Da Nang leader ousted

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Anh

The Đà Nẵng City People’s Council unanimously voted to oust Nguyễn Xuân Anh as its chairman on Friday morning.

The Đà Nẵng City People’s Council unanimously voted to oust Nguyễn Xuân Anh as its chairman on Friday morning.

The vote was carried out during an unusual meeting of the Council, presided over by deputy chairman Nguyễn Nho Trung.  

All 49 members of the council raised their hands to vote in favor of a resolution dismissing Anh as the council chairman and member.

The dismissal decision will be reported to the National Assembly’s Standing Committee for final approval.

On October 6, the Party Central Committee (PCC) fired Anh as the Đà Nẵng Party Committee Secretary and a PCC member.

The stunning fall of 41-year-old Anh came after a report by the PCC’s Inspection Commission in September.

It concluded that Anh had violated “democratic principles” by making arbitrary appointments to municipal government positions. He had also breached the Party’s code of ethics by inappropriately claiming academic qualifications, the report said.

His wrongdoings and mistakes were “serious, harming the prestige of the Party and himself, and causing discontent among Party members and people”, the PCC concluded. 

CBAM signs free training deal for VN students with German non-profit

The College of Business Administration and Management signed an agreement on November 23 for offering "double vocational training" for Vietnamese students in Germany with German non-profit education and training organisation SBH Group.

Under the programme, trainees will take an intensive German language course before going on to do a three-year learning-working course in hospitality.

Their tuition fee will be waived and they be paid a basic salary of 550-700 euros per month, with their employers providing them with all the insurance that locals are eligible for.

After graduation they will be given help to find a job at a restaurant, international hotel or luxury resort in Germany with a starting monthly salary of 1,600 – 2,500 euros.

They will be allowed to stay for long and work legally, getting the same wages and other benefits as locals.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Vũ Tiến Lộc, chairman of the Việt Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said:  "The educational co-operation between CBAM and SBH with practical training programmes can help young people.”

He hoped the programme would be expanded to supply Việt Nam well-trained workers.

German-Vietnamese lawyer Nguyễn Xuân Hoàng, director of Anwealte am Osktreuz Law Company, said: "We take the responsibility to support and offer legal advice to Vietnamese students and workers to safeguard their legitimate rights … in Germany."

Next year CBAM plans to expand the programme to include medicine, nursing and elderly care. 

Conference reviews updating national fisheries database

A conference has been held in central Thanh Hoa province to review the update of the national fisheries database (Vnfishbase) so as to expand the system to 20 remaining coastal provinces.

The Vnfishbase system is part of a project on enhancing the capability of fisheries administration funded by the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA).

The system is an online and synchronous portal for the fishery sector’s management, including vessel registration, fishing licences, fishing output at fishing ports, among others. 

It was piloted in Thanh Hoa from June to September 2016, and then officially carried out in eight provinces, namely Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, Soc Trang, and Ca Mau from November 2016.

According to a local agricultural official, the system has been run on trial in Thanh Hoa province, facilitating the monitor of fishing licences, annual technical checks. However, it exposed some shortcomings such as unstable operation, decentralised administration or report.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Vu Van Tam said the ministry will cooperate with the FPT Information System Company - the consultant unit, and relevant localities to complete the upgrade of the national fisheries database in line with the revised Law on Fisheries.

He also expressed his hope that authorities of relevant localities will pay due attention to implementing and operating the system and assign competent staff for the work.

Bac Kan bolsters sustainable tourism development

Mother Nature has provided the northern mountainous province of Bac Kan many beautiful landscapes such as Ba Be Lake, Hua Ma and Nang Tien Cave, among others. The province has great potential to develop tourism. However incomprehensive growth has hindered the sector fully tapping its potential.

As one of the world’s 20 largest fresh water lakes, Ba Be Lake is described as an emerald in the middle of Viet Bac tropical forest. Besides stunning scenery and fresh, clean air, Ba Be is a perfect place to discover some of the ethnic minority communities in Vietnam.

Nguyen Thi Xuan Dao, a visitor from Ho Chi Minh City said she was impressed by the beautiful landscapes and friendly locals. “They have helped me learn more about the place and culture here,” said Dao.

Over the years, the province has attached importance to developing tourism and considered the sector a driving force to boost the local economy. However, the province needs more open mechanisms to encourage investment in the area to beef up tourism in the locality.

Tran Hung Viet, Deputy General Director of the Saigon Tourist Company said the best way to promote tourism products is to provide the best service to customers, advertisements about the place’s tourism should also be enhanced.

In order to have a sustainable tourism industry, it is necessary to carry out the overall plan for tourism development, ensuring the stable life for citizens and keeping indigenous culture and natural environment.

Pham Duy Hung, Vice Chairman of People’s Committee of Bac Kan province said: “We hope more investors, foreign and domestic tourists will know more about Bac Kan.” 

Hung said the province is expecting more investment in infrastructure to be poured into Ba Be tourism area in order to attract more tourists to Ba Be Lake in particular and northern provinces in general.

Recently, Bac Kan successfully held a heritage festival, one of the province’s biggest tourism events. With the province’s efforts and determination, Bac Kan’s tourism sector is expected to become a major economic sphere, driving the local economy forward.

Hanoi plants 100 trees to mark Finland’s 100 years of independence

The Hanoi People’s Committee and Finish Embassy in Vietnam organised a tree planting ceremony at the Tran Thai Tong – Pham Van Bach junction in Hanoi’s Cau Giay district on November 25.

One hundred trees were planted at the junction in honour of Finland’s centenary of independence (December 6, 1917 - 2017). 

Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman of the capital People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung thanked the embassy for its initiative of giving 100 trees to Hanoi.

He noted the trees are likely to become a symbol of Vietnam – Finland relations in the capital and help Hanoi move closer to its goals of growing one million trees.

Earlier, the ceremony schedule was announced at a press conference held by the Finish Embassy to release its activities marking Finland’s 100 years of independence in Hanoi.

According to Finish Ambassador Kari Kahiluoto, the embassy would work with three Vietnamese partners to organise a series of forestry-related events. He said Finland is famous for its forest resources, adding that forestry is a long-time cooperation area between the two countries, with joint projects first recorded in the 1990s.

As heard at the press conference, on November 24, the embassy together with Actionaid Vietnam held a workshop on planted forests and timber trade.

On November 27, a ceremony was set to take place, announcing the issuance of a forest resources monitoring system by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The system is part of a project on developing a data system of forestry management, which is sponsored by the Vietnamese and Finish governments.

Romania’s 99th Great Union Day observed in Hanoi

The Vietnam-Romania Friendship Association held a ceremony in Hanoi on November 25 to mark Romania’s 99th Great Union Day (December 1, 1918-2017).

The association’s President Tong Van Nga congratulated Romanian people on their great achievements over the past years, while thanking for their support for Vietnam’s past struggle for national liberation and current nation building cause.

Romanian Ambassador to Vietnam Valeriu Arteni affirmed that the two countries’ traditional friendship is growing well.

Speaking of the role played by the Vietnam-Romania Friendship Association, he said that the association is a bridge which has helped boost mutual understanding between the two peoples and step up cooperation between enterprises of the two countries.

Vietnam and Romania set up their diplomatic relations in February 1950.

Banquet held to mark 25 years of Vietnam-RoK diplomatic ties

Ambassador of the Republic of Korea (RoK) to Vietnam Lee Hyuk hosted a banquet in Hanoi on November 24 to celebrate the country’s National Foundation Day and 25 years of the Vietnam-RoK diplomatic relationship.

The event saw the presence of Vietnamese Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung and representatives of some Vietnamese ministries, sectors and localities, along with diplomatic corps and international organisations based in Hanoi.

In his speech, Ambassador Lee Hyuk reviewed the achievements that the RoK Government and people have obtained during national development, along with the progress in the two countries’ cooperation.

He affirmed that his country is ready to join Vietnam in promoting win-win cooperation and deepening bilateral relations.

Minister Nguyen Chi Dung congratulated the RoK on its development accomplishments while voicing his delight at the development of Vietnam-RoK relations since they set up diplomatic ties 25 years ago.

He stressed that Vietnam is willing to work with the RoK to boost their strategic cooperative partnership, effectively implement high-level agreements and common perceptions, and foster substantive cooperation in all spheres, especially economy-trade and high technology, thus benefiting the two peoples and contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.

Vietnam, Nepal intensify court-to-court cooperation

A delegation of the Supreme People’s Court of Vietnam is paying a working visit to Nepal from November 23 to 26 with a view to exchanging experience in law making and judicial reform and seeking opportunities to boost court-to-court cooperation.

At a meeting with Nepalese President Bidya Devi Bhandari, Vietnamese Chief Justice Nguyen Hoa Binh briefed his host about the outcomes of his talks with Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nepal Gopal Parajuli and their commitment to enhancing cooperation between the two countries’ courts.

He affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to the cooperation with Nepal.

Binh also delivered President Tran Dai Quang’s invitation to visit Vietnam to the Nepalese leader, adding that delegation exchanges at the head of state level will be a great stride in promoting diplomatic relations.

President Bhandari said Vietnam is always an example of national development for her country. She also highly valued Vietnam’s successes in reinforcing ties with nations around the world, especially neighbouring countries.

She noted Vietnam-Nepal relations have obtained many new achievements, and bilateral ties will be strengthened in the time ahead. The leader added the opening of a direct air route between the two countries will facilitate trade and investment activities.

President Bhandari also asked Binh to convey her invitation to visit Nepal to Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang.

At the previous talks, chief justices Binh and Parajuli looked into the development of the law system in each country, judicial reforms, courts’ manpower, judicial training, and IT application in courts.

They shared the view that as the two countries are making efforts to foster diplomatic ties, it is necessary for the two court systems to build and step up bilateral cooperation.

They can negotiate and sign memoranda of understanding on cooperation in the fields that both are interested in, like law making, judicial training, smart court building, and trans-national crime prevention. The two sides should also exchange high-ranking delegations and create favourable conditions for high-level courts’ cooperation, the officials said.

During their stay, the Vietnamese delegation also visited the Vietnamese Honorary Consulate in Nepal and the Nepal Bar Association.

Funded project to ease impact of climate change

An initiative for managing natural disasters was introduced on Friday in the context of increasing extreme weather events in Việt Nam.

The project entitled, “Improving the resilience of vulnerable coastal communities to climate change related impacts in Việt Nam”, involved cooperation from the government and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), with sponsorship of the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

This newly-approved project adopts community-based approaches to natural disaster management, including storm-resilient housing, mangrove forest restoration and data systems which engage communities and participants.

Experts from the UNDP and CGF will work together with local authorities to reach out and redesign some 4,000 houses in high-impact areas to make them storm resilient.

Mangrove restoration is the key to protecting vulnerable people and fisheries-based communities from storms.

Current data is a reliable source of information for decision making in disaster management. Communities, local decision makers, the private sector and other related agencies can easily access it online.

The database, moreover, is an evaluation tool, as both images and information will be updated in real time so that stakeholders can manage and evaluate the impact of projects on the communities in question. Other global and regional evaluation frameworks of the UN will be applied to guarantee every effort counts.

Local women’s unions will ensure the full participation of citizens in the decision making process.

Caitlin Wiesen, UNDP Country Director, emphasised the project’s scale and ambitious goals. “The government and UN agencies are working to make sure they are synchronised with efforts that exist and complement other smart ways of engaging,” she said.

To be implemented in seven coastal provinces of Nam Định, Thanh Hóa, Quảng Nam, Quảng Ngãi, Thừa Thiên – Huế and Cà Mau, the project is expected to both protect and empower involved groups as well as enhance their capacity for natural disaster preparedness.

Hoàng Văn Thắng, deputy minister at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development stressed the significance of this initiative in enhancing localities’ capacity.

“With the increasing intensity and unpredictability of natural disasters, provinces are encouraged to create their own blueprints based on the project’s general know-how,” he said.

The project will be implemented over five years with non-refundable aid of USD$29 million provided by CGF.

With more than 3,000km of coastline, Việt Nam is one of the world’s most vulnerable countries to climate change.

Experts discuss ’Mountains of Opportunity’

The northwest was rich in social-cultural diversity, unique natural attributes and enormous agro-ecological potentials. Its strategic location was within reach of some of the largest and fastest growing regional and local agri-food markets.

Experts agreed upon these key highlights at the Northwest Việt Nam Research Symposium with the theme “Mountains of Opportunity”.

The symposium, held on Thursday by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) in Hà Nội, attracted more than 300 experts from government organisations, research institutes and agribusinesses.

But, they said, the region was also home to persistent and high rates of poverty, food insecurity and malnutrition, particularly among the ethnic families who form the majority of the populatuion. Spectacular natural landscape and untapped agricultural potential were threatened by widespread degradation of the natural land and water resources.

During the symposium, experts showcased key learnings, insights and implications from ACIAR research partnerships in northwest area reaching back more than 10 years.

The experts said they hoped to understand and overcome technical constrains to agriculture in a way that secured the future of mountain areas and ensured smallholders and the poor had an opportunity to participate and benefit.

Đỗ Văn Hùng, a researcher from the World Agroforestry Centre, said that organising groups of farmers to form co-operatives and develop farm business models to assess markets, building trust and guaranteeing the quality and quantity of agroforestry products needed to be developed for sustainable agroforestry expansion.

Peter Lane, an expert from the University of Tasmania, said that including village heads or well-practicing farmers would help set up a broader group as well as an efficient organisation for adoption and education of knowledge within the community.

He said it was apparent that collaboration between researchers and practitioners was important in developing a value chain, he said.

Lê Quốc Doanh, deputy minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that the symposium was a good chance for researchers to exchange information and opportunities for inclusive agricultural-led growth in northern mountainous regions.

“Opportunities exist for agricultural market development capable of delivering livelihood benefits to poor and agricultural products to consumers and contributing significant economic benefits to Việt Nam,” he said.

New book details fight against encroachment into Sơn Trà Nature Reserve

A new book highlighting the history and rich bio-diversity of the Sơn Trà Nature Reserve and public efforts to take on developers and other encroachers there was released on Thursday in HCM City.

Ký Sự Sơn Trà (Notes of Sơn Trà) has been written by Đà Nẵng’s Bùi Công Dụng, 67, who has previously published five books, three on anti-corruption.

To give a brief background, for the last 20 years development has encroached on the Sơn Trà reserve, and Dụng said the book focuses on efforts made by generations of people in Đà Nẵng to protect the unique, richly bio-diverse Sơn Trà Peninsula during war and peace.

It also describes how locals have taken on property developers seeking to exploit the natural resources in the reserve, which is home to more than 1,300 critically endangered red-shanked douc langurs.

On the sidelines of the book launch at Nguyễn Văn Bình Book Street in District 1, a photo exhibition on the langurs was also held.

The 40 photos on show were selected from 5,000 shot by photographer Lê Phước Chín.

The Sơn Trà Nature Reserve has 300 animal and 1,000 plant species. Since 1977 it has shrunk from more than 4,400ha to 2,500ha to make room for dozens of resorts and hotels.

Josh Kempinski, director of Fauna and Flora International, said in the book’s foreword: “With its rich biodiversity, Sơn Trà is really a unique place in the world that Đà Nẵng should protect. The city could develop tourism from the rich bio-diversity and sustainable development of the reserve. All actions and activities in the area must respect the natural value and the interaction of people and nature.”

Charity event for children with cancer held in Hà Nội, HCM City

The 10th Sunflower Charity Day hosted by Tuổi Trẻ (Youth) newspaper will take place in HCM City and Hà Nội on November 26.

The annual event commemorates the death of Lê Thanh Thúy, a high school girl famous for her long fight against bone cancer before she died on November 2, 2007, as well as the establishment of the newspaper’s “Thúy’s Dream Foundation” to support children with cancer.

The event features many activities such as blood donations, an exhibition to auction paintings by child patients, a flea market, traditional games, and music and dance performances among others.

On the sidelines of the event, a marathon will be held on November 25 at Đầm Sen Amusement Park in HCM City’s District 11  to raise funds for child cancer patients.

Marathon participants can have free access to the park, with tickets available at the park and Tuổi Trẻ’s office in District 11.

Local medical firm ECO Pharma JSC commits a donation of VNĐ50,000 per person taking part in the marathon and VNĐ30,000 for each sunflower painting and posted on Facebook with hashtag #ngayhoihoahuongduonglan10 and #10namuocmocuathuy.

At the gala night of the event, the organisers will award 150 scholarships to children who have recovered from cancer and a thousand gifts to child patients, and recognise the contributions of donors and volunteers over the last 10 years organising the event.

Quảng Ninh to write a new page for team’s history

The V.League 1 is set for a photo finish again this season, with three teams in with a chance of taking home the title after the final round of fixtures today.

Defending champions Hà Nội, FLC Thanh Hoá and Quảng Nam each have 45 points after 25 fixtures, and with each team in action today, football fans are set for a thrilling day.

The capital side have the simplest route to glory, as a win away to Quảng Ninh Coal in Cẩm Phả Stadium will secure the title as they hold the head to head and goal difference tiebreakers over Thanh Hoá and Quảng Nam.

Quảng Ninh are three points behind the title contenders, but a first league title in their 61-year history is impossible due to an inferior head to head records against Quảng Nam and a poorer goal difference than Thanh Hoá.

Despite having little to play for, Quảng Ninh will be difficult for Hà Nội to overcome, with their raucous support sure to create a cauldron of an atmosphere.

“My team will play hard with the defending champions to try and make a surprise in the title race,” said coach Phan Thanh Hùng of Quảng Ninh.

Hà Nội will have to do without key defender Trần Văn Kiên due to suspension, while the home side will also be missing midfielder Trần Trung Hiếu and defender Nguyễn Xuân for the same reason.

With the game critically important, the league’s organisers decided to hire referee Nathan Chan Rong De of Singapore to officiate the match. The 26-year-old is a FIFA-level referee.

In the other title-deciding fixtures, Quảng Nam are at home to HCM City while Thanh Hoá travels to Sông Lam Nghệ An.

Thanh Hoá are the least likely to take the title, as they require victory over Sông Lam Nghệ An and draws or losses for Hà Nội and Quảng Nam.

Quảng Nam will be without key players Junior Claudecir and Phan Thanh Hưng at Tam Kỳ Stadium because of suspension and injury, respectively.

Brazilian Claudecir has scored 12 goals for Quảng Nam in the league this year, making his loss a huge blow.

For Quảng Nam to take the title, they must beat HCM City and hope Hà Nội fail to win against Quảng Ninh.

“Quảng Nam’s task is to beat HCM City and then see the result at Cẩm Phả Stadium. We will play with all our hearts. The game at Cẩm Phả Stadium won’t affect our match,” said midfielder and captain Đinh Thanh Trung.

However, it shakes out, the final day of the V.League 1 is set to be nail-biting stuff.
Hà Nội 1 enter semis of women’s football

Hà Nội 1 earned a slot to compete in the semi-final round of the National Football Women’s Championship on November 23.

The team beat Sơn La 1-0 in the 13th round at Hà Nam Stadium. This win helped the team take a last ticket to play in the semi-finals.

Although Hà Nội 1 were slotted higher than Sơn La they did not live up to the ranking in the first few minutes of the first half. After that, following continuous attacks in the penalty area of Sơn La, Phạm Hải Yến opened the score for Hà Nội in the 13th minute with a head shot.

Hà Nội 1 launched many quick attacks but they failed to score more goals.

After the break, Sơn La fought back strongly. They defended and attacked well, making it difficult for Hà Nội 1 to defend against the attacks.

While the No 1 team still had several chances to double their score luck did not favour them.

In the other match held at the same time at Thiên Trường Stadium, bottom-ranked team Hà Nội 2 tied with Thái Nguyên 1-1.

Striker Nguyễn Thị Đăng helped Thái Nguyên take the lead in the first half, however, Nguyễn Thị Thanh Nhã levelled the score of 1-1 for the No 2 team in the 63rd minute.

Alongside Hà Nội 1, three other teams also reached the semi-finals including HCM City 1, Phong Phú Hà Nam and Việt Nam Coal and Mineral.

Taiwanese doctors offer free check-ups in Lam Dong

Doctors from Rong Min hospital of Taiwan, on November 24, offered free check-ups and medicines to local people in Lac Duong district’s Dung K No commune, in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong.

The 20-member group is also scheduled to visit the communes of Ka Do and Ka Don in Don Duong district. In each destination, they are expected to examine over 1,000 patients per day. This is the eight time Taiwanese doctors have carried out such activity in Lam Dong.

The same day, the Rong Min hospital delegation, led by deputy head of the hospital Jin-Shiung Cheng, had a working session with Lam Dong Children’s Hospital. 

The two hospitals exchanged their respective medical practice affairs and signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation. The document focused on facilitating experts from the sides to register for education and research programmes, and boosting academic publication.