the central coastal province of Khanh Hoa with a special art performance.

Speaking at the event, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee and head of the organising board Nguyen Dac Tai said that the festival was a cultural feast, offering a kaleidoscope of artistic, cultural and sporting activities and bringing domestic and international friends closer to the province.

During the festival, Nha Trang was buzzing with events like a street festival, salangane nest festival, cuisine festival, Ca Ong (Whale) festival, swimming contests, football tournaments, volleyball competitions and a bicycle parade, among others.

According to Nguyen Khac Ha, Director of the provincial Department of Culture and Sports, good weather, food safety, social order and environmental hygiene contributed to the event’s success.

The four-day event welcomed five international art troupes from Spain, France, the Republic of Korea, Australia and Russia, as well as troupes from the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak, central Thua Thien-Hue province and the Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu, Ha added.

Some 120,000 foreign and domestic tourists flocked to the city during the festival.

On the occasion, Khanh Hoa province presented certificates of merit to 25 enterprises who provided more than 18 billion VND (793,600 USD) for the event.

The festival has been held biennially since 2003.

The province aims to welcome 5.5 million tourists this year, a year-on-year rise of 17 percent, including 1.7 million foreigners, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism. 

In the first three months of this year, the province received more than 1.1 million tourists, up 26 percent from the same time last year, and earned 3.4 trillion VND (149.8 million USD) in tourism revenue. Foreign tourists arrivals reached 500,000, a surge of 85 percent year-on-year, mostly from China and Russia.

The locality is seeking a government recognition of Nha Trang as a marine eco-tourism urban area and northern Cam Ranh peninsula as a national tourism site.

Making sense of climate change risks

To better assess, communicate and respond to risks from climate change at the community level, more than 100 experts gathered at a conference in Hanoi today (June 13), reported the Vietnam news Agency.

making sense of climate change risks hinh 0 At the meeting, participants shared their knowledge and experience and compared notes on best practices for prioritizing and managing climate change to develop cohesive and comprehensive regional and national plans.

They also addressed alternative methods of attracting necessary working and equity capital to fund short- and long-term projects aimed at abating the harmful consequences of climate change.

Vietnam is already a global hotspot for tropical cyclones and other climatic events and is highly vulnerable to increased intensity of storms and droughts that will result from climate change, said Tran Thi Hong An, vice president of the Vietnam Red Cross.

Most of the country and particularly the coastlines are less than five metres above sea level and vulnerable to coastal inundation and salinity intrusion, which we are already experiencing.

The Vietnam Red Cross has always encouraged proactive targeted investment to mitigate the negative effects of natural disasters and climate change, Ms An underscored, adding that the organization stands ready to assist in whatever way it can.

The conference runs through June 15.

In Vietnam, rise in dengue fever cases attributed to rapid urbanization

With the increasing number of dengue fever patients in Hanoi and other major population centers across Vietnam, experts have pointed out a relationship between the disease and rapid urbanization.

The number of dengue fever cases in the Vietnamese capital has been rising rapidly since the beginning of the year, posing concerns given that the epidemic has yet to enter its peak season in the city.

According to Hoang Duc Hanh, deputy director of the municipal Department of Health, the number of patients suffering from the mosquito-borne disease in the first half of 2017 has exceeded 1,500, an increase of two or three times year-on-year.

Following several years of zero recorded dengue fever deaths, a teenage girl was killed by the illness in Hanoi recently.

The number of dengue fever cases in the Vietnamese capital hits over 100 every week, while the total across the country is around 1,700 to 1,800 per week.

The northern city does not have the highest number of patients, Hanh said, before adding that the epidemic had broken out there sooner than usual, which was normally September in previous years.

Districts including Dong Da, Hai Ba Trung, Hoang Mai, Thanh Xuan, and Hoai Duc have recorded the highest number of cases, which is likely attributed to rapid urbanization in these neighborhoods, the official said.

“We are concerned that a severe pandemic will occur in Hanoi this year, similar to that in 2009 when about 15,000 people were infected,” Hanh said.

Phan Trong Lan, head of the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City, said dengue fever epidemics are changing their usual locations from the Mekong Delta to those areas with rapid modernization, namely Ho Chi Minh City and the southern provinces of Dong Nai and Binh Duong.

Urbanization attracts immigrants from other cities, and a higher population makes it easier for the disease to spread rapidly, Lan elaborated.

It is recommended that people with symptoms including fever, headache, and nosebleed should go to the nearest hospital for a check-up and treatment.

Families, schools, and other institutions should pay attention to preventive measures to eradicate mosquitoes and their larvae before they can spread ailment.

Mounting household waste a headache for Ho Chi Minh City

The amount of garbage in Ho Chi Minh City is expanding at an alarming rate, putting enormous pressure on the environment and forcing local authorities to come up with solutions quickly.

The 2013 statistics of the municipal Department of Natural Resources and Environment revealed that the daily amount of waste created in the southern hub was approximately 6,500 metric tons.

The 2017 figure, less than five years later, has reached 8,300 metric tons per day, representing a 27 percent increase.

Experts have warned that the city’s trash will soon exceed 13,000 metric tons per day by 2025.

According to Nguyen Toan Thang, director of the city’s environment department, despite an improvement in dealing with medical and industrial waste, the city is still struggling to properly treat household garbage.

Following the shutdown of the Dong Thanh landfill in 2000 and Go Cat in 2007, domestic trash has been transferred to Phuoc Hiep Waste Treatment Plant in Cu Chi District and Da Phuoc Plant in Binh Chanh District.

In 2006, Vietnam Waste Solutions (VWS), developer of the Da Phuoc waste treatment complex, promised to build a waste recycling and compost plant.

After years of delay, the facility was finally constructed but has yet to be operated as VWS claimed that the function is only viable if the garbage is properly classified.

In 2010, two waste treatment plants operated by Vietstar and Tam Sinh Nghia were put into operation with a capacity of 2,500 metric tons per day to help relieve the stress on other locations.

Assistant Professor Le Van Khoa, from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, stated that most garbage can be recycled or turned into compost.

“The traditional way of treating rubbish by burying it underground takes up a large amount of land and money, while wasting the potential resources that recycled waste can bring,” Khoa remarked.

Given the rapid increase of garbage in the city, Director Thang underlined the importance of reducing the amount of buried waste, essential for sustainable development.

Local authorities have been working with the developers of existing treatment plants to invest in new technology at their facilities.

Vietstar and Tam Sinh Nghia are expected to acquire new incineration systems while VWS will add a treatment technology that uses compressed natural gas.

Le Van Khoa, vice-chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, pledged that local authorities would provide favorable conditions for businesses to acquire the appropriate technology to achieve more sustainable waste solutions.

Tuyên Quang kids get free health checks, surgeries

Hundreds of children in the northern mountainous province of Tuyên Quang have benefited from free medical check-ups and surgeries under a programme jointly carried out by the Vi?t Nam Association of Paediatric Surgeons (VNAPS), the Nh?p C?u Yêu Thuong (Spans of Love) Group, and the provincial General Hospital.

Following check-ups on Monday, 40 children with various defects were offered free surgery right at the hospital, saving travel costs for their families.

VNAPS President Prof. Dr. Nguy?n Thanh Liêm said the programme was joined by 40 doctors, nurses and volunteers from the association and local hospitals.

The programme will also help train staff of the Tuyên Quang General Hospital in new treatments and techniques, Liêm said.

Infectious diseases spread in Dak Lak

Abnormal weather changes in the last several months have sparked an increase in many infectious diseases like dengue fever, diarrhea and hand, foot and mouth disease, according to the Preventive Healthcare Centre in the Tây Nguyên (Central Highlands) province of Ð?k L?k.

Sin the beginning of June alone, the centre has admitted more than 20 patients with dengue fever every week, bringing the total number of people infected with the disease to nearly 600.

The number of people infected with hand, foot and mouth disease also reached 410 in the first five months of the year, double the increase during the same period last year.

Those suffering from diarrhea increased to more than 3,000 since the beginning of the year.

Most of the infectious disease cases were found in Buôn Ma Thu?t City and the districts of Buôn Ðôn, Krông Bông and Krông Nang, the centre reported.

Healthcare authorities in the province, particularly the Preventive Healthcare Centre, were making all efforts to mitigate the situation by asking residents to maintain hygienic living conditions, take adequate medicines and get themselves vaccinated as needed.

Ethnic minority girls to earn college scholarships

The Vu A Dính Scholarship Fund will provide the M? du?ng d?n tuong lai (A Brighter Path) scholarships to at least 33 ethnic girls to enable them to complete high school and tertiary education in the next seven years.

Recipients will get seven-year scholarships worth VNÐ 220 million (US$9,700) each for three years of high school and four years of university.

The money will cover tuition fees, books, food, housing, uniforms, mentoring and training in soft skills.

At least 33 girls will be selected based on their academic records and passion for social development.

Annually they will be invited to attend courses in soft skills and network with prominent women leaders from the Government and business sector.

The scholarships from VinaCapital Foundation strive not only for a better future for ethnic minority girls but also practical support for them along the way, Truong M? Hoa, former deputy president of the country and president of the V? A Dính Scholarship Fund, said.

The accomplishments of these girls in overcoming obstacles would change their lives and enable them to have a positive impact on their ethnic communities, she told a press meeting held on Monday (June 12) to kick off phase two of the project.

In the first phase between 2011 and 2017, 50 school girls from 24 ethnic minority groups received financial support worth a total of $317,610

Forty six went on to attend colleges and universities, with 35 already graduating and the rest graduating next year.

High-speed boat smashes cargo vessel, injures four

Four passengers were injured after their high-speed boat crashed into a cargo ship on Monday afternoon in the waters off Qu?ng Ninh Province’s Vân Ð?n District.

The boat, which has a maximum capacity of 50 passengers, left Cô Tô Port for Cái R?ng Port at 4.10pm with 32 passengers. The accident occurred when the boat was 1 km away from Cái R?ng Port, Tu?i Tr? (Youth) online newspaper reported.

Officials from the north-eastern Qu?ng Ninh Province rushed two high-speed boats to the spot and transported passengers to land. The injured were taken to C?m Ph? General Hospital, where they were treated free of charge.

Thái Son Nam easily beat Cao Bang FC

Defending champions Thái Son Nam easily defeated Cao B?ng 5-2 in the second leg of the National Futsal Championship yesterday.

Thái Son Nam played at a fast pace from the moment the referee blew his whistle. In the fifth and sixth minute, Hu?nh Qu?c Tâm and Tr?n Thái Huy scored goals for Thái Son Nam.

In the second half, Thái Son Nam scored three goals more, while striker Duong Ng?c Linh scored two for Cao B?ng.

Despite the victory, coach Nguy?n B?o Quân wasn’t satisfied about the referee’s management of this match.

Coach Hector Souto of Cao B?ng also said that several errors of referee affected his players’ psychology. Even Souto said some referees showed an amateur style for a professional event.

Talking about his players’ performance, Souto said: “They have made a great advance. They are very young but their skills and experience raised much compared to the first leg’s matches”.

Thái Son Nam now have 31 points after 12 rounds to take the lead, leaving the second-placed team nine points.

In other match, Sài Gòn FC tied with Sanna Khánh Hòa 2-2.

With this result, coach Ð?ng Ðình Khang of Khánh Hòa didn’t hide his disappointment that his team is leaving top three. They rank fourth with 19 points.

However coach Nguy?n B?o Trung of Sài Gòn FC was happy with his students’ performance.

“My team played with very strong teams such as Thái Son Nam, Sanna Khánh Hòa and Sanatech Khánh Hòa but we still earned points. That was very good. We aim to finish sixth in this year’s tournament. If we play better we can stand at fifth or fourth place,” said Trung.

Mounting household waste a headache for Ho Chi Minh City

The amount of garbage in Ho Chi Minh City is expanding at an alarming rate, putting enormous pressure on the environment and forcing local authorities to come up with solutions quickly.

The 2013 statistics of the municipal Department of Natural Resources and Environment revealed that the daily amount of waste created in the southern hub was approximately 6,500 metric tons. 

The 2017 figure, less than five years later, has reached 8,300 metric tons per day, representing a 27 percent increase.

Experts have warned that the city’s trash will soon exceed 13,000 metric tons per day by 2025.

According to Nguyen Toan Thang, director of the city’s environment department, despite an improvement in dealing with medical and industrial waste, the city is still struggling to properly treat household garbage.

Following the shutdown of the Dong Thanh landfill in 2000 and Go Cat in 2007, domestic trash has been transferred to Phuoc Hiep Waste Treatment Plant in Cu Chi District and Da Phuoc Plant in Binh Chanh District.

In 2006, Vietnam Waste Solutions (VWS), developer of the Da Phuoc waste treatment complex, promised to build a waste recycling and compost plant.

After years of delay, the facility was finally constructed but has yet to be operated as VWS claimed that the function is only viable if the garbage is properly classified.

In 2010, two waste treatment plants operated by Vietstar and Tam Sinh Nghia were put into operation with a capacity of 2,500 metric tons per day to help relieve the stress on other locations.

Assistant Professor Le Van Khoa, from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, stated that most garbage can be recycled or turned into compost.

“The traditional way of treating rubbish by burying it underground takes up a large amount of land and money, while wasting the potential resources that recycled waste can bring,” Khoa remarked.

Given the rapid increase of garbage in the city, Director Thang underlined the importance of reducing the amount of buried waste, essential for sustainable development.

Local authorities have been working with the developers of existing treatment plants to invest in new technology at their facilities.

Vietstar and Tam Sinh Nghia are expected to acquire new incineration systems while VWS will add a treatment technology that uses compressed natural gas.

Le Van Khoa, vice-chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, pledged that local authorities would provide favorable conditions for businesses to acquire the appropriate technology to achieve more sustainable waste solutions.

Story of Uncle Ho lives on in Bangladesh

A translation of a book on Vietnam President Ho Chi Minh by author Vu Ky in the Bengali language was ceremoniously released in Bangladesh Tuesday (June 13), according to a post by the Vietnam News Agency.

The translated release of the book first published in 2013 is part of festivities celebrating the 44th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two southeast Asian nations, said Vietnam Ambassador Tran Van Khoa in a speech at the event.

Ambassador Khoa noted Ky worked as the secretary for Ho Chi Minh for many years and when the president passed away, he became director of the Ho Chi Minh Museum. In his book, Ky recounted his memories and the teachings of the late president in vivid detail.    

JICA volunteers support Can Tho in health, sports

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will continue sending Japanese volunteers in the fields of sports and health to the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho in 2017.

The information was released at a working session on June 14 between the municipal People’s Committee and JICA on the reception of volunteers from the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) Programme to work in the city.

Minagawa Mamiko, the programme’s senior advisor, said that JICA has sent 422 volunteers to many provinces and cities across Vietnam to help in health, education, agriculture and support industry.

Can Tho has to date received over 30 volunteers, the most in the Mekong Delta region.

JICA wants to maintain close coordination with city to send more volunteers in new fields such as business administration and information technology to the city in order to support the promotion of investment from Japan into Can Tho in the time ahead, she added.

Representing Japanese volunteers who are working in Can Tho, Yamasaki Momoko, a physical therapist, expressed her hope that Japanese volunteers will be allowed to work in all local hospitals in stead of several establishments so that they can contribute more to improving the city’s medical check-up and treatment services.

Acknowledging these proposals, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Truong Quang Hoai Nam pledged to mobilise all resources to support the volunteers and expand long-term relations with JICA.

He said he hopes JICA will help connect Can Tho with Japanese orgnisations, individuals and businesses, and open an office in the city to create close cooperation between 13 Mekong Delta localities and Japan.

POSCO gives over 100 new homes to southern poor households

More than 100 new steel-frame houses were presented to low-income families in Tan Hoa commune, Tan Thanh district, southern Ba Ria – Vung Tau province on June 13 as part of the project “Vietnam POSCO Steel Village”.

Construction on the new homes began in November 2014 in Phuoc Long and Phuoc Hiep hamlets, Tan Hoa commune for underprivileged local families.

The steel producer POSCO Vietnam, a member of the POSCO Group from the Republic of Korea (RoK), provided funding to build the houses while non-profit organisation Habitat for Humanity Vietnam oversaw the construction and provided advice on building techniques and clean water systems.

Employees of POSCO Group donated one percent of their monthly salary to the funding while about 1,500 volunteers from the RoK went to Vietnam to support the construction.

Habitat for Humanity Vietnam will also help the families through community development projects.

The project has total investment of about 11 billion VND (480,700 USD). Each new house, covering 53.6 sqm, was constructed at a cost of 95-150 million VND.

Speaking at the hand-over ceremony, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Van Trinh spoke highly of POSCO Vietnam’s contribution to the local social welfare efforts. The project has given local residents living under difficulties decent homes and encouraged them to earn a living for a better life, he said.

POSCO Vietnam previously built 42 charitable houses in Tan Thanh district where the company is located.

Japan helps An Giang improve farming lands

An Giang authorities met a delegation from Japan’s Saga University, who came to help the Mekong Delta province improve arable land and farmers’ income.

Their support is part of an agricultural cooperation project between the university and An Giang University, estimated to cost about 10 million JPY (90,870 USD) funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). 

Under the project running between now and 2019, Saga University will send experts to study An Giang’s climate and farming conditions and transfer technology to the province, while two local personnel will go to Japan to learn about cultivating soybean and Tsuburina (ice plant).

At the working session on June 13, the two universities agreed to pilot growing soybean plants in Chau Thanh district’s An Hoa commune and ice plants in Thoai Son district’s Binh Thanh commune. Saga University will provide saplings and support for the pilot.

Tsuji Kazunari, who led the Japanese delegation, said ice plants are capable of absorbing salt in the land and are rich in nutrition. One kilogramme of fresh ice plant costs about 80 USD.

He said the plant will help An Giang improve its salty land and increase farmers’ income.

Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Lam Quang Thi stressed the importance of the project in helping local farmers access Japan’s advanced technologies.

An Giang is committed to creating the best conditions possible for the project, he said, hoping Saga University and JICA would further support the province in climate change adaptation and organic farming.

Vietnam prioritizes protecting rights of persons with disabilitie

The promotion and protection of rights of persons with disabilities is always high on Vietnam’s agenda, said Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, permanent representative of Vietnam at the United Nations (UN), in New York, the United States, on June 13.

She made the statement at the 10th session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) with over 500 delegates from member states of the convention and organizations for people with disabilities worldwide in attendance.

This year, it is themed “The Second Decade of the CRPD: Inclusion and full participation of persons with disabilities and their representative organizations in the implementation of the Convention”. 

Speaking at the conference, Nga said “the international community has made significant results in promoting employment, education, full and equal participation of persons with disabilities” since the convention was adopted more than a decade ago.

She urged the world to do more in the second decade of the convention, especially for those who are still living in poverty, inequality, discrimination, limited accessibility and social protection.

“We have an excellent opportunity now when the CRPD and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development are very much complementing each other. Our job is to turn these international frameworks into synergetic and coherent actions to achieve an inclusive and sustainable society that ensures, promotes, and upholds the rights of all persons with disabilities”, the ambassador added.

Nga cited the fact that Vietnam is among countries with high disability prevalence with 7.2 million persons living with one or more disabilities or about 8 percent of the population.

The country has put in place legal, regulatory and policy frameworks to promote and protect the rights of people with disabilities as the Law on Persons with Disabilities applies 25 of 30 articles of the CRPD, the ambassador noted.

“Vietnam promotes the full participation of persons with disabilities which is essential not only for themselves but also to help develop disability-sensitive legislations and strategies. Disability associations and organizations in Vietnam are increasing in number and actively engaging in disability policy development and implementation. Persons with disabilities are able to access free legal service to better protect their rights. We also encourage the multi-stakeholder approach to explore and mobilize the potential of the society in assisting persons with disabilities”, she said.

Nga also thanked UN agencies, development partners and many organizations and individuals for the support extended to persons with disabilities in Vietnam, and look forward to their continued assistance.

Underway at the UN headquarters in New York from June 13-15, the conference aims to address the impact of multiple discrimination on persons with disabilities and promoting their participation and multi-stakeholder partnerships for achieving the SDGs in line with the CRPD; Inclusion and full participation of persons with disabilities in humanitarian action; and Promoting inclusive urban development and implementation of the New Urban Agenda.

Premier Village Danang Resort appoints new executive chef

Chef Philip Ho will oversee all of the resort’s food and cuisine operations, including Lemongrass Restaurant, Ca Chuon Co Seafood Restaurant, Nautica Beach Club, as well as in-villa dining, and the Resort’s regular food promotion events.

During 25-year career so far, he has held various positions, ranging from Vietnamese Chef #1, senior sous chef, and executive sous chef, before being promoted to executive chef in Grand Mercure Danang.

Throughout his long culinary journey, Chef Philip Ho distinghuished himself as a creative and detail-oriented chef, with strong work ethic and a passion for the culinary arts.

Commenting on his appointment, Chef Philip Ho said, “Food is not only my career, it is also my passion. I look forward to continuing my journey at Premier Village Danang Resort and collaborating with the team to take the Resort’s cuisine to new heights.”

Jean-Francois Brun, general manager of the resort, said, “We are delighted to have Chef Philip Ho on board as our new executive chef. Chef Philip Ho is a culinary talent who will bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm that will delight all of our guests.”

HCM City Council passes green resolution

The HCM City People’s Council has passed a resolution on environmental protection and solid waste management in urban and residential areas, with the target of significantly improving the environment, an issue that has taken on urgency.

In the resolution approved at an extraordinary meeting last Sunday, the council assigned the People’s Committee with educating the public about environmental protection and reducing solid waste.

By 2018 everyone in the city has to be provided with information and education about environment protection.

In the 2018-19 academic year syllabuses of all classes will be upgraded to teach students more about environmental protection.

By 2020 the city has to fully resolve the problem of production establishments causing pollution in residential areas.

A system to monitor the quality of the city environment will be installed.

Nguyễn Thị Quyết Tâm, chairwoman of the People’s Council, said a roadmap for classifying garbage should be drawn up.

The lawmakers want the rate of families classifying garbage to reach 50 per cent by 2020 and keep rising.

Lê Hồng Sơn, head of the Department of Education and Training, said city schools had integrated environmental protection and garbage classifying into their curricula.

"Students practise what they learn at schools, but garbage collectors again mix them when transporting the rubbish to treatment plants," he said.

Tâm said the People’s Committee should pay attention to what Sơn said.

She said advanced technologies should be used for treatment of garbage so that the amount buried in landfills can be reduced from 80 per cent now to 50 per cent by 2020.

According to a report by the People’s Committee and a survey by the People’s Council, the air quality in the city is still worrisome.

Vương Đức Hoàng Quân, deputy head of the HCM City Institute for Development Studies, said besides education severe fines should also be used.

A report by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment showed that the city generates around 8,300 tonnes of domestic garbage and more than 3,000 tonnes of industrial, medical and construction waste.

The former figure is forecast to increase to 13,000 tonnes by 2025.

According to Nguyễn Toàn Thắng, the department’s head, all the garbage collected now is taken to the Đa Phước and Phước Hiệp waste treatment plants in Bình Chánh District and Củ Chi District. But environmental pollution is caused during the process of transport.