Four injured in train-car collision in Nam Dinh

In the early morning of August 1, the 14-carriage train SE7 travelling from Hanoi collided with a 4-seater car in Cat Dang commune, Y Yen district in the northern province of Nam Dinh.

The crash hurled the 4-seater car out of the railway and seriously injured 4 passengers. The injured were immediately rushed to Ninh Binh provincial hospital.

Witness attributed the collision to car driver carelessness. Train SE7 stopped for 30 minutes and continued its journey.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.

Measures sought for e-government, smart urban development

A conference on measures to accelerate the building of electronic government and smart urban areas was held in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho on July 31 

A conference on measures to accelerate the building of electronic government and smart urban areas was held in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho on July 31.

At the event, Director of Quang Trung Software City Lam Nguyen Hai Long said the building of e-government and smart urban areas requires digital technology in all aspects of society. Each locality needs to view the building of e-government and smart urban areas as vital in its development.

A model smart urban area which builds infrastructure using high technology was introduced at the event.

Participants of the event discussed the establishment of a computer emergency rescue team, cooperation of private sector and government and regular checkups on emergency rescue capacity. They also stressed the significant role of training for public servants to use technology.

According to a report on Vietnam’s e-Government development in 2017, the Ministry of Finance led the way, with more than 20 million requested records processed online.

Announced by the Vietnam Digital Communications Association, the report featured evaluations and rankings for three categories, including ministries and ministerial-level agencies, governmental agencies and centrally-run cities and provinces.

Among ministries and ministerial-level agencies, the Ministry of Finance led with 0.71 points, followed by the Ministry of Science and Technology (0.692 points) and the Ministry of Justice (0.678 points).

Meanwhile, for governmental agencies, Vietnam Social Security led with 0.814 points.

In terms of centrally-run provinces and cities, the central province of Hue topped the list with 0.727 points, followed by central Da Nang city, the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong, the northern province of Quang Ninh and Ho Chi Minh City.

Music show marks Peru’s 197th Independence Day

A performance at the show 

A music show was held in Hanoi on July 30 to celebrate the 197th anniversary of the Independence Day of Peru (July 28, 1821).

The event was organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Peruvian Embassy in Vietnam.

Assistant to the Vietnam Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Van Thao sent his congratulations to the Peruvian government and people on the occasion.

He said despite geographical distance, the two countries share many historical and cultural similarities. Their people also give each other mutual support.

This creates an important foundation for Vietnam and Peru to reinforce their friendship and multi-faceted cooperation, he added.

He noted that two-way trade is growing and the two nations are collaborating at international organisations and multilateral mechanisms, especially the United Nations (UN) and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum.

There is a plenty of room for Vietnam and Peru to develop cooperation in various fields such as trade, investment, energy, telecommunication, agriculture, processing and manufacturing industry, aquaculture, science and technology, Thao said.

He expressed his belief in the growing friendship and cooperation for the sake of their people as well as peace and stability in the region and beyond.

Peruvian Ambassador to Vietnam Augusto Morelli said activities to celebrate the 197th anniversary of Peru’s Independence Day also review achievements in bilateral relations and look toward more extensive and intensive cooperation in the future.

The bilateral relationship has been thriving since the establishment of diplomatic ties in November 1994, he said, adding that the two sides have become good partners at international forums and they are cooperating in a broad array of fields.

The ambassador hoped the music show will help Vietnamese people understand better about music in Peru and its culture.

Mekong Delta asked to prepare natural disaster prevention plans

Mekong Delta region  is ordered to prepare measures to cope with natural disasters. 

Deputy chief of the Office of the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control Nguyen Truong Son asked localities in the Mekong Delta region to prepare measures to cope with natural disasters at a meeting in Hanoi on July 31.

He urged them to keep a close track of rain, flood, and storm developments in order to promptly inform people and prepare evaluation plans, especially in the low-lying and riverside areas, as well as preparations to quickly repair damaged sea dyke systems and address coastal erosions. 

According to Tran Ba Hoang, Director of the Southern Institute of Water Resources Research, localities in the Mekong Delta need to harvest their summer-autumn rice crops soon and shift to growing other crops resistant to natural disasters, in order to mitigate damage from potential floods.

The hydro-meteorological station in the southern region anticipated that on August 13, water levels are likely to reach a height of 3.7m at the Tan Chau station on Tien River and 3.1m at the Chau Doc station on Hau River. There is a high risk of flooding occuring in An Giang, Dong Thap, and Long An provinces.

According to the Central Steering Committee on Natural Disasters, in the first half of the year, 75 people were killed or missing, and 48 others were injured during natural disasters. Total economic damages reached 868.5 billion VND (37.73 million USD).

A total of 14 kinds of natural disasters occurred in the country during the period, including two typhoons, two tropical depressions, 88 thunderstorms, seven flash floods, numerous landslides, seven strong sea wind spells, and four extreme cold spells, among others.

In total, 509 houses were destroyed, while another 12,571 were damaged.

Fifteen thousand hectares of rice and 1,700ha of industrial plantations were also damaged, while nearly 9,000 fowl and 17,000 cattle were killed due to natural disasters.

In the remaining half of the year, Vietnam can expect 12-13 typhoons, with at least four or five making landfall, according to the National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting.

2017 witnessed 16 storms and six tropical depressions in the East Sea. Of them, five storms and three tropical depressions hit Vietnam.

Severe disasters resulted in 386 people dead and missing last year, 122 more people than in 2016, and 86 more than the average number of the past decade.

Economic losses amounted to 60,000 billion VND (2.6 billion USD), a 30 percent increase compared with 2016, and 2.5 times higher than the average of the past decade.

Vietnam Airlines pledges to support tissue, organ transportation

The Vietnam National Coordinating Centre for Human Organ Transplantation (VNHOT) and Vietnam Airlines signed an agreement on supporting tissue and organ transportation by air in Hanoi on July 31.

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Viet Tien spoke highly of the national flag carrier’s support for the VNHOT’s tissue and organ logistics.

He expressed his hope that with this agreement, the two sides will coordinate more closely in a responsible, scientific, and effective manner to help bring a second chance in life to more patients nationwide.

Vietnam Airlines General Director Duong Tri Thanh said the firm will give the best possible conditions for the transportation, including free transportation for boxes containing tissues and organs. To ensure timely transport, it has also set up a specific process for tissue and organ transportation and quick response teams to deal with emergencies.

VNHOT Director Trinh Hong Son noted that a good level of preservation of tissues and organs as well as limited transportation times are some of the prerequisites for successful transplants.

Since 2015, the VNHOT and Vietnam Airlines have worked together to transport tissues and organs on five flights, saving eight patients. 

They include flights on September 4, 2015 and April 26, 2016 to carry two hearts and two livers from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi. Another flight delivered a heart and a kidney from Hanoi to HCM City on February 26, 2018. Two hearts were also transported from Hanoi to Hue city on May 16 and June 14 by air this year. 

Photo contest on Vietnam – Japan friendship launched

Organising board of the photo contest on Vietnam – Japan friendship at the event 

A photo contest on Vietnamese and Japanese youths joining hands in fostering friendship was launched in Hanoi on July 31 by the Ministry of Information and Communications and the Vietnam Youth Federation Central Committee.

The contest, part of activities to mark the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Japan (September 21, 1973), aims to improve young people’s understanding of the bilateral ties as well as friendship between the two peoples, helping Japanese people and the youth in particular gain a deeper insight into Vietnam’s land and people in the integration process.

The contest is open to all youth, amateur and professional photographers and reporters from Vietnam and Japan.

Photos should capture the solidarity, friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Japan, diplomatic activities, cultural exchanges and economic and political events taking place in both countries, beautiful images of the land, people, customs, and the special cultural characteristics, national construction and socio-economic achievements of the two nations.

The organising board will present one first, two second, five third and five consolidation prizes with a total value of 90 million VND (3,858 VND).

Entries can be sent to the organizing board from August 1 to September 30 via post or email at cuocthianh45namvietnamnhatban@gmail.com.

Number of Vietnamese students in New Zealand increases

Record numbers of Vietnamese students are now choosing New Zealand as their international education destination of choice, according to Education New Zealand (ENZ). 

This is the result of the country’s serious effort to provide the best experiences for international students, including those from Vietnam. 

There were over 2,500 Vietnamese students in New Zealand at the end of 2017,with the number of secondary school studentsincreasing by 36 per cent compared to 2016, while university student 

numbersalso grewby 14 per cent. This year continues to see positive growth with an increase in student visas for the first half of 2018.

New Zealand is the one of only two countries in the world that has in place an International Education Strategy. As part of this Strategy, ENZ continues to work closely with education agents to further promote 

New Zealand as a study destination. It is also set to re-launch the Education New Zealand Recognised Agent (ENZRA) programme near the end of 2018, which will review and update the list of Recognised 

Agents annually to ensure the highest quality support is delivered to the students.In addition, agents will be givencomprehensive online training, providing them with up-to-date skills and more information to 

better assist international students. 

Ben Burrowes, ENZ’s Regional Manager for South East Asia, said it is encouraging to see the rising number of Vietnamese students in New Zealand as it reflects New Zealand’s commitment towards the 

education and well-being of international students. 

“As New Zealand’s third largest source market within South East Asia for international students, Vietnam is a crucial market for our education institutions. Over the past few years, we have really focused our 

efforts in delivering an excellent education experience for Vietnamese students, making sure they are well-equipped with the necessary tools. The ENZRA programme, once re-launched in Vietnam, will 

encourage local education agents to improve their capabilities and provide the best support possible for Vietnamese students as they begin their overseas education journey,” Burrowes added. 

As well as providing more support to high-performing agents, ENZ is also focusing on making the process easier for students with the launch of the My StudyNZ app, whichis designed tobetter support the 

students’ search process by matching them with the courses and institutions that best suit their profiles. Students are also able to review personalised study recommendations, shortlist matches and track their 

progress towards applying for courses and visas. 

New Zealand’s Ambassador to Vietnam, H.E Wendy Matthews, said: “New Zealand offers innovative and world class education. This is also evident in New Zealand’s approach to international students – we 

want students to be well-prepared and well-informed even before their arrival to New Zealand. The ENZRA programme and My StudyNZ App are some good examples of how we are making it easier for 

Vietnamese students to access and understand New Zealand education.”

“New Zealand is proud to be a trusted education partner of Viet Nam, one example of this is the renewed Strategic Engagement Plan on Education 2018-2020 signed earlier this year. There is great 

opportunity and potential in further strengthening this partnership and we look forward to welcoming more Vietnamese students to New Zealand in the near future.”

Students and parents interested in learning more about the world-classeducation opportunities in New Zealand are invited to visit the ENZRA Fairs in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi on 22 September and 23 

September 2018 respectively. More information can be foundon ENZ’s website. 

Patients burdened with viral hepatitis

As per the Preventive Medicine Department’s statistic, Vietnam has up to 10 million infected patients with hepatitis B, and one million are living with hepatitis C; worse, the number of these patients is escalating.

Meanwhile patients with hepatitis B virus are incurring higher-level hospital charge and undertake lifetime treatment, there has been no vaccine for patients with hepatitis C virus who must pay their treatment fee.

According to the World Hepatitis Alliance, 325 million people accounting for 4% of the world’s population were living with viral hepatitis. It is estimated that 57% of infected people will develop cirrhosis and 78% of them will have liver cancer.

Globally, 1.34 million people in the world die of viral hepatitis annually. The Southeast Asian country has the highest rate of hepatitis in the Pacific and onerous burden of the disease.

Head of the Community Health Research Development Institute (CHDI) Dr. Phan Thanh Hai said that viral hepatitis is a common infection. Infected people has no specific symptoms meanwhile serious cases can suffer liver failure or chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Early prevention of hepatitis B and C will reduce liver cancer after 20 years, said Dr. Hai.

Head of Bach Mai hospital ‘s Infection Ward Dr. Do Duy Cuong said that over 75% of people living with hepatitis C are at risk of suffering chronic disease without timely treatment.

Lately, health sector made remarkable progress in preventing and treating the disease. Mass vaccination helped reduce the infection rate especially amongst children. Medical facilities have made good improvement in performing liver transplant ; success rate is equal to that in the world.

However, people with viral hepatitis shoulder the heavy burden of the disease while insurance agency has not covered the fee.

Deputy head of the Administration Medical Service Nguyen Trong Khoa said that it is a challenge for treatment because 90% of infection has not been detected.

People find it hard to get access with testing because many medical clinics are unable to carry out tests. Moreover, drugs are quite expensive; therefore, many people can’t afford the drugs.

Merely big well-equipped hospitals can treat the disease.

Medical experts said that in addition to increasing information of the disease for doctors and nurses, residents , spending on testing equipment is also needed in grass-root clinics.

More importantly, the Ministry of Health must add more drugs against viral hepatitis into list of medicine covered by insurance agency so that poor patients have chance of being treated.

Mr. Khoa added the Ministry has allow circulation of several drugs against hepatitis C. Plus, the ministry has liaised with giant pharmaceutical firms about production transfer to made affordable drugs to help poor patients to access to it.

360-degree virtual portal on Ngoc Linh ginseng opens

The mountainous district of Nam Tra My in central Quang Nam province has launched a virtual reality photo portal on its Ngoc Linh ginseng planting area, at http://namtramy.gov.vn/web360, in cooperation with the district people’s committee and the Institute of Communications and Information Technology.

Based on 360-degree technology of VR (Video Reduction) photography, the portal allows people to visit and gain a 360-degree view of landscapes and popular tourist sites from different angles.

It also provides 3D video and pictures of Ngoc Linh ginseng products.

Ngoc Linh ginseng is a ginseng endemic to Vietnam, discovered by pharmacist Dao Kim Long in 1973. It grows on the mountains of Ngoc Linh at 2,598 meters above sea level in an area straddling Quang Nam and Kon Tum provinces.

Ngoc Linh ginseng has been named as an endangered species, along with pepper, cinnamon and white maize, as part of Quang Nam’s conservation program for 2014-2020.

According to local ginseng experts, the stems and roots of Ngoc Linh ginseng contain 52 saponins (saponin is the main component of ginseng, with the more saponins the better). Of the 52 saponins, 26 are commonly found in Korean, American and Japanese ginseng, while the other 26 have only just been discovered, making it one of the world’s rarest ginseng.

Ngoc Linh ginseng is highly effective in anti-stress and anti-aging conditions. It helps improve immunity, enhance liver function, and lowers cholesterol. It also works well with antibiotics and diabetes medications and has therefore been designated a national brand.

A Ngoc Linh ginseng fair is held on the first day of every month as well as cuisine and cultural exchanges for visitors and local ethnic minority groups, presenting an opportunity for tourists, investors, traders and local growers to meet.

Nearly 100 km southwest of Tam Ky city, Nam Tra My mountainous district also features waterfalls, the Tac To hot springs, Long Rieu bamboo forest, and the Tra My old cinnamon forest, and is home to 10,000 people belonging to several ethnic minority groups. It is expected to develop diverse holidays and eco-tourism and adventure tours.

Additional support to assist Lao people over dam incident

A delegation from the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security (left) present US$50,000 to assist Laos in the aftermath of the Sepien Senamnoi hydropower dam collapse, Vientiane, July 30. 

The Vietnamese authorities and localities continue to provide support to the Lao Government and people in order to help the neighbouring country overcome the aftermath of the collapse of the Sepien Senamnoi hydropower dam.

On the evening of July 30, a delegation from the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security arrived in Vientiane to present US$50,000 to the Lao Ministry of Public Security.

Earlier, officers under units of the Vietnamese ministry in Lao raised money equivalent to at least one day's salary each to support the Lao people. The donation was sent to the Lao Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare on July 25.

Also on Monday, the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade cooperated with the Trade Union of Vietnam’s Industry and Trade to organise a fund-raising ceremony to support the Lao people affected by the breakdown of the hydropower dam.

Tran Huu Linh, Chief of the Office of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said that the donation amount reached VND1.9 billion.

On July 30, the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai informed that a local delegation paid a visit to the affected site in Attapeu province, Lao, from July 29-30. Gia Lai provided VND300 million in cash and essential necessities worth VND100 million to support the local people suffering from flooding due to the dam break.

After the visit, Gia Lai will continue mobilising and raising money through various channels and the authorities concerned to support the Lao people through their difficulties.

Hai Phong: Tourist arrivals surge 19.9 percent in seven months

The northern port city of Hai Phong welcomed 4.5 million tourist arrivals in the first seven months of this year, 19.9 percent higher than the figure recorded in same time last year, according to Director of the city’s Department of Tourism Nguyen Thi Thuong Huyen.

At a meeting on July 31, Huyen noticed that the number still falls short of the city’s expectation as tourism is taken as a spearhead sector of Hai Phong’s economy. Most of the travellers flocked to Cat Ba tourism site, she added.

Secretary of the city’s Party Committee Le Van Thanh pointed his finger to the tourism sector’s shortcomings, including poor development of infrastructure, especially the shortage of five-star hotels and entertainment zones, short stay by tourists, and travellers’ low spending.

These are a result of a lack of tourism management regulations, and limited investment in tourism infrastructure, he said, adding that the business climate is not really good to encourage more investments in the sector.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Van Tung ordered the tourism department to enhance promotion and help airlines to open and increase domestic and international flights to and from Cat Bi International Airport in the city, prioritising routes to the Republic of Korea’s Busan.

It should work to improve the efficiency of tourism management, and join hands with the Department of Transport and Cat Hai district People’s Committee to issue temporary regulations on passenger vessels.

Religious dignitaries trained in defence, security

Participants of the course pose for a group photo (Photo: qdnd.vn)

A course began in the Central Highland province of Gia Lai on July 31, aiming to boost defence and security knowledge for 130 religious dignitaries and leaders residing across provinces and cities in the Fifth Military Region.

The three-day course will cover six topics on defence and security matters, as well as the legal framework surrounding beliefs and religions. It is designed to help participants stay alert to schemes by hostile forces as well as to ensure that the practice of religion is in line with the law and contributes to national defence and socio-economic development.

Speaking on the opening day of the course, Major General Ngo Minh Tien, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, said that the entire nation, including religious dignitaries and leaders, has an important role to play in keeping national independence and territorial sovereignty amid complex and rapid changes taking place in the region and in the world.

The Party and State will always pay close attention to security and defence education in order to encourage patriotism and pride in the country’s defence systems, he stated.

Vietnam is home to 15 religions, with 41 religious organisations licensed to operate. They attract 24 million followers, or 27 percent of the population.

To date, there have been over 250,000 religious dignitaries and leaders attending courses on defence and security knowledge.   

The Fifth Military Region consists of seven south central coastal localities – namely Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, and Ninh Thuan – and four Central Highlands provinces of Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Dak Lak, and Dak Nong. 

OVs in Laos raise funds in support of dam collapse victims

Flood in Attapeu, Laos after the collapse of Sepien-Senamnoi hydropower dam 

The Vietnamese community in Laos continued to raise funds in support of local residents hit by the collapse of Sepien-Senamnoi hydropower dam on July 23. 

In northern Laos, the Vietnamese Association’s Luang Prabang chapter sent relief teams to Attapeu province and Sanamxay district to present 400 relief portions worth nearly 7,300 USD to victims, including cash, rice, and other basic necessities. 

Meanwhile, the chapter in Udomsay province raised a total of around 7,800 USD. 

Buddhist monks and nuns of Bao Quang and Dieu Giac pagodas in Savannakhet province were joined in fundraising activities by Vietnamese firms operating in the locality, such as LaoVietBank, Unitel (a joint-venture between Viettel and Lao Asia Telecom), and the Hanoi-Savannakhet Hospital. 

Vietnamese people in Savannakhet and Khammoune provinces raised roughly 7,800 USD along with food and other necessities in support of the victims in Sanamxay district.

The same day, an aircraft of China Eastern Airlines carrying 100 boats, 500 tents, and 100 water purifications systems landed at Wattay International Airport in Vientiane. The relief goods were handed over at the airport with the attendance of Chinese Ambassador to Laos Wang Wentian and Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Baikham Khattiya.

Summer camp for children of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia opens

Children of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia at the camp

As many as 205 children lauded for their outstanding achievements and 41 officials from Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia are joining a summer camp which takes place in Ho Chi Minh City from July 31 to August 4.

The programme, the fifth of its kind, is held by the municipal chapter of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union.

There were 57 participants from Cambodian localities of Phnom Penh, Battanmbang, Kampot, Svay Rieng, and Kratie; along with 54 from the Lao provinces of Vientiane, Champasak, and Attapeu.

Meanwhile, 135 Vietnamese delegates from HCM City and border provinces such as Kon Tum, Binh Phuoc, Tay Ninh, Long An, and Kien Giang are also participating in the programme.

During the programme, young delegates will offer incense and flowers to President Ho Chi Minh at the municipal Children’s House. They will also visit the city’s famous destinations, including the Ho Chi Minh Museum, the Cu Chi Tunnels, the Artinus 3D Art Museum, and the river bus route.

In addition, they are scheduled to attend a cultural exchange programme and meet with leaders of HCM City.

Head of the organising board Phan Thi Thanh Phuong said the biennial programme aims to deepen solidarity among children of the three countries. 

Top seeds progress at VTFJunior Tour event

Trần Tiến Thịnh from HCM City has made the next round of the VTF Junior Tour 3. — Photo courtesy of VTF organisers

Becamex Bình Dương’s top players fought hard on the third day of VTF Junior Tour 3 – Vietravel Cup 2018 on Monday at Ninh Bình Gymnasium.

In the men’s U18 singles, second seed Từ Lê Khánh Duy whitewashed Lê Trung Khang at 6-0, 6-0, but first seed Huỳnh Minh Thịnh had a tougher time playing against Từ Ngọc Nhựt and was taken to three sets.

In the men’s U16 singles, second seed Trần Tiến Thịnh beat Vũ Thanh Tùng from Công An Nhân Dân 6-1, 6-0, while first seed Tất Thái Nguyên beat Nguyễn Minh Nhật 6-2, 6-0.

In the men’s doubles, Thịnh and Nguyên beat Nhựt and Vũ Long Kacper from Becamex Bình Dương 6-2, 6-3. 

In the women’s singles, Vietnamese American Andrea Lê beat Nguyễn Thị Mai Hương from Hải Dương 6-3, 6-1.  

The tournament will run until August 4.