UN vows to protect Vietnamese children

The United Nations pledges to work with the Government of Vietnam to take care of and protect local children, particularly those with disabilities.

Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children Marta Santos Pais made the statement during a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam in Hanoi on June 20 as part of her visit to attend the ASEAN Children Forum 2016.

She highly valued the achievements Vietnam has made in protecting and caring children as well as the country’s policy and institutional improvements, particularly the adoption of the revised Law on Child Protection, Care and Education.

Marta Santos Pais suggested Vietnam allocate appreciate financial and human resources for the work and soon bring the law into life.

For his part, Deputy PM Vu Duc Dam thanked the UN for its support for Vietnam in protecting and caring for children.

With the assistance of international organisations, Vietnam has fulfilled the millennium development goals, including that on children protection and care, he said.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed other issues, such as children-related social affairs, violence to children, and children with disabilities, drug addiction and its impacts on children.

Journalist’s press card revoked for serious violation

The Ministry of Information and Communications revoked a journalist’s press card yesterday for a serious violation of Government regulations.

The ministry required the HCM Law Newspaper to revoke the press card of Mai Phan Lợi and to return it to the Press Department, in line with the laws.

Lợi, head of Hà Nội Bureau of the HCM City Law Newspaper, had his press card revoked for violating a circular of the ministry and for seriously offending the honour of the Vietnamese People’s Army. His offenses caused deep psychological wounds to families, relatives and comrades of soldiers and officials who were in distress during their mission and his actions also affected the prestige of the press, according to a decision issued by Minister Trương Minh Tuấn yesterday.

Earlier, Lợi posted a status update for voting titled “Why was the CASA rescue plane shattered?” to collect opinions from readers. He also presented some ideas for readers to deduce, such as: the plane was shot; the plane was of poor quality, and due to corruption in the defence sector. His status update immediately caused great public concern.

Lang Son required to better investment environment

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan has asked the northern mountainous province of Lang Son to improve its investment environment to attract more investors and focus on upgrading infrastructure, particularly transport, to promote its border economic strength.

The top legislator had a working session with provincial leaders during her visit to the locality on June 20.

Speaking highly of Lang Son’s achievements over the past six months, she urged the province to review its socio-economic development strategy to successfully achieve the targets set in the 16 th provincial Party Congress’s Resolution.

For the rural area building, the NA leader appreciated the locality’s set goal of additional 13 communes recognised as new-style rural areas in 2016, asking it to step up the new-style rural construction and agricultural restructuring at the same time.

According to the province’s report, in the first half of 2016, the local economic growth was maintained, with GDP up 3.64 percent. Budget collection and spending was controlled, while socio-cultural activities received special attention.

Lang Son strives for economic growth of 8-9 percent and average per capita income of 35-36 million VND (1,569-1,614 USD) this year.

The same day, the NA chief also had a working session with leaders of Cao Loc district, which shares a 75km border line with China.

She requested the district to focus on developing the border economy, preventing goods smuggling, and maintaining border security in order to help ensure national security and defence.

Earlier, she visited chili farms of several households in Cao Loc’s Gia Cat commune.

Twenty-two Sunda pangolins rescued in Ninh Binh

Forest wardens in the northern province of Ninh Binh have handed over 22 Sunda pangolins, also known as the Malayan or Java pangolin, to the Carnivore and Pangolin Conservation Programme, according to the Save Vietnam’s Wildlife organisation.

On June 19, police in Ninh Binh seized two men and a woman who were illegally transporting the pangolins by train from Hue city, the central province of Thua Thien-Hue to northern localities for selling.

The pangolins, weighing 91kg in total, were on poor health condition as they had been put in tight reticules without food and water for a long travelling time. Some of them even could not eat after being rescued.

Sunda pangolin is listed as an endangered species in Vietnam’s Red Book. The wild population has steadily decreased due to illegal hunting and trading for meat and traditional medicines.

The Carnivore and Pangolin Conservation Programme is a joint activity by the Save Vietnam’s Wildlife, a non-profit organisation focusing on protecting and increasing populations of threatened wildlife in Vietnam, and the Cuc Phuong National Park in Ninh Binh.

EU provides 2 million EUR aid to assist drought-hit communities

The European Commission is making available 2 million EUR (roughly 50 billion VND) in emergency relief to communities affected by the drought and saltwater intrusion in Vietnam since the end of 2015.

“The disruption in precipitation patterns has affected the livelihoods, food security and access to safe water of the people of Vietnam. This EU contribution will help provide life-saving assistance to affected families at this critical time, ensuring that their basic needs are met” , said Christos Stylianides, EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management.

Channelled through the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO), the aid will allow the EU’s humanitarian partners to introduce relief initiatives to alleviate the burden of the most at-risk populations in heavily impacted areas.

The funding will focus on addressing the most urgent needs, which include food assistance as well as access to safe water and good hygiene practices.

The ongoing El Nino-induced dry spell has affected 39 of the country’s 63 provinces and cities, triggering widespread water shortage and parching vast areas of farmlands in the predominantly agricultural country.

As a result, an estimated two million people have been deprived of access to safe drinking water, while one million people are in urgent need of food assistance. All localities in the Mekong Delta, Southern Central and Central Highlands regions have borne the brunt of the irregular climatic patterns, with some 400,000 hectares of cropland impacted with varying degrees of productivity loss.

Zoonotic diseases put under control nationwide

Vietnam has controlled animal-to-human infectious diseases, with no new outbreaks recorded so far, the Department of Animal Health under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said on June 20.

However, the department recommended regular implementation of preventative measures across the nation, particularly where these diseases once took place.

Concerning bird flu, which is likely to arise in coming months due to changing weather patterns, the agency urged localities to take precautions against a number of virus strains, including H5N1, H5N6 and H7N9. Illegal poultry transport must face strict penalties, it said.

The department also warned farm owners to vaccinate their cattle to protect them from foot-and-mouth disease.

Localities also need to stand ready to combat the Porcilis Porcine Reproductive Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), which is also known as the “blue ear pig disease”, as the disease may reappear in its former hit areas, it said, stressing the need for tightening the management of pig transport and slaughter.

Conference seeks safe water supply for Mekong Delta

The Ministry of Construction is calling for support for and experience sharing in management and operation of a World Bank-funded project to secure water supply in the Mekong Delta region amid impacts of drought and saline intrusion, heard a round-table conference held in Hanoi on June 20.

According to Minister of Construction Pham Hong Ha, the project is billed as a significant solution to water supply security, social welfare and environment protection in Mekong Delta localities by 2030.

However, Ha said that the project will face formidable challenges in capital, management capacity and experience.

Ousmane Dione, Practice Manager of East Asia and Pacific Programme, Water Global Practice of the WB, noted that the project implementation becomes even more exigent as the region has experienced critical saline intrusion and shortage of potable water.

He underscored that the WB commits to providing both financial and knowledge support for Vietnam during the implementation the project.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Construction Phan Thi My Linh highlighted that the ministry has joined hands with localities and the WB to seek additional capital for the project, adding that meticulous review and prompt adjustments have been made to meet the investor’s demands.

The ministry will also work with relevant agencies to identify support in finance, technique and mechanism in accordance with the capacity of each donor to deal with the water supply security for the region in short, medium and long terms, she said.

Covering an area of 40,000 square kilometres, the Mekong Delta has one city and 12 provinces with a total population of 17.5 million people. The region is confronting disastrous influences from climate change.

On the outset of this year, saline intrusion occurred in ten regional localities. About 230,000 households as well as schools, clinics and hotels were short of fresh water in April.

Training courses to be held for water treatment operators

Training courses for drainage workers will be organised in all 63 cities and provinces nationwide in order to improve their capacities in operation and maintenance of non-concentrated water treatment plants.

The first course is being held in Ho Chi Minh City from June 20 to 22.

The training courses are operated by the Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association (VWSA) in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Drainage Company.

They are funded by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) with total investment worth 3 million EUR (3.36 million USD).

From now to 2017, between 20 and 25 training courses with 11 special subjects are planned for 750 drainage workers, helping them effectively operate and maintain water treatment systems.

Previously, the GIZ trained 25 source lecturers for the VWSA.

USAID helps Vietnam cushion climate change impacts

The US would continue working with Vietnam to lessen growingly adverse impacts of climate change, according to Todd Raymond Johnson, who is Forest and Climate Change advisor, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) Asia’s Office of Technical Services.

In a recent interview with the Vietnam News Agency on the sidelines of a media training course in the northern province of Nam Dinh, Todd said the US and Vietnam announced their partnership on climate change during President Barrack Obama’s trip to Vietnam in May.

The partnership will allow cooperative activities to enable the Mekong River and Red River deltas to boost their adaptation capability and reduce their vulnerability against impacts of climate change.

It will support joint efforts to mitigate disaster risks and improve preparedness and response to disasters, with early warning systems being assisted for communities that are vulnerable to climate change.

The partnership will lay the groundwork for the two countries to proceed with their connectivity in this field in a wider manner, according to the official.

According to Todd, the Vietnamese government and the US will continue to have discussions to determine priority issues in line with new situation for cooperation and effectively actualise these new priorities.

The USAID is assisting Vietnam to turn the Strategy for Green Growth in Vietnam into real actions at national, provincial and district levels.

Vietnam is one of the countries suffering most severe impacts of climate change such as rising temperature, drought, flood, rising sea level, saltwater intrusion, and the increasing number of storms, which have been threatening food security, livelihoods and lives of millions of its people.-

Conference highlights important role of mass media

The press plays an important role in influencing public opinion about major public issues, said delegates at a conference held on June 20 on the occasion of National Journalism Day (June 21). But a report published at the conference also highlighted reporters’ difficulties in conveying information to readers.

Former deputy of the 12th National Assembly, Nguyen Minh Thuyet, said today’s readers demand hot news but also deeper reflection, requiring media to report news and events in a clearer and more diversified manner.

Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Van Hien Vietnam online magazine, Vu Xuan Ban, said the responsibility placed on journalists requires them to always be honest, objective and patient and to always make the interests of the country and the nation a top priority, he said.

However, journalists also face many difficulties in reporting news and events, according to a study released on June 20 by the Centre for Research on Development under the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations.

The independent study on factors affecting journalists’ work during the 2011-15 period found that the working environment of journalists has become more complicated with higher risks.

Journalists are prevented from publishing certain information and have been threatened or attacked at a growing rate over the past five years.

In March, journalist Do Doan Hoang from the Lao Dong (Labour) newspaper was attacked by three suspects while on duty and driving a motorbike near Kim Van-Kim Lu Residential Area in Hoang Mai District. He reported the incident to the district police immediately after it occurred. As an investigative journalist, his articles cast a spotlight on serious social issues, including wildlife trafficking.

Last November, two Giao Thong (Transport) newspaper reporters were attacked and their assets snatched while they were researching an investigative report on overloaded trucks carrying sand on roads in District 9 of HCM City.

In some cases journalists are unable to get access to information, and their work tools are seized or damaged to prevent them from publishing information.

Around 44 percent of 1,134 surveyed journalists said they were prevented from publishing information at least once, according to the study.

It revealed that journalists often face obstacles when reporting issues relating to social events, land management, environmental protection, investigations and prosecution.

Participants also noted that the National Assembly’s approval of the Law on Information Access was a great success in promoting transparency in Vietnam.

Editor-in-Chief of the Vietnam Audio Visual Magazine, Pham Bich San, stressed that many journalists still lack tools to report news and their stories reflect personal views rather than reality.

Airport customs honoured for drug, arms smuggling discoveries

The customs division at the Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City was rewarded by the city authorities on June 20 in recognition of its discovery of multiple drug and arms smuggling.

The airport customs division has uncovered thirteen cases of drug smuggling and illegal arms transport at airport from April to early June.

Seven drug smuggling cases have been detected with 1.1 tonnes of ‘khat’ leaves containing cathinone from Africa, over 2.7 kilograms of heroin, 2.58 kilograms of methamphetamine and two kilograms of cocaine confiscated.

The latest case on June 9 involved a South African national, 32, on a flight from the Qatar’s capital city of Doha to Tan Son Nhat Airport. He was hired to illegally transport 1.7 kilograms of cocaine for 3,500 USD.

In addition, it has caught six cases of illegal small arms transport, seizing 11 handguns, an air-gun, a crossbow, 23,550 bullets, two vials of tear gas and spare parts of guns.

Study: Some reporters muzzled

The press plays an important role in influencing public opinion about major public issues, said delegates at a conference held yesterday on the occasion of National Journalism Day (June 21). But a report published at the conference also highlighted reporters’ difficulties in conveying information to readers.

Former deputy of the 12th National Assembly, Nguyễn Minh Thuyết, said today’s readers demand hot news but also deeper reflection, requiring media to report news and events in a clearer and more diversified manner.

Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Văn Hiến Việt Nam online magazine, Vũ Xuân Bân, said the responsibility placed on journalists requires them to always be honest, objective and patient and to always make the interests of the country and the nation a top priority, he said.

However, journalists also face many difficulties in reporting news and events, according to a study released yesterday by the Centre for Research on Development under the Việt Nam Union of Science and Technology Associations.

The independent study on factors affecting journalists’ work during the 2011-15 period found that the  working environment of journalists has become more complicated with higher risks.

Journalists are prevented from publishing certain information and have been threatened or attacked at a growing rate over the past five years.

In March, journalist Đỗ Doãn Hoàng from the Lao Động (Labour) newspaper was attacked by three suspects while on duty and driving a motorbike near Kim Văn-Kim Lũ Residential Area in Hoàng Mai District. He reported the incident to the district police immediately after it occurred. As an investigative journalist, his articles cast a spotlight on serious social issues, including wildlife traficking.

Last November, two Giao Thông (Transport) newspaper reporters were attacked and their assets snatched while they were researching an investigative report on overloaded trucks carrying sand on roads in District 9 of HCM City.

In some cases journalists are unable to get access to information, and their work tools are seized or damaged  to prevent them from publishing information.

Around 44 per cent of 1,134 surveyed journalists said they were prevented from publishing information at least once, according to the study.

It revealed that journalists often face obstacles when reporting issues relating to social events, land management, environmental protection, investigations and prosecution.

Participants also noted that the National Assembly’s approval of the Law on Information Access was a great success in promoting transparency in Việt Nam.

Editor-in-Chief of the Việt Nam Audio Visual Magazine, Phạm Bích San, stressed that many journalists still lack tools to report news and their stories reflect personal views rather than reality.

The Chairman of the Việt Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee Nguyễn Thiện Nhân yesterday visited the Government Portal on the occasion of national journalism day.

He congratulated the management board and staff of the Government portal on this occasion and praised their contribution to the dissemination information about Party and State policies and laws that support efforts to promote administrative reform and transparency of the State apparatus and agencies.

He noted that the Government portal needed to update its contents in keeping with the country’s deeper integration into the world.

Reporters and editors should improve ethics and professionalism to produce work that conveys accurate and speedy information to readers, he said.   

Residence upgrades to be speeded up

Đinh La Thăng, the secretary of the HCM City Party Committee, said the city must formulate a detailed plan this month to speed up the upgrading of old residences.

Projects to upgrade old residential quarters in HCM City often encounter obstacles due to lack of agreement between local residents, investors and local authorities.

Trần Trọng Tuấn, the director of the HCM City Department of Construction, said some residents demand high compensation to move out of their existing homes to make room for new buildings.

Local authorities also need more determination. For example, the District 1 People’s Committee intended to move residents from the Cô Giang Residential Quarter in 2005, but the committee was afraid some residents were not satisfied and the move has not been completed yet, said Tuấn.

Red tape is another problem. It takes at least two years to complete administrative procedures, not to mention obstacles in clearing the ground, according to Tuấn.

Phạm Ngọc Lâm, the chief executive officer of the Đức Khải Corporation which partnered in the renovation of six old residential quarters, said residents are reluctant to move for fear of losing their housing. Meanwhile, new residential project management boards are afraid local authorities may not support the projects. This results in delays and cost overruns.

“Because of the shortage of belief between residents, enterprises and state authorities, enterprises are not interested in upgrading old residential quarters. Profits are low but risks are high,” said Lâm.

This month, the city will assign local authorities to approve and inspect projects and will select investors to speed up progress, Tuấn said. He also committed to shorten and simplify administrative procedures for investors.

More train services to Nha Trang, Phan Thiet

Saigon Railways will add new services to the resort towns of Phan Thiet and Nha Trang, starting July 1, to attract more passengers this summer, Tuoi Tre reported.

The daily service SNT3-4 between Ho Chi Minh City and Nha Trang will cost between VND166,000 (US$7.40) to VND340,000 (US$15) one way.

Tickets for the Phan Thiet service SPT3-4 range from VND92,000 (US$4) to VND125,000 ($5.60).

Passengers going in groups of 10-20 will get a 10% discount, and groups of 21 and above will get 15% off.

Fuel prices adjusted in June

The Ministries of Finance, and Industry and Trade decided to adjust the fuel price from 3pm on June 20, wherein price of gasoline was decreased and petroleum was continuously increased.

The price of RON 92 was decreased by VND341 per litre and biofuel E5 was reduced by VND336 per litre while diesel 0.05S was increased to VND390 per litre and petroleum was raised by VND370 per litre.

This is the fifth time gasoline prices have decreased this year and the sixth with all petroleum products.

Accordingly, RON 92 will not be higher than VND16,168 per litre (US$0.72), E5 will not exceed VND15,647 ($0.7), diesel 0.05S will remain below VND12,298 ($0.55), and petroleum will not exceed VND10,667 ($0.48).

The average petroleum product price in the world in 15 days before June 20 was $65.496 per RON 92 barrel, a decrease of $1.6 per barrel as compared to the last time, of $58.429 per 0.05S diesel barrel, which was higher than about $1 per barrel.

The MOIT and the Ministry of Finance also decided to keep the use of the price stabilisation fund for petroleum unchanged at VND639 per litre. Usage of the fund for E5 remained at VND672 per litre, while diesel was at VND595 per litre.

The price adjustment of RON 92, E5, diesel, petroleum and mazut assigned by principal traders in the petroleum business, was no later than 3pm on June 20.

Fourth ASEAN Children Forum opens in Hanoi

The fourth ASEAN Children Forum kicked off in Hanoi on June 20, participated by 35 children from eight ASEAN member countries, who are hoped to raise their voice about the enforcement of children’s rights.

Vietnamese representatives are from Hanoi , the northern province of Bac Kan , the central provinces of Quang Binh and Quang Nam and the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap .

Opening the four-day event, Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung reiterated the ASEAN Community’s commitments to prioritising the promotion of the observation and protection of children’s rights as well as welfare policies.

Besides, one of the grouping’s major objectives is to build a community friendly to children, a place where all children can share and enjoy common values, he said.

He stressed the significance of the forum to children, during which participants will discuss the prevention and combat of children trafficking and violence against children, and the protection of children from cyber crimes and climate change.

He also expressed hope that a declaration with children’s creative proposals will be built and sent to social welfare chiefs of the ASEAN member countries as well as relevant agencies.

As schedule, children delegates will have a dialogue with ministry and sector leaders of Vietnam and ASEAN on June 22. The declaration containing ASEAN children’s proposals is also expected to be issued the same day.

At the kick-off session, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam presented awards to winners of a painting contest on ASEAN vision towards 2025, including two Vietnamese children. The contest was launched in Vietnam , Cambodia , Myanmar , Thailand , and Singapore.

Mong Ethnic Cultural Day lures foreign visitors

Foreign visitors were lured by amusing “ken” dancing, art performances and colorful costumes at the Mong (H’mong) Ethnic Cultural Day 2016 which took place in Dong Van district in the northern province of Ha Giang on June 19.

The event, which featured an assertive cultural characteristics and life-style of the indigenous people, drew attention of over 2,500 local and foreign visitors.

Various activities related to the ethnic Mong group, such as “ken” dancing, ethnic sport games, local specialties, traditional costume and cuisine and native product display, and folk song performances, were received warm response from visitors at the event.

The event is aimed to prepare for the second national Mong (Hmong) Ethnic Cultural Festival to be held in the locality in this October.

Seventeen provinces nationwide with a large number of Mong people will participate in the annual festival.

Vietnam has about 800,000 Mong people, one of the ethnic minority groups with a large population. Most Mong people live in mountainous areas at a height of 700 metres to 1,500 metres above sea level in the north, north-central and Central Highlands regions.

Bai Xep in top Asian unknown but incredible destinations

The remote fishing village of Bai Xep in central Vietnam has been named in the list of “16 incredible destinations in Asia that tourist don’t know about yet” by US-based news website Business Insider.

Bai Xep is located on a stretch of white sand, 10 kilometres away from Quy Nhon city in the central coast province of Binh Dinh.

According to Business Insider, the car-free village is ideal for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy a relaxing beach and plenty of fresh seafood.

Giving advices on how to spend time in Bai Xep, the website said visitors can rent local traditional circular boats, take cooking classes, and enjoy hiking trails that lead to waterfalls.-

Safety checks at old apartment buildings to finish in 2017

The Ministry of Construction has said it will complete safety checks at public structures and old apartment buildings across the country next year.

Nguyen Manh Ha, head of the ministry’s State appraisal department for construction structures, said the ministry would carry out preliminary inspections at buildings this year and overall checks next year. Based on final results, the ministry will decide which buildings will be upgraded or rebuilt.

Ha said the ministry has set common standards to appraise the quality of public structures and apartment buildings in provinces and cities as required by the Prime Minister. These standards will be used to check the buildings constructed before 1994.

Statistics of the ministry showed Hanoi has more than 1,500 apartment buildings constructed in the 1960-1980 period, with many of them deteriorating. Safety checks will be executed at around 474 apartment buildings in HCMC, with 106 of them in bad condition.

Vietnam becomes STAG TB member

Viet Nam was elected for the first time as a member of the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group for Tuberculosis (STAG-TB) under the World Health Organization (WHO).

Accordingly, Dr Nguyen Viet Nhung, Director of the National Lung Hospital and the National Tuberculosis Program in Viet Nam was appointed as one of 23 members of the STAG-TB.  

The election took place at the 16th session of the STAG TB on June 13-15 in Geneva, Switzerland.

The session is of great significance as it opened the End TB Strategy in the 2016-2035 period.  

Viet Nam was referred as one of the pioneers in TB fight. Earlier, Viet Nam adopted the National TB control strategy in 2014.

With the new appointment, Viet Nam’s experience in TB control will be shared with the international community.

In Viet Nam, over 100,000 TB patients are annually discovered and treated. Especially, over 90% of people with TB diseases were successfully cured.

Ministry warns of seasonal flu

The Department of Preventive Medicine under the Ministry of Health yesterday warned people of seasonal flu prevention.

Seasonal flu is an acute contagious disease that can lead to hospitalization and even death. Its symptoms are high fever, headache, muscle pain, fatigue, sore throat and cough.

Viruses causing seasonal flu are also viruses to cause A/H3N2, A/H1N1, B and C flu. Flu viruses are spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk.

These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Accordingly, the Ministry advised people to prevent the disease, people should stay away from sick people and stay home if sick.

It also is important to wash hands often with soap and water; cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, immunization, avoid close contact with sick people. While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them and rush to nearby medical facilities for early treatment.

Health experts said that as usual, seasonal flu patients will recover within two or seven days yet the disease will develop seriously with complications on children, elder people and people with chronic disease it even can lead to deaths.

To actively supervise virus strains in the country, the Ministry of health has implemented a system to keep track on the flu virus strain and on acute respiratory infections since the early 2016 as well as well as promote testing and diagnosing of factors which cause seasonal flu.

The National Flu Center with its office in the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology and Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City conducted a study which showed that no new flu virus strain or virus to cause drug-resistance are detected in Vietnam.

The study also showed that in 2015 and six first months of 2016, virus A/H3 is the major virus circulating in the Southeast Asian nation, next is A/H1N1 virus and B virus. It additionally showed that around 1 million to 1.8 million flu cases annually caused by viruses A/H3N2, A/H1N1 and B.

Heavy rain, cyclone sweep through HCMC

A heavy rain accompanied with cyclone appeared in some places of Ho Chi Minh City at 6:30 pm yesterday.

In additon, the strong wind uprooted ten trees and the power cut, serious traffic jam happened in Nguyen Thai Binh, Hoang Hoa Tham, Truong Chinh, Truong Cong Dinh Street of Tan Binh district.

In the areas of Luy Ban Bich, Thoai Ngoc Hau and Khuon Viet of Tan Phu district, heavy rain and strong wind blew many trees and broke off traffic signal.

After receiving information, local authorities and functional forces joined hand in cleaning uprooted trees along roads.

Authority takes back drugs Efixime, Tana for low quality

The Vietnam Administration of Drug under the Ministry of Health June 19 sent its document to departments of health across the country to announce its decision to suspend two low quality drugs including Efixime 100DT and Tana.

Under the decision, the health authority decided to suspend drug Efixime 100DT with its batch No. FNB-07, manufactured by India-based All Serve Healthcare Company on September 26, 2014 and its expiry date on September 25, 2017 and registered No. VN-4941-10. The drug was imported by SOHACO Trading and Pharmaceutical Group Joint Stock Company.

Through testing, the drug failed to meet the quality standard. Efixim is used to treat respiratory infections, glue ear, cholecystitis and conchitis.

Moreover, the health authority also suspended the circulation of Tana, its batch No. 010815, manufactured by Tan A Company located in Thanh Oai Industrial Park in Bich Hoa Commune in Hanoi on August 6, 2015 and its expiry date on August 6, 2018 and registered No. V1585-H12-10.  The drug is found not to meet the quality standard.

The health authority asked the departments of health to take back these drugs and issue penalties on these units which disobeyed the decision.

Detained Vietnamese fishermen return home from Indonesia

Twenty-eight Vietnamese fishermen, who were arrested by Indonesian authorities for accidently fishing in Indonesia’s seas, were flown home on June 19.

Most of the fishermen are from the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau and the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang. They were captured in Indonesia for two months. They were sent back to Vietnam through Soekarno Hatta International Airport.

Indonesia also repatriated two Vietnamese captains on June 16 after two years’ detention.

The Vietnamese Embassy in Indonesia is working to complete procedures for more than 20 fishermen to return home next week.

The Embassy always asked the fishermen and boat owners to be aware of regulations on fishing areas while taking on offshore activities to avoid violations of foreign sea territory, said Tran Minh Cu, First Secretary of Vietnamese Embassy to Indonesia.

From the outset of this year, more than 500 Vietnamese fishermen have been captured by Indonesian forces for encroaching upon their sea areas, doubling the figure in the same period last year.

Indonesia affirms that it continues strict measures on vessels operating illegal fishing. Two months ago, the country destroyed 23 foreign fishing boats, with some from Vietnam.

Tourist boats likely to return to Bach Dang Wharf

Tourist and passenger boats may be allowed to operate at Bach Dang Wharf after the HCMC government told relevant agencies to identify sites for such boats in the downtown wharf.

In its Document No. 296, the city government assigns the Department of Zoning and Architecture to coordinate withthe departments of transport and tourism to findsites at the wharf for tourist and passenger boats. Meanwhile, the Department of Tourism is told to complete a scheme to develop river tours without having to wait for the city’s master zoning plan for tourism development.

After a meeting with relevant departments earlier this month, HCMC chairman Nguyen Thanh Phong requested the authorityof District 1 to take over the management of Bach Dang Wharf Park from Saigontourist Holding Company. It will cooperate with the Department of Planning and Investment to find investors for a project to develop the park.

In mid-2013, the city government assigned Saigontourist to manage and develop Bach Dang Wharf Park into a complex which includes piers for tourist boats and recreational services. However, no construction has commenced.

The city government has banned hydrofoils and restaurant boats to anchor at Bach Dang since April 2015 to pave the way for the upgrade of the wharf area. The ban made life tough for firms in the sectors for weeks before they were allowed to move their hydrofoils and boats to the nearby Saigon Port area in District 4.

Boat owners bemoaned that the ban caused huge losses for them due to sharp reductionsin passenger numbers.

Hot weather in north drives up power demand

Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) said a protracted heat wave in the northern region has led electricity consumption to spike in recent days, a Vietnam News Agency report said.

Data from the National Load Dispatch Center showed power consumption nationwide reached 588.23 million kWh on Tuesday, up 21.5 % compared to the average daily use of the same period last year.

In the 27 northern provinces for which Northern Power Corporation (EVN NPC) is responsible, electricity consumption amounted to over 181 million kWh, up 40.89% year-on-year.

EVN NPC said that before the hot season came this year it had spent VND7.35 trillion (US$330.75 million) completing 94 power projects and increasing the capacity of 65 110KV-220KV substations to 2,704 MVA. The company also implemented 312 medium-voltage projects at a cost of VND2.53 trillion (US$113.9 million).

In Hanoi, 66.23 million kWh was consumed on Tuesday, 41% higher than the average daily use in May and 33% higher than the year-ago period.

Hanoi Power Corporation (EVN HANOI) said electricity consumption is forecast to reach 77.319 million kWh a day.

By June 15, EVN HANOI had put into operation 16 110kV projects, adding a combined capacity of 515 MVA, and commissioned 280 substations with an additional capacity of 111 MVA.

EVN NPC and EVN HANOI have publicized their hotlines to receive feedback and handle power problems timely.

EVN said water levels in hydropower reservoirs in the central and southern regions remain low but it pledged to mobilize all resources to ensure sufficient electricity for consumers. The group called for customers to use electricity in an economical way.

Nghe An children benefit from school milk programme

Up to half of children attending kindergartens and elementary schools in the central province of Nghe An have benefited from a pilot school milk programme launched last December.

The programme was carried out at a total cost of 53 billion VND (2.4 million USD), of which 30 billion VND (1.35 million USD) is sourced from TH Group, one of the major producers of dairy products in the country.

After the half-year implementation, the programme has come to 17 out of 21 towns and districts in the province, helping reduce the prevalence of underweight children and children with stunted growth in the localities.

Nghe An province has urged relevant agencies to join hands for the programme to run until 2020.

According to UNICEF, one-third of Vietnamese children under the age of five are stunted as a result of malnutrition. But the country is making progress, currently leading the way in lowering rates of malnutrition.

Data from the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals (MDG) initiative shows that the rate of child malnutrition in Vietnam is declining by 1.5 percent every year. From 44 percent in 1994, the rate has dropped to under 20 percent at present.

Goods smuggling discovered at Moc Bai border gate

Customs officers in the southern province of Tay Ninh have recently discovered many cases of contraband goods being transported from Cambodia through the Moc Bai international border gate.

On May 12, 2016, customs staff at the gate found three Cambodian citizens carrying 70,700 USD and 13 million VND (585 USD) into Vietnam without producing customs declaration forms for the amounts.

Two day later, customs staff and border armed forces working at the gate seized 0.66 kg of heroin and six bullets when checking a motorbike driven by a Cambodian man. The man fled when he was stopped for checking.

The competent forces arrested and commenced criminal proceedings against the three Cambodians who were captured carrying the undeclared money. And all exhibits from the two cases were handed over to the province’s police for further investigation.

According to Vice Director of the Customs Department at the Moc Bai Border Gate Nguyen Du Duc, smuggling and trade fraud across the province's border has seen an increase, especially at the border gate.

He attributed the situation to the activities of casinos and dance halls in Cambodia, which are situated only 500 metres from the border, saying that these create the conditions for drug and weapon trafficking, commercial fraud and illegal money transport.

In addition, around 100 trans-border coaches and 400 trucks pass through the border gate every day.

Several enterprises have taken advantage of Vietnam’s open policies for exporting and importing goods to smuggled commodities and contraband into Vietnam, and evade taxation.-

Two Lao men arrested for carrying drugs en route to Vietnam

Border guards in Quang Tri Province in central Vietnam and Laos police on June 18 arrested two Lao men who tried to traffic 12,000 pills of drugs across the border.

Both men came from Savanakhet Province which borders Vietnam.

They were found carrying the tablets labeled WY, which is the logo for a kind of drug mixed from methamphetamine and caffeine.

Vietnam has some of the world’s toughest drug laws. Those convicted of possessing or smuggling more than 600 grams of heroin or more than 2.5 kilograms of methamphetamine face the death penalty.

The production or sale of 100 grams of heroin or 300 grams of other illegal narcotics is also punishable by death.

Yet drug trafficking activities across the Laos border remains regular.

The Saturday bust came just three days after two Lao men were arrested for trafficking 35 kilograms of opium into Vietnam.

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