Belgian Ambassador visits Nghe An province

Ambassador H.E. Jehanne Roccas (sixth from left) met with Nghe An province's leaders (Photo from baonghean.vn)

Within the framework of activities celebrating 40 years of Belgian development cooperation in Vietnam (1977-2017) and 45 years of diplomatic relations between Belgium and Vietnam (1973-2018), Ambassador H.E. Jehanne Roccas paid an official visit to north-central Nghe An province on April 17 and 18.

Belgium is proud to have been among the first Western countries to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam upon the signing of the Paris Peace Agreement in 1973. Over the last four decades the Belgian government has supported Vietnam in a number of areas through ODA resources, from infrastructure-focused projects to poverty reduction and social development programs in the 1990s.

With Vietnam’s “doi moi” policy and the opening up of its economy, Belgium set a priority to support the country in education, public health, and water and sanitation, to tackle possible social vulnerabilities appearing in the process of economic reform.

The last bilateral cooperation program of Belgium focused on the areas of governance, water management, and urban planning in the context of climate change and green growth in Vietnam.

Nghe An province has been selected by Belgium for development cooperation since 2002, first with a program for multi-sector rural development in Quy Chau district (2002-2007) that contributed a great deal to poverty reduction, improving infrastructure and also the quality of life in communes and villages.

Since then, Nghe An province has continued to receive ODA grant support from Belgium in the following projects: Poverty reduction through institutional strengthening at the provincial (Nghe An) and district (Quy Chau) levels in 2009-2014; Support for Responsive Accountable Local Governance (RALG) from 2017 to June 2019; Enhancing the capacity to develop competency-based teacher training curriculum for managers at Vinh University from January 1, 2018 to February 28, 2019, and a grant agreement within the framework of the “Facility for Capacity Building (FCB)” project from 2014 to June 2019.

Ambassador Roccas attended a meeting with the provincial leadership and delivered an address at the opening of the “Public Administration Reform towards Improving the Business Environment and Attracting Investment in Nghe An Province” workshop organized within the framework of the RALG-Nghe An project.

She also met with the Project Management Unit (PMU) of the “Waste Water Treatment Plant for Cua Lo Town” project, supported by Belgian ODA concessional loans, to check the implementation progress committed to by both parties.

Ambassador Roccas then visited the railway company of Vinh City to see the remaining Belgian diesel locomotive D18E, which were super “ambassadors” of Belgian support (a State to State loan) for a reunified Vietnam in 1978.

She and the accompanying delegation also visited the homeland of President Ho Chi Minh and the Kim Lien Museum in Nam Dan district.

The ambassador is looking forward to positive changes being brought about by Belgian-funded projects as well as close and effective cooperation among authorities at all levels in Nghe An province in implementing the projects. This will contribute to further strengthening the Vietnam - Belgium friendship.

Activities held to foster effective cooperation between Vietnam, Italy

Padua city in Veneto region, Italy. 

A string of activities were held in Italy’s Padua city on April 18 by the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy, the Italy-Vietnam Friendship Association-Veneto region chapter, and Padua authorities to foster the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

At a conference on trade and investment promotion that took place at the headquarters of the General Confederation of Italian Industry (Confindustria) – Padua city chapter, Vietnamese Ambassador Cao Chinh Thien affirmed that intensifying the bilateral trade and investment ties is the most effective measure to step up the political and diplomatic relations.

Vietnam will continue creating the most favourable conditions for enterprises in Veneto region in particular and Italy in general to do business in the country, he added.

Marco Stevanato, member in charge of international cooperation of Confindustria Padua, said that the signing of a memorandum of understanding on friendship and cooperation establishment between Vietnam’s southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau and Veneto region in January has opened up more collaboration opportunities for the two countries’ businesses.

This conference is also a chance to Padua city’s firms to exchange experience and learn about Vietnam’s investment environment and legal framework, he added.

On the same day, Ambassador Thien and the city’s Governor Sergio Giordani opened an exhibition on the Italy-Vietnam solidarity movements during 1960-1970.

On display are over 40 documents, photos and posters showing Italy’s support for Vietnam’s struggle for national liberation in the previous century.

The Vietnamese diplomat also had a meeting with Professor Rosario Rizzutto, Rector of the University of Padua, during which they discussed the possibility of boosting sustainable cooperation between the University of Padua and a university of Vietnam.

With its strengths in agricultural development studies, the University of Padua wants to step up student exchange and training programmes in issues related to food security and climate change adaptation, Sergio Giordani stated.

Earlier, on March 30, the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy held a ceremony to mark the 45th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties in Rome.

Documentary on Vietnamese war to be screen

At the ceremony on April 18 

 Ho Chi Minh City Television, the Military Broadcasting Centre and the Media 21 Communication Joint Stock Company signed a media cooperation agreement and launched a series of documentary films entitled ‘Vietnam War: National Interest’, at a ceremony in Hanoi, on April 18.

The ‘Vietnam War: National Interest’ is the first documentary film about the Vietnam War, aiming to clarify Vietnam's important policies on the war and on the Cold War overall.

The film was produced by Ho Chi Minh City Television and the Media 21 Communication Joint Stock Company, consisting of three episodes, totaling 90 minutes, with exclusive footage and in-depth interviews with insiders and many scholars from Vietnam, Russia, China, the US and Australia.

The film is expected to be broadcast on HTV9 at 9:00 pm on April 24, 25 and 26, on the occasion of the 43rd anniversary of the Southern Liberation and National Reunification Day.

Falling from 12th floor, a worker dies

Ambulance arrives at the scene to take the victim's body

While working at the 12th floor of a construction site at the corner of Le Duan Street - Ngo Gia Tu Street in Hai Chau District, Danang, an unlucky worker fell to the ground and died on the spot.

According to the initial information, on the noon of April 18, the accident happens at a constructing site of a high-rise building at the corner of Le Duan - Ngo Gia Tu street (Hai Chau district, Da Nang), which claimed the life of a worker.

The victim was then identified as P.V.L (22 years old, from Quang Nam province).

Some workers said that while he was in a toilet in the elevator of the 12th floor, L. suddenly fell off and died at once.

After the incident, the authorities came to the scene for investigation and carried out legal procedures.

At 15pm 45, the victim's body was removed from the scene.

The case is being investigated by the authorities.

Chairman of Vietnam Fatherland Front works with the Diocese of Xuan Loc

President Tran Thanh Man visits and works at Xuan Loc Peace Vocational College. (Photo: daidoanket)

On the afternoon of April 18, the delegation of the Central Committee of Vietnam Fatherland Front  led by President Tran Thanh Man had a meeting with the Archdiocese of Xuan Loc (Dong Nai Province).

At the meeting, Mr. Tran Thanh Man briefed on the achievements of the country's economic and social development in 2017 and the first quarter of 2018. He stressed that despite many difficulties, under the leadership of the Party, Vietnam achieved great achievements in economic and social.

The dignitaries Xuan Loc have encouraged all Catholic followers to effectively carry out the patriotic emulation movement, to live under the slogan "good life, good religion", contributing to the development of the country.

The president of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front wished the bishops, priests, dignitaries and staffs continue to pay attention to the patriotic emulation movements and mobilize the followers faithfully to carry out the policies, lines and regulations set out by the Communist Party and the State. 

Bishop Dinh Duc Dao of the diocese of Xuan Loc, replied the Chairman that with the care of the Party and the State, during the recent years, the material and spiritual life of Dong Nai's Catholics have  been lifted up. Catholics in Dong Nai actively participate in patriotic emulation movements, building new rural areas, contributing more and more to the development of Dong Nai in particular and the country in general.

Previously, on April 18 morning, the delegation visited, presented gifts to Catholic and revolutionary families in Ho Nai district and worked with Xuan Loc Hoa Binh College (Trang Bom district, Dong Nai province) which is the first Catholic college in our country.

This institution was established to accept students who have completed the 9th  grade but are unqualified to enter 10th grade  and those who finish the  12th grade  and unable to study in university, regardless of their religion.

This school permits orphans not have to pay tuition fees, providing them with school accommodation, food. Although newly established, Hoa Binh College is currently training thousands of students in many fields. 98% of graduates manage to find jobs. In addition, the school also links with prestigious institutions around the world, bringing many students to study abroad.

According to Mr. Tran Thanh Man, Hoa Binh vocational College is a model of good education and the point that worths highlighted is that the school not only focuses on the quality of teaching for students, but also helps them on building and developing living skills.

A French-style building in the Chu Văn An School. The FVH walking tour on Friday will start at this school, which is one of Việt Nam’s most beautiful schools. — Photo worldkings.org

The Friends of Vietnam Heritage (FVH) will host a walking tour to discover the Ba Đình area and the ‘French Colonial Quarter’ tomorrow.

This English-speaking walking tour gives an overview of the changes to Hà Nội that started in the French period (1869-1954). The tour will touch on the development of the education system, town planning and architecture and other aspects of past and present Hà Nội.

Starting at Chu Văn An School (established by the French and now one of the oldest high schools in Indochina), tourists will make their way to Hà Nội’s iconic Ba Đình Square and focus on a few of the Government buildings in the area, including the Central Committee of the Vietnamese Communist Party – formerly the Lycee Albert Sarrault High School, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Then along Chùa Một Cột Street and strolling the surrounding avenues passing former villas now home to embassies, the walk will take the group to Điện Biên Phủ Street and into Hoàng Diệu street before ending the tour at Cửa Bắc (The North Gate) and Cửa Bắc Church on Phan Đình Phùng Street.

Those who would like to stay for lunch after will be taken to nearby Ngũ Xã Island for some phở cuốn.

The tours costs  VNĐ70,000 (excludes refreshments and lunch if you decide to stay on for a bite to eat) with a limit of 12 people. Contact Stella stella@fvheritage.org for reservations.  The tour will start at 9.30am and finish about noon.

More mobile libraries for remote areas

People in remote areas will benefit from better access to English and Vietnamese books, online and multimedia facilities. 

People in remote areas will benefit from better access to English and Vietnamese books and online and multimedia facilities, as the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism granted mobile libraries to eight provinces on April 18.

Each truck carries six internet-connected computers, one projector, 4,000 books, a television, teaching tools and some devices for sightless readers.

These trucks will go to provinces of Lạng Sơn, Điện Biên, Hòa Bình, Ninh Bình, Nam Định, Quảng Bình, Lâm Đồng and Cà Mau.

The project began in 2016 to bring knowledge and information to people including sightless people in remote areas which are difficult to access, according to Vũ Dương Thúy Ngà, head of the ministry’s Library Department.

The mobile trucks will travel to different schools in the mountainous regions, border posts, orphanage and prisons in these provinces to serve readers.

Tràng An Ninh Bình enter semi-final

Tràng An Ninh Bình vs Sanet Khánh Hòa at National Volleyball Championship held in the northern province of Hải Dương’s Gymnasium on April 17. — Photo volleyball.vn

Tràng An Ninh Bình beat Sanet Khánh Hòa 3-1 on the fourth day of the National Volleyball Championship held in the northern province of Hải Dương’s Gymnasium on Tuesday.

Tràng An Ninh Bình won 25-21, 25-21, 19-25, 26-24.

This win has secured the team’s entry to the event’s semi-final.

In other matches, Tiến Nông Thanh Hóa lost to Information Lienvietpostbank 2-3 (25-19, 25-20, 19-25, 12-25, 12-15); Military Zone 4 defeated Bến Tre 3-0 (25-17, 25-19, 29-27) and HCM City won against Vĩnh Long 3-1 (23-25, 25-16, 25-23, 25-20).

Keeping a win in mind, Vietinbank played decisively with their best line-up. They easily defeated Quảng Ninh 3-0 (16-25, 17-25, 12-25).

Ten male and 10 female teams will compete in the first round of the tournament until April 21.

The winners and runners-up in each group will compete in the Hùng Vương Cup to be held in the northern province of Phú Thọ from April 24-27.

The second round of the championship will be held from December 25-28 this year.

The event will have a total prize money of VNĐ432 million (US$18,780). The best players will be selected for the national team to play in international matches.

HCMC announces public holidays for April

People will enjoy 4-day holiday during Reunification Day.

The People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City yesterday announced the public holidays for April.

As planned, Government workers will enjoy one off day for Hung King Dead anniversary which falls on the 10th day of the third lunar month (on April 25); and 4-day holiday marking 43 years of the South Liberation and National Reunification Day (April 30) and the 132nd May Day (May 1) from April 28-May 1.

The city Government asked agencies and units to arrange work based on their plans during the holidays to ensure the fulfillment of their tasks and serve the people.

In addition, the committee requires organizations, businesses, hospitals, armed force units and households to fly the national flag in the holiday.

South Korean volunteers from Seoul Guarantee Insurance are building a house for a poor family in Thai Nguyen 

Room rates at hotels on Tran Hung Dao Street in Son Tra District, Danang City overlooking the grandstand of the Danang International Fireworks Festival 2018 are expected to double or even treble during the event.

As observed by the Daily on April 14, prices of hotel rooms in the city center range from VND1.5 million to VND5 million (US$220) per night during the period of the fireworks displays, between April 30 and June 30. The prices otherwise range from VND500,000-2.1 million (US$22-92) per night on other days.

The problem is that while these hotels release their prices for normal days, they do not list them publicly for the nights of the festival. For example, the three-star Mimosa Hotel has their standard double rooms at the price of VND500,000 on normal nights, but it surges to VND1.4 million on fireworks nights.

The Blossom City Hotel, just opposite to the stage of the fireworks event, charge VND5 million per night on their four-guest rooms, instead of VND2 million on normal days.

Notably, these hotels also claim to collect the “so-called” fireworks sightseeing fee. Despite such price turbulence, local authorities remain inactive.

Nguyen Ha Bac, deputy director at the Danang Department of Industry and Trade, told the Daily that he has yet to receive any complaints about the inflated prices of hotel rooms on the occasion of the fireworks festival.

He stressed that the department will prevent exorbitant prices for hotel rooms and services during the event. If local residents and tourists encounter the situation, they can immediately report it to the switchboard 1022 or the municipal market surveillance agency, or can reach him on 0905131555.

According to the organizer, the Danang International Fireworks Festival 2018 will take place along the banks of the Han River on some nights from April 29 to June 30. The main stages will be located on Tran Hung Dao Street and in the yard of Olalani Riverside Towers.

The Vietnam and Poland teams will perform on April 30 while the France and U.S teams’ performance will be on May 26, followed by the teams of Italy and Hong Kong on June 2. Finally, the shows by the Sweden and Portugal teams will be taking place on June 9.

The final round and the award ceremony are slated for June 30.

Danang tightens food safety control

The central coast city of Danang has launched numerous activities to strengthen food safety, focusing on both large-scale food processors and street eateries, on the occasion of Action Month for Food Safety 2018 in Danang.

The Action Month for Food Safety 2018 in Danang will take place from April 15 to May 15, featuring a series of major activities like inspection and fostering awareness among food traders in a bid to minimize food poisoning risks.

In addition, the Danang Food Safety Management Board was just established early this year under the Danang government with an aim to control food safety, said Nguyen Tan Hai, head of the board. He said the board in collaboration with relevant agencies will conduct snap inspections of these units alongside regular checks at wet markets in the future.

Hai also mentioned that food samples will be taken from plants and factories processing food, especially tofu and vegetables, and bottling water. The factories not up to standard will be dealt with by the municipal government.

In addition, the board will launch a pilot program to promote food safety for the first time, calling for voluntary participation from manufacturers and processors.

To ease traffic congestion during the upcoming public holiday, toll booths may be opened for free. 

Toll booths have been requested to remove their barriers in case of traffic congestion during the upcoming public holidays for Reunification Day (April 30) and International Labour Day (May 1).

The request was made by the Directorate for Roads of Việt Nam aimed at meeting the high travel demands of people and ensuring traffic safety.

The directorate has asked related agencies and build-operate-transfer (BOT) project investors to implement effective measures to ensure the continous operation of toll booths to prevent traffic congestion.

Regarding toll booths at high risk of congestion, in the gateway areas of Hà Nội and HCM City, for example, booth management boards have been asked to create favourable conditions for vehicle owners to buy tickets as well as remove barriers or open gates for free in case of heavy traffic congestion.

This year, in celebration of Reunification Day and International Labour Day, Vietnamese people will enjoy a four-day public holiday from April 28 to May 1. During this time, the traffic influx from and to Hà Nội and HCM City is expected to increase sharply, posing huge pressure on traffic infrastructure and severe risks of accidents.

Bookmobiles granted to people in remote areas

A bookmobile 

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on April 18 presented bookmobiles to eight provinces across Vietnam to boost the provision of information and knowledge for people in far-flung areas.

The localities include the northern provinces of Lang Son, Dien Bien, Hoa Binh, Ninh Binh and Nam Dinh, the central province of Quang Binh, the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong, and the southernmost province of Ca Mau.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien said that this is a practical project that contributes to developing the reading culture in the society as part of a project on the reading culture development approved by the Prime Minister.

He asked the provinces to supplement more books to these mobile libraries in order to better serve locals.

Each bookmobile is equipped with more than 4,000 books, six computers, one server, one projector, and one television. In addition, the ministry’s Library Department also called for donation to provide the mobile libraries with electronic library and document management software, and books for the disabled.

The multi-media bookmobile project has been carried out since late 2015. In October 2016, the VinGroup presented five mobile libraries to Son La, Nghe An, Quang Nam, Gia Lai and An Giang provinces.

After one year of operation, these bookmobiles served over 985,000 readers.

Meeting marks Vietnam Day for Persons with Disabilities

Teaching braille for blind people 

The Vietnam Federation for the Disabled (VNFFD) held a grand meeting in Hanoi on April 18 to mark the 20th Vietnam Day for Persons with Disabilities.

VNFFD President Dang Huynh Mai said that over the past years, the Party and State have issued a lot of policies to support people with disabilities as well as organisations that work for the rights of the disabled.

With the purpose of helping the disabled implement their rights and duties, the VNFFD was set up in 2010. The federation now has 62 chapters providing legal assistance for and introducing jobs to disabled people.

Speaking at the event, permanent Vice President of the Hanoi Disabled People Association Phan Bich Diep said that Vietnam Day for Persons with Disabilities is significant to nearly 7 million disabled people living across Vietnam.

This is an opportunity for them to show their aspirations for an equal integration into the community, thus contributing to national construction.

Since 2012, the association has coordinated closely with the Bank for Social Policies in preferential loan disbursement with a total amount of over 40 billion VND (1.75 million USD), helping generate jobs for over 2,000 people with disabilities.

Đà Nẵng organises Education Day for kids

Primary school students play games, which teach them proper nutrition and physical activities on Education Day in Đà Nẵng. — Photo Courtesy of FrieslandCampina Việt Nam

More than 2,000 primary school students in Đà Nẵng City last Saturday attended Education Day which is held every year and offers them a chance to both play and learn.

It is also a chance for them to show off their knowledge in maths, history and Vietnamese through a contest.

Outstanding students were commended. The event was organised in co-operation with FrieslandCampina Việt Nam, which gave rewards to the contest winners and more than 4,000 glasses of milk, and provided consultancy on proper nutrition and physical activities for students through games and other events.

Former head of intelligence department arrested

Phan Huu Tuan, former deputy general director of the General Department of Intelligence at the Ministry of Public Security, was detained on April 17 in connection with a case involving local property magnate Phan Van Anh Vu, alias Vu Nhom. Two former leaders of the central coastal city of Danang were also implicated in the case.

The Ministry of Public Security said in a notice on its website on April 17 that its investigators had detained the 63-year-old Phan Huu Tuan on alleged charges of deliberate disclosure of State secrets.

Another senior official of the ministry, Nguyen Huu Bach, 55, was also put in police custody for the same reason as Tuan. Both reside in Hanoi City.

Earlier on the same day, State President Tran Dai Quang stripped Tuan of his “People’s Police” title. Meanwhile, Minister of Public Security To Lam did the same to Bach.

Police also detained the 63-year-old Tran Van Minh, who served as chairman of Danang City in the 2006-2011 tenure, for allegedly violating regulations on management and use of State assets which resulted in losses and wastefulness, and State rules on land management.

Another former chairman, Van Huu Chien, 64, was put under house arrest for the same charge as Minh. He led the city in the 2011-2014 tenure.

Investigators at the Ministry of Public Security last September launched a probe into irregularities regarding nine property projects and 31 public land lots and houses in Danang City which have been transacted since 2006. Two of the land lots under investigation were used to build a home and a company office which both belong to Phan Van Anh Vu.

Vu was chairman of three companies – Bac Nam 79 Construction JSC, Nova Bac Nam 79 JSC, and The Sunrise Bay Danang. He also acquired stakes in several other entities such as Seaprodex and DongA Bank.

The 43-year-old business tycoon fled his residence in Danang to hide in Singapore after the ministry issued an arrest warrant for him last December. He was later deported for violating Singapore’s immigration regulations, and was arrested upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi City in January.

One month later, police launched legal proceedings against Vu for deliberately disclosing State secrets, evading taxes, and abusing his position and power while on duty. He is being held in custody for four months pending further investigation.

As the investigation is being widened, police on April 17 ordered that the 60-year-old Nguyen Dieu and the 61-year-old Tran Van Toan, who were former director and deputy director of the Danang Department of Natural Resources and Environment, not leave their residences for alleged violations of land management rules.

Le Canh Duong aged 43, director of the Danang Investment Promotion Agency, was in the same boat as the two aforesaid leaders.

Investigators at the ministry are expanding the case to establish violations of relevant individuals which will be strictly handled in a legal manner.

Exhibition on S’tieng ethnic group opens in HCM City

Visitors of the exhibition on the culture of S’tieng ethnic group 

An exhibition on the culture of S’tieng ethnic group opened at the Museum of Vietnamese History in Ho Chi Minh City on April 19.

The event is to celebrate the Vietnam Ethnic Group’s Culture Day (April 19) and the International Museum Day (May 18).

On display are about 120 exhibits reflecting the culture of S’tieng people through tangible and intangible heritages, including their houses, costumes, literature, production and hunting tools, jewellery and musical instruments, among others.

A highlight of the exhibition is a set of S’tieng people’s traditional gong, a notable cultural trait of the ethnic group which has been passed down to many generations.

S’tieng is an ethnic group living in Southeast Asia, mainly in Vietnam and Cambodia. In Vietnam, the group resides in the provinces of Dong Nai, Lam Dong, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc and Tay Ninh. 

The southern province of Binh Phuoc has the highest number of S’tieng people with nearly 100,000.

The exhibition runs until August 19.

U19 player, Xuân injured in match with Mexico

Midfielder Lê Văn Xuân (middle). — Photo thanhnien.vn

Midfielder Lê Văn Xuân of the Việt Nam national U19 team was injured in a match against Mexico at the Suwon JS Cup 2018 in South Korea on Wednesday.

According to coach Hoàng Anh Tuấn, Xuân needs at least four weeks to recover from his injury.

Xuân’s back was hurt seriously after a defender from the Mexican team kneed his back. Xuân was sent to the hospital immediately.

Head Coach of Việt Nam national senior football team Park Hang-seo attended the game and said he would ask his friends to ensure that Xuân is taken care of as best as possible.

Việt Nam lost to Mexico 0-4. Việt Nam will face Morocco today at 6pm, and South Korea on April 22 at 4pm.