Vietnam, Australia seek energy cooperation opportunities

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Ho Thi Kim Thoa speaks at the event.

A forum was held in Hanoi on May 23 with a view to providing Australia with an insight into the real situation of Vietnam’s energy industry and helping domestic firms to explore the possibility of cooperation with Australian partners.

Energy security is a priority of both Vietnamese and Australian Governments. The two countries have been enhancing partnership in industry, education-training and research on energy.

At the forum, co-organised by the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Australian Embassy, representatives from Australian agencies, organisations and businesses shared their experience and latest technologies in energy.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Ho Thi Kim Thoa said Australia’s strengths in the fields of coal and gas with modern technologies can help Vietnam ensure energy security and protect the environment. Hence, the two nations hold great potential for cooperation in the sphere, she noted.

Janelle Casey, Commercial Counsellor of the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), expressed her hope that through the event, the two sides will understand better about cooperation opportunities and bolster linkages in energy, trade and investment.

Report released by the Ministry of Industry and Trade showed that commercial electricity growth has been on the rise over the past 15 years. Demand for electricity also strongly increased, growing by 13 percent in 2006-2010 and 11 percent in the last five years. It is estimated that the country’s electricity demand will grow about 10 percent in the next 10 years.

To ensure its energy security, Vietnam has been shifted from an energy exporter to an importer. The country is projected to import 17 million tonnes of coal, accounting for 31 percent of coal demand to generate electricity in 2020.

Meanwhile, Vietnam also considers the possibility of increasing electricity imports from neighbouring countries such as Laos.

Dien Bien: 8,000 employment opportunities on offer

As many as 8,000 opportunities are available for job seekers at the second job fair in the northern mountainous province of Dien Bien on May 23.

The event, held by the provincial People’s Committee, drew the participation of 22 domestic businesses and more than 1,000 students and labourers.

Business activities, number of vacancies and job requirements were introduced at the fair. The recruiters also received applications and conducted interviews with job seekers.

The Dien Bien Job Placement Centre held consultations and provided jobs for labourers under contracts previously inked with enterprises. It also informed demands of the labour market and job placement plans in the coming time.

Meanwhile, vocational training establishments presented their training scale, facilities, lecturers, training quality and enrollment demands while promoting cooperation with enterprises in the field.

The job fair aimed to help students and labourers find suitable jobs while assisting enterprises in recruiting young and quality human resources to meet their development goals. In addition, it also contributed to boosting the labour market as well as reducing unemployment rate in the locality.

VNA sells HCM City-Australia return tickets at $483

National carrier Vietnam Airlines has launched a promotional offer for flights between HCM City and the two Australian cities of Sydney and Melbourne, offering return tickets at VNÐ10.99 million (US$483).

The tickets will be sold from now to August 31, and will be valid on flights taken till December 31, 2017.

Vietnam Airlines flights from HCM City to Sydney and Melbourne depart at 21:00 and 21:30 hours, respectively. The airline operates the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on these routes.

Tickets can be bought from the airline’s travel agents nationwide and on www.vietnamairlines.com.

Visitors centre debut at new launched airport terminal

Ðà Nang city’s tourism department launched visitor centre at Ðà Nang International Airport’s new terminal on Tuesday.

Vice director of the department’s tourism promotion centre, Nguyen Thi Hoài An said the centre, the third of its kind in Ðà Nang, will provide free information, brochures, maps and destinations for tourists at the airport.

The centre will serve the 2017 Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation Summit in Ðà N?ng from November 5 to 11.

The department also launched centres at 108 Bach Ðang Street and at 32A Phan Ðình Phùng Street to provide free tourism information.

The visitor centres also connect with agencies including tourism and traffic inspectors, police, market watch and emergency centre 115 for medical assistance and mobile police force 113 in dealing with emergencies for tourists.

The city hosted 5.6 million tourists, of which 1.67 million were foreigners, last year.

Can Tho: traffic accidents on the rise

The Mekong Delta city of Can Tho saw a surge in road accidents between December 16, 2016 and May 3, 2017, with 31 accidents happening in the period, up nine from the same period last year.

The figure was reported at a working session of the National Traffic Safety Committee in Can Tho on May 23.

Causes of the accidents were said to be mainly traffic law violations, such as driving on the wrong lane and drunk driving. 

Local police said problematic transport infrastructure, like narrow or damaged roads, and ill management of road construction sites are also to be blamed for increasing accidents.

Tran Van Tam, head of the Can Tho traffic police department, noted that new rules allowing higher speed on highways is another reason behind the surging accidents. 

Vice Chairman of the National Committee for Traffic Safety Khuat Viet Hung asked the city to give priority to clearing hotspots of traffic accidents in the plan on road maintenance this year.

Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association has new president

Truong Thi Mai, Politburo member, Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee (CPVCC), and Head of the CPVCC’s Mass Mobilization Commission has been named President of the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association in the 2013-2018 tenure.

A ceremony to introduce the position was held in Hanoi on May 23 by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Associations. It was attended by Politburo member and National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, who is ex-President of the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association; a Party Central Committee member and Director-General of the Vietnam News Agency Nguyen Duc Loi; Ambassador of Cuba to Vietnam Herminio Lopez Diaz; among others.

Addressing the ceremony, Vice President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Associations Don Tuan Phong said he believes Mai will work with other association members to make worthy contributions to Vietnam-Cuba relations.

For her part, Mai expressed her hope to receive close coordination from relevant agencies in performing her new role.

She thanked the association’s ex-President Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan for her valuable contributions to nurturing the special friendship and fraternal solidarity between the two Parties, States and people of Vietnam and Cuba.

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan expressed her belief that Mai will work to develop the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association robustly and foster the special friendship between the two countries.

Roundtable discusses challenges facing Asia – Pacific

The Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia convened its 31st Asia-Pacific Roundtable (APR) in Kuala Lumpur on May 22.

Themed “The Future of the Asia-Pacific: Issues and Institutions in Flux”, the three-day event is gathering regional experts to discuss and suggest policies to address challenges arising from the US’s Trump administration and the Brexit.

Subjects tabled were set to include Asian views on the US’s role in the region, tensions in cyber security, the East Sea issue, and Mekong cooperation.

In his opening speech at the function, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak stressed the role of ASEAN and its people.

The bloc has significantly contributed to regional peace in the past 50 years, he said, adding a future task of increasing the living standards for the community’s 620 million people.

He asked each government to support the growth of small- and medium-sized enterprises, empower women, and ensure sustainable and inclusive development.

He also underscored the importance of ASEAN’s inner solidarity and constructive dialogues.

ISIS Malaysia Chairman Rastam Mohd Isa said APR sessions focus on not only the Asia-Pacific but also global affairs that are affecting the region.

Lao Cai: Tourists flock to Bac Ha

Bac Ha district in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai experienced a 200 percent surge year on year in number of tourists in the first five months of the year, according to Ta Cong Huy, Chairman of the local People’s Committee.

Bac Ha is a “paradise” of various types of flowers due to its temperate climate which is similar to the resort town of Sa Pa. Every spring, white plum, apricot and pear flowers bloom across the land. Tam Hoa plum is a well-known specialty of the district. 

Local ethnic groups have preserved their unique culture through generations, with hearty dishes, exciting sport games such as horse races, and colourful markets.

The locality is carrying out plans on tourism development through building cultural villages associated with community tourism, launching new tours and strengthening cooperation with neighbouring Si Ma Cai and Xin Man districts of Ha Giang province.

Recently, the local People’s Committee has recognised three tourist attractions, namely Bac Ha Market, Hoang A Tuong Palace and a community tourism complex in Trung Do hamlet, Bao Nhai commune.

The number of tourists to Bac Ha is expected to continue rising as the plum season has begun and the popular local horse racing festival will take place from June 3-4, said Ta Cong Huy.

Vietnamese, Cuban parties hold third theoretical workshop

The third theoretical workshop between the Communist Parties of Vietnam and Cuba opened in Hanoi on May 23, focusing on socio-economic development orientations, and political and ideological work. 

The Vietnamese delegation to the two-day function was led by Nguyen Van Nen, Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee (CPVCC) and chief of the CPVCC Office. Meanwhile, the Cuban delegation was headed by Jose Ramon Balaguer, Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee (CPCCC) and head of the CPCCC’s International Relations Department. 

In his opening remarks, Nen said the workshop offers an opportunity for the participants to exchange experience and discuss issues facing each country’s development.

It will also make it clear the CPV leadership during the reform process while updating the socio-economic development model in Cuba, he said. 

Nen stressed that Vietnam advocates developing the socialist-oriented market economy as summarised by the CPV after 30 years of reform.   

He cited the conclusion of the 12th Congress of the CPV as saying that the socialist-oriented market economy is an economy operating fully and synchronously in line with the rules of the market economy while ensuring socialist orientations suitable to each development stage of the country.

It is a modern and internationally integrated economy put under the management of the socialist state of the rule of law led by the CPV, for the goal of “prosperous people, a strong country, and a democratic, equitable and civilised society”.

Nen said the political and ideological work forms an important part in the Party’s operation, aiming to help Party officials and members and people thoroughly grasp Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh Thought as well as persistently purse of the goals of national independence, socialism, and reform. 

Jose Ramon Balaguer underscored the significance of the seventh Congress of the CPC in April 2016, which identified the national vision towards independence, sovereignty, socialism, democracy, prosperity and sustainability. 

The CPC will continue with the Party building and the political and ideological work in particular with priorities to be given to improving the combat capacity and discipline observance among Party officials and members in order to meet requirements for accelerating the updated socio-economic development model. 

Earlier, Hoang Binh Quan, member of the CPVCC and head of the CPVCC’s Commission for External Relations, held talks with Jose Ramon Balaguer, during which they discussed specific measures to forge cooperation between the two Parties and countries in the time ahead.

Bac Lieu province supports ethnic minority groups

The Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu has focused resources on poverty reduction and socio-economic development for ethnic minority groups, head of the provincial Department for Ethnic Affairs Tran Hoang Duyen has said.

He said the province has invested in housing, clean water and toilets for households living under or just above poverty line while enabling them to access capital for startup.

It has carried out a preferential credit policy, under which nearly 16.2 billion VND (about 714,000 USD) has been lent to over 1,000 needy families in eight poorest communes. 

Apart from building and expanding sustainable livelihood models, local authorities have opened vocational training courses for nearly 800 residents and introduced jobs for rural workers.

More than 28,000 health insurance cards have been granted to poor ethnic minority people so far.

In the coming time, the province will continue assisting ethnic minority groups through investment in socio-economic infrastructure and human resources, said deputy head of the provincial Department of Ethnic Affairs Lam Thi My Kieu.

Other fields such as culture, society, defense and security will also receive attention, she said.

Bac Lieu is home to around 20,000 ethnic minority households with nearly 89,300 people, mainly Khmer and Hoa (Chinese) ethnic groups.

In 2017, the province aims to reduce the proportion of poor ethnic minority households by 3-4 percent, while increasing the rate of ethnic minority children attending primary school at their right age to 96 percent. 

The rates of ethnic minority people accessing hygienic water and toilets will be 90 percent and 60 percent respectively.

Japanese artists headline chamber music concert in HCM City

Japanese flutist Kaoru Kamiishi, Oboe player Kosei Maekawa and harp player Nana Ishizaki headline a chamber music concert set for May 28 at the Ho Chi Minh City Opera House.

Pianist Ju Sun Young from the Republic of Korea and cellist Nguyen Tan Anh, violinist Tang Thanh Nam and violinist Nguyen Truc Thuyen will also be appearing at the event along with the Ho Chi Minh City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera.

Tickets prices vary and can be purchased online at www.ticketbox.vn.

Australian visitor numbers to Vietnam remain stagnant

The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism has published statistics on its website stating that its best estimate of inbound travellers from Australia to Vietnam was 130,332 for the four months leading up to May 2017.

Projected out, this would indicate that total inbound tourism for the year is on track to hit just 390,996 for the entire year 2017 if the current estimates hold consistent for the remainder of the year.

HCM City to build bridge to link districts 12, Bình Thạnh

The HCM City authorities plan to build a bridge across the Vàm Thuật River to link districts 12 and Bình Thạnh, according to the city’s Department of Transport.

The entire project includes a road and bridge 2.7km in length.

The bridge, to be 376m long and 18m wide, will cost VNĐ2.1 trillion (US$ 92.6 million).

The bridge will allow easier access to National Highway No.1, Hà Nội Highway and National Highway No.13.

The Department of Transport has assigned the Urban Traffic Management Unit No. 3 to be responsible for building the temporary bridge across the Vàm Thuật River to link districts Gò Vấp and 12.

The bridge linking districts 12 and Bình Thạnh is expected to help traffic congestion and road accidents in the city.

Free healthcare programme held for Int’l Children’s Day

Nearly 10,000 children of kindergarten and primary school age are expected to take part in free healthcare services as part of International Children’s Day on June 1.

The programme will be organised at Đầm Sen Cultural Park in District 11 on May 27 and 28.

Doctors from local hospitals and centres of nutrition, reproductive and preventive health will provide free examinations and medicine to children.

Children will enjoy games and entertainment shows, and receive gifts.

They will also be entitled to a 50 per cent discount on tickets to play games at the park.

Children with disabilities, those living with HIV, and children staying at shelters have been invited to participate in the programme.

Sand deposits block ship access to central port

Large sand deposits at a sea gate in the central province of Quảng Trị have been preventing ships from entering the Cửa Tùng Harbour for a year now.

Fishermen complain that it’s a struggle for local fishing ships to return to the province’s Cửa Tùng fish port. Sand deposits have made the water near the port so shallow that ships cannot access it, Nguyễn Văn Hùng, a fisherman, said. We have to use smaller boats to transport our catch from the fishing ships to the harbour, Tùng added.

Other fishermen said their ships had to wait for the tide to rise to be able to reach the port to deliver their catch.

Fishermen said their costs have increased as they have to hire small boats to deliver the seafood as well as to reserve food before long fishing trips.

The port itself now faces bankruptcy as the operation of its logistics system has beeen negatively affected, putting at risk the jobs of hundreds of workers.

Lê Văn Sơn, the port’s director, said the sand deposits are from Cửa Tùng Beach. He said he has asked local authorities to get the sand dredged and shifted back to the beach, but has yet to receive a response.

The province People’s Committee said it had roped in a company from Hà Nội to do the dredging work via a public-private partnership contract in April, but the company delayed starting the work. The committee is now looking for another contractor, it said. 

The port, operational since 2008, has an entrance channel that is 60m wide and has a depth of 3.1m. Its width has now reduced to just 5m, and its depth to 0.8m.

Contest celebrates traditional music

Vietnamese residents aged 16 to 35 are encouraged to compete in the Bông Lúa Vàng (Golden Rice), a national amateur traditional music contest launched by Radio the Voice of  HCM City People (VOH).

The participants will perform vọng cổ (nostalgic tunes) and cải lương (reformed theatre) plays, two of the region’s most popular forms of traditional music.

Began in 1993, the contest has brought together new talents and fans of cải lương music.

It has also offered quality theatre performances for millions of viewers, mostly poor farmers, around the country.

Ten finalists will compete for different prizes, including First Prize worth VNĐ70 million (US$3,000), Favourite Performer and Youngest Talent.

The audiences will vote for the winners.

The five-month contest’s selective rounds will begin next week in HCM City, Hà Nội, and provinces such as Long An, Tiền Giang, Cần Thơ, Bình Dương and Khánh Hòa.

The event will air every Friday and Saturday at 8am and 6pm at on VHO and 10 provincial radio stations.

“Our contest, Golden Rice, has attracted more than 15,000 contestants in the past 24  years. Many winners have become professional artists working for leading traditional art troupes in the region,” said Lê Công Đồng, director of VHO and member of the contest’s organising board.  

“Although facing challenges, we have tried our best to keep the contest popular because we hope to attract young people who want to learn about traditional music."

Students for students scholarship holds fund raising concert

The Overseas Vietnamese students’ Companion Scholarship Programme held a fundraising concert in Paris on Sunday to support students in Việt Nam.

The concert, titled “Journey Asia-Europe” which attracted 150 guests despite pouring rain, brought together Vietnamese and French musicians to raise over VNĐ100 million (US$4,200), which will be sent to 30 disadvantaged Vietnamese students.

The concert’s highlights included Vietnamese traditional music, an áo dài (Vietnamese traditional dress) show and performances of European classical music by Bach, Chopin and Debussy.

Diplomat Đỗ Đức Thành thanked guests and supporters of Vietnamese youth education.

Companion President Lê Hồng Thái, who received the scholarship when he was a student, said Companion’s core value is allowing older generations of Vietnamese students to support younger generations and keeping the patriotic spirit alive.  

The scholarship helped support 320 Vietnamese students last year. Besides financial aid, starting from this year, it will provide poor students with English classes in major English centres in Hà Nội and HCMC.

Companion also organised out-of-school activities and information-exchange sessions for poor students in Việt Nam.

Companion was formed in 2001 by a six Vietnamese students at the Ecole Polytechnique of Paris, who used their own scholarships to help disadvantaged students in Việt Nam.

The scholarship, whose motto is “Students for students”, has grown into a large international organisation ever since. It has branches in Singapore, Taiwan and Việt Nam with many of its recipients now studying and working in France, Germany, England, Japan and the US. 

Jetstar bans in-flight use of mobile chargers

Jetstar Pacific Airline has banned passengers from using chargers for electronic devices on planes from May 23.   

Jetstar Pacific issued the decision after getting advice from the International Civil Aviation Organisation and experts from Australian Qantas Airways. Passengers can bring the chargers with them but can't use the sockets on the plane for mobile chargers during flights. 

The rules will be applied to Qantas Group and all airlines in Jetstar Group. Jetstar Pacific Airline has announced the rules to the ground service to inform the passengers before boarding.

Mobile chargers are prone to rare unexpected explosions. According to Jetstar Pacific, this rule aims to ensure aviation and passenger safety.

Germany supports vocational training and renewable energy

Germany and Vietnam agreed to further extend their co-operation prioritising the areas of vocational training, energy and the environment, during the government negotiations on development cooperation on May 17 and 18 in Berlin, Germany.

The German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) will provide funding totaling up to EUR 161.45 million for the next two years, for this purpose.

The negotiations saw the presence of Luu Quang Khanh, Director General of the Foreign Economic Relations Department of the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) and Gisela Hammerschmidt, Director of the Directorate Asia of the German BMZ. Both sides highlighted the long-standing and good relations between the two countries and spoke of the common goals and international commitments regarding the achievement of the sustainable development goals and the implementation of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

During a meeting of the Vietnamese Delegation with the Parliamentary State Secretary of BMZ, Hans-Joachim Fuchtel, the conversation centred around the topic of technical and vocational education and training (TVET). The Parliamentary State Secretary stressed: “Vocational Training is an investment in the most valuable resource of a country – its people.” In the joint programme reform of technical and vocational education and training, the cooperation with the business sector, the support for “Green TVET” and the development of a basic module on occupational health and safety, are important priorities for future cooperation.

In the prioritised areas of energy and environment, Germany supports projects such as, energy efficiency in urban grids, renewable energy, the Mekong Delta climate resilience programme and rehabilitation and sustainable management of forested areas in Central and Northern Vietnam. In addition, Germany supports the Vietnamese government in the implementation of the national green growth strategy and in strengthening the legal development capacity of the office of the government.

Vietnam is an important partner country for the German Development Cooperation. The key frame of reference for the cooperation is Vietnam’s national green growth strategy.

Lawmakers discuss projected law and ordinance building programme in 2018

The third session of the 14th National Assembly (NA) continued on May 23, with lawmakers meeting to discuss the projected law and ordinance building programme in 2018 and the adjustment of the 2017 programme, in addition to the projected supervisory activities of the NA for 2018.

Delivering the report on the issue of law and ordinance building, Chairman of the NA’s Law Committee Nguyen Khac Dinh noted that the principle of adjusting the 2017 programme and devising the 2018 programme is to prioritise the inclusion of projects and drafts to implement the Documents of the 12th National Party Congress, and resolutions and conclusions adopted at the meetings of the Party Central committee (PCC), the Politburo and the PCC’s Secretariat, meeting the demand for socio-economic development and ensuring the realisation of the Constitution as well as the laws, ordinances and resolutions passed by the NA and the NA Standing Committee.

The inclusion of any projects or drafts into the programme must take into account the time allowance, resources, the work volume implemented at each session of the NA, and the abilities of relevant agencies in order to ensure the quality, Dinh said.

He emphasised that the NA Standing Committee would resolutely withdraw from the programme or request putting back the submission deadline in regards to the projects which have not yet ensured their quality or do not have their dossiers sent in line with the stipulated deadline.

On that basis, the 2017 law and ordinance building programme after adjustment is that the NA passes 13 laws and three resolutions and comments on five draft laws at its third session, while considering the approval of six laws and discusses 11 draft laws at the fourth session. Meanwhile, the 2018 programme will include 24 draft laws and one draft resolution of the NA.

Commenting on the law and ordinance building programme for 2018, Sen. Lieut. Gen. To Lam, Politburo member and Minister of Public Security (Bac Ninh province’s NA deputy delegation), recommended that the programme should embrace the Law on the People’s Public Security (revised) because this important law has revealed a number of shortcomings beginning with the building process. In addition, 2018 will be the year to implement the resolution of the sixth plenum of the PCC on enhancing the Party leadership and building a streamlined and effective apparatus, with the Ministry of Public Security being one of the units taking the lead in implementation, he explained.

According to a report on the projected supervisory programme of the NA in 2018, the NA will supervise two topics at two sessions next year; the NA Standing Committee supervises two topics at its August and September meetings; the NA’s Ethnic Affairs Council supervises a maximum of three topics; and each committee of the NA supervises a maximum of two topics.

On the basis of estimating the quantity, considering selection criteria and studying recommendations from agencies, the NA Standing Committee asked the NA to consider and decide on two out of the four specific contents, including the enforcement of policies and laws on the reshuffle and equitisation of State-owned enterprises (SOEs); on management and use of government bonds and foreign loans for infrastructure construction; on ensuring traffic order and safety; and on supporting the development of ethnic minority and mountainous regions.

Commenting on these contents, deputy Nguyen Quang Tuan (Hanoi) said that the enforcement of policies and laws on the reshuffle and equitisation of SOEs as well as the management and use of government bonds and foreign loans are the issues of voters’ concern and need to be included in the NA’s supervisory programme next year.

Hailing the big impact of the NA’s supervision activities on the economy, deputy Ho Duc Phoc (Nghe An) recommended the inclusion of the content “supervising the system of commercial banks” into the supervisory programme, explaining that through supervision, the handling of weak commercial banks and bad debts would become more transparent.

As scheduled, in the afternoon, the NA will discuss a number of contents of the Law on Support for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises that still receive different comments.

Local artists set to join music party Wednesday

MTV Connection of May, a music event, will take place at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Youth Cultural House in downtown HCMC as a gift for young people, especially those having passion for local music and movies.

At the upcoming music concert, young spectators can indulge themselves in sweet and romantic melodies of songs in the popular movies that will be performed by pop stars including singer/actress Minh Hang, actress Miu Le, and young singers Ai Phuong, Will (365Daband), Tim, DJ Sunny, VJ Dustin and VJ Misoa.

These singers have gained success in recent years. For example, actress Minh Hang has left a great impression on locals through movies such as “Vua di vua khoc” (Walking in Tears) by director Vu Ngoc Dang and “Bao gio co yeu nhau” (I’ll wait) by Dustin Nguyen while singer Miu Le has won the hearts of local youths through the movie “Em la ba noi cua anh” (Sweet 20) directed by Phan Gia Nhat Linh.

Local fans can also meet and greet their favorite singers and listen to their future film projects.

The music event themed “At the Movie” is expected to bring wonderful moments for participants.

For further information on tickets and bookings, visit http://mtvwe.com/ or fanpage MTV https://www.facebook.com/mtvvietnam.com.vn/.     

Bright prospects for local movie industry at Cannes Film Festival

The Vietnamese film industry made its first public presence at the 70th Cannes Film Festival in France from May 17-28, Vietnamplus reports. 

During the festival, Vietnam has carried out numerous activities at its booth to introduce film projects and local cinema industry to international guests apart from promoting the country’s tourism images.  

Themed “Vietnam, the new destination for blockbusters”, the country’s booth showcases brochures featuring new and highly-valued films and promising independent film projects selected in various fields of this film festival.

International guests to the Vietnamese booth can see the images of the country’s beautiful natural landscapes such as the Trang An eco-tourism complex in Ninh Binh Province, Halong Bay in Quang Ninh Province, and Son Doong Cave in Quang Binh Province.

VietnamPlus quotes Ngo Phuong Lan, director of the Vietnam Cinema Department, as saying at the Cannes film festival that the presence of Vietnam at the 70th international film festival proves stringent efforts of the local film industry to take a further step into the world movie industry and promote the country and people to international friends.

The Vietnam Cinema Department in partnership with film studios last Saturday organized the Vietnam Night event to introduce local movie industry and prospective film projects along with film producers, directors and actors to international visitors.       

Fund-raising photo show set for late May

A photo exhibition will be held in HCMC’s District 3 on May 27-28 to convey humanitarian values to the community and raise funds for underprivileged children in Vietnam. 

The exhibition themed “Happy Moments” will feature amateur photographers with inspiring art pieces. The simple but amazing beauty of happiness in each photo will help participants find little joy amidst the worries and burdens of life.

The event will be open from 8 a.m. on May 27 to 9 p.m. on May 28 at M2C - Modern meets Culture Cafe at 4B Le Quy Don Street in District 3. Admission to the upcoming event is free.

Uninsured patients to pay higher healthcare fees

Public hospitals in 29 provinces and Hanoi City will apply the new fee hike plan for patients without health insurance in August, while 14 other provinces and HCMC in October, and the remaining 18 localities in December, according to the Ministry of Health.

Circular 02/2017/TT-BYT, which takes effect early next month, stipulates the maximum levels in the price list for medical examination and treatment services not covered by the medical insurance fund.

Healthcare service providers will apply new hospital fees for more than 1,900 medical services to the uninsured and those insured patients opting for services not covered by the insurance fund. They will have to pay full treatment fees.

The circular also prescribes the fee hike for 35 other services currently not covered by the fund such as cosmetics, dental implants, hearing aids and refractive errors.

The maximum healthcare fees will rise to VND39,000, VND35,000, VND31,000 and VND29,000 per medical check at first-, second-, third- and fourth-grade hospitals, respectively.

Deputy Minister of Health Pham Le Tuan said the move is intended to achieve equality between the medically insured and uninsured, as well as encourage people without health insurance to participate in the program.

This also implements the policy of public finance reform in the health sector, which means the Government continues to increase spending on the sector but prioritize investments in preventive and basic healthcare, national target programs, as well as healthcare facilities for leprosy and mental disorder patients.

In addition, it will help renovate the State budget allocation mechanism in a way that gradually reduces direct spending on hospitals, and build up support for beneficiaries of health insurance policies.

Dealing with serious corruption cases remains slow: voters

In their opinions sent to the third sitting of the 14th National Assembly (NA), voters express concerns over a host of issues ranging from corruption to food safety and illegal sand mining. However, what makes them worry most is the slow handling of serious corruption cases.

This is reflected in a report on opinions and petitions of voters presented by Nguyen Thien Nhan, president of the Central Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, at the NA session on May 22.

Reportedly, in preparation for the third session of the 14th NA, the Presidium of the Central Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee in collaboration with the NA Standing Committee gathered 3,288 comments and suggestions that voters throughout the country want to submit to the NA.

Voters remark the anti-corruption drive of the Party and the State has achieved good results and displayed a strong resolve. However, they think the detection and handling of corruption cases with serious consequences are slow, and so is the clarification of the responsibility of State management agencies, especially of their leadership, towards loss-making projects that have inflicted great damage on the economy.

“Voters demand serious implementation of the resolution adopted by the Party’s 4th plenum from agencies and organizations, particularly heads of agencies and organizations at all levels. It is a must to exhibit a determination through specific actions, promptly detecting, checking and strictly handling officials, civil servants and Party members found to commit irregularities.

It is necessary to further promote the role of Vietnam Fatherland Front, news organizations and people in the fight against corruption, and adopt effective measures to protect whistleblowers and timely reward corruption fighters, said Nhan.

Voters also make recommendations on health and food safety. They believe that agricultural production, preservation and processing of food without guaranteed safety has not been strictly controlled and promptly handled, which is the cause of many cases of food poisoning.

Relevant ministries and agencies have not issued sufficient regulations on the production, processing, preservation and marketing of safe agricultural products and foodstuffs as a basis for monitoring and investigation.

Consequently, the NA, People’s Councils and the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committees at various levels are asked to further improve the quality and efficiency of food safety supervision. It is recommended that the Government drastically direct the ministries to promulgate regulations on production, processing, preservation and consumption

of safe agricultural goods and foodstuffs, strengthen inspections and strictly deal with violators, raising public awareness of food safety.

The story of “good crop, poor price” keeps repeating, most recently with pig farming. The sharp fall in pig prices at home has dealt a severe blow to farmers.

The quality of medical examination and treatment in rural, remote and isolated areas remains a matter of concern. Overload at some provincial and central hospitals has not been solved as promised.

The quality of medical examination and treatment at some private medical establishments does not meet standards.

Voters petition the Ministry of Health to continue adopting solutions to improve the quality of healthcare services, investing in medical facilities in remote areas, and improving the management of private hospitals.

Voters are now very concerned about illegal sand mining, which is still taking place in broad daylight. This is a fundamental cause of serious landslides along rivers and coastal areas in many parts of the country, which directly affects local communities.

Along with that, widespread deforestation in a number of provinces is badly affecting the environment.

“The Presidium of the Central Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee has repeatedly reported to the NA and the Government on illegal sand mining and deforestation. The Prime Minister has constantly asked ministries, branches and localities to deal with this situation, but illegal sand mining and deforestation are still taking place. Voters demand responsibility be clarified and heads of provinces who have not taken measures to solve this situation be strictly handled,” Nhan said.

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