WB experts examine flood control project in Can Tho

A group of World Bank (WB) experts started on September 21 to appraise the feasibility of Can Tho City’s project worth US$250 million to improve infrastructure and capacity to cope with urban flooding in the city.

The government of Can Tho City is seeking WB funding for the project comprising three components. The project is aimed at reducing flooding in the Mekong Delta city, upgrading certain roads and building more bridges to improve inner-city traffic, and strengthening the city’s capacity to deal with flooding.

Like other parts of Vietnam, climate change has caused more floods in Can Tho City and affected the lives of local residents, according to one of the experts.

For example, heavy rain on September 16 submerged many streets in Can Tho, including Tran Van Hoai, Ba Muoi Thang Tu, Tran Binh Trong and Nguyen Van Linh in addition to alleys in Ninh Kieu and Cai Rang districts.

As scheduled, the WB experts will finish their preliminary assessment of the project this weekend. A loan contract for the project could be signed in the second quarter of 2016 and the project is expected to get off the ground in the middle of next year.

HCM City transport agency releases flooding report

Torrential rain in HCMC last Tuesday inundated 77 streets, according to the city’s Department of Transport.

The downpour with rainfall of 142 mm, the highest in years, severely flooded roads such as Nguyen Huu Canh, Kinh Duong Vuong, Go Dua, Do Xuan Hop, La Xuan Oai, Ho Van Tu, To Ngoc Van and Quoc Huong.  

Ho Long Phi, director of the Water Management and Climate Change Center under the Vietnam National University HCMC, told the Daily on September 21 that in 2011 the center conducted a survey of 1,000 households living in flood-prone areas in the city to evaluate damage caused by urban flooding.

The survey found that flood-triggered property damage amounted to around US$30 million per year.  

Phi said the city has not carried out any new surveys on damage caused by flooding and traffic congestion since the 2011 survey. He noted that social impacts might be several times bigger than economic losses.

According to the climate change scenario for Vietnam, average temperatures in the country would rise by two or three degrees Celsius and sea levels would increase by one meter by 2100. Rising sea levels would submerge up to 39% of the Mekong Delta, 20% of HCMC, 10% of the Red River Delta and 3% of central provinces.   

Climate change is projected to directly hit 10% of Vietnam’s population and eat into 9% of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) a year.

Seven captive bears rescued in Quang Ninh

Seven bears raised in captivity in Quang Yen town, the northern province of Quang Ninh were transferred to Tam Dao Bear Rescue Centre on September 22.

Six captive bears were rescued from a farm owned by Nguyen Thanh Nhuong in Minh Thanh ward, Quang Yen town whilst another one was saved from Tu Quang Dinh’s farm in Dong Mai ward, Quang Yen town.

The rescue missions were part of efforts to transfer all bears in residential areas to the Tam Dao Bear Rescue Centre in the northern province of Vinh Phuc, in order to protect the bears from cruel treatment and being killed for their bile.

The centre will also prepare the bears to return to the wild.

According to the Quang Ninh Forest Management Department, there are currently nine bears being held and bred in households and farms throughout the province. Local authorities have promised to facilitate the rescue of these animals in the shortest possible time.

An Giang to open a border-side gate

The People's Committee of the Mekong Delta province of An Giang has approved a plan to open a border-side gate with Cambodia.

The VND130-billion (US$5.9 million) gate will be built in Tri Ton District's Vinh Gia Commune to develop the regional economy.

The People's Committee of Tri Ton District has been asked to invest in the gradual development of infrastructure, transport and security systems, as planned.

According to the plan to develop cross-border trade, the network of border markets in the province will be able to handle trade and import-export activities between Viet Nam and Cambodia by 2020.

Vietnam co-chairs int’l seminar on children at UNHRC session

Vietnam, Kenya, Portugal, and Uruguay jointly held a seminar on “Investing in children and their families to avoid unnecessary separation” in Geneva, Switzerland, on September 22, on the sidelines of the United Nations Human Rights Council’s ongoing 30th session.

Delegates shared multi-level experience and situations in intensifying social welfare to children and their families with a view to reducing the number of children abandoned by family break-ups or poverty.

Ambassador Nguyen Trung Thanh, Head of Vietnam’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation and other international organisations, spoke of the attention paid by countries and organisations to children’s unnecessary separation from their parents due to different socio-economic reasons.

He shared Vietnam’s efforts to protect and care for abandoned and homeless children.

The country’s 2004 Law on child protection, care and education devotes a chapter to regulate protection and care measures for children living in difficulties, including orphans and abandoned ones.

Besides, the Vietnamese Government has also approved five-year plans to intensify care for disadvantaged children and those living with HIV, he stated.

According to Thanh, approximately 350,000 underprivileged children are receiving monthly allowances, free school textbooks and tuitions, vocational training, health insurance, and free-of-charge medical treatment.

The ambassador affirmed that Vietnam will exert more efforts to ensure all children are cared well and is willing to coordinate closely with countries and international organisations in this issue.

Join Vietjet’s Mid-Autumn Festival celebration at an altitude of 10,000 meters

To celebrate this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival, Vietjetis operating “AFlight back to Childhood”, which will immerse passengers in a wonderfully festiveatmosphere at an altitude of 10,000 meters!

On Vietjet’sbeautifully redecorated aircraft, passengers will have a chance to meet mythical Mid-Autumn Festival characters such as the beautiful fairy ChịHằng, the mythical woodcutter ChúCuội,adorable“moon rabbits” and friends from FAPtv.

On this occasion, Vietjet will give away beautiful “Funny Land lanterns” to all children on the flight.

“We consider ourselves as a carrier of smiles – that’s why Vietjettries its best to offerpassengers flights full of surprise and delight,”said Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Binh,Vietjet’s Vice President.

“With this “Flight back to Childhood” we would like to present our child passengerswith a Moon Festival party of sheer joy. Moreover, we sincerely wish all our passengers a festival of reunions, happiness and prosperity.”

ActionAid supports development programme in Tra Vinh

ActionAid Vietnam entrusted Cau Ngang district in the Mekong Delta province of Tra Vinh with a development supporting programme at a ceremony held in the locality on September 22.

The programme, the first of its kind funded by ActionAid Vietnam, has been implemented at a total cost of over 24 billion VND (1.06 million USD) in Thuan Hoa, My Hoa, Hiep My Dong and Hiep My Tay communes since 2011.

It aims to eradicate poverty and improve the livelihoods of ethnic women and children with top priorities including sustainable agriculture development, building a solid community to aid the impoverished and vulnerable as well as responding to natural calamities and climate change.

The programme management board is set to provide residents with trainings in agricultural techniques and land rights; support 112 households to feed breeding cows, pigs and chickens; and help 875 families cultivate rice adaptable to salinity intrusion.

Some 18 families in need have borrowed an area of 4.8 hectares for production while 51 households were receiving financial support to operate small businesses.

Under the programme, 39 irrigation initiatives were dredged and 40 boreholes and two bridges were constructed.

In addition, literacy programmes were available for women and Khmer ethnic minority members.

Nguyen Duc Mau, Vice Chairman of the district People’s Committee, said that production models in the district helped improve residential livelihoods, contributing to socio-economic development.

ActionAid, an international organisation, has worked with over 15 million people in 45 countries towards a world free from poverty and injustice.

Scholars talk new forms of terrorism in Hanoi

Scholars and diplomats from Vietnam, the Middle East and African countries met at a workshop in Hanoi on September 22 to discuss new forms of terrorism and the international community’s reaction.

Ambassadors of Turkey, Algeria and Egypt to Vietnam, scientists, and scholars exchanged views and learned from experience in the fight against terrorism around the world.

They also presented research on new forms of terrorism as well as anti-terrorism efforts in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa. The potential risks from the waves of migration to Europe were also discussed.

According to scholars, in recent years, terrorism has expanded and become a threat to peace and security in many regions around the world.

Terrorists have not only established a wide network but also formed small groups existing independently in many areas, leaving no country beyond their reach.

Dr. Nguyen Manh Hung, Director of the Institute for Africa and Middle East Studies (IAMES), said new terrorism developments have hindered international counter efforts, requiring close coordination and experience sharing.

For Vietnam, besides addressing internal issues, scholars underlined cooperation expansion in preventing and fighting terrorism, experience sharing and information exchange on the fight with neighbouring countries, personnel training and use of modern anti-terrorism equipment.

Vietnam supports Cuba in human resource training

The Vietnamese Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) will provide 50 computer sets for the Cuban Institute for Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) later this month.

The devices, purchased with funding from the Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam (Vietcombank), were symbolically presented by the bank’s Vice General Director Pham Manh Thang to VUFO Vice President Don Tuan Phong at a ceremony on September 21 in Hanoi.

The high-configuration computers will be used in a project to build the capacity of the staff of the Havana-based Institute and its members across Cuba.

Vietnam and Cuba have continuously fostered their relations since their establishment on December 2, 1960.

Cuba provided significant support for Vietnam during its previous struggles for independence and freedom.

The two nations’ high-level leaders have pledged to deepen the solidarity, traditional friendship and close-knit cooperation between the two countries for the sake of their respective national protection and socialism development.

Vietnam remains devoted to children

Vietnam vows to ensure the rights of and positive well-being for children, said Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam at a ceremony on September 22 in Hanoi.

The event was jointly organised by the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to mark the 40th anniversary of UNICEF-Vietnam cooperation.

Addressing the event, Deputy PM Dam highly valued the close and trusted cooperation between the Government of Vietnam and UNICEF over recent decades, saying it has contributed to improving the living conditions of Vietnamese people and children in particular.

He also called for further support from UNICEF to Vietnam in the protection and care of children.

For her part, MoLISA Minister Nguyen Thi Hai Chuyen highlighted Vietnam’s achievements on children’s behalf over the past four decades.

Between 1986 and 2014, the mortality rate among children under 5 dropped by 80 percent while the rate of people with access to clean water more than doubled from 41 percent to 92 percent, according to Minister Chuyen.

Most Vietnamese children now have access to education and healthcare services, she said, adding that Vietnam has also witnessed a steep increase in the uptake of polio and hepatitis B vaccines.

UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Pratibha Mehta spoke highly of the joint commitments between Vietnam and the UN, saying they are relevant and effective for a medium-income nation.

Meanwhile, Director of UNICEF’s East Asia and Pacific Regional Office (UNICEF EAPRO) Danial Toole expressed his belief that commitments Vietnam has implemented will have most of its children develop strongly and have a bright future.

UNICEF Chief Representative in Vietnam Youssouf Abdel Jelil affirmed that the organisation will continue working with Vietnam to develop relevant policies, mobilise resources and ensure the rights of children, especially among vulnerable and disadvantaged groups.

A photo exhibition highlighting the 40 years of cooperation between Vietnam and UNICEF was also a part of the ceremony.

Australian foundation treats eye defects

Australia’s Fred Hollows Foundation has provided medical care for thousands of people with eye defects in the northern province of Thai Binh through its three-year project.

According to Hoang Van Mieng from the Thai Binh Eye Hospital, since 2012 the project has annually performed surgeries free-of-charge for between 700 and 800 old and poor patients with cataracts while provide free check-ups and medicines for residents in 15 communes of the province.

Through assistance from the project, the Thai Binh Eye Hospital examined 17,700 patients at 76 communes in Thai Thuy and Vu Thu districts in the first six months of 2015.

The project has also held medical examinations for primary and secondary students with refractive errors and poor eyesight, providing 450 pairs of glasses to disadvantaged pupils.

It has helped train and improve the knowledge of eye doctors and nurses at hospitals and health centres and 80 percent of the medical staff in all communes.

Thai Binh is one of the five provinces in the north region receiving sponsorship from the project from 2012-2015.

Vietnamese culture interests Italians

Vietnam’s land, people and cultural identities have been featured during Vietnam Day in Venice, Italy, fascinating Italian friends and overseas Vietnamese (OV) in the country.

In his speech at the event, Renato Darsie, President of the Italy-Vietnam Friendship Association’s chapter in the Veneto region – the organiser, thanked the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy for coordinating cultural events promoting friendship between the two countries.

He hoped the event would contribute to forging links between Vietnam and the Veneto region, and Italy more broadly.

Vietnamese Commercial Counsellor Bui Vuong Anh praised the chapter’s efforts to arrange the significant event while expressing his heartfelt thanks for the valuable support provided by the Italian people for Vietnam during its previous revolutionary struggles and current national development and construction efforts.

He urged the chapter to continue organising meaningful events and thereby strengthen the bilateral relations and assist OVs living and working in Italy.

The programme included shows of Vietnam’s traditional costumes, offering foreign visitors a chance to learn about Vietnam’s history and culture.

Italian-language dramas relating to Vietnam’s Lac Long Quan-Au Co and Ho Ba Be (Ba Be Lake) legends were also played at the event.

Vietnamese students studying in Italy said they were moved by and very proud to join the event while foreign friends were excited by the programme.

Hanoi impressive in eyes of Moscow friends

The “Hanoi Days in Moscow” programme is underway in Russia, bringing authorities and organisations from the two capital cities closer through a broad range of activities.

Speaking at the opening ceremony on September 21, Minister of the Moscow Government and Head of the Department for External Economic and International Relations Sergey Cheremin and Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Vu Hong Khanh hailed the “Hanoi Days in Moscow” and “Moscow Days in Hanoi” programmes, which have been held annually over the past 15 years.

An art performance staged by artists from Hanoi received enthusiastic responses from audience members in Moscow, who expressed their wish to visit Vietnam and explore the land and people after the event.

Earlier the same day, Khanh paid a courtesy visit to Chairman of the Moscow city Duma Shaposhnikov Aleksey Valerievich, during which they informed each other on their respective city’s socio-economic situations as well as a number of development policies and guidelines.

At a working session with Moscow authorities, the two sides reviewed the implementation of cooperation documents and rolled out orientations for their comprehensive collaboration.

They agreed to prioritise cooperation in economics and trade as well as experience sharing in city construction and management, environmental protection and cultural exchange, among others.

Conference seeks to boost micro-, nano-electronics industries

The “SEMI Vietnam Business Mission 2015” kicked off in Hanoi on September 22, bringing together global microelectronics industry executives, top Government officials, local enterprise and educational institute representative to discuss different aspects of the microelectronics industry in Vietnam.

The two-day conference, co-organised by the Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI) association and the Hoa Lac Hi-tech Park (HHTP), is intended to stimulate partnership and personnel training for the development of the industries in the country and Hanoi in particular.

Vice Chairman of the Government Office Le Manh Ha, who is also Commissioner of the National Commission on Information Technology Application, believed the event would pave the way for the expansion of the micro- and nano-electronics industries as well as SEMI in Vietnam.

According to Ha, Hanoi has a substantially-sized pool of skilled human resources in the fields thanks to its large number of technology universities and institutes alongside good technological infrastructure, including HHTP, the first and largest hi-tech park in Vietnam. The city has all the necessary conditions to develop the industries, he said.

Also at the event, Deputy Director of the HHTP Management Board Nguyen Trung Quynh gave attendees an overview of the hi-tech park and its preferential policies for investors.

He hoped that a strong ecosystem for semiconductor manufacturing would be established in the park and other areas in Vietnam.

This year’s conference will focus discussions on a wide range of topics, including: “Government perspective on the development of the domestic microelectronics sector”, “Public-Private partnerships between Government and industry”, “Government approach to attracting international investors and partners” and “Lessons learned from emerging markets”.

SEMI is the US-based global industry association serving the manufacturing supply chain for the micro- and nano-electronics industries, including semiconductors, photovoltaics (PV), high-brightness LED, flat panel display (FPD), micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), printed and flexible electronics and related micro- and nano-electronics, stated Richard Salsman, SEMI CFO and Vice President Operations, at the event.

For more than 40 years, SEMI has supported its members and the micro- and nano-electronics industries through programmes, initiatives and actions designed to advance business and market growth worldwide.

HCM City to host international healthcare exhibition

A wide range of pharmaceutical and healthcare products and equipment will be on display at Pharmed & Healthcare Vietnam 2015 to be held in HCM City from September 23 to 26.

The 10th international exhibition on products for the medical, pharmaceutical, hospital, and rehabilitation sectors will see more than 350 companies from countries and territories including the Czech Republic, Hungary, Germany, Russia, the Republic of Korea, Liechtenstein, Pakistan, Australia, India, Japan, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

The products to be displayed at over 500 booths will include pharmaceuticals and machinery for manufacturing and packaging, diagnostic equipment, hospital furniture and equipment, healthcare and rehabilitation equipment, surgical instruments, consumable materials and beauty care equipment and products.

Foreign exhibitors led by the Czech Republic's Association of Manufacturers and Suppliers of Medical Devices, Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Korea Medical Devices Industry Association, and the Taiwan External Trade Development Council, would introduce some cutting-edge products and technologies, the organisers said.

Many are also interested in finding business partners and distributors in Vietnam, they said.

To be held at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre in District 7, the exhibition is organised by the Vietnam Pharmaceutical Companies Association, the Central Health Communication and Education Centre, Vietnam Medical Products Import and Export Joint Stock Co., and Adpex Joint-Stock Co.

Being the biggest event in the medical and healthcare sector, the annual event has been chosen as a national trade promotion programme for the past seven years.

Oil spill response training course held in Quang Nam

Coastal localities of the central province of Quang Nam province were provided with expertise on how to respond to oil spills during a training course organised in the province on September 22.

Participants were taught ways to prevent oil spills at sea from happening and how to cope with the problem should it occur.

Information on measures to control environmental pollution in coastal areas and islands, laws and regulations related to the issue were given to attendees.

Nguyen Vien, Director of the provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment, said the course aims to improve the capacity of local authorities, sectors and residents to react quickly to oil spills, thereby helping localities build response plans to minimise losses.

Coastal zones account for about 15 percent of Quang Nam province’s area. Almost all residents in the areas are living off fishing and aquaculture, which are heavily affected by oil spills.

Oil spills would also negatively affect the local tourism sector, as the province boasts many international-standard tourism areas and cultural and historical relic sites which depend on clean water and a healthy environment.

Synthetic rhino horns could not solve poaching problem

The Education for Nature-Vietnam (ENV) and international wildlife animal preservation organisations issued a joint statement on September 22 opposing the use of synthetic rhino horns as a solution to preventing the hunt for rhinos in the world.

The organisations that formed an union of wildlife animal preservation organisations warned that the trafficking of synthetic rhino horns not only stimulates demand for real products but also poses difficulties for law enforcement agencies to distinguish the genuine and the artificial.

The development of synthetic rhino horns was an initiative by the US-based company Pembient, set up in January 2015 with the goal to end the illegal trade of wild animals.

The company used biotechnology to create rhino horns based on the genetic sources of real rhinos.

Pembient said it will use the DNA of real rhino horns to produce artificial products and create a source of enormous rhino horns worth only 1/8 of the current price in the market.

It expects the products would be too “real” to distinguish from the actual horn.

The company is now ready to make inroads into Vietnam by producing ads about the “nature” of rhino horns in order to stimulate consumer demand.

In China, Pembient is working with a brewery plant in Beijing to produce “rhino horn beer”, which is set to be released later this year.

According to the 1998 Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of the US, the union of wildlife animal conservation organisations proposed the US Government stop all Pembient’s activities relating to trade promotion, advertisement, development, production and exports of synthetic rhino horns.

The union also asked the US Government to suspend consideration of the company’s application for a rhino patent and trademark.

Vietnam and China are seen as the two biggest rhino horn consumption markets globally. In Vietnam, rhino horn is used as a panacea and is a symbol of social status.

In fact, a study from the TRAFFIC organisation showed that 90 percent of rhino horns sold in Vietnam are fake. The popularity of artificial rhino horns does not reduce demand for the real thing, rather increasing the hunt for the genuine.

Director of the Outraged South African Citizens against Poaching Allison Thompson has vehemently opposed Pembient’s plan.

In Vietnam, the ENV also condemned the US company’s business plan. Senior Advisor to the ENV Doug Hendrie said Pembient’s synthetic rhino products would hinder efforts to diminish the consumption of rhino horn in Vietnam and increase the blind faith in its medical treatment.

Moreover, the parallel existence of real and synthetic rhino horns will make it difficult for law enforcement agencies to distinguish, he noted.

South Africa and India boast the largest population of rhinos in Africa and Asia with 20,000 and 2,900 rhinos, respectively.

However, the number of rhinos killed annually in South Africa has rapidly increased in recent years from 13 in 2007 to 1,215 in 2014. Since early this year, at least 749 rhinos have been killed in South Africa.

In India, about 107 rhinos were killed from 2010 to 2014 with the figure from the beginning of this year at 13.

GEF helps Vietnam increase biodiversity preservation

The Global Environment Fund (GEF) has funded a project to boost biodiversity preservation in Vietnam through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

A conference was held in Hanoi on September 22 to review the implementation of the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) project between August 2012 and August 2015.

Vietnam joined the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1994. Since then, the Vietnamese Government has dedicated considerable human and financial resources to implementing the country’s commitments and obligations to the convention, said Deputy Head of the Vietnam Environmental Administration Nguyen The Dong.

He noted that the UNDP has supported Vietnam to carry out a number of programmes and projects relating to environmental protection, biodiversity preservation, natural resources management and climate change adaptation.

Director of the Biodiversity Conservation Department Pham Anh Cuong said the three-year project is being conducted in Hanoi and piloted in northern Lang Son and Son La provinces.

He underlined the outcomes of the project, including the issuance of the national strategy on biodiversity through 2020 and 7 normative legal documents integrating biological diversity into land usage, and raising public awareness of the issue.

Under the project, the capacity of officials and policymakers in the field has been enhanced, he said.

As many as 57 workshops at the national and provincial levels have been organised to draft the contents of the NBSAP and mobilise financial resources for implementing the project.

In 2014, Vietnam ranked 16th out of the 25 countries with the richest biodiversity in the world. It is home to eight UNESCO-recognised Biosphere Reserves: Can Gio Mangrove Swamp, Cat Ba, Cat Tien, Cu Lao Cham-Hoi An, Kien Giang, Mui Ca Mau, the Red River Delta and Western Nghe An.

The country has also ratified a number of international agreements for biodiversity conservation, such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD), and the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (RAMSAR).

Vietnamese, Lao localities bolster communications links

The central province of Quang Binh and the Lao province province of Khammouane have agreed to enhance their cooperation and share experience in the information and communications sector.

A Memorandum of Understanding to this effect was signed after the talks between representatives of Quang Binh’s Information and Communications and the Department of Posts and Telecommunications of Khammouane in Dong Hoi city, Quang Binh province, on September 22.

Under the MoU, the two sides agreed to closely work in disseminating the special solidarity between the two Parties, States and people, particularly between the two information and communications sectors.

The two sides will also conduct regular exchanges of information, experience on professional work, and establish a working unit in charge of effectively implementing the MoU.

During the talks, the two sides briefed each other on their outstanding achievements in recent years.

General Director of the Khammouane Department of Posts and Telecommunications Tayaporn Singthon said he hopes to learn experience in management and operation of the Quang Binh Information and Communications Department.

Vietnam – US ties fostered through food

Vietnamese and American distinctive food and cooking methods are at the centre of a social gathering held in Ho Chi Minh City’s Vietheritage restaurant on September 22.

Phan Thi Hong Xuan, Vice President of the Vietnam-US Friendship Association, said she hopes the bond between Vietnam and the US will be cemented through food and gastronomy exchange.

Participants showed off traditional cuisines, discussed gastronomic culture and joined in a cooking contest in which Vietnam’s signature Nem (spring rolls) was chosen as a challenge.

The event, hosted by the Vietnam-US Friendship Association and the HCM City Union of Friendship Organisations, forms part of activities to celebrate the 20 years of normalisation of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and the US.

Australian project treats eye defects

Australia's Fred Hollows Foundation has provided medical care for thousands of people with eye defects in the northern province of Thai Binh throughout its three-year project.

According to Hoang Van Mieng from Thai Binh Eye Hospital, since 2012 the project has annually performed surgeries free-of-charge for between 700 and 800 old and poor patients with cataracts while providing free check-ups and medicines for residents in 15 communes in the province.

Through assistance from the project, Thai Binh Eye Hospital examined 17,700 patients at 76 communes in Thai Thuy and Vu Thu districts in the first six months of 2015.

The project has also held medical examinations for primary and secondary students with refractive errors and poor eyesight, providing 450 pairs of glasses to disadvantaged pupils.

It has helped train and improve the knowledge of eye doctors and nurses at hospitals and health centres and 80 per cent of the medical staff in all communes.

Thai Binh is one of the five northern provinces in the project.

Youth volunteer at Gia Dinh Hospital

HCM City Youth Social Work Centre's programme on voluntary social work services started to be carried out yesterday at Gia Dinh Hospital in Binh Thanh District in order to provide assistance to patients in the process and procedure of health examination and treatment.

The programme also will reduce the workload of medical staff in the hospital.

Patients and their relatives will be provided guidance on bus routes.

The programme, which also is being carried out in hospitals of Cho Ray, Oncology, and Blood Transfusion and Hematology, is receiving satisfaction from patients and medical staff.

More than 20,000 patients and their relatives have received the programme's assistance.

Nearly 950 people contract dengue in Binh Thuan

Nearly 950 people have contracted dengue fever, including 251 people above 15 years of age, over the last two months in coastal central Binh Thuan Province.

Despite efforts by the local health sector to contain the disease, the number of patients has doubled from the same period last year, the provincial Preventive Health Centre said.

Three areas across Phan Thiet City and La Gi Town have the highest numbers of affected people, with 407 in La Gi Town and 246 in Phan Thiet City.

The response from the local health sector includes spraying chemicals to get rid of the mosquitoes, helping local residents clean water tanks and the surrounding environment and advising locals to visit the nearest health clinic if they notice any signs of dengue fever.

Yen Bai police charge suspect with murder

A man suspected of involvement in the murder of a four-member family in the northern mountainous Yen Bai Province will be indicted for murder, the local police said yesterday.

The police have completed the investigation and transferred all documents related to the accused to the provincial People's Procuracy for legal action.

According to the local police, 27-year-old Dang Van Hung was a neighbour of the victims in Lam Giang Commune in Van Yen District.

On August 12, Hung, who was carrying a gun, fled into the forest with his girlfriend after murdering the four individuals with a large knife, while they were working in a paddy field.

On August 15, Hung and his girlfriend were arrested.

While on the run, Hung's girlfriend advised him to surrender, but he refused, leading her to inform the police of his whereabouts.

Investigations by the local police revealed that a land dispute was the motive behind the murders.

PM approves Phu Yen biomass power plant project

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has approved the construction of a 60MW biomass power plant in Phu Yen Industrial Zone in the central Phu Yen Province.

He asked the industry and trade ministry to work with the provincial authority to guide investors in the procedures and the construction of the plant as per current construction, quality management and environmental protection regulations.

The provincial People's Committee will be in charge of providing material resources and the site clearance for the project.

The plant is expected to produce 30MW in the first phase from 2016 to 2017, and raise its capacity to 60MW in the second phase from 2017 to 2018.

The project will use rice straw, corn stalks and other organic materials as feedstock for the power plant. The use of such materials as fuel is not only environment-friendly as it releases less carbon dioxide when burned, as compared with fossil fuels, but also helps bring stable income to farmers in the country.

In 2010, a biomass power plant worth about VND1.2 trillion (US$59.1 million), the first of its kind in Viet Nam, was built in the northern Phu Tho Province's Phong Chau Town.

The 40MW plant produced 331.5 million kWh annually after three years of construction.

Vietnam Airlines aircraft provides free transport of medical equipment

Vietnam Airlines  has transported three tonnes of medical equipment donated by a university in Toulouse, France, to the Ha Noi Kidney Hospital free of charge, a representative said.

The national carrier in co-ordination with the Airbus Group transported 25 kidney filtering machines to the hospital on the occasion of receiving the second out of four Airbus A350-XWB aircraft.

The plane, registered as VN-A887, departed from Toulouse on September 19 and landed at Noi Bai International Airport on September 20.

General Director of Vietnam Airlines Pham Ngoc Minh said the company was keen to contribute to the community and the nation and bring the best facilities for patients in need of kidney treatment.

Chief Executive Officer of the Airbus Group and the Airbus Foundation Chairman Tom Enders said he hoped the kidney filtering machines would benefit Vietnamese patients.

The airline received its first wide-bodied Airbus A350-XWB on June 30.

In an effort to modernise its fleet, Vietnam Airlines has announced plans to buy 14 Airbus A350s, to be delivered between now and 2019.

Progress on UN goal tackles spread of HIV

Vietnam has displayed encouraging progress in halting the spread of HIV/AIDS under the UN Millennium Development Goal (MDG).

According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment’s (MPI) draft country report on achieving the Vietnam Millennium Development Goals, the number of new HIV cases has decreased over the years, from 13,815 in 2010 to 10,570 in November 2014. Vietnam has reduced HIV prevalence to 0.26% of the population.

As of April 2015, Vietnam has 224,611 HIV-positive people, 75,871 AIDS patients and 77,604 AIDS related deaths. The figures for newly-reported cases of HIV, AIDS, and related mortality have seen a downward trend over the years.

The quantity and quality of HIV/AIDS treatment, care, and support services have been improved, especially the remarkable scale-up of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) coverage that now reaches 67.6% against current eligibility criteria (per national guidelines in 2013), bringing the number of individuals receiving ART to 90,428 (end of 2014 figures), almost 34 times higher than the figure in 2005.

Tran Quoc Phuong, vice head of the MPI’s Department for Labour, Culture and Social Affairs, said that Vietnam had scaled up comprehensive harm-reduction programmes, including the needle and syringe programme, the 100% condom use programme and opioid substitution with methadone maintenance therapy, to reduce the transmission of HIV among those with high-risk behaviours.

The national comprehensive condom programme for 2011-2020, which had all provinces distribute condoms free of charge, has critically addressed the decline in donor resources for condoms in Vietnam, promoting social marketing for condoms and improving the quality assurance mechanism.

Additionally, information, education, and communication activities have been implemented by multi-sectoral organisations and in various forms throughout the country. In the first six months of 2014, communication activities were carried out, reaching five million people, 13% of whom are living in high-risk populations.

“Results from multiple surveys indicated an increasing trend in knowledge among youths aged 15-24 years who identified HIV transmission modes and common misperceptions regarding HIV transmission”, Phuong said.

However, according to the MPI, despite marked progresses, Vietnam is still facing several challenges that hinder its efforts in fighting the epidemic.

Although the numbers of HIV carriers, new HIV infected cases and HIV related deaths have decreased, the pace of reduction has been slow and unstable. The HIV/AIDS epidemic has spread to all geographic areas of the country, with HIV carriers present in 100% of provinces, 98% of districts and 78% of communes.

Meanwhile, the coverage of HIV/AIDS services remains limited. The number of condom and syringes available only meets 50% of demand. The number of patients receiving methadone treatment are only 21% of the target (16,00 out of 80,000) while HIV/AIDS treatment reached one third of the number of HIV carriers.

“Furthermore, there is a lack of social and economic support for HIV carriers and other high-risk population groups who continue to suffer from stigma and discrimination, while there is currently no dedicated legal service to provide protection for the rights of HIV carriers and key at-risk populations”, the report said.

Three Vietnamese farmers shortlisted in global video competition

Three Vietnamese farmers have made it to the top 20 of the first international web video competition for farmers worldwide, Tuoi Tre reported.

The YouFarm competition is launched by Bayer CropScience, which aims to provide farmers and people passionate about farming the opportunity to increase awareness and get better understanding of modern agriculture.

Among around 100 entries, 44 videos from 20 countries have been shortlisted.

Muoi Nen, a farmer in the Mekong Delta province of Long An, shoots his video with the help of filmmaker Trinh Dinh Le Minh. Nen's video has been ranked 7th among the top 20 of the YouFarm competition. Photo credit: Tuoi Tre

Three Vietnamese videos cracked the top 20, namely “The farmer and his son” by Muoi Nen, “Father’s rice and homeland” by Muoi Thanh and “Technology and farming” by Bay Uoc.

The three videos ranked 7th, 12th and 20th, respectively.

The three farmers will receive their awards in late October.

It is the first time Vietnamese farmers took part in a video competition. They were assisted by professional filmmakers during the process.

HCMC to adjust urban planning

Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee has instructed the Department of Planning and Architecture to work with relevant agencies to examine and adjust the city’s urban planning in accordance with current urban development demand.

They have been asked to give priority to review in districts 2, 9, 7, 12, Tan Phu, Binh Tan and Go Vap.

The committee also called their attention to sustainably urban growth in eastern HCMC including Districts 2, 9 and Thu Duc, where has been determined to be one of four main development directions of the city.

Population size and urban planning norms for this part must be different compared to areas with slower urban growth rate, it required.

Urban planning as well as plan management and implementation for the eastern part has failed to meet local development demand, which has caused population size increase and overloaded social and technical infrastructures.

Hanoi to receive first train car for Cat Linh-Ha Dong urban railway

A China-made rail carriage prototype for the Cat Linh-Ha Dong light railway has been completed and will go on show in Hanoi in late October for public comment. 

"Some details may be changed after gathering public opinion," Le Kim Thanh, head of the project management board said.

The railway will carry 13 trains, each or four carriages, costing USD63m.

Cat Linh-Ha Dong is a first light urban railway in Hanoi. The project will play a key role in mass public transport. It is expected that together with the bus network, it should solve the problem of traffic congestion, aiming to accommodate 35-45 percent of travelers.

It is budgeted to cost VND8.8trn (USD419m), using loans from the Chinese government. Construction is scheduled to be completed by March 2016, with the first train running on June 30.

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