Surveillance cameras planned for HCM's heavy traffic spots

As many as 13 surveillance cameras will likely be installed in seven locations that commonly experience heavy traffic across HCM City, according to a new proposal.

The proposal by the Management Center of Sai Gon River Tunnel (MCST) aims to assist HCM City authorities with better traffic management and an improved navigation tool.

If approved, the intersections of Hoang Minh Giam–Hong Ha, Nguyen Thai Son, Ha Noi Highway–Vo Van Ngan and Ha Noi Highway–Tay Hoa, as well as Truong Chinh–Au Co, Phan Thuc Duyen–Phan Dinh Giot and Nguyen Thi Thap–Nguyen Huu Tho will be covered by the surveillance cameras.

The US$125,000 project will also install the supporting infrastructure, including software, digital video recorders and personal computers.

MCST said the installation of cameras at these traffic spots was significant as it allows the timely inspection of traffic flows and incidents. It also helps traffic police guarantee traffic order and social security.

If approved by the city's Transport Department, the installation will be complete by the end of this year. 

FAO pledges to work with Vietnam on poverty reduction

As an inter-governmental organisation, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN (FAO) is willing to offer technical and financial support for Vietnam in its efforts to eradicate poverty.

Jong-ha Bae, FAO chief representative in Vietnam, spoke about the support in a recent interview with Vietnam News Agency for the 35th World Food Day and the FAO’s 70th founding anniversary.

Since 1978, FAO has been active in Vietnam and worked with the Vietnamese Government on agricultural and rural development, he said, adding that the UN organisation is willing to support the Southeast Asian country with policies, policy dialogues and other relevant assistance.

The FAO official hailed Vietnam’s recent achievements in poverty reduction, which were internationally recognised.

However, more needs to be done to improve the situation, especially in remote areas and for women, children and ethnic minority people, he said.

The Government has exerted substantial efforts in poverty and hunger eradication, he said, adding that UN agencies, including the FAO, will help Vietnam address the issue.

He pointed to the establishment of a sustainable development foundation on food security and nutrition for children in Vietnam, which will be expanded in the future.

Jong-ha Bae noted that while Vietnam has made headway in rice export and food security is not a problem in terms of quantity, farmers’ living standards are not high.

He added that despite substantial achievements of the five-year national programme on rural modernisation, Vietnam should re-evaluate the programme and re-think about how to promote rural devleopment.

As the Government’s resources are limited, the country should follow the motto of greater effectiveness with smaller resources, he said.

Over 1,000 workers at Chinese footwear firm go on strike over abuse

More than 1,000 workers of a China-invested footwear company in Thanh Hoa Province went on strike October 15 in protest against alleged mistreatment by a manager. 

Employees gathered in front of Hong Fu Footwear Company to oppose what they allege were severe and ridiculous regulations over toilet breaks and abusive language and behavior by a female manager. 

The workers are allowed only one five-minute toilet break and those violating the manager's rule have to pay a fine.

But due to a lack of restrooms, many workers have to wait in line, so fines for exceeding the five-minute limit are common. The workers charged that if they incurred three restroom violations in a year, they lost their bonuses, including for Tet.

Any mistake was met with curses by the manager, who also beat them around the face with shoes, the workers say. 

Representatives of Thanh Hoa Province's Trade Union called on the workers to return to work and requested the company leaders to take action to solve the problem. 

The company said it had suspended the manager of Workshop C pending further investigation.

Ha Noi seeks tighter food safety monitoring

The Ha Noi City People's Committee has proposed to the People's Council that there should be a programme for food safety inspections in wholesale markets in Ha Noi.

Under the programme, all agricultural and seafood products in nine wholesale markets are expected to be tested by a quick method in the 2016-25 period.

The programme will be divided in two phases.

In the first phase from 2016 to 2020, five test vehicles will be equipped with specialised equipment, instruments and chemicals for quick testing of products.

Along with rapid testing, inspectors will take samples from markets for further tests in laboratories to monitor food safety and quality.

Nine high-speed laboratories will be built in markets in the second phase of the programme from 2021 to 2025.

The lab buildings will be constructed with the city's investment capital and for initial training of the lab workers.

Ha Noi often sends inspection teams to check the food safety in kitchens in industrial parks, export processing zones, kindergartens and schools. But due to many restrictions, the traders continue to supply unsafe products to these places.

There are many clean vegetable stalls in large markets, but many consumers don't really trust them because some sellers mix poor-quality and good-quality products to make profit, Lao Dong (Labour) reported.

An official from the People's Committee said the programme would help to limit poor-quality products in the markets and also ensure the safety of consumers. 

Authorities discover workshop that produced fake goods

The municipal police and the market management force yesterday unearthed a workshop that was producing fake fabric softening and dish washing liquids on a large scale in Ha Noi.

The workshop is owned by Massco International Stock Company, located in Trieu Khuc traditional craft and industrial village in the city.

The confiscated fabric softeners of Spy and Baby brands, and dish washing liquid of Baby brand had fake Thai bar codes and labels, the police said.

They also confiscated 30 stamps of Ha Noi's Gia Lam, Phu Xuyen and Dong Anh districts, and of the provinces of Ha Nam, Nam Dinh, Nghe An and Hoa Binh from the company director's office.

Massco Company Vice-Director Nguyen Manh Cuong reportedly acknowledged the use of fake Thailand brand labels and bar codes on the products.

Hs said the company sold nearly 3,000 bottles of fabric softeners and dish washing liquid of Spy, Safe and Baby brands in the market every day.

This was a large-scale and very serious violation, Lieutenant-Colonel Nguyen Ngoc Ly of the economic investigation police said.

The police are investigating Massco Company's illegal activities further. 

Disruptive flyers face ban from air travel

Passengers causing violent disturbances in airports and flights and in control centres will be banned from air travel for life, a new decree on aviation security says.

Issued by the government, the regulation also applies to passengers who do not comply with administrative punishments for civil aviation violations, and threaten to use bombs, explosive devices, nuclear material and bio-weapons in airports and in flights, disrupting normal operations.

Flyers who use fake papers and violate regulations in airports and flights will be prohibited from travelling by air for three to 12 months.

Passengers who again violate the regulations will be banned from air travel for 12 to 24 months.

The decree also says that security officials in flights will be armed under the command of captains. 

Vietnam Pictorial’s Korean language online version makes debut

Vietnam Pictorial, one of the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)’s publications, on October 16 hosted a ceremony to launch a Korean-language column on its website, http://vietnam.vnanet.vn , and celebrate the 61st anniversary of the foundation of the magazine (October 15, 1954-October 15, 2015).

Speaking at the event, VNA General Director Nguyen Duc Loi stressed that the launch was a step in the right direction, in accordance with the Party and State’s goals, and VNA’s aim to improve foreign information services and diversify information products.

He urged Vietnam Pictorial to maintain the site and update it regularly with high-quality content. He also expressed his hope that the magazine’s staff will promote activeness and creativity to make Vietnam Pictorial a strong, effective unit of the VNA.

According to Nguyen Thang, Editor-in-Chief of Vietnam Pictorial, the strategic co-operation partnership between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) has recorded increasingly strong development in many fields.

The signing of the Vietnam-RoK free trade agreement in May this year should help lift two-way trade to 70 billion USD by 2020.

With an aim of exchanging more information and promoting cooperation between Vietnam and the RoK, Vietnam Pictorial published the Vietnam-Korea Times, the first and only Korean-language paper in Vietnam, in December 2013, followed by the online Korean-language column.

Thang said he hoped the newly launched Korean online version will serve as a bridge promoting connection between the two countries, deepening the bilateral strategic partnership for the prosperity and happiness of the two peoples.

Launched in 1954, the Vietnam Pictorial is an important foreign information channel for the Party and State. It has been around for 670 editions, with approximately 50 million copies issued internationally, featuring the historical and cultural values of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups.

Currently, it publishes print versions in English, Chinese, Spanish and Lao and the online versions in 10 languages: Vietnamese, Chinese, Russian, English, French, Spanish, Japanese, Laotian, Khmer and Korean at vietnam.vnanet.vn.

Peak month appeals for widespread efforts in poverty reduction

The 2015 peak month for the poor started in Hanoi on October 16, calling on the whole country to help eradicate poverty. 

At the launch, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh, who is also the head of the Central Steering Committee for Sustainable Poverty Reduction, said poverty elimination was one of the Party’s and State’s major focuses, and an important foundation for ensuring political stability, defence and socio-economic development. 

Synchronous mechanisms and policies, along with aid for building homes, farmland, health care, education and vocational training, have been put in place to help low-income earners escape poverty in a sustainable manner. 

He noted that Vietnam slashed the rate of impoverished households from 58 percent in 1993 to 5.97 percent by late 2014, becoming an outstanding example of poverty eradication as recognised by the UN and the international community. 

Notably, the Vietnam Fatherland Front has conducted various effective programmes, including the “Day for the Poor” campaign held during the last 15 years. Meanwhile, the Fund for the Poor has financed the construction of millions of houses for the targeted group, along with their production activities, health care and educational expenses. 

Ninh underscored an array of challenges facing Vietnam as it rapidly and sustainably reduces poverty, especially amid international integration.

He voiced his hope for practical material and spiritual support from citizens, expatriates, enterprises, agencies and armed forces to assist poverty-stricken people. 

Initial data show that during the first nine months of 2015, more than 572 billion VND (25.67 million USD) was donated to the Fund for the Poor, helping the fund build and repair nearly 19,600 houses for low-income earners, assisting some 204,800 deprived families with agricultural activities, and providing medical check-ups and examinations to more than 1.5 million people.

Friendship Order presented to former regional director of OIF

The former Asia-Pacific Regional Director of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), Anissa Barrak, has been honoured with the Vietnamese President’s Friendship Order for fostering co-operation between Vietnam, the OIF and its members. 

Speaking at the granting ceremony, held by the Vietnamese Embassy in France on October 15, Ambassador Le Hong Phan, head of the Vietnamese Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, recalled Barrak’s outstanding achievements during her working tenure in Vietnam from 2011 to 2015. 

She worked hard to organise more high-level visits to Vietnam – especially the visit made by OIF Secretary-General Abdou Diouf, which was considered an important milestone for the development of relations between Vietnam and the Francophone community, Phan said. 

Under Barrak’s management, OIF offices in Vietnam and the Asia-Pacific successfully carried out a lot of French-language development projects, he added. 

Speaking on Barrak’s contributions, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Nguyen Ngoc Son expressed his hope that she will continue acting as a bridge between Vietnam and other countries in the Francophone community. 

Barrak said she is honoured to receive such a noble reward from Vietnam. She said she appreciated efforts and coordination by Vietnamese deputies within the framework of the Francophone's Parliamentary Assembly (APF), as well as cooperation between Vietnam’s French-teaching faculties and the Association of Francophone Universities (AUF), and between Vietnamese cities and the network of French-speaking cities. 

She also affirmed that Vietnam is holding an increasingly important position in the Francophone community.

New decree on State capital use to take effect

State-owned enterprises (SOEs) must be responsible for using State capital effectively and reporting any of new developments to higher authorities and financial management agencies.

Under a recent decree, SOEs are allowed to invest beyond their core areas or abroad, but cannot use assets that are loaned, borrowed or outsourced for that purpose. The decree will take effect on December 1.

Each year, they are required to take stock of the working capital disbursement and reserve funds.

Another freshly-promulgated decree focuses on the apparatus, management and activities of national defence and security businesses. The ministries of National Defence and Public Security will decide the organisational structure for each business, including the boards of members, general directors, controller or chairman, general director and controller.

They must be affiliates under the ministries of National Defence and Public Security, working in service of national defence and security, and performing regular defence and security tasks using State resources, as well as supplying relevant products or services.

They are entitled to land use tax reduction or exemption and State funding for salaries and social insurance payments, among other things. The decree also specifies perks for workers in these companies.

For a new decree on aviation security, first-time violators who threaten to use bombs, mines, explosives, radioactive substances, biological weapons or fake identification or disrupt public order at airports will be banned from travelling by air for three to 12 months.

Second-time and multiple offenders will face one to two years or a permanent air travel ban, respectively.

Security staff aboard are equipped with appropriate weapons and support tools, and will act under the command of the aircraft conductor.

Upon learning of any security threat, the aircraft conductor must promptly alert emergency staff at airports and take necessary measures to ensure flight safety.

The decree is to come into force on November 27.

Vietnam pushes forward preparation for Asian Beach Games

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recently asked the central coastal city of Da Nang to map out its plan for the fifth Asian Beach Games (ABG 5), to be held there from September 24 to October 3 next year.

Accordingly, the city will work with technical and financial sectors to arrange venues and training areas. It will also push forward with infrastructure preparation, including upgrading and levelling off the grounds; and installing mobile stages, a lighting system, a power supply system and a security fence.

The city was also asked to work with the information and technology sector to lay out the project and estimate the cost of urban decor.

In addition, accommodations for officials, referees, coaches, athletes and guests must be prepared meticulously to meet the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA)’s requirements while keeping prices low.

Cost estimates for the opening ceremony, closing ceremony, and other cultural and tourism activities during the event must be discussed by the city and relevant units of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The ABG 5 will host events in marathon swimming, water polo, kabaddi, men's beach football, volleyball, handball, three-a-side basketball, sepak takraw (rattan-ball kicking), beach martial arts (wrestling, sambo, jujitsu, kurash, pencak silat, vovinam, muay Thai and Vietnamese traditional martial arts), shuttlecock kicking, petanque (iron ball bowling), bodybuilding, bowles (wooden ball), rowing and athletics.

This will be Vietnam’s first time hosting the Games, a multi-sport Asian-level competition. It has already hosted the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in 2009 and the ASEAN-level competition in the 2003 Southeast Asian Games.

Australia Mount Gambier club delegation visits Vietnam

The Vietnam-US Association officials met with a delegation of Australia’s Mount Gambier Health Club, which is part of the US Friendship Force International – FFI, in Hanoi on October 15.

The Australian guests, who are in Vietnam from October 12-25, were briefed on Vietnam’s socio-economic situation and its achievements in many areas.

They learnt about the role of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations and the Vietnam-US Association in strengthening mutual understanding, solidarity and cooperation between Vietnamese people and people around the world.

They said they want to gain insights into Vietnam’s country, history, culture and people and contribute to promoting mutual understanding and friendship between Vietnamese people and their global peers.

On the occasion, the delegation will have a meeting with the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organisations, visit the Vietnam Friendship Village, and tour several tourist attractions in Hanoi, Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, My Tho, Tay Ninh and Ho Chi Minh City.

Cultural puppetry exchange fosters international friendship

International and host puppeteers joined an art performance on October 15 at the Lam Son Theatre in the northern central provincey of Thanh Hoa as part of the ongoing fourth International Puppetry Festival.

The artists come from Vietnam’s Thang Long Puppetry Theatre, Germany’s Annafabuli Puppet Theatre and Russia’s Moscow State Puppet Theatre.

The fourth International Puppetry Festival, running in Hanoi from October 10 to 16, has drawn puppeteers from its host country and nine others.

Foreign troupes will come from Russia, the UK, Germany, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Belgium and the Philippines. They are scheduled to perform in the northern provinces of Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, Hai Duong and Vinh Phuc, as well as Thanh Hoa province in the central region.

Vietnam is famous around the world for its unique, attractive water puppetry.

Water puppetry is believed to have come from villages in the Red River Delta in the 11th century, when performing guilds from nine northern provinces practiced the art. Evidence of the link between water puppetry and farming can be seen in the traditional puppetry guilds, which are located around the fertile land of the Red River Delta. This area consists of numerous rivers and is often prone to flooding.

Research by the Thang Long Water Puppetry Theatre in 2005 showed that of the 27 active practicing guilds from 1955 to 1976, only 14 remain active and most were unable to make a living from the art. Le Tien Tho, president of the Vietnam Stage Artists Association, said that traditional puppetry guilds are in danger of becoming extinct because many young people no longer want to participate.

Vietnam publishers join the 2015 Frankfurt Book Fair

Vietnam publishers are offering glimpses of the nation’s rich cultural and literary landscape at the 2015 Frankfurt Book Fair, Phan Thi Le, a representative of Phuong Nam Publishing House has reported.

The fair runs through October 18, with representatives of Tre (Youth), Fahasa, Tri Viet-First News, Phuong Nam and Alphabook sharing a dedicated booth, which provides more opportunities for exposure, Le said.

The organizers announced that this year, the global marketplace for books, media, rights, and licenses is the largest ever with more than 7,000 exhibitors and 300,000 visitors participating. 

Vietnam-RoK photo exhibition in Hanoi

A Vietnam-Republic of Korea (RoK) photo exhibition opened at the Korean Cultural Centre (KCC) in Hanoi on October 15.

The exhibition introduces 42 art works taken by Korean photographer Lee Sang Bok and Vietnam female painter Vu Bach Lien, which feature their love for their nations and relations between the two peoples.

Lee Sang Bok works in Vietnam as a teacher. He has captured the beauty of Vietnam and the Vietnamese people at places he visited.

Addressing the opening ceremony, KCC Director Park Nark Jong hoped that Vietnamese and Korean visitors will find themselves in the photos and further love their nations and culture.

The exhibition will run until October 26.

Vietnam to arm in-flight security officers to ensure plane safety

Aviation security officers on duty on flights operated by Vietnamese carriers will be equipped with weapons and support tools, according a new rule that aims to ensure flight safety.

The new regulation is included in Decree 92/2015 issued by the government on October 13, 2015 regarding civil aviation security.

Under Article 11 of the decree, which will take effect on December 27, 2015, in-flight security officers will be equipped with appropriate weapons and support tools for use when necessary.

Such officers are put under the general control of the pilot in command of a flight, the article says. 

In case of any intervention that occurs on flights, these officers will take action to ensure flight safety in accordance with a specific regulation to be promulgated by the Ministry of Public Security, the new rule reads.

Immediately after being informed of flight safety incidents, carriers must promptly report them to relevant airport authorities and airport emergency rescue units so that necessary measures can be taken to ensure flight security, according to the regulation.

The new decree also stipulates that passengers who cause disruptance at airports, terminals or centers for flight operating services will be subject to a permanent flight ban by the Vietnamese aviation authorities.

The same ban will also be applied to those who commit illegal interferences in civil aviation activities as specified in Article 190 of the revised Law on Civil Aviation of Vietnam, and to some other cases.

Flying bans of 3-12 months will be imposed on those who commit the following acts: causing disturbance; not complying with decisions on administrative punishment in the field of civil aviation; issuing verbal threats to use bombs, other explosives, radioactive substances, and biological weapons in airport areas or on flights; using fake papers to take flights; and some others.

Longer bans, ranging from more than 12 months to 24 months, will be given to repeat offenders, the decree said.

26 outstanding workers receive 2015 Nguyen Van Troi awards

On the celebration of the 33rd Traditional Day of Ho Chi Minh City’s Youth Union and the death anniversary of martyr, hero Nguyen Van Troi, HCMC Communist Youth Union presented the Nguyen Van Troi award to 26 outstanding young workers on October 15.

The 26 outstanding workers were selected among 56 candidates nominated from youth unions. The awardees are technicians, engineers and workers who have worked hard; applied initiatives and advanced technology to improve and create cost-effective production techniques; made outstanding contribution in working, training and sharing experience with next generations.

For instance, worker Pham Thanh Trung from An Phat Machine Company has had 6 initiatives for 5 past years to improve technique. His initiatives benefit billion dong for the company per year.

Thousands young workers and laborers in the city attended the award ceremony. 

Speaking at the ceremony, Pham Hong Son, deputy party secretary of the city’s Communist Youth Union said that for 33 past years, the young workers and laborers contributed greatly to the city’s development.

Accordingly they are deserved to receive awards, proving their contribution to the city’s growth. For the 8 past years, the award was presented to 188 outstanding young workers in the city.

Deputy Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Tat Thanh Cang,  and Ms. Phan Thi Quyen, wife of martyr Nguyen  Van Troi attended the ceremony.

VNA/VNS/VOV/SGT/SGGP/TT/TN/Dantri