Hai Phong starts 2 key projects

Design of Nguyễn Văn Linh flyover. — Photo tuoitre.vn

The northern port city of Hải Phòng started two key projects on Monday with a total investment of nearly VNĐ3 trillion (US$130.5 million) sourced from the city’s budget.

One of the projects is a flyover on Nguyễn Văn Linh Street at the crossroad of Nguyễn Văn Linh-Cầu Rao 2, with an investment of more than VNĐ1.4 trillion ($60.9 million). It has a length of nearly 290m and a width of 19m.

The flyover, scheduled to be completed in 2019, is expected to connect the city centre with National Highway No. 5, Phạm Văn Đồng Street and the south of the city.

It will also be the gateway connecting the city with other provinces through Hà Nội-Hải Phòng Expressway and coastal expressway as well as reduce the traffic flow on Cầu Đất-Lạch Tray-Cầu Rào route.

The city’s People’s Committee also started a project of renovating Tam Bạc River (section running from Lạc Long Bridge to Tam Bạc Park), with an investment of more than VNĐ1.4 trillion.

The works include dredging the river, building reinforced concrete embankments along its banks and renovating pavements along the river.

After the project is completed in 2019, the road along the river bank will become the first pedestrian street of the city.

Being the second-largest city in the north, Hải Phòng aims to play a key role in the development of transport and marine economy in the country as well as be the centre of education, training, healthcare, science and technology in the northern coastal region.

Thái Sơn Nam starts title defence with win

Thái Sơn Nam (in white) beat Thái Sơn Bắc 5-3 at the National Futsal Championship. — Photo vov.vn

Defending champions Thái Sơn Nam beat Thái Sơn Bắc 5-3 in the opening match of the National Futsal Championship in Đà Nẵng City on Monday.

Both the teams presented their young players with the hope that they would lift their clubs to a higher level.

Thái Sơn Nam faced no challenge to lead 3-0 in the first half with goals by ThấtPhi, Thái Huy and Quang Toàn.

However, they failed to maintain their stability in the second half and Thái Sơn Bắcgrabbed the chance to narrow the score to 2-3. Thái Sơn Nam’s Văn Vũ scored a goal before Thành Tín scored from a penalty.

The rest time saw two more goals for Thái Sơn Nam and one for Thái Sơn Bắc.

“We made many changes to the line-up because of some injured players, while some others did not retain their top form. However, the substitutes did their job,” said Thái Sơn Nam’s coach Nguyễn Bảo Quân.

“Every match is difficult. There is no easy game now like in the past. We did manage to win today, but it was not at all easy,” he added.

Coach Luis Marimon of Thái Sơn Bắc said his players played well although they made simple mistakes leading to at least two goals for Thái Sơn Nam. They also wasted clear chances to score more goals.

He said the team and the coaching board members would need to talk after the match to be better prepared for the coming games.

In an earlier match on Monday, Tân Hiệp Hưng beat Kim Toàn Đà Nẵng 2-1.

Thái Sơn Nam temporarily lead the charts after the first-round match due to their better goal difference.

Thái Sơn Nam will next play Tân Hiệp Hưng; Thái Sơn Bắc will face Sài Gònand Kim Toàn Đà Nẵng will meet Hải Phương Nam Gia Định University.

Decisive goal puts Hà Nội FC in semis

Striker Nguyễn Thành Chung scores the decisive goal for Hà Nội FC in the quarter-final of Việt Nam National Footbal Cup - White Lion 2018.

Nguyễn Thành Chung’s 81st minute goal sealed the final slot in the semi-finals of the Vietnam National Football Cup – White Lion 2018 for Hà Nội.

With the 2-2 draw in the first leg at home, HAGL had to score in the 2nd leg.

They were within touching distance of the semi-final as Văn Toàn opened the scoresheet right after the first half but couldn’t maintain it to the end.

With the first touch after coming off the bench, after a corner, Nguyễn Thành Chung scored in the 81st minute and put an end to HAGL’s efforts.   

Moving on from ugly scenes in the first leg, both teams dedicated themselves to an enjoyable match with many chances created by both sides.

Despite missing coach Chu Đình Nghiêm and midfielder Phạm Thành Lương due to penalties from the first leg, Hà Nội FC still showed a dominant performance by creating dozens of chances in front of HAGL’s goal.

In the 9th minute, Hoàng Vũ Samson stunned HAGL’s supporters with a bicycle kick but it missed the target.

In the following minutes, U23 Quang Hải and Hoàng Vũ Samson had several chances but couldn’t put the ball into the net.

Goalkeeper Tăng Tiến was HAGL’s best player in the first half, with 5 amazing saves including a powerful shot from Hà Nội’s Lê Văn Đại from outside the box.

11 shots in just 24 minutes showed Hà Nội’s overwhelming force. But without accuracy, none of them were converted into goals for the capital side.

The first half ended goalless.

U23 Văn Toàn surprised Hàng Đẫy stadium by scoring a beautiful goal after just 1 minute of the 2nd half.

After receiving an assist from Riamrio, Văn Toàn skillfully passed Hà Nội’s defenders Đình Trọng and Duy Mạnh – two of Toàn’s teammates in the U23 National Team and beat goalkeeper Phí Minh Long with a ground shot to the right corner.

After the opening goal, HAGL moved to more defensive tactics.

Hà Nội still created many chances but HAGL’s defense played well.

Hà Nội’s efforts finally paid off in the 81st minute as substitute Nguyễn Thành Chung scored a decisive goal with his back after a corner kick.

The match ended at 1-1.

With 3-3 draw on aggregate, Hà Nội FC won a place in the semi-final due to the away goals rule.

Also yesterday in another match, FLC Thanh Hóa won a ticket to the semi-final after a 1-1 draw with Bình Phước.

Vũ Minh Tuấn scored his first goal for Thanh Hóa in the 41st minute before Trường Văn Tuấn equalized the scoresheet with a solo goal 35 minutes later.

Despite playing at Bình Phước Stadium as their home turf, Bình Phước couldn’t do better than a draw and had to say goodbye to the cup.

With a 3-1 win on aggregate, FLC Thanh Hóa continue the journey to their first ever National Football Cup trophy.

Defending champions Sông Lam Nghệ An are still putting on a good performance after defeating SHB Đà Nẵng in both legs to reach the semi-final.

Phan Văn Đức’s stunning header after a cross from Phạm Xuân Mạnh sealed the win for SLNA.

These two U23 National stars are playing an important role in coach Nguyễn Đức Thắng’s tactics.

SLNA are in the relegation zone in the V-League competition.

Facing 1-4 defeat on aggregate, SHB Đà Nẵng coach Nguyễn Minh Phương are still struggling with difficulties this season.

Becamex Bình Dương overwhelmed Sanna Khánh Hòa BVN on the way to the semi-final.

With a 3-1 win in the away leg and 4-1 win on aggregate, former runner-up Bình Dương are performing well this season.

Despite the good performance in V-League, Sanna Khánh Hòa showed a feeble performance and couldn’t do anything to stop Bình Dương reaching the semi-final.

Đà Nẵng make a big finswimming splash

Finswimmers compete at the National Age Groups Finswimming Championship in Đà Nẵng yesterday. — Photo thethaovietnam.vn

Đà Nẵng took the lead at the National Age Groups Finswimming Championship which started in the city yesterday.

The team brought home eight golds, two silvers and two bronzes. HCM City were the runners-up with three golds, five silvers and three bronzes. While National Defence Sports Centre 5 came third collecting three golds, four silvers and two bronze medals.

Notably, Đà Nẵng’s Nguyễn Duy Anh triumphed in the boys’ 50m immersion in the aged 15 & under category after clocking a time of 16.60secs, beating his old national record of 17.73secs which he set in the same event last year.

In the boys’ 16-17 category’s 50m immersion, Đăng Đức Mạnh of National Defence Sports Centre 5 took the gold medal with a time of 17.83secs, while Tạ Hoàng Minh Anh of HCM City shone in the girls aged 16-17’s 50m apnea with a time of 18.04secs.

The three-day event, which attracted the 124 swimmers from 17 teams across the country, finishes tomorrow.

After this event, the National Age Groups Swimming Championship will begin on May 18-21 with the performance of 230 swimmers from 29 teams.

Thái goes green after second cycling win

Phan Hoàng Thái celebrates his win. -- Photo sggp.org.vn

National team member Phan Hoàng Thái made an outstanding performance yesterday to win the stage and take the green jersey at the Return to Countryside cycling tournament.

Thái of Domesco Đồng Tháp grabbed two sprints before finishing first in the 33.6km stage round Cần Thơ City with a time of 46.57min.

It was his second win after finishing first in the first stage last week.

He was followed by Joshua Mari Bonifacio of the Philippines’ team Go for Gold and Ngô Văn Phương of Gạo Hạt Ngọc Trời An Giang.

With two sprints secured and points for the stage winner, Thái replaced Hà Kiều Tấn Đại of Bình Dương to lead the green jersey race with total of 60 points. He will wear the jersey to start the seventh stage today.

In the overall ranking, Quách Tiến Dũng of Military Zone 7 was on top clocking 11:36.31.

Nguyễn Phạm Quốc Khang of Bike Life Đồng Nai and Phạm Minh Triết of Gạo Hạt Ngọc Trời An Giang were second and third, respectively.

In the team ranking, Gạo Hạt Ngọc Trời An Giang, Bike Life Đồng Nai and Go for Gold secured the top three positions.

The seventh stage today will be 100km from Cần Thơ to Trà Vinh.

VTV Bình Điền Long An win semi-final slot

VTV Bình Điền Long An (left side) advance to the semi-final of the VTV9 Bình ĐiềnInternational Volleyball Cup after two straight wins. — Photo sggp.org.vn

Host VTV Bình Điền Long An secured the first berth in the semi-final of the VTV9 Bình Điền International Volleyball Cup in Quảng Nam Province.

The team defeated Fujian of China 25-20, 25-17, 25-18 in the second-round match of Group A on Monday. It was their second win that pushed them to the top of the group.

In another match, Thông Tin LienVietPostBank lost 9-25, 25-18, 18-25, 21-25 to Est Cola from Thailand.

The second loss of the Vietnamese club disqualified them from the tournament.

In the last group-round matches today, Vietinbank will meet the hosts while Est Cola will clash with Fujian.

Today, the second-round matches of Group B will see American BIP facing Almaty of Kazakhstan and Việt Nam’s Vietinbank playing against Jiangshu of China.

International standard preschool center eases burden for Da Nang’s poor workers

The OneSky preschool center, a reasonably-priced educational facility with international standards, has reduced the burden for disadvantaged workers at the Hoa Khanh industrial zone in Da Nang city. About 210 children are studying at the center.

Every day at 6 a.m., workers of the Hoa Khanh industrial zone take their children to OneSky on their way to work. 

Nguyen Thi Kim Anh, an employee at the Makitech Vietnam Company, says in the past she had to hurry every morning to prepare breakfast for her 2 kids and take them to a private school 3 km away.

Originally from the neighboring province of Quang Nam, Kim Anh and her husband have worked in Da Nang for 4 years, earning more than US$300 a month.

Kim Anh says she was very happy when OneSky opened last September.

“This center saves us a lot of money, about half the fees. We don’t have to bring milk to the school for them. Part of the school fees are subsidized. We only have to pay US$35 a month,” she explained.

Doan Tuan Khoi, who works for CiAR, a city planning and architecture company from Da Nang, says he earns nearly US$180 a month and often has to work overtime. But since his daughter was admitted to OneSky, things have been less difficult.

Khoi said he feels secure because his one-year-old daughter is fed 5 times a day and there are only 4 to 7 children in a class. And the children enjoy the most advanced educational methods in the world.

“The center minds the children from 6 am to 8 pm, making it easier for parents to work overtime. The children learn a lot of things”, Khoi elaborated.

Deputy Director Tran Thi Thanh Binh said OneSky is sponsored by the Half the Sky Foundation, a non-governmental organization from the US. The center is a social protection facility designed to create an international-quality environment for children of poor workers at the Hoa Khanh industrial zone.

The center applies a flexible curriculum which helps children develop thinking skills, promotes their capacity for team work, and stimulates curiosity and observation in a friendly and open educational environment.

Binh said teachers record the children’s activities every day to help the parents keep track of their eating, learning, and playing at school. 

“The center’s teaching method gives the children a firm foundation for the future. For example, the children are trained to improve their personality, physical health, spirit, emotion, and confidence,” Binh added.

OneSky Da Nang is the first kindergarten for children of disadvantaged workers in Vietnam to follow international standards. Although the actual cost for each child is about US$207 a month, parents have to pay only US$35. The rest is paid by the Half the Sky Foundation.

Thirty-five students receive discipline for violating traffic law

The Department of Education and Training in Ho Chi Minh City sent its document to heads of its sub-divisions and principals of colleges in 24 districts asking to impose punishment on students who breached traffic law.

Thirty – five students of different schools citiwide have violated the traffic regulations within three recent months. They committed violations including having no registration license, insurance cards, ID, neglecting traffic lights and not wearing helmets.

After handling these cases, traffic police sent document to the Department of Education and Training asking to have discipline on these students.

The Department therefore requested school managers in colleges and vocational training facilities in the city to issue discipline on violators. Traffic ticket receipts will be used as the evidence to evaluate the students’ behavior in the end of the academic year.

Then, school managers must send reports attached with letters acknowledging their wrongdoings and parents’ commitment to teach their children to the Department.

Additionally, the Department ordered school managers to enhance information of traffic regulations to teaching staffs and students, especially focusing on benefit of helmets to prevent students not to wear helmet on motorbikes.

Moreover, school must have measures to deter unlicensed students from driving motorbikes.

Winners of Press Awards in Science and Technology honored

In the series of events to celebrate the Vietnam Science and Technology Day (May 18), the Ministry of Science and Technology held the award ceremony for the Science and Technology Press Awards 2017 in Hanoi on May 15.

Since the first launch of this special press award in science and technology in 2012, the Ministry of Science and Technology has received nearly 5,000 works in four different types and presented the award for 135 works / group works of hundreds of journalists, including 16 first, 25 second, 41 third, 47 consolation, and 6 sub prizes.

The Science and Technology Press Awards 2017 has attracted the participation of major local as well as central newspapers, radio and television stations.

Until December 31, 2017, there were more than 700 science and technology press entries in four categories of newspapers, electronic newspapers, radio, and television taking part in the 2017 contest.

After careful evaluation, the organization board decided to present 4 First Prizes (worth VND25 million each – or $1,098), 4 Second Prizes (VND12 million each – or $527), 4 Third Prizes (VND7 million each – or $307), and 6 sub Prizes of Impressive Work (VND3 million each – or $132).

Winners of the above prizes are the works that have successfully provided full and precise coverage of bustling activities regarding the science and technology sector in carrying out major tasks and solutions to directly aid in the development of various industries and fields; supporting agricultural production, especially hi-tech one; helping to manufacture national staples in accordance with the value chain; assisting businesses to apply innovative technologies while improving their own commercial environment.

Minister of Science and Technology Chu Ngoc Anh stated at the ceremony that the press has a very significant role in all fields, including science and technology.

Not only is it the fastest and most effective channel to provide precise information on policies and guidance of the Central Party as well as the State or new scientific achievements to the public, it can also direct and collect opinions or suggestions of citizens, managers, scientists, and businesses in order to build new mechanisms or policies for the development of science and technology.

The press can also be a bridge between leaders, scientists, businesses and the public, positively helping the last group understand the essential role of science and technology to the national growth.

Master plan for development of Tam Chuc national tourism area approved

A spiritual culture site in Tam Chuc (Photo: baohanam.com.vn) 

The Prime Minister has approved the master plan for the development of the Tam Chuc National Tourism Area by 2030, in the northern province of Ha Nam.

The Tam Chuc National Tourism Area is located in Ba Sao town and the three hamlets of Vong, Khuyen Cong and Kha Phong in Kha Phong commune, Kim Bang district, Ha Nam province. The area of the core zone prioritised for the development of the tourism area is 4,000 hectares.

The plan aims to make Tam Chuc fundamentally meet the criteria of a national tourism area by 2025 and, by 2030, Tam Chuc will become a national tourism area with comprehensive technical infrastructure, high quality tourist products and a tourism brand, making an important contribution to the socio-economic development of the locality and adjacent areas, as well as becoming an attractive tourist centre of the Red River Delta region.

By 2025, Tam Chuc is expected to welcome approximately 3.7 million tourist arrivals, including 470,000 international arrivals, generating jobs for roughly 2,400 workers and 6 million tourist arrivals, including 750,000 international arrivals, generating jobs for about 4,500 workers by 2030. The total revenue from tourism is expected to reach VND1.1 trillion by 2025 and VND1.7 trillion by 2030.

In particular, the domestic tourist market focuses on Hanoi and its neighbouring provinces in the north, such as Hung Yen, Hoa Binh, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, Thai Binh, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh Thuan, Nghe An, and Ha Tinh.

The tourism area will also focus on attracting international tourists from Japan, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan (China), China, France, Spain, England, Germany, the US, Canada, Australia and India.

Agriculture minister asks for reduction of toxic pesticides

Vietnam uses a high amount of pesticides, up to 100,000 tonnes per year (Illustrative image) 

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong said that Vietnam is currently using approximately 100,000 tonnes of pesticides per year, noting that the abuse of pesticides causes harm to farmers themselves as well as the community.

Speaking at the conference, entitled "Orientation of plant protection in the new situation", held by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) on May 15, minister Cuong emphasised the urgent requirement for quickly reducing the amount of pesticides, especially herbicides containing highly toxic substances.

"We must accept economic efficiency at a reasonable and sustainable level, but not the ultimate goal of high productivity and output," Cuong added.

According to the minister, Vietnam uses a high amount of pesticides, up to 100,000 tonnes per year, depending on imports. He added that the intensive use of pesticides have caused harmful effects on producers and the community, while decreasing the competitiveness of agricultural products and affecting the ecological environment.

Therefore, it is crucial to promptly reduce the amount of herbicide groups which are not suitable with ecology and reduce the use of too many types of insecticides on a specific plant. For instance, pesticides for rice account for 30% of the total number of plant protection chemicals.

Amid the great challenges of climate change that will increase the risk of disease outbreaks and the deeper global integration in the industrial revolution 4.0, countries with modern agriculture should require their plant protection sector to continue restructuring in accordance with the new situation, minister Cuong said.

Director of the MARD's Plant Protection Department Hoang Trung said that the department will continue to tighten their management over agricultural materials at all stages in order to eliminate poor quality agricultural materials which cause harm to human health and the environment.

The department also aims to decrease the number of insecticides on the current list of plant protection treatments, while increasing the amount of bio pesticides by 30%.