Even it up: Tackling income inequality in Vietnam

After nearly two decades of institutional and economic reform, the poverty rate in Vietnam has begun to show signs of rapid decline, says Oxfam International in a post on its website.

In 1990, Vietnam was among one of the world’s poorest countries with a GDP per capita of just US$98. By 2010, the GDP had reached US$1,000 per person per year resulting in the World Bank reclassifying the country upwards into the ranks of the lower middle income status. 

Notably, however, out of the total Vietnamese population of 95 million, 13 million still live below or at the poverty line and millions more remain in the classification of near poor, notes Oxfam.

However, recently poverty reduction has begun showing signs of slowing down because of persistent deep pockets of poverty remaining impervious to governmental actions. This is especially true for ethnic minorities, who account for 14% of the population, but make up more than half of the country’s poor.

Despite the strong record of poverty reduction over the past 20 years, today, Oxfam says increasing inequality in these pockets threatens to erode that progress unless drastic measures are undertaken.

Per Oxfam, the 210 wealthiest Vietnamese today earn enough in one year to lift 3.2 million people out of poverty and end extreme poverty throughout the Southeast Asian country, but inexcusably the poor continue to be left out in the cold when it comes to reaping a fair share of the benefits of economic integration.

Today, economic inequality continues to be reinforced by inequity of voice and opportunity, with the poorest excluded in favour of the richest.

Millions of people – ethnic minorities, small scale farmers, migrants, informal workers, and women – are still more than likely to remain poor and excluded from services and political decision despite the economic gains of recent, says Oxfam.

To tackle the dangerous repercussions of the sizable gap between rich and poor, Oxfam underscores, the Vietnam government should urgently implement progressive policies on governance, taxation, public spending, public services, labour rights, and civic engagement.

Economic expert Pham Chi Lan says the poverty reduction achievements of the government are undeniable and commendable, however, inequality has become wider not by design but principally as the result of unchecked market mechanism.

Left unchecked, says Lan, open markets will not find by themselves equilibrium to balance the three pillars – the government, market mechanisms and society.

They must be controlled through effective and comprehensive legislation.  The middle-income class is fundamentally a creation of the government and will not exist or flourish absent thorough governmental oversight.

Open markets in and of themselves will create a nation of those who have and those who do not have— with very few, if any, people remaining in the middle, Lan postulates as the middle-income class is by its very nature a creation of the government.

Ngo Truong Thi from the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs agrees with Lan, saying the government has never been more focused on tackling and narrowing the gap between rich and poor.

Any setback from the exemplary achievements made over the past couple of decades is just a natural part of the process of moving to a more industrial and higher income society, he adds.

There are always ebbs and flows in any major undertaking, but no one should doubt the government’s firm commitment to ensuring there is a fair and equitable distribution of income among the country’s citizens.

Thus in 2017, poverty reduction programs will refocus their concentration on poor communities and the creation of novel avenues for which all citizens from all walks of life and heritage will have equal access and opportunity to prosper and lift themselves out of the grips of poverty.

Hai Phong to construct general hospital

The Prime Minister has approved the proposal for a project to build a general hospital in the port city of Hai Phong.

The project will be implemented over four years with a total investment of 104.8 million USD, of which 95 million USD will be sourced from the Republic of Korea’s Economic Development Cooperation Fund via the Korea Eximbank.

The facility aims to provide health care services for the city’s citizens and the north coastal provinces, easing the load of central level hospitals.

3 Vietnamese arrested in India for cocaine smuggling

Police in India have arrested three Vietnamese citizens for allegedly smuggling three kilograms of cocaine into the country.

Officials arrested the 36-year-old woman and two men, 27 and 39, at a hotel in Central Delhi on Friday night following a tip-off.

Police said one of the men had been waiting at the hotel while the other two arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport on a flight from Ethiopia on Friday evening, the Indian Express reported.

Officials hired a cab from the airport and followed them. They found three kilograms of cocaine hidden in a multi-layered plastic sheet kept in a cavity inside their luggage.

Sources said the drugs could have fetched around US$3 million on the black market.

The investigation found that the man had been staying at the hotel since January 16 and had already delivered a drug consignment to an African in the city, the report said.

The other man also admitted that he had been smuggling drugs to countries such as Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore and Togo since 2013.

The possession, sale and smuggling of narcotics are punishable by up to 20 years in jail in India, according to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.

Tết celebration at Indika Saigon

Indika Saigon will host a music show to celebrate Tết (Lunar New Year) on January 27, or Lunar New Year’s Eve.

The show will feature Vietnamese music and dancehall music performed by Saigon Dub Station, including members Selecta Ivy Phi, Sonar Lee and Selecta Morgan.

The event will take place from 7 pm till midnight at 43 Nguyễn Văn Giai Street in District 1. Entrance is free.

Illegal imported food items destroyed

More than 10 tonnes of sweetmeat without original and hygiene-related certificates were destroyed on Monday in Đà Lạt, the online newspaper Vietnamplus reported.

The items were sweetened dried fruit packed in sacks with Chinese printed stamps, which had a foul odour and appeared decayed.

The owner of the food items is Nguyễn Văn Toàn from HCM City.

On January 10, the economic police of Lâm Đồng discovered this amount of goods at house No 26 on Ngô Thì Sỹ Street in Đà Lạt City.

Toàn said he rented the house as a store to keep products imported from China, which were to be sold in Đà Lạt City for Tết.

When the police checked the store, Toàn was unable to show any papers relating to the food items. The goods were, therefore, destroyed according to regulations.

Fishermen rescued in rough seas

Five fishermen from Bình Định Province were rescued and taken home safely on Monday after their boat sank in rough seas on Sunday.

The Maritime Rescue and Search Coordination Centre No 2 in Đà Nẵng said the fishing boat from Hoài Nhơn District sent emergency signals for help when water washed over its deck 368 nautical miles off the coast .

The centre contacted the Philippine Coast Guard for support, and a cargo ship, the British Innovator, was located 60 miles away from Vietnamese vessel and was asked to help save the fishermen.

A rescue ship from the centre was sent to take the five home from the British cargo ship on Sunday evening.

These fishermen were all healthy and taken home on Monday.

Tết party for 200 overseas Vietnamese

Bình Dương Province’s Fatherland Front Committee on Monday organised a celebration for 200 overseas Vietnamese visitors for Tết (Lunar New Year), which began this week.

The event featured traditional arts performances and Vietnamese cuisine.

The southern province of Bình Dương has more than 10,000 overseas Vietnamese who live in many countries and regions.

Nguyễn Thanh Liêm, chairman of the province’s Fatherland Front Committee, said he appreciated the patriotic and valuable contributions of overseas Vietnamese over the last 20 years.     

Liêm said that he hoped that they would continue to promote national traditions, stand together to build a sustainable community, preserve national character, become a bridge for cooperation, and promote the image of both Bình Dương and Việt Nam.

At the meeting, many of the overseas Vietnamese praised the province’s development and promised to stand together and provide useful contributions to the country.

Overseas Vietnamese have invested in about 119 projects in Bình Dương with a total cost of more than VNĐ4 trillion (US$178 million) in many fields such as transportation, food processing, engineering, fertiliser production, handicrafts, woodworking and real estate.

Last year, overseas remittances sent to the province reached VNĐ2.75 trillion ($122 million), an increase of 8 per cent compared to 2015.

Boat services to Lý Sơn Island increased

The central provincial port authority of Quảng Ngãi has assigned nine passenger boats and 15 cargo ships to serve commuters and islanders traveling to Lý Son Island ahead of Tết (lunar New Year).

Deputy director of the port authority, Lê Văn Lương, said the latest boat would leave Kỳ Hà port in Quảng Ngãi Province for Lý Sơn Island on Jan. 27, and the augmented boat service would resume on January 29 (the second day of the new lunar year) and run until Feb 8 as islanders travel back to the mainland after the Tết holidays.

On regular days, boats transport about 1,500 passengers four times daily between the island and Quảng Ngãi Province.

Last summer, the island district added more high-speed boat trips to meet demand of people on vacation.

Last year, a Coast Guard ship was called to carry 660 people to their homes on the island on the eve of Tết due to high waves and strong winds.

Lý Sơn Island, 30kms off the Quảng Ngãi Province coast, is home to about 21,000 residents. Most make their living fishing and farming garlic and spring onions.

The island is also a favourite destination during holidays, with 100,000 tourists visiting annually.

Free health exams for poor in HCMC

As part of the healthcare programme Care for Tết 2017, HCM City doctors have been offering free health exams to residents in the city and neighbouring provinces of Bình Phước, Đồng Nai and Tây Ninh as well as to soldiers stationed at border areas.

Doctors at the city’s Traditional Medicine Institute in Phú Nhuận District on Sunday started providing free health exams, ultrasounds and electrocardiograms to poor patients.

Many of the patients said they seldom visited hospitals for exams, even though some of them suffer from various kinds of ailments.

Nguyễn Minh Trí, 56, of the district, said: “I haven’t been able to hold anything in my left hand over the last several months. However, I haven’t gone to a hospital.”

Dr Nguyễn Tuấn Anh, deputy head of the institute’s Oncology Ward, examined Trí, who smokes two packs of cigarettes a day.

Anh said that Trí could be at risk of atherosclerosis in which plaque builds up inside arteries, hardening and narrowing the arteries and limiting the flow of oxygen-rich blood.

As atherosclerosis can cause serious complications such as a stroke or heart attack, Anh scheduled an electrocardiogram for Trí.

Another patient, Nguyễn Hồng Thắm, 60, who also lives in the district, has had allergic rhinitis for many years.

“However, I haven’t had time for examination and treatment. Several days ago, I was told to go to the institute for a free exam. The institute’s doctor advised me to get thread embedding, which is a kind of acupuncture therapy, to treat allergic rhinitis,” Thắm said.

The threads, which eventually dissolve, are embedded into acupuncture points to stimulate them for 10-14 days.

“The free examination programme shows care for the poor and for seniors before Lunar New Year. It’s very useful for us,” Thắm said.

After the exams, the patients were provided gifts worth VNĐ1 million (US$44) each. The institute also presented gifts to 30 poor inpatients last Sunday.

From January 27-30, inpatients will be provided free three meals every day.

On January 14, doctors and nurses at many city hospitals visited Bình Phước Province, the Xa Mát border gate in Tây Ninh, and Đồng Nai Province to care for people with financial difficulties.

Health workers at Nhân Ái, Từ Dũ and Paediatrics hospitals provided free medicine and health examination to 150 children, poor residents, and those covered by special State policies that live in Phú Văn Commune in Bình Phước Province.

The team, including doctors and nurses from Củ Chi and Thủ Đức general hospitals and Oncology Hospital, visited Tân Lập District in Tây Ninh Province offered free exams and medicine for 500 poor people there.

They also presented gifts to soldiers stationed at border gates.

Prince William urges Vietnamese to protect wildlife in New Year video message

Happy New Year, the Year of the Rooster,' he said in Vietnamese.

Prince William has sent Lunar New Year greetings to Vietnam in a new online video, while asking the country to continue its efforts to end wildlife poaching.

In the video posted on the Facebook page of the British Embassy in Hanoi, the Duke of Cambridge sent his best wishes to the Vietnamese people for a happy and prosperous New Year.

“Chuc Mung Nam Moi, nam Dinh Dau,” he said in Vietnamese, which means “Happy New Year, the Year of the Rooster.” The New Year will start on January 28, and the country will celebrate with a seven-day break.

He said the New Year is a time for people to reflect on the things they have done and think about their hopes for the future.

He asked the Vietnamese people to continue sharing their care and concerns for the environment and wildlife to protect vulnerable animals like elephants, rhinos and pangolins, all among the most consumed in Vietnam, from extinction.

Prince William was in Hanoi in November to attend the third International Wildlife Trade Conference. The event was organized by the British Embassy and Vietnam’s Administration of Forestry, with high-ranking delegates from more than 50 countries and 10 international organizations.

Mobile police told to bolster int’l cooperation to enhance combat capacity

The mobile police need to boost cooperation in personnel training with police of other countries, particularly those which are experienced in fighting terrorism, so as to improve their combat capacity and readiness.

The request was made by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at a working session in Hanoi on January 24 with the Mobile Police High Command, which is under the Ministry of Public Security.

He said the mobile police are the force directly fighting to protect people’s lives and property. It has done a good job of dealing with emergencies in important areas, thereby ensuring the country’s security and order in every circumstance.

Complex and unpredictable developments of crimes in 2017 will challenge the protection of national security and social order and safety, he said.

He noted the tasks for the mobile police, as well as the public security forces in general, in 2017 and the following years are very heavy. They must defeat all sabotage plots and activities of hostile forces and criminals while eradicating factors that jeopardise stability.

PM Phuc asked the mobile police to overcome difficulties to fulfill all assigned tasks while mastering specialised equipment. He also sympathised with police officers who have to be on duty far away from their families during the Lunar New Year.

At the working session, Minister of Public Security To Lam said the Central Public Security Party Committee and leaders of the ministry consider mobile police as the core force in taking armed measures to protect national security and keep social order and safety. 

It has developed comprehensively and closely cooperated with other forces to ensure security, especially in important areas, settle hotbeds and stand ready in all cases, he added.

More hamlets in Thai Nguyen get access to electricity

As many as 698 households in eight hamlets in Van Lang commune of Dong Hy district, northern Thai Nguyen province, have got access to the national grid after a project was completed on January 24.

With an investment of 10.68 billion VND (almost 470,000 USD), the project installed nearly 25 km of electric lines and 4 transformer stations.

The project was officially launched in August 2016, with the aim of facilitating poverty alleviation programmes and improving the living conditions of local people.

By the end of August 2016, 76 hamlets in five districts of Thai Nguyen province have yet to be connected to the national grid.

Besides Van Lang commune, the Thai Nguyen Electricity Company is carrying out a project to bring power to 1,226 households in eight other communes of Dong Hy district.

The project is estimated to cost 18.7 billion VND (822,000 USD) and is expected to be completed before July 2017.

Fatherland Front leader extends New Year wishes to Buddhism

President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee (VFF CC) Nguyen Thien Nhan paid a visit on January 24 to Most Venerable Thich Pho Tue, Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS), and Buddhist dignitaries at Vien Minh Pagoda in Hanoi.

The VFF leader wished the Supreme Patriarch health and happiness so that he can continue to lead the VBS as a part of the national great unity, contributing to the country’s development.

Nhan also extended New Year wishes to the VBS Executive Council and Buddhist followers across the country.

He affirmed that throughout the long course of history, the Vietnamese Buddhism always upholds the spirit of protecting the country and the people. The VBS has actively encouraged monks and followers to make contributions to the nation’s Doi Moi, and national development. 

On the occasion, the VFFCC President expressed his belief that the VBS would continue to participate in emulation movements launched by the VFF and contribute to cementing the national great unity.

Most Venerable Thich Pho wished the Standing Committee of the VFFCC a new year of peace, prosperity, and happiness.

Khanh Hoa: New Year wishes extended to residents, soldiers in Truong Sa

New Year wishes were sent to residents and soldiers in the Truong Sa (Spratly) island district via a live television programme organised by Khanh Hoa province authorities on January 24.

The event took place at the April 2 Square, Nha Trang city, Truong Sa town and Sinh Ton commune in Truong Sa island district.

Le Thanh Quang, Khanh Hoa province’s Party Committee Secretary, asked people and soldiers in Truong Sa town and Sinh Ton commune about their preparations for Tet.

Do The Tuyen, chairman of the Truong Sa town People’s Committee, said with investment from the Party, State, and the Vietnamese People’s Navy’s Regional Command, buildings like the cultural house, tradition house and parks have been built.

Half a month before, necessities for Tet like food, flower, pork, and beef were transported from the mainland to the islands while people on islands began decorating their houses for Tet.

Culture, art and sports programmes were practised to prepare for Tet performances.

Luong Quoc Anh, chairman of the Sinh Ton People’s Committee, said that his commune had received all necessities from the mainland.

Quang wished soldiers and people of Truong Sa town and Sinh Ton commune in Truong Sa district a warm, happy, safe Tet but urged them to remember their responsibility to protect the sea and islands.

Via live television broadcast, on behalf of people and soldiers in Truong Sa district, Tuyen and Anh wished people on the mainland a happy Tet.-

Markings fail to deter BRT trespassing

As lane markings for the city’s bus rapid transit (BRT) routes have proved futile, the city’s department of transportation has stepped up efforts by installng physical barriers. The attempt is to "clear the way" for BRT buses to run freely, without worrying about swarm of motorcycles and cars obstructing them.

“In reality, when there are barriers clearly separating the BRT route and other carriageways, the BRT can run at higher speed, which means travel time will be reduced and the frequency on each route will be increased,” Nguyễn Thanh Lâm, a bus driver told Tin Tức (News) newspaper.

Buses running on roads with physical barriers installed faced fewer issues in comparison with those travelling on roads with just lane markings.

While most cars travelled on designated carriageways, many motorbike drivers, on the other hand, continued to wilfully ignore the signs and drive in the BRT lane, particularly behind buses or when the lane was empty.

Nguyễn Trọng Nghĩa, a bus passenger, said while the physical barriers would certainly prevent other vehicles from entering the bus lane, it would worsen traffic jams, especially during the rush hour. However, he added that if road users rigorously observed traffic signals, allowing the BRT to run easier, then more people would be convinced to use public transport.

The city’s transportation authority, meanwhile, seems to believe installing physical barriers is a step in the right direction.

Nguyễn Hoàng Hải, director of the Hà Nội Centre of Urban Transport Management and Operation, said following the installation of the physical barriers, the number of vehicles trespassing in the BRT lane had dipped drastically, improving efficiency and ensuring shorter arrival time of buses.

In addition, he said, the physical barriers could be easily moved, helping prevent errant vehicles from colliding with BRT buses.

Flower festival to celebrate Tet at Ecopark

Ecopark on the outskirts of Hà Nội is gearing up for Lunar New Year festival, with a festival featuring flower arrangements set to be highlight of the event.

Themed Từ Cổ Tích Đến Tương Lai (From fairy tales to future), the spring festival will be marked with six roads.

The “fairy” road will tell popular Vietnamese fairy tales through pictures, while the “creative” road will display graffiti by young artists.

The “heritage” road will capture three regions, including Khuê Văn Các (Khuê Văn Pavilion) - a unique architectural work and a symbol of present-day Hà Nội in the north; Chùa Thiên Mụ (Pagoda of the Celestial Lady) - a historic temple in the central city of Huế; and Chợ Bến Thành (Bến Thành Market) in Hồ Chí Minh City. 

Việt Nam’s traditional religious practice of worshipping mother goddesses, recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage, will be highlighted on the “heritage” road.

The “love” road will be a romantic space and the “future” road will introduce new houses.

The “childhood” road will host traditional games for children such as bịt mắt bắt gà (catching a chicken while blindfolded), kéo co (tug of war), nhảy dây (jumping rope), ô ăn quan (mandarin square capturing) as well as other circus performances.

Tickets cost between 30,000-100,000 VNĐ (US$1.32 – 4.43) each.

The festival will last from January 29 until February 1.

Hour of Code Vietnam reaches the highest record

Microsoft and Vietnet Information Technology and Communication Center (Vietnet-ICT) have announced a “Minecraft” coding tutorial for students and educators, created especially for the third-annual Hour of Code, a campaign to broaden global participation in computer science.

The Hour of Code is a global initiative of Microsoft and Code.org that aims heighten today’s youths’ interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Microsoft also led thousands of Hour of Code events in more than 50 countries around the world, including Vietnam. Over a month after launch, Hour of Code – Vietnam has made its highest record level in three operating years in Vietnam.

In details, the campaign attracted more than 51,000 students from 1,178 schools in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hoa Binh, Quang Ninh, Thai Nguyen, Quang Nam, Kien Giang and Soc Trang. 

The most 15 excellent individuals and organisations were selected to receive awards, including "The most enthusiastic participation", "The best video clip" and " The most impressive moment".

All of these awards were sponsored by Microsoft Vietnam. Moreover, the third Hour of Code campaign in Vietnam greatly impressed with many inspiring and humanitarian stories highlighting the efforts of teachers and students in remote areas who successfully organised coding classes in great spirits despite challenges and lack of facilities.

Designed for ages six and up, the “Minecraft” tutorial introduces learners to basic coding skills, encouraging them to navigate, mine, craft and explore in a 2-D “Minecraft” world by plugging together blocks to complete all actions and generate computer code. 

Learners are offered a set of 12 challenges, including free play time, to explore coding concepts they’ve learned through the tutorial. The Hour of Code improves in both skills, such as mathematics, science and English, and creative and critical thinking, which are the basis for meaningful learning for people for all ages.

Nguyen Thai Son, a seventh-grade student studying at Da Bac Secondary Boarding School in the northern province of Hoa Binh, said "After finishing this programne, I really want to have the chance to participate in more coding activities which provide me essential computer science knowledge for the future. Some useful functions such as character manipulation, direct control and voice command are really interesting to me."

Drug dealer arrested in Nghe An

A ring involved in transnational drug trafficking was unearthed by the police of Vinh City.

Nguyễn Thị Thảo, 46, living in Quang Trung Ward of Vinh City, central province of Nghệ An, who was identified as the head of the ring, was arrested.

The police discovered Thảo had been earning a living from illegal high-interest money lending and drug trading since 2016.

According to the police, the woman took several trips to HCM City and Laos during the year.

The police said when visiting places for trading, Thảo took along her two-year-old son as a screen to cover her illegal activities.

Thảo hired several people in Hương Sơn District and set up a ring to trade drugs across the border with Laos.

The drug were sold to dealers in the southern provinces, the police said.

On January 11, the police received information that Thảo and her accomplice Tống Thị Trang would be making a large transaction.

Thảo and Trang were caught red-handed en route.

The police seized 4.9kg of drugs, nine hand phones, VNĐ11 million (US$490) and a passport, as well as an ID card and a precision balance.

Military intelligence key force in socio-economic protection

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc urged the military intelligence to be a key force in protecting economic and scientific- technological development during his visit to the General Department of Military Intelligence on January 23 ahead the Lunar New Year (Tet) Festival.

The PM said the sector should assume the leading role in detecting and stopping any sabotaging attempts of hostile forces and provide the Party and the State with accurate forecast and advice to deal with arising problems in national defence, especially amidst complicated world situation and the rising trade protection trend. 

He requested that the sector undertake comprehensive measures to enhance its performance and efficiency, while improving the living condition of its staff.

During the visit, the Prime Minister planted a tree at the agency’s headquarter and visited the museum showcasing objects and documents featuring the devotion and efforts of the agency’s staff over 71 years, and their contribution to the nation’s building and development.

Vietnamese nationals in Mexico celebrate Tet

The Vietnamese community in Mexico recently gathered to celebrate the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet) festival. 

Addressing the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Mexico Le Linh Lan reiterated the Vietnamese Party and State’s consistent stance on pursuing an external policy of independence, self-reliance, openness, diversification and multilateralisation of ties, and of active and proactive global integration. 

She expressed her delight at the development of Vietnam-Mexico ties with increased exchange of delegations at all levels and the establishment of a Bilateral Inter-Committee. 

Speaking highly of the Vietnamese community’s solidarity and mutual support in the host country as well as contributions to the national construction, the ambassador conveyed her New Year wishes to the participants on the occasion. 

At the event, Vietnamese nationals were treated with music performances and traditional cuisine. 

In Canada, the Vietnamese embassy joined other Asian countries at a winter night fair to mark Canada’s 150th founding anniversary and. 

Vietnam’s fried spring rolls, wooden dragonflies, rickshaw miniatures and palm-leaf conical hats attracted crowds.

Vietnamese Minister Counsellor in Canada Nguyen Hung Son said the event affords a chance to promote cultural diplomacy, popularise Vietnam and its culture and people to international friends.

Thailand, Japan and China also joined the fair.

Police detain woman for anti-state propaganda

Police in the northern province of Ha Nam Province has just arrested Tran Thi Nga for allegedly distributing video clips and documents containing anti-state propaganda. 

The 40-year-old woman was detained on January 21 at her home in Tran Thi Phuc Street in Phu Ly City where she was caught in the act posting video clips and documents containing anti-state propaganda on the internet.

Police have seized all relating equipment and documents for further investigations into her alleged violations.

Late last year, Facebooker Ho Hai, whose real name is Ho Ngoc Hai, and Me Nam, real name Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh, were also arrested by police in HCM City and Khanh Hoa Province, respectively on the same charges.

Former ambassador propose solutions to Hanoi's traffic jams

Former Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK, Vu Quang Minh proposed solutions to curb traffic jams in Hanoi with hope to win the city's VND4bn (USD177,000). 

Hanoi authorities announced a contest to find the best ideas to solve the city’s traffic problems with prizes amounting to VND6bn (USD266,000). The winner will be awarded VND4bn (USD177,000) and the runner-up will be given VND2bn. The authorities will support over VND500m for other ideas that meet the contest's requirements.

Vu Quang Minh, former Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK has offered his solutions from his experiences in the UK and other countries. According to Minh, in 2013, when the former Minister of Transport Dinh La Thang visited London, he was reported about the London's traffic jams situation and that the city has built a huge plan including causes, short-term, mid-term and long-term solutions.

Minh said Hanoi and HCM City will also need time and comprehensive plan to deal with congestion but there are several measures that the authorities can carry out immediately.

First they must ensure traffic flow on main routes like Nguyen Thai Hoc, Nguyen Chi Thanh, Giang Vo and Doi Can streets. At least during rush hours, the authorities should ban all kinds of vehicles including wedding and funeral cars from parking for more than 15 seconds on the streets.

Parking or dropping off and collecting pupils in front of school gates if the gates are on main routes should definitely be banned. In other countries, parents don't feel like they have to park directly in front of the school and children are capable of walking a few metres to meet their parents, Minh said. Tourist cars must also drop or pick up passengers near popular destinations and traffic near conference centres must be carefully regulated to prevent congestion.

Secondly, public transport must be prioritised. Separate lanes for public transports can be used by other vehicles except during rush hours. In London, vehicles will be fined GBP180 if trespassing on the crossed lines at intersections for over 10 seconds. It doesn't matter why the laws are violated, the drivers' responsibility is to follow the laws and make sure that they won't cause congestion.

According to Minh, when having non-life threatening collisions, drivers need to be calm and exchange numbers for compensation and passers-by must not gather around into a big crowd and deliver judgements like many cases in Vietnam. He suggested fining irresponsible drivers that stop and stare and cause congestion.

One of the task that local authorities can carry out immediately is clearing up the pavements from illegal encroachment. Small house owners should sell their motorbikes and use public transport or find a parking lot for their vehicles. Of course, both public transports and parking lots are problems that the authorities need to solve but Minh said if there were demand, there would be providers.

In many countries, street vendors are allowed the use the pavements during specific timeframes and they must make sure that their businesses don't inconvenience pedestrians. They must register with the authorities and the process must be transparent. If the number of sellers is higher than the allowed slots then they can draw to use the pavement alternately.

In order to effectively implement these measures, Vietnam needs better infrastructure and law enforcement capacity. However, some measures can be carried out immediately and shouldn't be delayed because the authorities need a master plan, he said.

Minh also suggested high fines to violators to improve public awareness about traffic laws and behaviour on the streets. The authorities must install a traffic camera system for the cities and connect it with a traffic violator database. Policy over vehicle's ownership must continue to be carried out.

About the traffic fine notices, Minh said they could learn from London to make people feel more comfortable. Instead of saying that the violators only have two weeks to pay the fine before it is doubled, the notices state that the fine can be reduced by 50% if it is paid within two weeks.

"Traffic police have a tough and important job, so the police deserve a good salary and respect. When they don't have to worry about incomes, they can focus and do their jobs," he said.

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