Winners of contest on ASEAN’s 50-year history announced

Winners of a contest on ASEAN’s 50-year development toward the ASEAN Vision 2025 were honoured during a ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City on August 25.

More than one month since it was launched, the contest drew the participation of nearly 80,300 people from 41 cities and provinces across Vietnam as well as some ASEAN countries.

Nguyen Van Quy from District 6 of Ho Chi Minh City won the first prize. The organising boardalso awarded three second, four third and 22 consolidation prizes, and 10 certificates for outstanding collectives.

The contest focused on studying the culture, history, tradition and people of ASEAN countries, as well as the diplomatic relations between Vietnam and other ASEAN member nations.

Tran Tan Ngoi, Vice President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee in Ho Chi Minh City said that the contest attracted people of all strata in Vietnam and many citizens of ASEAN countries living in Vietnam, helping them better understand the significance of building the ASEAN Community with a vision towards 2025, as well as raise their responsibility as citizens of ASEAN.

On the occasion, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee in Ho Chi Minh City and the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Associations presented awards to winners of a friendship table tennis tournament marking the 50th anniversary of ASEAN that drew 57 players from ASEAN countries.

HCM City union grants gifts to poor women, children in Cambodia

The Women’s Union of Ho Chi Minh City on August 26 presented 140 gifts to poor Vietnamese and Cambodian women and children in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

The move aimed to strengthen solidarity between the city and Phnom Penh and between the two countries.

Hoang Hoa, head of the Executive Board of the Vietnamese Women’s Association in Cambodia, thanked the Ho Chi Minh City union, adding that the presents will help ease the burdens on Vietnamese and Cambodian families.

In recent years, Ho Chi Minh City has held many voluntary activities in Cambodia, including providing free medicine and health check-ups, assisting in building schools, and granting scholarships.

Binh Thuan province moves to end illegal fishing in foreign waters

The south central province of Binh Thuan has taken actions to stop local fishermen fishing in foreign seas, a problem which has cropped up often recently.

The provincial People’s Committee issued a document on August 25 on measures to prevent the violations by local fishing boats and fishermen.

The document requested relevant agencies and local administrations closely manage boats and fishermen, reprimand violators in front of local communities, and force boat owners and captains to agree not to infringe on foreign waters.

Local People’s Committees were directed to monitor and prevent violations while disciplining communal officials whose irresponsibility results in local fishermen infringing on foreign seas.

Binh Thuan also ordered the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to revoke fishing licenses and captain and chief mechanic certificates from those linked with violations. It will also not license fishing or approve new registrations for boat owners who previously infringed on foreign waters and were arrested by other countries.

The provincial People’s Committee said since late 2015, violations of foreign waters to fish and purchase seafood and the detention and punishment of fishing boats and fishermen by regional countries have become complicated. 

It admitted several shortcomings in violation prevention such as lax punishment and sloppy work from local administrations.

On May 28, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc issued an official dispatch urging actions to prevent illegal Vietnamese fishing, especially in the central provinces of Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh and Binh Thuan, and the southern provinces of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Kien Giang, Ca Mau, Ben Tre and Tien Giang.

Comprehensive approach needed to reduce cases of cervical cancer

Vaccine coverage against the human papilloma virus (HPV) should be expanded to help reduce new incidences of cervical cancer, experts said at an APEC meeting.

At the APEC Policy Dialogue on HPV and Cervical Cancer, which ended yesterday in HCM City, participants discussed the rolling out of HPV vaccination programmes and future plans and goals for reducing HPV and cervical cancer in APEC economies.

Global studies estimating the potential impact of HPV vaccinations and the cost of delays were also presented.

“Cervical cancer is highly preventable with an HPV vaccine and generally curable if diagnosed and treated early,” Việt Nam’s Deputy Minister of Health Nguyễn Viết Tiến said at the meeting.

Despite this, 528,000 new incidences of cervical cancer occurred in 2012 around the world and more than 266,000 people died needlessly from the disease, Tiến said.

Nearly 90 per cent of the fatalities were living in low- and middle- income countries and territories, he said, adding that only one in 10 girls in those countries have access to HPV vaccines, compared to nine in 10 girls in high-income countries.

For primary prevention, a pilot programme supported by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) provided HPV vaccines to 6,000 teenagers from 2008 to 2010 in Việt Nam.

However, “the current coverage of HPV vaccination in Việt Nam still is low because of the high costs of HPV vaccines,” Tiến told Việt Nam News on the sidelines of the APEC Policy Dialogue.

“More strategies are needed to raise vaccination coverage in Việt Nam,” he said, adding a specific agency in charge of buying vaccines would help reduce the cost.

Dr Trần Văn Thuấn, director of the National Institute for Cancer Control in Hà Nội, said that many countries in the world were using the HPV vaccines in their national programmes on immunisation, which has helped reduce the incidences of cervical cancer.

Each year, 5,600 women die from cervical cancer in Việt Nam, Thuấn said.

“In Việt Nam, cervical cancer ranks the fourth of the most common cancers and the sixth leading cause of cancer fatalities among women,” Tiến said.

Professor You-Lin Qiao of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences said that the price of the vaccines were very expensive. In China, vaccines can cost around $100 for one dose, he said.

Assoc Professor Marion Saville, executive director at Victorian Cytology Service Ltd, said that in Australia, the government has funded HPV vaccines for teenage girls since 2007 and for teenage boys since 2013.

“We’re very lucky that parents can send their kids for vaccinations at no costs through school-based delivery of vaccination,” she said.

School-based delivery is good for maximizing uptake but also maximizing equity so that children and teenagers who come from poorer parts of Australia are as likely to be vaccinated as children from the wealthier parts, Saville said.

The vaccination is convenient and affordable in Australia, she said, adding: “With that we have very high three-dose completion rate. It is highly cost-effective to prevent cancer through vaccinations.”

Vaccination coverage is a good investment. Combined with government efforts and GAVI, getting vaccines to girls between the age of 9 and 12 would help reduce the number of cervix cancer cases in the region, according to Saville.

Dr Lokky Wai, representative of the World Health Organisation Western Pacific Region, said: “To increase the rate of vaccine coverage, we need to overcome a number of challenges, besides the high cost of procuring the vaccines.”

Proper communication or education about cervical cancer and its causes, safety and effectiveness of HPV vaccines and dispelling rumors or myths about vaccines are challenges that need to be tackled, Wai said.

“We also need strong commitments from the highest level of governments to support, promote and mobilize communities to recognize the danger of HPV infections and accept and use the vaccines,” he said.

The two vaccines currently available protect against some of the most common types of HPV (16 and 18) which are known to cause at least 70 per cent of cervical cancers. 

The vaccines may also offer cross-protection against other less common HPV types which cause cervical cancer.  Both vaccines are safe and very effective in preventing infection with HPV16 and 18. 

Vaccinations against HPV, however, are not enough, Wai said, adding that to reduce cervical cancer a comprehensive approach is needed.

Provision of regular screening services, proper education about sexual practices, and reduction in smoking prevalence are all issues that need to be resolved to substantially reduce cervical cancer incidences, he said.

Health deputy minister Tiến said that Việt Nam had been applying strategies toward eradicating HPV infection and significantly reducing incidences of cervical cancer.

Media campaigns to improve awareness of the prevention and early diagnosis of cervical cancer has been carried out throughout the country, Tiến said.

Cervical cancer screening and treatment has been part of the National Strategy on Reproductive Health Care since 2001 and the National Cancer Control Programme since 2008.

“A population-based cervical cancer screening programme was implemented in specific regions of the country, using cytology or visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) methods,” Tiến said.

Clinical guidelines for cervical cancer diagnosis and treatment were approved by Việt Nam’s Ministry of Health in 2011, and have been updated frequently.

“However, like many APEC developing economies, Việt Nam faces financing issues, including the high costs of HPV vaccination, limited access to health services in rural remote areas, lack of cytology laboratories and high quality cytologists, among others,” Tiến added.

Việt Nam will take advantage of new innovations to provide people primary levels of care and essential health services that are accessible, safe, effective and affordable, he said.

Nha Trang fishermen struggling

Near-shore fishery resources are declining and in danger of being in Vĩnh Trường Commune, Nha Trang City where 70 per cent of the population earn a living via the sea, forcing many fishermen to look for other lines of work.

Near-shore fishing wasn’t very profitable while off-shore fishing needed high-capacity vessels but few locals could access loans to build ships, said an old fisherman.   

Fisherman Trần Văn Bảy, 60, said previously, his family made about 20-25 near-shore trips per month. “Previous trips, starting from in the evening and returning the following morning, were usually full of fish, at a maximum of 2,000 to 3,000 kg and minimum of 500-700 kg per trip,” he said.

“Now, near-shore sea- resources are increasingly scarce so every month, my family has about 10 sea-going trips. In June and July, we didn’t earn any money from the trips.”

Most of the catch was cheap fish, so fater paying costs for the crew, petrol and maintenance, the vessel owner earned nothing.

Failed voyages in early August for Vĩnh Trường Ward’s fishermen caused many residents to fall into debt, forcing several ship owners to sell their vessels.

Many quit fishing and moved to other jobs such as trading goods, xe ôm (motorbike taxi driver) driving or they went south looking for work in large companies.      

"I have never seen fishing here so bad. Going to the sea and returning home empty-handed is common,” Bảy said.

“Four sons usually go with me on sea-going trips, but my ship’s crew have all quit fishing. Now, they are looking for new jobs,” he said.

Two months ago, the Trường Sơn Street’s fishermen group had about 42 boats, but now only seven operate.

Nguyễn Tấn Hùng, a ship owner in Trường Sơn St. said he had to sell his ship and become a xe ôm.

“Following sea-going trips, all ship owners must borrow loans to build ships but they can’t pay interest,” Hùng said.   

“Driving for a month I can earn from VNĐ3 to 4 million. I am very upset to have quit fishing, but I have to carry on.”

 Nguyễn Thái Học, Vice Chairman of People’s Committee of Vĩnh Trường Ward, said in the first six months of this year, seafood output in the area was estimated at 2,700 tonnes, down 10 per cent against the same period last year.

Currently, there are 430 vessels of all kinds in the locality, with 332 fishing vessels and 98 seafood purchasing and service vessels.

Because of unsustainable fishing methods, a changed sea environment and polluted water, the coastal fishery resources are declining.

At present, near-shore fishing that still using traditional measures was facing with difficulties due to seafood depletion.

He said “Previously, every early morning, Vĩnh Trường fishing port was crowded with fishing vessels and traders, and now the port is closed. The decreasing fishery production has seriously affected local residents.”

Among 3,800 households in Vĩnh Trường Ward, there are 163 poor households, with 960 in danger of becoming poor.

“If this problem isn’t solved, the number of poor households is likely to increase," he said.

Vĩnh Trương Ward People’s Committee assigned the association of farmers to help local fishermen change from near-shore fishing to off-shore fishing with loans.

However, most local fishermen can’t borrow loans to build offshore fishing vessels due to a lack of assets for mortgage.

“Fishermen need further support from the Khánh Hòa Province People’s Committee to establish technology training courses and prioritise borrowing loans, “ Học said. 

HCM City to build bridge to Kim Cương Island

Construction of a bridge to Kim Cương (Diamond) Island in HCM City’s District 2 is slated to begin in early September.

The four-lane bridge, 837 metres long and 27 metres wide, will go from Thạnh Mỹ Lợi residential area to the island over the Sài Gòn River.

Expected to cost VNĐ494 billion (US$21.7 million), it will be scheduled for completion before April 30 next year.

The bridge will provide an alternative route from Mai Chí Thọ Street to Ring Road No. 2 and Phú Mỹ Bridge, helping reduce congestion on Đồng Vàm Cống Street and around Cát Lái Port.

More efforts needed to preserve biodiversity on Ly Son Island

Destructive human activities have put coral reefs, sea grass beds and many other marine species off Ly Son Island at risk in recent years, with local authorities urged to make more efforts to preserve the unique ecosystem.

Ly Son Marine Reserve in central Quang Ngai province, covering Ly Son Island and its surrounding areas, has a water surface of more than 7,100 hectares, including the 620-hectare no-take zone, an area of more than 2,000 hectares for ecology restoration and another for development stretching across 4,470 hectares.

The sea protected area is known for high biodiversity and an ecosystem that houses many rare marine species like black coral, maxima clams and abalone. But these creatures are in danger of extinction due to the activities of local people.

Fishermen have used explosives to kill many fish, seriously harming coral reefs. Meanwhile, hundreds of locals harvest natural brown seaweed, which offers shelter for many sea creatures, every May and June. They can harvest an average of 3-5 tonnes of brown seaweed daily, making it difficult to recover.

In addition, more than 150,000 sq.m of sand from beaches is exploited each year to cultivate garlic, causing coastal erosion and depleting sea grass beds.

To solve the problems, the provincial People’s Committee adopted a project to use advanced technology to restore coral reefs near Ly Son Island in 2015.

Experts have been sent to survey the coral reefs and raise local awareness of the importance of animal and environmental protection. Local authorities and residents have also been provided with training on how to recover coral reefs. 

A model for coral recovery piloted across 2 hectares of the marine reserve has developed well, giving hope of bringing back endangered species and increasing local seafood yields.

The province urged Ly Son Island to intensify management of the sea protected area by requesting tour operators strictly comply with the reserve’s regulations and keeping close watch on the density and development of rare sea species.

The island was also urged to get local people involved in protecting natural resources and to guide them to fish sustainably.

Vietnam Innovation Golden Book 2017 announced

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc attended a ceremony in Hanoi on August 28 to launch the Vietnam Innovation Golden Book 2017.

The book was published by the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA).

It is a collection of 72 outstanding science-technology projects and solutions selected from 141 works recommended by ministries, localities and VUSTA member organisations.

President of the VFF Central Committee Tran Thanh Man said the book includes valuable initiatives to support the community, dealing with healthcare improvement, environmental protection, and socio-economic development in disadvantaged border, sea and island areas.

Also at the ceremony, the VFF leader launched an emulation movement to promote innovation, enhance productivity, product quality for international integration among society, especially intellectuals, entrepreneurs, and workers at home and abroad.

Addressing the event, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State always encourage reforms and innovations, particularly in scientific and technological development.

The Government has made due investment in science and technology and creates the best possible conditions for scientists to uphold their talents and creativity, he said.

The PM suggested publishing the annual Vietnam Innovation Golden Book on the occasion of the National Day (September 2, 1945) to bring science-technology solutions into life.

Vietnam seizes Apple gadgets smuggled from US, gold from Thailand

Customs officers in Ho Chi Minh City Friday (August 25) said they had just seized the largest postal package of iPhones and iPads smuggled from the US.

The shipment included 144 smartphones and tablets, most of them new and of the latest versions.

It was labeled as non-commercial package and declared to contain computer mouses and keyboards, the officers said, as cited by local media.

The recepient has been identified as a resident in District 1 in the city downtown.

Also on August 25, more than 20 kilograms of what was suspected as gold from a Bangkok flight was seized at Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi.

Customs officers at the international airport said five Vietnamese passengers were hiding the jewelries around their torso and legs. The city police also helped with the bust at nearly 8 pm..

The passengers are being held for investigation.

Vietnamese laws ban outbound and inbound travelers from carrying gold bars, while foreigners bringing in gold bars have to deposit them with customs and can only take them back at departure.

In March, a Vietnamese court sentenced a former Cambodian border security officer to six years in jail after convicting him of smuggling 18 kilograms of gold bars into Vietnam.

A former Vietnamese flight attendant and an aircraft technician were charged that same month for smuggling gold from Vietnam to the Republic of Korea.

Vietnam has high vehicular crash death rate, despite progress

In the first eight months of 2017 more than 5,400 people died on the country’s roads and highways, roughly 23 fatalities a day, according to the National Committee for Traffic Safety.

Though the numbers were slightly better than prior years, they are not good by any measure.

Vietnam also performed badly in other measures. There were some 13,000 traffic accidents for the eight-month period that severely injured an additional 10,500 others.

The Committee called traffic deaths and injuries a serious public health issue, noting that it is important to compare the country not to its past but to its fullest potential. Vietnamese people deserved better and safer transport.

Data from a report issued by the Committee showed motorbikes accounted for 65% of all vehicular accidents while passenger busses accounted for 30%.

Most accidents and injuries resulted from lack of driving skills and adequate training, excessive speeds, driving under the influence of alcohol and failure to wear helmets, the Committee report concluded.

Sapa mid-autumn festival opens Sept. 2

The Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism has announced that a week-long mid-autumn festival will open September 2 in Sapa.

During the event, a wide variety of activities are planned, said the Ministry, including art, handicraft and photo exhibitions; food and drink events; concerts; dance and theatre performances; and sporting competitions, among others.

Capping off the sporting competitions is a mountain marathon and cycling tournament. Featured events also include a lantern parade, Mong ethnic dances and art performances.