Southern Traditional Cake Festival opens in Can Tho

The seventh Southern Traditional Cake Festival themed “Origin of the homeland cake” is taking place in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho.

Speaking at the opening ceremony on April 25, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Van Tam said the annual festival, which is the 7th edition so far, has become a major event of the region.

It provides a chance to promote the land, people and cultural identity of the southern region, and introduce traditional cakes, contributing to preserving and upholding cuisine culture values, towards building a national trademark for the local cakes.

The event draws both domestic exhibitors and foreign ones from seven countries - France, Japan, Thailand, the Republic of Korea, Italy, Indonesia and Malaysia -, who are displaying their staples at 200 booths.

A cake offering ceremony in Tan An communal house in Ninh Kieu district marked the commencement of the festival. It featured various traditional cakes of ethnic groups living in the Mekong Delta and Can Tho in particular.

Highlights of the festival will include a traditional cake-making competition, folk games and a singing contest on southern cuisine and cakes.

A conference on preserving and packaging technology for traditional cakes is also arranged in the framework of the event.

The event will last until April 29.

Deputy PM launches Can Giuoc-Can Gio ferry service

At the inaugural ceremony for the Can Giuoc-Can Gio ferry. 

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh and leaders of Ho Chi Minh City and Long An province attended an inaugural ceremony for the Can Giuoc-Can Gio ferry in Long An’s Can Giuoc district on April 21.

The Can Giuoc– Can Gio ferry service was constructed at a total cost of VND56 billion (US$2.45 million), it comprises two ferry terminals, two 30-tonne and 60-tonne ferries, and a system of technical infrastructure.

The 178m-long roadway to Tan Tap ferry cost VND5.8 billion (US$254,330) – with VND2 billion being provided from the Long An provincial budget and VND3.8 billion from investors. Meanwhile, the 863m-long roadway to Can Gio ferry cost VND15 billion (US$657,750), with the funds being sourced from Ho Chi Minh City’s budget.

The construction of the Can Giuoc-Can Gio ferry aims to meet the demands of automobiles travelling from National Highway 50 (in the provinces of Long An and Tien Giang) to Can Gio district (HCM City), and vice versa. The ferry will help to shorten the distance of the existing routes by 11-49 kilometres.

Earlier the same day, Deputy PM Truong Hoa Binh attended a ceremony to announce the recognition of ten tamarind trees in the campus of Rach Nui Pagoda in Dong Thanh commune, Can Giuoc district, as Vietnam Heritage Trees.

At the headquarters of the Can Giuoc district police, Politburo member Binh presented 100 scholarships worth VND1 million each to poor students, and ten houses of gratitude worth VND40 million each to needy families in the locality.

Hanoi kicks off construction of Ring Road No. 2

Building site of the Ring Road No. 2

The construction of the Ring Road No. 2 linking Vinh Tuy with Nga Tu So Ward has been kicked off on April 22 in Hanoi.

The road has a total length of 43.6km road, including a 5-km flyover connecting Vinh Tuy- Nga Tu So Ward and 3-km section from Vinh Tuy to the Vong Intersection.

The new 6-lane road will be 53.5 to 63.5 meters wide with an estimated cost of more than VND 9,400 billion (US$408.6 million), including a total capital for site clearance of VND4,000 billion and construction cost of VND3,000 billion.

The project built under BT (Build-Transfer) form is expected to be completed in four years.

Hai Chau book fair attracts children

Children read books at Hai Chau book fair 

Hai Chau book fair on the western bank of the Han River in Danang City from April 18 to 22 attracted hundreds of students from the city’s kindergartens and primary schools.

The fair was the first in a series of monthly book shows organized in different districts this year by the Danang City government.

Held in a spacious area near the western end of the Dragon Bridge and also the Cham Museum and APEC Park in Hai Chau District, the book fair featured nearly 200 booths, with a wide range of books in literature, art, science and technology, among others.

The books were published and distributed by Phuong Nam Book, HCMC Book Distribution Corporation (Fahasa), Danang Publishing House, Vietnam Education Publishing House, and others.

The book fair also featured community activities like a marathon for book donation and a ceremony co-held by ICT Danang online magazine and Mmost Vietnam Education Center to give books and scholarships to poor children with outstanding performance.

Various activities to commemorate Hung Kings

The banh chung (square glutinous rice cake) and banh day (round glutinous rice cake) making contests 

A series of celebratory activities are taking place in northern Phu Tho Province to commemorate the Hung Kings, the legendary founders of Van Lang – the first known State of Vietnam.

A palanquin procession and ritual offerings were held at the Hung Kings Temple historical site, on April 23 (the eighth day of the third lunar month), to commemorate the Forefather of seven communes, wards in the vicinity of the relic zone, including Chu Hoa, Hung Lo, Kim Duc, Van Phu, Hy Cuong (Viet Tri city), Tien Kien, and Hung Son (Lam Thao district).

On the same day, the organising board of the Hung Kings Temple Festival opened the banh chung (square glutinous rice cake) and banh day (round glutinous rice cake) making contests. The contests drew the participation of 14 teams.

Earlier, a book festival and an artistic photo exhibition were also launched at Van Lang Park’s Square, Viet Tri city. The book festival features 16 booths of 13 units, showcasing publishing houses, book companies, and a book publishing company, with nearly 15,000 book titles. Meanwhile, the exhibition displays more than 100 art photos with the theme ‘Phu Tho province’s landscape and people’.

Traditional boat race livens temple festival

Athletes spare no efforts in the race. 

A traditional boat race was organised early morning on April 24, which added to the bustling atmosphere of the ongoing Hùng Kings Temple Festival in northern Phú Thọ province.

Hundreds of local people and tourists gathered on the banks of Lô River to cheer up nearly 200 athletes from six teams, namely Bạch Hạc 1, Bạch Hạc 2, Dữu Lâu, Phượng Lâu, Trưng Vương and Sông Lô.

Bạch Hạc 1 won the race, while Bạch Hạc 2 and Sông Lô secured the second and third positions, respectively.

Traditional boat race is a custom reflecting the artful practice of navy troops under the rule of the Hùng kings.

According to historical documents, during the Trần Dynasty (1225-1400), Trần Nhật Duật (1255-1330), who was the sixth son of King Trần Thái Tông and younger brother of Trần Thánh Tông, was assigned to train navy forces in Bạch Hạc River.

Thirty years later, with his strong defence system in Tam Giang-Bạch Hạc, Duật led his navy troops to historic victories over foreign invaders, including a three-time victory against Yuan Mongol invaders.

A traditional boat race has been held every year since then to remind the Vietnamese people of their heroes.

Nguyễn Thu Hiền, head of Việt Trì City’s Deparment of Culture and Information, said the purpose of continuing the race in the present time was to preserve the traditional sport and promote a sense of patriotism.

“Besides being a key part of Hùng Kings Temple Festival, the race will also be proposed to be recognised as the national intangible cultural heritage,” she said.

On the same day, at the Hùng Kings Temple Relic Site, the festival organisers presented offerings to ancestors sent from Hà Nội and Thái Nguyên cities and Phú Thọ province.

At 8pm on April 24, the Hùng Vương Cup Volleyball Tournament will be kicked off at Việt Trì City Gymnasium.

The festival will conclude on April 25 and is expected to receive eight million visitors in four days.

Viet Nam, South Africa eye expansion of ties

HCM City wants to enhance co-operation with South Africa in trade, investment, education, science and technology, hi-tech agriculture and other spheres, according to its Department of Foreign Affairs.

Speaking at a ceremony held on April 21 to celebrate South Africa’s 24th Freedom Day, Le Quang Long, the department’s director, said: “With open policies, HCM City always welcomes and facilitates foreign enterprises, including those from South Africa, to do business.”

The South African ambassador to Viet Nam, Mpetjane Kgaogelo Lekgoro, said: “In recent years we have enjoyed high-level visits from both sides. Our trade grew from just over US$700 million in 2012 to over $1.5 billion in 2017.

“The tourism footprint is continuing to grow between the two countries as both South Africans and Vietnamese begin to discover one another’s traditional, cultural and historical heritage.”

Long said the two sides have expressed determination to increase trade to $2 billion a year soon.

At the ceremony, South Africa’s honorary consul in HCM City, Do Thi Kim Lien, donated over VND5 billion ($219,300) to the provinces and cities of Hau Giang, Tay Ninh, Ben Tre, Hoa Binh, Dien Bien, HCM City, and Ha Noi for building houses for poor people and social welfare beneficiaries and a kindergarten and a cultural house, providing scholarships to disadvantaged children and supporting underprivileged people.

This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Vietnamese Talent Awards 2018 to encourage digital technology

The annual Vietnamese Talent Awards 2018 has just been launched with a focus on digital technology.

Editor-in-chief of Dantri/Dtinews Newspaper speaks at the launching ceremony of the Vietnamese Talent Awards 2018 on April 23.

The awards will honour outstanding information and technology (IT) products which have led to a successful digital transformation and have benefited different areas in people’s lives, with a priority on products developed by start-ups businesses.

The IT category will be divided into three groups given to promising digital products, IT products from start-ups, and mobile connectivity products.

First, second, and third prizes worth VND200 million (USD8,820), VND100 million, and VND50 million will be presented to the winners of each group.

In addition to the main prizes for IT products, the organising board will also honour talented individuals and organisation in other fields, including science and technology, medicine, and the environment, with top prize in each category worth VND200 million.

Meanwhile, the talent incentive category encourages talents who have overcome difficulties and promoted the spirit of self-study in order to successfully implement projects that have benefited their residential communities and the surrounding areas.

The Vietnamese Talent Awards were launched in 2005 by the Vietnam Association of Promoting Education in coordination with Vietnam Post and Telecommunications, Vietnam Television and Dan Tri Online Newspaper.

Water purification systems to be built in Quang Nam schools

Former President Truong Tan Sang during the visit (Source: Internet)

Water purification systems up to the quality standards of Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City will be built as gifts to two elementary schools in Nui Thanh district, the central province of Quang Nam. 

The decision was made during a fact-finding trip by former President Truong Tan Sang and a working delegation of the Ho Chi Minh City Sponsoring Association for Poor Patients and philanthropists on April 23. 

The model will be piloted at Le Quy Don elementary school in Tam Hiep commune and Ngo Quyen elementary school in Tam Nghia commune. If effective, it will be spread to other schools to improve health of pupils and teachers. 

At current, pupils and teachers at the two schools mostly use well water and bottled drinking water. 

Per academic year, each pupil drinks nearly nine large bottles with a capacity of 20 litres each, costing 90,000 VND. 

According to the Nui Thanh district Office of Education and Training, there are around 25,000 pupils in 64 schools, from kindergarten to secondary level, in the locality. The number of schools with standard water purification systems accounts for nearly 10 percent.  

On the occasion, the association and philanthropists donated 800 million VND (35,500 USD) to the construction of Vang Anh kindergarten in Tam Hiep commune, Nui Thanh district.

Cuban hero’s paintings, poems introduced in Hanoi

Cuban Hero Antonio Guerrero Rodriguez addresses the event (Source: dangcongsan.vn)

A painting exhibition was held in Hanoi on April 24 to introduce the Cuban identity through butterflies’ image and a poem collection by Cuban Hero Antonio Guerrero Rodriguez to Vietnamese people.

The event drew Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Lianys Torres Rivera, deputy head of the Communist Party of Vietnam’s Central Committee for Commission for External Relations Nguyen Tuan Phong, representatives from the embassies of some Latin American countries, and the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association, and Cuban alumni.

According to Vice President of the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association Nguyen Duy Cuong, the event aims to introduce paintings and poems of Cuban authors to Vietnamese people, thus increasing Vietnamese people’s understanding of the land, culture and people of Cuba as well as the friendship and solidarity between the two countries.

Cuong said that Antonio Guerrero Rodriguez is one of the five anti-terrorism heroes of Cuba. In the jail, he composed poems and painted. He has published five collections of poems, many of which were translated into many languages, including the “The truth names me” collection.

He has also organised 13 painting exhibitions with various themes, including the “Cuban identity though butterflies’ image” which features 12 paintings of some typical butterflies of Cuba.

Addressing the event, Antonio Guerrero Rodriguez said that thanks to the Vietnam-Cuba friendship and solidarity founded by Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Fidel Castro, he has a chance to introduce his art works in Vietnam.

He said that painting butterflies reminds him of his childhood and butterflies he saw on Santa Maria beach, which makes he feel free and full of love for his country and people. Butterflies have also inspired many artists of Cuba, he added.

Vietnam studies Germany’s experience on 4.0 industrial revolution

At the workshop 

Germany’s experience in implementing the 4th Industrial Revolution was shared with Vietnam during a workshop held by the Vietnamese Embassy in German on April 23. 

The event was held in the framework of the Embassy Day Asia-Pacific, which is part of activities within the Asia Pacific Week in Berlin (APW) 2018 opened in Berlin on the same day. 

Themed “Startups in the context of the 4th Industrial Revolution: Experience from Germany and lessons for Vietnam”, the workshop drew many experts, scholars, and representatives from Germany’s enterprises, who gave valuable suggestion and advices for Vietnam on how to gain successes in the new field. 

Participants to APW 2018 focused their discussion on digitalisation, which is an overwhelming trend in the 21st century. 

Initiated in 1997 and annually held from 2015, APW is a forum for countries in Asia Pacific and Germany to discuss important topics, from economy, politics, to science research, and socio-culture. 

Digitalization, with the focus being the 4th Industrial Revolution, is impacting on and spreading to all areas of life. In 2017, as the chair of the group of 20 developing nations (G20), Germany had made digitisation a focus in the agenda of the group. 

Digitalization creates great opportunities, but it also comes with many challenges.

Through APW 2018, Germany wants to discuss the issue with its partners in Asia-Pacific, which is considered the most dynamic development area in the world, thus seeking better cooperation opportunities among parties in this new field.

Quang Binh calls for Cuba’s continued support in health care

Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Lianys Torres Rivera visits patients at Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Hospital in Dong Hoi city. 

Chairman of the People’s Committee of central Quang Binh province Nguyen Huu Hoai called on Cuba to continue support for the locality in health care at a reception for Cuban Ambassador Lianys Torres Rivera on April 25. 

The official briefed Ambassador Lianys on Quang Binh’s potential and strength in socio-economic development, stressing that with potential in caves and marine tourism, the province will be an ideal destination for Cuban tourists. 

He recalled the valuable sentiments of late Cuban President Fidel Castro towards Quang Binh people, highlighting the building of the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Hospital in Dong Hoi city following the leader visit to the newly-liberated areas of Quang Binh and Vinh Linh in 1973.

At the meeting, Ambassador Lianys informed her host that the Cuban Ministry of Public Health decided to send experts to work at the hospital, and continue to support and transfer technologies to the hospital. 

On this occasion, the diplomat presented gifts to a number of patients at the hospital.

Vietnam works towards sustainable, responsible fisheries

April 23, 2018 marked the deadline of the six-month period given to Vietnam to improve performance in preventing illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing under the European Commission (EC)’s yellow card warning. 

During the period, the Government and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) along with the business community and parties involved in the seafood production chain have taken synchronous measures from perfecting the legal framework, tightening the management over fishing vessels, increasing punishments on illegal fishing, and improving the awareness of fishermen and businesses of IUU fishing.

All these activities are aimed at regaining the EC’s green card and developing sustainable and responsible fisheries, said Nguyen Quang Hung, deputy head of the MARD’s Directorate of Fisheries, in an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency.

According to the official, the EC’s yellow card has affected the export of Vietnamese seafood. Examinations on material origin were conducted on all consignments to the EU, which caused a loss of around 7,000 EUR per container.

The warning has had negative impact on the prestige of the Vietnamese fishery sector as Europe is one of the largest importers of Vietnamese seafood, he added.

Therefore, Vietnam has taken national efforts to have the yellow card removed, which brought about positive outcomes.

Hung noted that there is only one case of illegal fishing by Vietnamese fishermen in island states in the Pacific, while 11 other cases happened in bordering waters that are yet to be delimited between Vietnam and other countries. 

The official highlighted the actions taken by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers, which has called on enterprises not to purchase products exploited illegally, and issued a white book naming violated fishing vessels so that processors and exporters do not buy these vessels’ products.

Hung continued by saying that the warning from the European Union creates pressure for Vietnam to improve its fishery sector.

All the nine recommendations made by the EC are significant to the sector, he said, adding that the recommendations were put into the Law on Fisheries which will become effective in January 2019.

The Prime Minister also signed Decision No.78 approving a national action plan on preventing, reducing and eliminating IUU from now to 2025.

For long-term measures, Hung stressed the need to tighten management over fishing vessels, especially those operating offshore, review the development plan for the domestic fishing fleet in alignment with the seafood reserves, and intensify the enforcement of seafood origin and fishing diary declarations in line with regional and international regulations.

In September 2017, the European Commission issued a yellow card warning Vietnam for failing to progress in fighting IUU fishing. 

After April 23, the EU will assess Vietnam’s efforts to fight IUU fishing. The "yellow card" is followed by a "green card" if the problem is resolved or a "red card" if it isn’t. A “red card” can lead to a trade ban on fishery products.

Hoa Lu Festival on way in Ninh Binh

The traditional Hoa Lu Festival will take place from April 24 to 27 in Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s first capital, in the northern province of Ninh Binh.

This year’s festival marks the 1050th anniversary of Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang naming the country Dai Co Viet, in 968AD; the first feudal state with central power. There will be a fireworks display in celebration.

Together with familiar ceremonies, the 2018 festival also includes cultural exchanges between former Vietnamese capitals and other provinces as well as with Asan city in South Korea and Oudomxay province in Laos.

There will also be a photo exhibition on the beauty of the local people and landscapes, a music and dance program, various temple festivals, and folk games.

A workshop will also be held on the role of the Dai Co Viet Empire in Vietnam’s history.

For the first time, Ninh Binh province will also organize a tourism week to promote the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After Dinh Bo Linh defeated 12 warlords he ascended the throne in 968 and named the country Dai Co Viet, meaning A Great Viet. Hoa Lu, the homeland of Dinh Bo Linh, was selected as the capital and existed as such for 41 years (968-1009), including 12 years of the Dinh Dynasty and 29 years of the Le Dynasty. In 1010, Emperor Ly Thai To moved the capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long, today’s Hanoi.

Hoa Lu Ancient Citadel has become a popular destination for tourists with a host of historical and cultural attractions, such as palaces built by emperors and temples worshiping Dinh Bo Linh and other emperors and Gods within the beliefs of local people.

The citadel retains the ancient fortress built by the Dinh Dynasty more than 1,000 years ago. The imperial palace is three meters underground. The perimeter is built based on natural advantages: the nearby mountains provide a good background, the deep valley act as a “basement”, and the rivers supplied water and were a hazard for any enemy to cross. Tourists can also see old items used by the royal family in ancient times.

The Hoa Lu Festival (also known as the Truong Yen festival) last for three days, from the 10th day of the third lunar month.

The festival includes two parts: worshiping with a water procession at the Truong Yen water station on the Hoang Long River and worshipping at the two temples of Emperor Dinh and Emperor Le. Entertainment includes folk music, a Chinese Han script writing competition, chess, dragon dances, a beauty contest for Hoa Lu women, and folk games. It brings back memories of olden times and helps young people get to know more about the traditions of their ancestors.

Tân wins stage, still leads cycling tournament

Nguyễn Thành Tâm won the 25th stage, his seventh win, of the HCM City Television Cycling Tournament yesterday.

The cyclist of Gạo Hạt Ngọc Trời An Giang completed the 35km tour around Cần Thơ City with a time of 49.21min.

He was followed by green jersey holder Lê Nguyệt Minh of Minh Giang-HCM City and veteran Mai Nguyễn Hưng of VUS-HCM City.

With the win, Tâm stays the tournament leader with a total time of 63:33.29.

The second place goes to Ali Khademi of Bảo Vệ Thực Vật An Giang while Huỳnh Thanh Tùng of the Military Zone 7 is third.

VUS-HCM City are on top of the team ranking. Gạo Hạt Ngọc Trời An Giang and Domesco Đồng Tháp are second and third, respectively.

The next stage will be from Cần Thơ to Cà Mau City on 167km. 

Thirteen fishermen rescued from distress at sea off Nghe An

The rescued fishermen were then brought to Nghi Son seaport at 10.30pm on April 23 before being rushed to hospital. 

A group of thirteen fishermen on board the fishing vessel coded NA 90773 TS were rescued, and their boat towed to safety, after they had drifted into distress on rough seas off the coast of Nghe An province on April 23.

According to the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (Vietnam MRCC), the fishing boat is owned by Pham Van Dung from Quynh Long commune, Quynh Luu district, Nghe An province.

The boat’s engine had broken down approximately 90 nautical miles to the north east of the central province of Nghe An. The weather conditions were dangerous with strong winds and rough seas.

The centre immediately sent its rescue ship SAR 411 to the location to undertake the rescue mission.

The rescued fishermen were then brought to Nghi Son seaport at 10.30pm on March 23 before being rushed to hospital.

100 students to get scholarships at Liberation Day event

An art performance titled ‘Vietnamese youth – the story of peace’ will be held on the Nguyen Hue pedestrian street in Ho Chi Minh City on April 21 to mark the 43rd anniversary of Liberation Day (April 30).

The program will feature many famous singers such as Cam Van, Hong Nhung, Doan Trang, Phuong Linh, Uyen Linh, Dong Nhi, Vu Cat Tuong, Hoang Yen Chibi, Phuong Ly, and Ha Anh Tuan.

Through five times held across HCM City, Hanoi, Japan’s Tokyo, and Truong Son National Martyrs' Cemetery in Quang Tri, the ‘Vietnamese youth – the story of peace’ program has become a communal music brand which symbolizes the peace loving nature of young people, especially Vietnamese students and youth.

On the occasion, the program will present 100 scholarships worth VND1 billion to poor students with excellent academic records in HCM City and southeastern provinces.

To be in with a chance of receiving the scholarship, students must compose a 1,500 word letter describing their living conditions, their efforts to succeed and aspirations for the future, and should also focus on their desire for peace and the role and responsibility of the country’s youth in national development.

The program has so far granted 154 scholarships worth VND1.54 billion to Vietnamese students, including 84 scholarships for the children of soldiers, policemen, coastguards, families of social policy beneficiaries, and Truong Son veterans.

The Nam Hai Hoi An introduces Hue specialties’ recipes

Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai Hoi An’s cooking academy shows how to cook some Hue specialties such as goi tien vua (dragon fruit leaf salad), nem lui (Hue-style lemongrass skewers), goi Cung dinh (Imperial salad), banh xeo (Vietnamese crepes) and bun bo Hue (Hue-style beef noodle soup) in the Festival Hue 2018.

For example, with goi tien vua that was used to serve kings, you need 30 grams of fried tofu, 150 grams of dragon fruit leaves, 20 grams of salad, 6 grams of mint, 4 grams of basil, 2 grams of coriander, 25 grams of thinly sliced spring onion, 2 grams of crushed peanut, two spoons of soy sauce, 10 grams of sugar, 10 grams of lemon juice, 5 grams of chopped red chili and 5 grams of chopped garlic.

You need three steps to make the dish: Cut the dragon fruit leaves into 5-7 centimeter slices and slice fried tofu; combine the leaves, tofu, carrots, spring onions in a bowl and mix with soy sauce, sugar, garlic and lemon juice; and arrange on a plate and garnish with fresh herbs, chili and peanuts.

The Nam Hai cooking academy is offering the daily cooking class with different courses for adults. Classes for children from five to 12 are free.

Japan’s Peace Boat docks at Cai Lan port

The Peace Boat of Japan has docked at Cai Lan Port in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh, carrying nearly 1,000 crewmembers and tourists from Japan, Germany, the US, the UK, Singapore, and Taiwan (China).

Visitors on board the Peace Boat will have two days to visit the many beautiful landscapes of the province before continuing on its 97th voyage around the world.

A Vietnamese representative was appointed to board the vessel and introduce passengers to the land, people, and culture of the country.

Over the course of its voyage, the Peace Boat calls on all nations around the world to cut their spending on weapons and to raise funds for disadvantaged people.

Previously, the Peace Boat has made several visits to Da Nang and Vung Tau and joined a parade in support of Vietnamese Agent Orange/Dioxin victims.

Quang Nam seized 2 tonnes smuggled timber

The Market Management Department of the central province of Quang Nam yesterday seized two tonnes of rosewood (Dalbergia cochinchinensis) without clear origin from a truck.

The department stopped the truck when it was travelling in Nguyen Hoang Street in the province’s Tam Ky City.

Hoang Van Tung, 36, the truck driver, failed to show legal documents to prove the origin of the timber to the department. He also admitted that he was on the way to transport the timber from HCM City to Hanoi for sale.

Local police co-operated with the local forest management department to further investigate the case.

The rosewood tree is listed as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and is prohibited from being exploited, traded or transported in Viet Nam.

Indie band launches music movie

After releasing the music video Có Thể (Possible) in February, HCM City indie band Cá Hồi Hoang continues the run with Hết Mực (Run Out of Ink) early this month, as they make plans for a full-length music movie project later this year. 

The video was co-made by Nguyễn Viết Thành and Tuấn Anh. Thành is a multinstrumentalist and the band’s leading vocalist, while Tuấn Anh is cameraman with experience shooting music videos. Despite its catchy, strong and fast rhythm, the song is still fairly experimental.

"We wanted to question ourselves and our audiences about what we would do when we run out of ink—buying a new pen or buying ink," said Thành. 

"Most people are just concerned about the result, not the process. Sometime we have limited time and we are influenced by different ways of thinking to experiment with music. That is why I wrote the song." He focuses on harmonising his music and lyrics. 

Cá Hồi Hoang is one of HCM City’s most popular indie bands. It was founded in 2013 by Thành and Nguyễn Thanh Minh. After releasing their debut album Chapter II in 2014, Thành went to Czech Republic for further music study.

In 2015, the band was reunited with Thành’s return and recruited a third member, bass guitarist Bùi Khắc Đạt. The band had its first performing tour in 2016 with The Livin’ Tour through Hà Nội, HCM City, Đà Lạt and Cần Thơ. Their second album Giấc Mơ Giấy (Paper Dream) was released in July of the same year.

Last year saw a drastic rise in the popularity of the country’s indie bands, including Cá Hồi Hoang. About 400 of the 1,000 copies of the third album Gấp (Hurry) were sold during the Gap Tour 2017 in Hà Nội, Huế, Đà Nẵng and HCM City.

When the album’s name is written in without Vietnamese diacritics, as “Gap”, its English meaning is space—the space in which Cá Hồi Hoang has become more mature and grappled more seriously with the choices between life, career and passion for music. 

"The originality and the narration of Cá Hồi Hoang have made impression to me," said musician Thanh Bùi, who made the top eight in the 2008 Australian Idol competition and now runs the music school Soul Academy in HCM City. 

Gap is also the name the band has chosen for its music movie project which will be launched this June. The movie will combine some songs from Gấp album and some others by the band members’ friends, according to the band manager Nguyễn Thanh Phước. 

"The movie script is written by Thành telling a story about a musician," said Phước. "The story will focus on the psychological development of the musician. We want to make an arthouse movie not for commercial purposes. We hope to screen the movie at arthouse movie cinemas in Hà Nội and HCM City."

Vietnamese, Lao provinces enhance medical cooperation

The Hue Central Hospital has attached much importance to its cooperation with the health sector of Lao border provinces, said vice director of the hospital Hoang Thi Lan Huong.

As many as 781 Lao patients received treatment at the Hue Central Hospital’s International Medical Centre from the start of 2018, she said. 

The cooperation saw remarkable progress after a visit by the hospital’s leaders to the Lao provinces of Salavan, Sekong, Savannakhet, Champasak and Attapu in April 2017. 

The sides signed agreements in various fields such as science and technology transfer, medical diagnosis, remote medical training and health checks-up and treatment. 

In accordance with the agreements, Lao patients from those provinces who have introduction letters from local health departments will receive the same treatment and hospital fees with Vietnamese patients. 

Xongdet Samay, a 13-year-old patient from Savannakhet province, was admitted to the centre when he was paralysed and puffed with oedema while losing a huge amount of blood. After two years of treatment in Laos and Thailand, he was brought to the Hue Central Hospital. His health has currently been stable and he could walk normally. 

More than 20 Lao medical workers are receiving free training at the hospital, as well as free accommodation during their stay in the province.

In addition, the Hue Central Hospital have handed over cardiovascular intervention and endoscopy techniques to health workers of the Lao provinces and is expected to transfer obstetrical techniques in the coming time.