Hai Duong province launches tourism cultural festival

The northern province of Hai Duong has launched a tourism cultural festival, including a street carnival to welcome New Year 2019.

Party Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Head of the Party Central Committee’s Organisation Commission Pham Minh Chinh, Politburo member, Secretary the Party Central Committee and Head of the Commission for Mass Mobilisation Truong Thi Mai, and Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam attended the event.

Chairman of Hai Duong provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Duong Thai said that the event honours the province’s traditional cultural values.

“The cultural tourism festival is an opportunity for people nationwide to get better understanding the land and people of a province with dynamic, hospitable and rich identity. It showcases local strengths in social economic development, agriculture, services and tourism as well as our finest cultural values. The carnival will feature the provincial revolutionary tradition, dynamism and hospitality”, said Mr Thai. 

During the 3-day event, visitors will have an opportunity to explore typical products of local firms, agricultural industrial and tourism strengths ornamental bonsais, sport activities and street food.

Duyên Dáng Việt Nam music gala to be held in HCM City

The 30th edition of the music gala Duyên Dáng Việt Nam (Charming Việt Nam) will take place in HCM City on January 5.

The show’s director Bình Hùng said that this year’s gala will have the theme of “Bốn Mùa và Em” (Four Seasons and You)”.

It will feature songs about the four seasons and love from young and veteran singers like Phương Thanh, Đức Tuấn, Phương Vy and Uyên Linh.

Dancers from The Sun and Number One troupes and award-winning dancer Sùng A Lùng will perform along with the singers.

Music producer and composer Thái Huân is the music director of the show.

A fashion show, with two collections by designers Ngọc Hân and Diệp Anh, will also be held. Hân’s collection Ý Xuân (Spring Flowers) will present áo dài (traditional Vietnamese long dress) with bright colours and flower decorations. Anh, director of Silky Vietnam, will introduce her latest designs made of Vietnamese silk.

Both collections will be worn on the catwalk by popular models like Phan Thu Quyên, Huỳnh Yến Nhi, and Đào Thị Hà.

The music gala will begin at 8pm at the Hòa Bình Theatre in District 10.

Duyên Dáng Việt Nam was started by the Thanh Niên Media Corporation in 1994, with the aim of raising funds for two charities, Talents of Việt Nam and Nguyễn Thái Bình Scholarship funds.

It was organised in Việt Nam, Singapore, Australia and the UK.

Amusement parks a popular spot during New Year holiday

Amusement parks in HCM City have been popular destinations for many locals celebrating the New Year’s holiday. 

Locals of all ages in HCM City spent part of their time during the New Year’s holiday at amusement parks in the city.

Thảo Cầm Viên (Sài Gòn Zoo and Botanical Garden) in District 1 were among the most popular destinations.

Between December 30 and 31, thousands of parents brought their children to the zoo to enjoy many green activities, according to the managers at the Botanical Garden.

As many as 35,000 people arrived at the garden during this period.

The Suối Tiên Cultural Amusement Park in District 9, though not located in the city centre, also drew many visitors, mostly from neighbouring provinces such as Đồng Nai, Bình Dương, and Bình Phước.

Between December 29 and 30, the park welcomed an additional 20,000 arrivals. The number was expected to rise on New Year’s Day, Huỳnh Hồng Tuấn, deputy general manager of the park, said.

To provide quality services during this peak period, Tuấn said the park had employed 1,500 people and collaborated with authorities to ensure safety and food hygiene.

Another popular site, Rin Rin Park in Hóc Môn District, which opened a few years ago, attracts visitors who are interested in koi fish, the star attraction at this Japanese-style park, and bonsai art.

Ngọc Quỳnh, who visited the park recently, said that entrance ticket was only VNĐ50,000 and was especially interesting to younger people.

In addition to familiar destinations, the new 18,000-sqm sunflower garden in Thủ Đức District’s Hiệp Bình Phước Ward is now a go-to spot for photographs. 

Dong Da Mound in Hanoi officially named national special relic site

This is the ninth batch of national special relic sites that gained recognition this year.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has approved a decision to recognize Dong Da Mound in Hanoi and Ngu Hanh Son in Da Nang as national special relic sites. 

These two sites, together with other nine places, received prime ministerial approval this time to become national special relic sites.

In all, the list of the 11 relics includes Nhan tower – a unique symbol of the Cham’s architectural art in Tuy Hoa city, Phu Yen province; Thai Lac temple in Van Lam district, Hung Yen province; Le Hoan temple in Tho Xuan district, Thanh Hoa province; Tuong Phieu communal house in Phuc Tho district and So communal house in Quoc Oai district of Hanoi; Dong Da Mound in Dong Da district, Hanoi, Ngu Hanh Son in Ngu Hanh Son district, Da Nang.

Tho Tang communal house in Vinh Tuong district, Vinh Phuc province; the Correctional House in Buon Ma Thuot city, Dak Lak province; Truong Son road in Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Nam, Kon Tum and Binh Phuoc provinces; Na Hang – Lam Binh Nature Reserve in Na Hang and Lam Binh districts, Tuyen Quang province.

According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, this new batch has raised the number of national special relic sites to 106.

Earlier, Mao Dien Temple of Literature and Xua Temple – Giam Pagoda – Bia Temple complex in the northern province of Hai Duong were recognized as national special relic sites in a ceremony held in Cam Giang district on December 16.

Mao Dien Temple of Literature, the second largest of its kind in Vietnam after the temple in Hanoi, was built during the early period of the Later Le Dynasty in Vinh Tuy commune, Binh Giang district in the 15th century. It was later moved to Cam Dien commune, Cam Giang during the Tay Son Dynasty (1788 – 1802).

Ceremony marks 99th birthday of Hoa Hao Buddhism’s founder

Deputy head of the Government’s Committee for Religious Affairs Tran Tan Hung (L) presents flowers to congratulate Hoa Hoa Buddhists on the founder - Huynh Phu So's 99th birthday at the ceremony 

The Central Executive Board of the Hoa Hao Buddhist Sangha held a ceremony in southern An Giang province on December 31 to mark the 99th birth anniversary of the Hoa Hao Buddhism’s founder – Huynh Phu So.

At the event held at An Hoa Tu Pagoda in Phu My town of Phu Tan district, deputy head of the Government’s Committee for Religious Affairs Tran Tan Hung congratulated Hoa Hao followers on the founder’s birthday (the 25th day of the 11th lunar month, 1920).

Since the Hoa Hao Buddhism came into being 79 years ago, followers have always adhered to its guidelines, upheld the traditional patriotism and solidarity, and contributed to the nation.

Hung added their social and charitable activities have helped affirm the Hoa Hao sect’s national unity spirit, which is also part of the teaching of its founder Huynh Phu So.

Nguyen Tiec Hung, President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee in An Giang, appreciated Hoa Hao Buddhists’ patriotism, solidarity and support of national development.

He noted that in 2018, the sect’s dignitaries and followers have involved in many charity activities, including building bridges and roads in rural areas, reducing poverty, and raising education promotion funds. Hoa Hao followers in the province have donated over 100 billion VND (4.3 million USD) to charity work, thereby helping with local development.

There are more than 2 million Hoa Hao Buddhist followers across Vietnam at present, with An Giang home to the biggest number of the followers. 

Gender equality at firms in Tay Ninh province examined

Representatives of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour visit the workplace at the factory of the First Team Vietnam Garment Co. Ltd in Tay Ninh province 

The Vietnam General Confederation of Labour and the CARE International organisation have surveyed the gender equality situation at businesses in economic zones of Tay Ninh, a province in the southern key economic region.

The survey aimed to improve workers’ awareness of gender equality. It was also part of activities to prepare for the amendment of the 2012 Labour Code so that legal regulations could better ensure equal pay, equal job opportunities, equal sharing of family responsibilities, and prevention of sexual harassment at the workplace.

Wong Ting Chun, Chairman of the First Team Vietnam Garment Co. Ltd in Thanh Thanh Cong Industrial Park in Trang Bang district, reported that his business is employing about 8,000 workers, over 80 percent of whom are women with an average income of 7 – 9 million VND (300 – 390 USD) per month. The female workers’ average monthly income is about 1 million VND higher than their male colleagues’ since they are in charge of the steps that need more skills.

He said the draft revisions on priorities for female workers, especially those with small children, to the Labour Code are reasonable. Although these regulations haven’t been enforced, his company has applied appropriate support policies for pregnant women and those with small children.

A 19-year-old worker at the company said she has received good treatment since she began working in the company in 2016. She added workers should be allowed to decide on their overtime hours, depending on their family and health condition, because overtime pay is necessary for them to better support their lives.

During the fact-finding tour on December 29, Vice President of the general confederation Ngo Duy Hieu said ensuring workplace gender equality is one of the important solutions to protect labourers’ rights and legitimate interests.

He noted female workers need to know regulations on the retirement age, prevention of workplace sexual harassment, equality of job opportunities, and equal pay for equal work between men and women, so that they can protect their rights and interests. 

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong (L) and First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee Raul Castro Ruz at their meeting in Havana in March 2018 

Vietnamese leaders have extended congratulations to their Cuban counterparts on the 60th Liberation Day (January 1, 1959) of the Caribbean nation.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President Nguyen Phu Trong and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc sent the messages to First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee Raul Castro Ruz, and President of the Cuban Council of State and Council of Ministers Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez.

The messages read that generations of Vietnamese leaders and people are proud to be the witnesses of the achievements that the Cuban people have obtained over the 60 years of defending and constructing the socialist Cuba – the symbol of the revolutionary heroism in the western hemisphere.

They re-affirmed the Vietnamese State, Government and people’s consistent unity with the glorious and just revolutionary cause of the Cuban people, voicing their belief that the Cuban State, Government and people will continue to attain more successes in the national construction and defence.

On this occasion, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh also offered congratulations to Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla.

At the ceremony 

A national flag salute ceremony was held on January 1 in the country’s easternmost mainland point of Mui Dien in the south central province of Phu Yen.

The ceremony drew more than 300 local officials and soldiers as well as tourists who sang the national anthem together to welcome the New Year 2019.

Huynh Ngoc from Tuy Hoa city of Phu Yen, said that this is the second time Ngoc and friends have joined the ceremony in the place that welcomes the first sunlight of the country. 

“I am very proud to sing the national anthem on the first day of the New Year,” stated Ngoc.

Meanwhile, Nguyen Van Toan, a visitor from Ho Chi Minh City, showed his delight to visit Mui Dien, a famous tourist attraction of Phu Yen on the first day of 2019 and join the special ceremony for the first time.

The national flag saluting is an annual event held by the People’s Committee of Phu Yen as part of patriotism education activities. On the occasion, Phu Yen also held a ceremony to welcome the first 100 tourists to Bai Mon-Mui Dien national tourist site.

Phan Dinh Phung, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, said this year, the province will hold various cultural and art events to mark the 30th anniversary of its re-establishment and lure more tourists.

In recent year, Phu Yen tourism has thrived with the rising number of visitors. In 2018, the province welcomed 1.6 million tourists.

At the inauguration ceremony of the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Monument 

The Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Monument was inaugurated in Sen Monorom city, Mondolkiri province of Cambodia on January 1 on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the victory against the Pol Pot genocidal regime (January 7, 1979-2019).

The monument features Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and their Cambodian peers firmly holding guns in protection of a Cambodian mother holding her child.

It is built in an area of 3,500 square metres, becoming a tourist site and a venue for cultural and historical education events of Mondulkiri province.

Addressing the event, Nhem Valy, Permanent Vice Chairman of the National Council of the Solidarity for the Development of Cambodian Motherland, and Mondulkiri Governor Svay Som Ieng stressed that Cambodian people always keep in their mind the assistance and help of the Vietnamese volunteer soldiers in overthrowing the Pol Pot genocidal regime which contributed to the revival and development of the nation and people of Cambodia.

Without the victory against the Pol Pot genocidal regime on January 7, 1979, Cambodia would not become what it is today, they stated.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese Military Attaché Nguyen Anh Dung highlighted the significance of the sound cooperation between the militaries and peoples of Vietnam and Cambodia. He thanked the Cambodian side and Mondulkiri province for supporting the construction of the monument.

Mondulkiri, bordering Vietnam’s Dak Lak and Dak Nong province, has coordinated closely with Vietnamese localities in building a shared border of peace, cooperation and development.

Over the past years, the province has worked with Vietnam to search and repatriate the remains of more than 650 Vietnamese martyrs who died in Cambodia during the wars.

Traffic accidents kill 110, injure 61 during New Year holidays

The scene of a serious traffic accident 

Up to 147 accidents occurred during the four-day New Year holidays (December 29-January 1), claiming 110 lives and wounding 61 people, reported the National Committee for Traffic Safety.

On average, there were nearly 28 deaths a day, higher than last year’s figure of 22.

Road traffic made up the majority of the accidents with 145 cases out of 147 and 109 deaths out of 110. The remaining two were blamed on rail transport, with one death and one injury.

The most serious accident was a collision between a passenger coach and a truck on National Road No 1 in the south central province of Binh Thuan, leaving two dead and seven wounded.

The top causes of accidents were speeding, driving in the wrong lane, changing lanes or direction without signalling, or driving under the influence, while violations like not wearing helmets were very common.

Traffic police officers handled over 19,200 violations, giving out fines of 16.3 billion VND (703,000 USD), revoking licences of 1,000 drivers and impounding more than 2,800 vehicles.

According to reports, on the first day of the four-day holiday, heavy traffic and frequent congestion were witnessed in the two largest cities in the country, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

On the contrary, even during afternoon rush hour on the last day, when masses of people were expected to return to Hanoi, important traffic junctions including Phap Van, Giai Phong, Thanh Tri bridge, Minh Khai, Tam Trinh and Chuong Duong bridge did not suffer serious jams, only slight difficulties in moving were reported due to higher traffic than usual.

During the holidays, the National Committee for Traffic Safety said it received 81 calls reporting coaches loading more passengers onto vehicles than allowed, collecting fees higher than the printed amount, and other types of road annoyances on the expressways.

42.4 percent of communes earn new rural area status

Residents in new-style rural areas gain access to clean water 

As of the end of 2018, a total of 3,787 communes nationwide or 42.4 percent have been recognised as new-style rural areas, representing a year-on-year rise of 8.02 percent. 

According to the National Coordination Office of the National Target Programme on New Rural Development, the southern province of Dong Nai has taken the lead in this regard, with all of its 133 communes gaining the status. 

Sixty one district-level localities in 30 centrally-run cities and provinces have been recognised as new rural areas, up 18 districts from the number at the end of 2017 and surpassing the set target. 

More than 322 trillion VND (13.8 billion USD) has been mobilised to carry out the programme, including 8.7 trillion VND (374.1 million USD) sourced from the State budget, the office said. Rural residents contributed more than 18.3 trillion VND to implement the programme.

Nguyen Minh Tien, head of the office, said the programme has given a facelift to rural areas, adding that more attention has been paid to developing large-scale agricultural production using high technologies, new-style cooperatives and environmental protection. 

However, there remained gaps between localities and regions during the implementation of the programme, the official said. While Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang city and Dong Nai, Nam Dinh and Ha Nam provinces have basically completed the target of new-style rural areas and begun to work on the higher target of model rural areas, some provinces, for example the northern mountainous provinces of Dien Bien, Bac Kan and Cao Bang, still recorded low numbers of communes meeting standards for new-style rural areas. 

In 2019, the target is to raise the percentage of new-style rural areas to about 48-50 percent of total communes. At least 10 more districts are hoped to earn the recognition, and there will be no communes completing less than five criteria. 

The National Target Programme on New-style Rural Area Building, initiated by the Government in 2010, sets 19 criteria on socio-economic development, politics, and defence, aiming to boost rural regions of Vietnam. 

The number of criteria was increased to 20 in 2015.    

The list of criteria includes the development of infrastructure, the improvement of production capacity, environmental protection, and the promotion of cultural values.

Quảng Ngãi win BTV new year marathon tournament 2019

The tournament attracted 8,000 athletes. — Photo thethao.sggp.org.vn

The Quảng Ngãi team won the BTV annual New Year marathon 2019, held yesterday at exhibition and convention centre, in the southern province of Bình Dương.

Bình Dương team and Hà Tĩnh team finished at second and third, respectively.

As many as 8,000 runners took part in the race.

Athletes competed in categories like girl’s 3km, boy’s 5km, men’s team 10km, group formation and others.

In the women’s race, the gold went to Khánh Hòa, while silver was won by Bình Phước and bronze went to Ninh Thuận.

In non-professional category, teams from Dĩ An, Thuận An, Phú Giáo and Dầu Tiếng gained high-achievement scores.

In the team rankings, Ngô Quyền Corps of Engineers University were top.

The tournament was organised by Bình Dương Television (BTV).