Tet holiday accidents prove fatal

There were 536 traffic accidents throughout the country this holiday season resulting in 317 fatalities and 509 serious injuries, according to the National Traffic Safety Committee (NTSC).

The death toll saw an increase of 35 compared to last year. The total number of accidents and injuries reduced by 40 and 82, respectively.

On February 23 alone (or the fifth day of the Lunar New Year), 70 traffic accidents claimed 44 lives and injured 68 people.

The NTSC reported that four tragic traffic accidents killed total 14 people, namely Ba Ria-Vung Tau (3), Hung Yen (5), Hai Duong (3) and Quang Nam (3).

No traffic accidents were reported in three provinces of Lang Son, Quang Ninh and Phu Tho.

Vietnam’s airports serve 1.3 million passengers during Tet

Airports throughout the country have served 1.3 million passengers and handled 13,700 tonnes of goods from February 15-22, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) said on February 23.

The figures presented 24 percent and 50 percent rises in the number of passengers and cargos over the previous Tet holiday.

Domestic carriers transported 655,000 passengers and 3,700 tonnes of goods, up 28.5 percent and 44 percent, respectively.

The rates of delayed and canceled flights accounted for 22.1 percent and 0.8 percent of the total 4,203 flights operated during the traditional Lunar New Year festival, the CAAV said.-

Three students go missing off Quang Ngai

Three students have been reported missing after they were swept away by a wave in a swimming zone off the central Quang Ngai Province.

The three students had gone swimming during the Tet holiday (Lunar New Year) with 11 other 11th-grade students from the province's Tu Nghia II high school.

Rescuers at My Khe beach, where the students came to play and swim, said they were swimming far away from the shore when a strong wave suddenly hit them.

The rescuers saved 11 boys. Three went missing, despite the rescuers' attempts to save them.

The beach management said that converging winds from different directions in the sea have created a whirlpool that is dangerous for swimmers. All services at the beach have been shut down and emergency warning signboards have been put up.

2 killed in Tuyen Quang car accident

A car accident yesterday on Highway 2 in the Thai Hoa Commune section of Ham Yen District in Tuyen Quang Province left two people dead.

The Nissan car involved in the accident was reportedly owned by the local police, and was being driven from the Ham Yen District to Tuyen Quang City. It hit Dinh Van Tien and Le Van Tua, residents of Man 1 and Man 2 villages in the Thai Hoa Commune, who were walking on the right side of the road.

The two men died on the spot. Further investigation into the incident is being carried out.

Fire destroys market kiosks in Hai Duong

A fire broke out in the Kinh Mon market in Hai Duong Province on Sunday, demolishing three kiosks located in the market.

However, no human casualties were reported.

The fire reportedly broke out at around 2pm and was put out by fire fighters by 5pm.

Witnesses said the fire had possibly been caused by votive paper offerings catching fire.

46 hospitalised after being injured by fireworks

At least 46 people have been hospitalized after being injured in holiday fireworks accidents across the country, according to the Ministry of Health.

Details indicate that some 31 people were injured on the Lunar New Year's Eve and the first day of the Lunar New Year.

Fireworks are traditionally exploded by the Vietnamese to welcome Tet (Lunar New Year), but a ban has been imposed since 1994 due to the dangers, including fatalities, caused by exploding fireworks.

Also, officials report that other types of explosions have left one dead and 23 people hurt and hospitalized.

Additionally, from February 15 to 20 some 3,500 people were hospitalized after being injured while fighting.

Nine Vietnamese fishermen rescued off Vung Tau coast

Nine Vietnamese fishermen were rescued Sunday off the coast of Vung Tau City after their boat engine broke down, leaving the fishermen adrift for many hours.

Reports say the fishermen are in good conditions.

After receiving an emergency message, Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (Vietnam MRCC) dispatched rescue ship SAR 272 to contact the drifting fishing boat. It took the rescue team the entire night to reach the boat, which was located 70 nautical miles south of Vung Tau coast.

Fishermen throughout the country have enjoyed a peak fishing season during the Tet holiday, as they take advantage of low fuel prices and good weather conditions.

The MRCC has come to the aid of 49 Vietnamese fishermen so far this month. On February 11 the MRCC rescued 11 Vietnamese fishermen when their boat, surrounded by two Chinese military ships and a military helicopter, sank in waters off Viet Nam's Paracel Islands.

HCM City exhibits model locomotive

The HCM City Management Authority for Urban Railways (HCM City-MAUR) is showcasing a model locomotive for the nation and city's first-ever underground line, Metro, soliciting comments from citizens and city leaders.

After inputs are gathered on the kind of train they want to bring into operation in 2020, they will be conveyed to the manufacturer.

As the underground line, whose Route 1 will commence operation first, will connect the city's commercial district and its outlying areas in the east, the authority wants the design of the locomotive, imported from Japan, to boost development in the eastern region.

Explaining the design of the model locomotive, HCM City-MAUR noted that the vehicle's front end is being designed to curve towards the base. Also, the curved painted line added to its front lights is meant to highlight the train's three-dimensionality and energy, while its blue colour signifies its youthfulness and power, besides being visually pleasing.

The large number 1 on the train not only represents the route itself, but also gives the impression of security, the authority emphasized, adding that this design represents an element of modernity in the first-ever underground transit system in Viet Nam.

According to the plan, the urban railways authority will import 17 cars from Japan, where they will be manufactured, to serve Route 1 alone.

Each train will comprise three cars, with a total length of 61.5m, with each capable of transporting more than 300 passengers and every two of them supported by motors.

The trains will be connected with the national electric grid, and will be provided with sufficient energy from the stored generator to run for three hours – plenty of time to reach a station safely – in case of a power outage.

With large windows and four doors on either side, the body of the cars will be made of aluminium and stainless steel. The cars will be air-conditioned and will have reserved space and specialised equipment available for people with disabilities in wheelchairs. These will be separated with glass partitions installed to demarcate the seating areas.

Furthermore, the cabins of the train drivers, which will be completely closed and located at the ends of the trains, will be where the drivers will keep an eye on passengers through cameras and act in case of any untoward situation.

The underground locomotives will travel at a speed of 110km/hr on the elevated railroad and at 80km/hr when underground.

They will run automatically on Japanese technology, meeting international standards, which means the trains will not have staff catering to the passengers onboard.

Tickets will have to be collected at the station gates before boarding.

Moreover, train services will be offered within intervals of five minutes during off-peak hours and within intervals of two minutes and 10 seconds during rush hours, with a mere 30-second halt at stations.

Smoking and eating will not be allowed onboard the trains.

The first train is expected to be brought from Japan to Viet Nam in late 2016, following which the remaining 16 will be shipped.

Some 400 workers and engineers will be trained to operate and maintain the trains for Route 1 alone, the construction of which began in August 2012; it is scheduled to be completed in 2019 and commence operation in 2020.

Stretching from Ben Thanh to Suoi Tien through the city's districts of 1, 2, 9, Binh Thanh and Thu Duc, as well as through the neighbouring Binh Duong Province's Di An District, Route 1 covers a distance of 20km.

The underground section of the route is 2.6km long and includes three stations – Ben Thanh, Municipal Theatre and Ba Son.

The surface section of the elevated railroad runs for more than 17km with halts at 11 stations. These include Van Thanh Park, Tan Cang, Thao Dien, An Phu, Rach Chiec, Phuoc Long, Binh Thai, Thu Duc, Hi-Tech Park, Suoi Tien, and Suoi Tien Bus Station.

Ha Nam trains workers in Japanese language, working behaviours

The northern province of Ha Nam is training Vietnamese workers in the Japanese language and cultural working behaviours with the intent to provide a qualified workforce for Japanese firms.

Since June 2014, trainees at the Ha Nam vocational college have learned to converse and write in basic Japanese, as well as a basic understanding of the culture and customs of Japan.

They have also adopted the “5S” working model, loosely translated from Japanese as “sort”, “straighten”, “shine”, “standardise” and “sustain” - a basic, fundamental, systematic approach for productivity, quality and safety improvement across production sectors.

Twice each month, dialogues with representatives from Japanese enterprises are organised to help trainees learn more about their culture and business etiquettes.

Last year, the college graduated 90 trainees, 60 of which are now working in Japanese companies in Ha Nam. Nearly 100 students are currently enrolled, comprised mostly of high school graduates from rural areas, and those hoping to study abroad or work on joint projects with Japan.

Nguyen Xuan Dong, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, said the province considers attracting foreign investment to be one of its top priorities.

Ha Nam will work to improve the quality of its workforce, administrative procedures, infrastructure, and services, he said.

According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ha Nam was one of the top 10 cities and provinces with the largest investment inflows in 2014 with 125 active foreign-invested enterprises, mostly from Japan and the Republic of Korea.

Quang Ngai fishermen go out to sea with new year spirit

Nearly 20 fishing vessels of Pho Thanh commune, Duc Pho district, the central coastal province of Quang Ngai, have headed to the sea with the hope for a first bumper catch of the Year of the Goat.

A traditional fishing festival was held for the local fishermen on the third day of Lunar New Year, which falls on February 21 this year, by the Pho Thanh communal People's Committee.

The event does not only bring visitors a joyful atmosphere but also presents the custom of praying for a bumper harvest for fishermen.

During the festival, local fishermen paid tribute to the God of Nam Hai (God of Sea) and enjoyed various folk dances and songs.

Pho Thanh has the largest fleet of fishing vessels and number of fishermen in Quang Ngai, accounting for 25 percent of the province’s capacity.

Crowds pay tribute to President Ho Chi Minh during Tet

People from all corners of Vietnam and foreign tourists flocked to the historic Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi to pay tribute to late President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum during the traditional Lunar New Year festival.

According to the mausoleum’s management board, nearly 25,000 people including more than 12,900 foreigners visited the mausoleum from February 17- 22.

On February 22 alone, more than 9,000 individuals visited the President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

Visitors showed their respect to the beloved leader of the nation, who devoted his life to national independence, freedom and the happiness of the people.

New rural development in Phu Quy island

Public consensus has significantly contributed to Phu Quy island’s success in rural development since the island started implementing a national new rural development programme three years ago, reported by The Voice of Vietnam (VOV).

Visitors to Binh Thuan province’s Phu Quy island today are amazed by its cleanliness thanks to the islanders’ determination to protect the environment under the new rural development programme.

"It has become part of our daily routine to keep our residential areas clean and tidy. We sweep our streets and alleys at dawn and dusk or whenever they are dirty or covered with falling leaves," Pham Thi Hoa lives in My Khe hamlet, Tam Thanh commune, Phu Quy island district, told VOV.

Since Binh Thuan province launched a new rural development campaign three years ago, people on Phu Quy island have planted trees and worked to keep the environment clean. They have also contributed money and labour to upgrading the local road system.

Nguyen Huynh lives in Trieu Duong hamlet, Tam Thanh commune said, 80 percent of the money to pave the roads came from the government.  

The rest was contributed by local people.

According to Huynh, people on the island are very willing to join the government’s efforts to improve the road system, which makes it easier for them to get around.

"We’ve done all we can to make local people understand the programme importance. People have been very eager to get involved,” said Le Hong Loi, Deputy Secretary of the Phu Quy Island district Party Committee.

Tam Thanh was the first commune on Phu Quy island to complete all 19 criteria of the national new rural development programme.

Ngo Thi Thai, Chairwoman of the Tam Thanh communal People’s Committee, said the commune’s completion of the national rural development programme’s criteria is due to local people’s consensus and participation.

All households on Phu Quy island now have access to clean water. The number of poor households has fallen significantly and local living conditions are much better than before.

Ta Minh Nhut, Deputy Chairman of the Phu Quy island district People’s Committee, told VOV that "We aim to complete the national new rural development programme by the end of this year.

Vietnamese in Europe, Asia greet Lunar New Year

Vietnamese expatriates gathered to celebrate the Lunar New Year in Germany, Switzerland, and Macau (China) on February 21, the third day of the Year of the Goat.

At an event held by the Germany-Vietnam Friendship Association, President of the organisation Siegfried Sommer said 2015 is a special year for Vietnam with the 70th anniversary of its National Day (September 2, 1945) as well as the 40th anniversary of its national reunification (April 30, 1975) and the establishment of the two countries’ relations (1975).

Bilateral ties between Germany and Vietnam have been thriving across politics, economics, culture, and education, he noted, adding that continued growth can be expected on the basis of the countries’ strategic partnership established in 2011.

Siegfried Sommer said his association has issued a regular bulletin on Vietnam, built a German-Vietnamese bilingual nursery school in Berlin’s Lichtenberg district, and designed a Vietnamese language teaching programme at the capital city’s Barnim High School. He added the organisation will do its utmost to contribute to the development of the connection between the countries.

At the event, Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Thi Hoang Anh described the Germany-Vietnam Friendship Association as a bridge linking the two peoples.

She expressed her hope that natives and Vietnamese expatriates will actively participate in events marking the nations’ 40 years of diplomatic ties, which will be held later this year.

In Switzerland, nearly 200 expatriates attended a similar Lunar New Year gathering organised by Vietnam’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation, and other Geneva-based international organisations.

Deputy head of the mission Pham Quoc Tru voiced his hope that Vietnam’s “doi moi” (reform) and international integration will be strengthened in 2015 as a series of important national events take place.

Meanwhile, hundreds of Vietnamese guest workers in Macau—China’s special administrative region—gathered on February 20-21 to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

Vietnamese Consul General Hoang Chi Trung sent his best wishes to participants and expressed his hope that Vietnamese nationals will continue their solidarity and mutual support, adhere to local laws and labour contracts, and contribute to relations between their country and Macau as well as China in general.

At the celebrations, attendees had a chance to enjoy traditional Vietnamese cuisine and musical performances.

'Science' cafe opens in HCM City

A cafe that mixes science with refreshment has opened in HCM City, and is proving a magnet for young people interested in creativity, the sciences and unique drinks, Dan Tri online newspaper reported.

Located in a small alley in District 10, Cafe Lab is a small space designed to look like a laboratory, with colourful bumbling test-tubes and beakers, with a blackboard filled with chemical formulas, with a small library of scientific books.

The cafe was originally a quirky venue for doctors and medical students of nearby hospitals, such as Hung Vuong, Cho Ray and Ordento-Maxillo-Facial. But its popularity has grown to include young patrons who enjoy creativity.

Drink at the cafe are diverse, from local Vietnamese coffee to Mocha Frappuccino, Caramel Frappuccino, green tea, cookies and sodas, and serves such side dishes as Dark Choco, Java Chip, Cafe Jelli, and Almond Blend.

Billions of dongs in scholarships for needy students in Thanh Hoa

As many as 2,000 poor pupils and students with outstanding academic performance in the northern Thanh Hoa province received Doan Toi scholarships on February 23.

Total value of the scholarships amounted to 2.5 billion VND (116,507 USD).

Also on the occasion, the provincial chapter of the Vietnam Post and Telecom Group (VNPT) presented 40 scholarships worth 1.5 million VND (70 USD) each and Thanh Hoa Medical Materials Equipment JSC gave 10 scholarships worth 5 million VND (233 USD) each.

Founded in 2008, Doan Toi foundation, one of Vietnam’s biggest educational funds, has awarded scholarships to some 15,000 eager learners. The fund was named after its founder, Doan Toi, chairman and general director of the Nam Viet Corporation, who donated 1 million USD to the purpose.

Five Vietnamese fishermen reported missing in Malaysia

A fishing ship from the Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang was sunk in the sea area of Malaysia, reported the National Committee for Search and Rescue on February 22.

Upon hearing the news, the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC)and relevant agencies of Malaysia joined effort to save victims of the sunken ship, coded TG 90476 TS. One victim was rescued while five others were still reported missing.

Earlier on February 18, a fishing vessel from central Quang Ngai province with five people on board had a technical problem and floated uncontrolled about 170 nautical miles from Hoang Sa archipelagoes.

The vessel, coded QNg 98789TS, is expected to be led to the mainland on February 24 by rescue forces. At present, all the five fishermen are safe and in good health.

VND216 billion to support underprivileged children

The National Fund for Vietnamese Children (NFVC) mobilized VND216 billion to support children with difficulties last year, much higher than the projected figure of VND87 billion.

NFVC Director Hoang Van Tien said this year the fund will call for more assistance from organizations and individuals in Vietnam and from abroad to realize children's fundamental rights.

Sunny Korea organization (Republic of Korea) has committed to provide US$1.8 million for poor patients with congenital heart disease from now to 2019.

Operation Smile organization also pledged VND6-7 billion annually till 2020 to treat children with harelips and cleft palates.

Last year, the NFVC lent a helping hand to more than 78,000 disadvantaged children and a large number of victims of natural disasters, accidents and infectious diseases.

Operation Smile conducted free surgeries for 25,000 child patients with a total value of over VND63 billion. Sunny Korea also providedUS$2.4 million for heart operations of about 200 children nationwide.

VNN/VNA/VNS/VOV/SGT/SGGP/Dantri/ND