Weekend bazaar to come back in town

Hello Weekend Market will make a comeback on two weekend days, May 27-28, at Zone B of September 23 Park in District 1, HCMC, adjacent to the packbackers area.

If you miss this bazaar, you can still come to the same event next week at Hoa Lu Stadium at the corner of Nguyen Thi Minh Khai and Dinh Tien Hoang streets, also in District 1, from June 2 to 4.

The weekend market will feature some 100 stands selling fashion items of local and foreign brands, cosmetics, shoes and bags with price discounts of up to 50%, apart from a photo booth and a food corner. Admission is free. 

Vietnam to send representatives to Going Global meet in London

The conference on global education called “Going Global 2017” is taking place from May 22 to 24 in the City of London, with senior leaders of Vietnam’s ministries of education-training and culture-sports-tourism attending.

Professor Bui Van Ga, Deputy Minister of Education and Training, and some leading educators in ASEAN countries have discussed connecting local cities within ASEAN through university education.

Vietnam is willing to welcome international educational cooperation with some 310 joint training programs active in the country. Of which, the U.K. ranks third among the countries having many joint programs in the nation.

This Going Global event themed “Global Cities: connecting talents and driving change” is annually organized by the British Council in many countries. The event serves as a forum for global educators to discuss the future of higher education and vocational traning.

Funding for metro line extension to Binh Duong still undecided

Funding for an extension of Metro Line No.1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien) to Binh Duong and Dong Nai provinces is still undecided while the project owner is facing financial constraints due to slow disbursements from the central Government, said the HCMC Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR).

MAUR on May 24 briefed reporters on the metro projects underway in HCMC, saying all packages of Metro Line No.1 are being carried out.

Specifically, Package 1A for the underground track from Ben Thanh central station to the Opera House is 5% complete, while Package 1B for the underground track from the Opera House to Ba Son station is 45% complete. Package 2 for the elevated section from Ba Son to Suoi Tien is 67% done.

Package 3 for acquiring locomotives, cars and rails is 12% complete. Currently, the contractor is importing rails and planning to install overhead tracks by August 2017 and import the first train in June 2018.

Speaking to the Daily, Le Nguyen Minh Quang, head of MAUR, said the city needs VND5.2 trillion (about US$289 million) for Metro Line No. 1 this year, but the ODA capital allocated by the Ministry of Planning and Investment is only VND2.9 trillion. Therefore, the project may fall behind schedule.

Relating to financing for extending Metro Line No.1 to neighboring Binh Duong and Dong Nai, Phan Nhat Linh, head of the Department of Planning and Investment of MAUR, said authorities of Binh Duong and Dong Nai wanted to have a two-kilometer extension from Suoi Tien station to Nut Giao station in Binh Duong Province. Then, from Nut Giao station, the metro line will be divided into two sub-lines, with one leading to Binh Duong and the other to Dong Nai.

Studies on the two-kilometer extension have been completed by a research team of the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in February 2017.

The cost of the two-kilometer extension to Binh Duong is estimated at US$100 million. In their documents sent to the HCMC government, authorities of Dong Nai and Binh Duong provinces agreed to shoulder the site clearance cost for the extension project.

However, according to Linh, the project is still in the preparatory stage. Since a meeting between the three localities has not yet been held, it is unclear whether this two-kilometer extension would be financed by any of them.

However, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has promised to consider financing this project.

Linh said the extension of Metro Line No.1 will help increase the number of passengers traveling by the metro line and reduce the number of private vehicles entering HCMC, helping reduce congestion in the eastern gateway of the city.

How to handle juvenile crime draws mixed suggestions

National Assembly (NA) deputies were split over principles for handling juvenile offenders as provided in a draft law revising the 2015 Penal Code, with some supporting criminalization of offenders aged from full 14 to 16 and others expressing concern over serious consequences caused by such treatment.

During a session on May 24, Le Thi Nga, chair of the Legislation Committee of the NA, said the committee had worked with the judiciary and police to collect inputs and held seminars to discuss the draft law.

Some deputies threw their weight behind the prevailing regulations that hold offenders aged 14 to 16 liable for serious crimes deliberately committed, including intentional infliction of injury, rape and kidnapping for ransom. Recent data shows that juvenile delinquency in

Vietnam is at an alarming level both in number and seriousness, leading to drastic preventive measures.

Meanwhile, others agreed that persons who are 14 to below 16 years old should be immune from penal liability if the three crimes mentioned are classified as “not serious” or “serious” as per revisions in the draft law presented by the Government, Nga said.

The 2015 Penal Code stipulates that persons aged 14 to under 16 have to bear penal responsibility not only for crimes classified as “very serious” and “particularly serious” but also the three offences mentioned above at the “not serious” and “serious” levels. Therefore, the NA Standing Committee is seeking the NA’s approval for the two options.

During the revision process, the committee, the Government, the court and NA committees supported the Government’s solution as it ensures consistency in policies against juvenile offending while protecting teenagers in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Children.

At these ages, the application of measures such as education at grassroots level, reconciliation, reprimand and administrative punishment is suitable, Nga said.

Some deputies said harsh measures would cause heavy consequences for young offenders.

Deputy Nguyen Thi Thuy from Bac Kan Province said that criminals aged from 14 to 16 are just eighth or ninth graders, so tough measures will adversely affect their future.

According to the Supreme People’s Procuracy of Vietnam, only over 200 offenders aged from 14 to 16 faced criminal charges between 2014 and 2016, in which nine were prosecuted for rape and two for robbery. Most young criminals had problematic family backgrounds.

The 2015 Penal Code is too harsh for expanding criminal liability against youngsters because they still suffer psychological immaturity and have little knowledge of laws.

Over 1,200 men have prostate cancer annually in country

There are around 1,275 fresh prostate cancer cases every year and 872 of them succumb to the disease in Vietnam, as per a statistic by Globocan.

The figure has been released at a scientific seminar in Binh Dan Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City lately with the participation of professors, medical workers of hospitals in the South and experts from the U.S.

At the seminar, it showed the figure in Globocan, a project of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) provides estimates by cancer site and sex using the best available data in each country and several methods of estimation.

Experts said that Vietnamese doctors have been facing difficulties in treating. They suggested that some cases of prostate cancer can be cured if treated in the early stages. Treatments include surgically removing the prostate, radiotherapy and hormone therapy.

When the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, doctors should combine endocrine therapy and radiotherapy will be better. Endocrine therapy includes removing testicles or taking medicine to reduce testosterone . Experts stressed on the efficacy of the combination of endocrine therapy and radiotherapy for treating high-risk prostate cancer.

8 hospitals in Quang Nam receive $50,000 aid, medical devices

Eight hospitals in the central province of Quang Nam received $50,000 and medical equipment for taking care of neonates sponsored by ExxonMobil and VinaCapital.

Eight hospitals in districts Phu Ninh, Que Son, Hiep Duc, Tien Phuoc, Nam Tra My, Bac Tra My, Phuoc Sơn and Nong Son are equipped with new medical devices for taking care of babies.

The sum of $50,000 will be used for organizing training courses for medical workers in a bid to improve healthcare in mountainous districts of Quang Nam.

Deputy Director of the Health Department Huynh The Vinh thanked the two organizations asserting that medical equipment will be used in taking care of residents.

Unwise investment in traffic in South

In the seminar themed “ Investment in traffic in the South Vietnam” organized by Sai Gon Giai Phong Newspaper on May 25, experts said there is an unwise investment in traffic in the South.

Speaking at the seminar, Deputy Editor-in-Chief Nguyen Thanh Loi said that within ten years recently, the government has begun investment in the traffic system in the southern provinces including building bridges Can Tho, My Thuan and Rach Mieu to replace ferries and repairing the National Highway No.1A, the National Highway No.51.

Of 746 km expressways were open to the traffic nationwide, there are nearly 100km roads in the South meanwhile the construction of the most important expressway Trung Luong has been delayed for many times for various reasons. Even the North-South expressway is just carried out by the Ministry of Transport.

The South includes the south-eastern region, the south-western region and Ho Chi Minh City with the country’s most active production activities. Ho Chi Minh City and the southern provinces of  Dong Nai, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Tay Ninh, Long An and Tien Giang  post 42 percent of the country’s  GDP.

Moreover, export turn-over in these cities and provinces accounts for nearly 40 percent of the country’s total export turnover.

Additionally, the region contributes nearly 60 percent into the state budget. 

The government should have the investment in traffic system in the region, yet the transport sector focused on spending more on the areas with low growth.

Vietnam promotes images at Asian culture festival in Czech

Vietnam introduced performance and cuisine arts, and tourism potential to an Asian culture festival in Prague, the Czech Republic on May 25 with the aim of promoting its images to international friends.

This year’s festival drew the participation of six Asian countries, namely Indonesia, Thailand, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Vietnam.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Vietnam Ambassador to the Czech Republic Ho Minh Tuan said the event helps the Czech people gain a better understanding about Asian cultures, including that of Vietnam.

 vietnam promotes images at asian culture festival in czech hinh 1 Visitors to the festival were very impressed by shows of Vietnam songs and dances and Ao Dai traditional dress. They also enjoyed favourite dishes like noodle soup and spring rolls and tropical fruits such as coconut, watermelon, jackfruit, longan and papaya.

vietnam promotes images at asian culture festival in czech hinh 2 Jean Di Raffaele, an Italian person working in the Czech Republic, said he has traveled to many countries in the world except Vietnam. He really wants to visit Vietnam in the coming time to discover its beautiful beaches, hospitable people and unique culture.

vietnam promotes images at asian culture festival in czech hinh 3 Vietnam has held many culture, sports and tourism events in the Czech Republic to promote its land, people, culture and tourism potential and strengthen bilateral friendly relations.

Ninh Bình Provincial Party Committee sets up hotline

The hotline of the Party Committee of northern Ninh Bình Province will officially be put into use on June 1.
The hotline has been set up to receive feedback and recommendations of individuals and organisations on crime, corruption prevention and ways to improve the lives of residents.
Accordingly, people can call the number 1-800-8135 to provide information related to socio-economy, security, defence, justice and prevention of crime in the province.
In addition to the telephone number, email address duongdaynongtunb@gmail.com will be publicised to receive feedback and suggestions of individuals and organisations.
Officials will receive reports on all days of the week except Saturday, Sunday and holidays.
The provincial authority also requested residents and organisations to report honestly and objectively. 

USD302,400 raised for children with heart diseases

The 7th annual Scar of Life event has raised a fund of USD302,400 for poor children with congenital heart disease in Vietnam. 

Actress Ngo Thanh Van (middle) announced the total money raised at the 7th Scar of Life event in HCM City on May 25.

The entertainment and charity event, which was held on May 25 in Ho Chi Minh City by actress Ngo Thanh Van attracted the participation of many sponsors, artists, and business people.

The main activity of the night was the auction of a Buddha statue which Ngo Thanh Van was given by a renowned Buddhist teacher, His Eminence Shyalpa Tenzin Rinpoche during her trip to Nepal in early May. The statue was auctioned for USD174,400. 

USD302,400 was raised on the night, which will be enough to cover heart surgery for 252 more children, raising the total number of children saved to 1,500 over the past seven years.

Bac Lieu sets up hi-tech shrimp farming area

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has issued a decision on the establishment and operational regulations of a high technology agriculture area specialised in shrimp development in the Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu.

The area, run by the Bac Lieu People’s Committee, covers 418.91 hectares  in Hiep Thanh commune, Bac Lieu city.

It will focus on applying and developing advanced technology in shrimp farming from production of varieties of shrimp to the farming process, food, shrimp processing, storing and transferring technology serving the shrimp sector of the province, Ca Mau peninsular, the Mekong Delta region and the country.

The area will also host research, experiments with hi-tech shrimp farming models, and the use of high technology in the shrimp sector.

At the same time, the area will provide training of human resources for Vietnam’s shrimp sector. It will serve as a venue for events and exhibitions on technology, attracting human resources and investment for the sector.

It will enjoy preferential policies in line with legal regulations on science and technology. The Government will also encourage science-technology organisations to perform research in the area.

Vietnam, Japan exchange project 2017 kicks off

The Vietnam – Japan Exchange Project (VJEP) 2017 has been launched recently, aiming to establish sustainable relations between Vietnamese and Japanese youth.
The project is hosted by the Asia Association of Education and Exchange (AAEE) and its Vietnamese partners, namely University of Economics, Ho Chi Minh City – UEH, Nguyen Huu Huan high school and the Youth Union of the southern province of Binh Phuoc.

Themed “Sustainable Development” and “Cultural Exchange”, the programme will allow participants to discover and introduce the customs of Vietnam and Japan while enhancing knowledge, English and other soft skills.

Fifteen outstanding candidates will be chosen after different rounds to participate in the project.

Interested individuals can email the organisers at vjep2017.aaee@gmail.com for more information.

Vietnam suggests ways to ensure int’l info security at Russia meeting

Deputy Minister of Public Security Sen. Lt. Gen. Bui Van Nam has suggested measures for ensuring international information security while attending a high-level meeting on security issues in Russia’s Tver Region on May 24-25.

Nam led a Vietnamese delegation to the 8th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues. The event attracted high-ranking security officials from 95 countries and United Nations representatives.

Participants discussed a number of regional and global security issues such as cyber security, the fight against terrorism, organised and transnational crimes, and drug trafficking, and illegal immigration.

The meeting also featured a roundtable seminar on such problems as the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS), counter-terrorism tasks, the combat against the “colour revolution” and others inciting unrest, and the political and military situation in Asia-Pacific.

Opening the event, Secretary of Russia’s Security Council Nikolai Patrushev underscored the importance of the world’s joint efforts to resolve security problems. 

In the current developed IT era, security threats are closely connected. Therefore, countries around the world must coordinate to successfully cope with those threats, he said.

He also delivered a message sent by Russian President Vladimir Putin to the meeting. It read that: “Russia is ready for very close cooperation with all interested partners in dealing with the threats and challenges facing humanity.”

“It is also of crucial importance that regional and global security measures are based on consolidated approaches and strict compliance with the principles and norms of international law. Actions that infringe on the legitimate interests of sovereign states as well as double standards are absolutely unacceptable,” according to the message.

In his speech, Sen. Lt. Gen. Nam said at present and in the long run, humanity still have to deal with an array of increasingly serious global problems that no country can address on its own. That requires close cooperation and joint efforts of all countries to respond to the risk of an information warfare, protect information security in the world, and fight cybercrimes.

Aside from further sharing experience, countries should support one another to build an international information security system, and to improve the capacity of protecting information and cyber security through cooperation in manpower training and technology and technique transfer, diversification of partnerships, and increasing common perceptions in cyber security issues, Nam added.

On the fringe of the event, he also had meetings with security officials of China, Thailand, Cuba and Russia to discuss bilateral cooperation and security issues in the region and the world.

Contest on Vietnam-Laos relations launched in Hau Giang province

The Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang launched on May 25 a contest on the history of Vietnam-Laos relations, which enter their 55th founding anniversary this year.

Nguyen Van Tho, deputy head of the provincial Party Committee’s information and education board, said the contest aims to educate local residents, especially youngsters, on the revolution tradition and the special friendship between Vietnam and Laos during the struggle for national liberation and the national development.

The two countries now need even closer ties to together enhance the special relationship, which is a prime example of international solidarity at present, and promote their own sustainable development, he noted.

He said the contest is a practical activity in respond to the Vietnam-Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year 2017, the 55th founding anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, and 40 years of the signing of the countries’ Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation. 

Entries must be submitted by the deadline of August 15.

Laos speeds up implementation of seaport agreement with Vietnam

The Lao Government has instructed relevant agencies to study the establishment of a company to coordinate with Vietnamese partners on the development of a seaport in Vietnam’s central region.

The company will be a joint-stock one between the State and the private sector.

Spokesperson of the Lao Government Chaleun Yiapaoher revealed the information during a press conference on May 25 after the Government’s regular meeting.

The spokesperson was quoted as saying that the instruction was given out during the Government’s fresh meeting.

In late April, 2017, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was inked between Vietnam’s Transport Ministry and the Lao Public Works and Transport Ministry during Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s official visit to Laos.

Under the document, the two countries will work to turn Vung Ang port in Vietnam’s central province of Ha Tinh into Laos - Vietnam International Port. The project is expected to help Laos, a landlocked country to access maritime trade routes.     

Police force plays crucial role in ensuring economic security

The police force plays a pivotal role in ensuring economic security, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said at a conference in Hanoi on May 25.

The event was held by the Ministry of Public Security to review the implementation of the Politburo’s Directive No.12-CT/TW on enhancing the Party’s leadership in the field.

The PM directed the police force to create a significant change in the awareness of all sectors about the importance of ensuring economic security in the current situation.

The verification of economic projects on security protection is the task of the public security sector, he said, requesting not to make difficulties for businesses and investors.

He asked the police to seriously implement the Party and State’s policies and guidelines on developing socialist-oriented market economy and ensuring economic security.

It is necessary to clearly define responsibility of heads of ministries, departments and localities in the sphere in addition to harmonising socio-economic development, global economic integration, and economic security, he said.

The PM requested the police force to proactively name threats to the economy and promptly devise effective measures to cope with.

He also ordered measures to protect the macro economy, curb inflation, and support enterprises, as well as improve business environment and national competitiveness.

Minister of Public Security To Lam said the police force is aware of their missions and responsibilities to ensure economic security.

He underlined this as a primary condition to create safe and favourable environment for startups, rapid and sustainable development of the economy, boosting industrialisation, modernisation, and international economic integration.

ExxonMobil funds medical equipment purchase in Quang Nam

Through the VinaCapital Foundation, ExxonMobil Vietnam Company Limited on May 25 donated 50,000 USD to purchase medical equipment for district-level hospitals in central Quang Nam province.

The hospitals benefiting from the donation are in the districts of Phu Ninh, Que Son, Hiep Duc, Tien Phuoc, Nam Tra My, Bac Tra My, Phuoc Son and Nong Son.

Aside from medical equipment, the money will also be used to organise training courses for health workers in an effort to improve local healthcare services in the province’s mountainous areas.

Speaking at the handing-over ceremony, Deputy Director of the provincial Health Department Huynh The Vinh pledged to instruct the targeted hospitals to effectively operate the sponsored equipment.

Since 2011, ExxonMobil Vietnam has granted 500,000 USD through the VinaCapital Foundation, benefiting more than 1 million children in central Da Nang city, Quang Nam and Quang Ngai provinces.

Labour safety key to Japan’s ODA projects

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) takes occupational safety seriously as part of projects sourced from Japan’s official development assistance, stated Fujita Yasuo, Chief Representative of JICA Vietnam Office.

He made the point at a labour safety conference, co-organised by JICA and the Ministry of Construction in Hanoi on May 25. The conference aimed to disseminate labour policies and regulations for individuals and organisations operating in the construction sector.

JICA has issued a number of guiding materials on the matter, said Fujita Yasuo, revealing that many of them were updated after the Can Tho bridge accident. The bridge collapsed during construction in 2007, killing and injuring dozens of people. 

In 2016, six accidents took place in projects funded by Japan’s ODA.

He noted JICA is working to minimise the figure and urged contractors to tighten their monitoring of construction equipment and workers.

The Ministry of Construction has received significant assistance from JICA when drafting new policies for occupational health and safety, Nguyen Minh Ha, head of the State Authority for Construction Quality Inspection, said. 

He stressed the remarkable changes in policy makers’ mindset about the work, as reflected in the fact that recent policies have focused on precautions against accidents and ensuring workers’ rights in line with national law and conventions of  the International Labour Organisation to which Vietnam is a member.

According to Associate Professor Tran Chung from the Vietnam union of construction, despite strengthened legal foundation, occupational accidents are still on the rise, particularly at construction sites of high-rises.

He recommended intensifying large-scale communications campaigns on labour safety.
     
Vietnamese students turn to Japan in hope of getting good jobs

The number of Vietnamese studying in Japan grew more than 12-fold from 2010-2016 to around 54,000.

They now account for nearly a quarter of international students in Japan, behind only Chinese students, who make up 41% but whose numbers have leveled off in recent years, 

Bloomberg cited the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) as saying in a Thursday report.

The growing presence of Japanese companies in Vietnam has students and their parents thinking about studying in Japan in the hope of landing a well-paid job with a Japanese company, Itsuro Tsutsumi, director at JASSO’s student-exchange department, told Bloomberg.

“I chose Japan for my children because it costs less than other countries and has a good education system, instilling good discipline in students,” the newswire quoted Tran Thi Quynh My, an official at the State Bank of Vietnam, as saying.

“After studying in Japan my children will have a better chance of finding a good job when they get back to work in Vietnam since there are more and more Japanese companies investing in our country,” she said.

Vietnam’s economy expanded by more than 6% for a second consecutive year in 2016, making it one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. Japanese companies are increasingly looking to Southeast Asia where incomes and consumption are likely to keep growing for years, Bloomberg quoted Shinobu Kikuchi, senior economist at Mizuho Research Institute in Tokyo, as saying.

Japan is aggressively recruiting students from the region in the hope they will help enhance economic ties with their home countries in the future, said the Bloomberg report.

Honda launches twelfth YES Award program in Vietnam

The Honda Foundation has announced the launch of its twelfth Young Engineer and Scientist’s Award – YES Award – grant program for Vietnamese university students, which it initially started in Vietnam in April 2006.

The entire YES Award program aims to provide financial assistance to the bearers of future industry and sciences.

In Vietnam, the program committee annually selects up to 10 undergraduate students of designated Vietnamese universities to receive a US$3,000 study grant and an extra prize. The grant is distinctive in that it is not restricted to tuition but may be used for a broad range of activities.

Another unique characteristic of the system is that awardees can receive an additional grant, YES Award Plus of US$10,000, if they continue their study and training within a certain period after the receipt of the YES Award, either via masters, doctoral, or study abroad programs at a Japanese university.

The developments of this one-of-a-kind, two-phase grant scheme has garnered special attention in the academic communities not only in Vietnam but in the entire Asian region where Honda administers the program.

 honda launches twelfth yes award program in vietnam hinh 1 This year, as in prior years, Honda will conduct the Vietnamese YES Award in collaboration with Vietnamese science and technology organizations and Honda Vietnam Company Limited.

Shared administration tasks in a dedicated office has been set up in the city of Hanoi. The Honda Foundation will also offer motorcycles as part of the special YES Award prizes granted to students.

The Honda Foundation defines the YES Award grant program as the third pillar to complement the existing Honda Prize and international conference activities. The program reinforces the Foundation’s commitment to create a more compassionate civilization through the promotion of eco-technologies, especially in Southeast Asia.

The ten universities are: Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Hanoi University of Engineering and Technology, Hanoi University of Science, Hanoi University of Transport and Communication, Danang University of Technology, Ho Chi Minh University of Technology, HCM University of Science, HCM University of Transport, HCM International University and Hue University of Science. 

All interested students attending any of the 10 universities who are interested in pursuing applying for a Honda YES grant are encouraged to contact their university office of grants and scholarships for assistance in completing the necessary application and full details on the program.

HCM City to continue ‘sidewalk clearing’ drive: chairman

Ho Chi Minh City Chairman Nguyen Thanh Phong has called on local district administrations to continue fortifying their efforts to reclaim the city’s sidewalks.

Following several months of campaigning by local authorities to take back illegally occupied footpath space, Ho Chi Minh City’s sidewalks have yet to be completely cleared, despite some noticeable improvements.

During a meeting regarding the issue on Wednesday, Phong, chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, urged district-level leaders to continue the effort.

Speaking at the gathering, Nguyen Ngoc Tuong, deputy head of the city’s Traffic Safety Committee, stated that several promenades had been cleared over the past couple of months and many residents have been willing to keep their business off public space.

An inspection of 186 streets across 24 districts showed that there have been positive changes on 85 routes and decent adjustments on 85 others.

Meanwhile, illegal crowding on sidewalks has yet to be alleviated on 15 of the inspected streets, Tuong said.

The official asserted that local authorities should “exert more effort,” pointing out that street vendors and motorcyclists are still blocking the promenades while beer bar operators on Truong Sa, Hoang Sa, Pham Van Dong, and other streets have continued to place tables and chairs on the sidewalks.

According to Tran The Thuan, chairman of the People’s Committee in District 1, it is difficult to keep the illicit occupancy from being repeated, highlighting that the situation in areas in front of local hospitals has not yet been solved.

The chairman stated that all street vendors in the district will be allowed to operate in specific zones on Nguyen Van Chiem Street and in Bach Tung Diep Park.

Parking venues are also set to have their license revoked for sidewalk violations, he added.

According to Chairman Phong, the sidewalk reclamation drive requires time and consistency.

Despite having to keep the effort going, local authorities should also be flexible in dealing with certain violations.

“I understand that street sellers must care for their entire family. But people shouldn’t view sidewalks as a primary place to create jobs, eradicate hunger, and ease poverty,” the city leader asserted.

He added that an evaluation will be carried out once a month to assess the sidewalk campaign across the southern hub, after which those districts achieving positive results will be praised while those failing to protect public spaces will be reprimanded.

“We have to ‘walk the talk.’ If local authorities cannot fulfill their mission, they should find other jobs,” Phong said.

Noted Iranian filmmaker makes first Vietnam visit

Iranian film director Mohammadour Kachlam Ghorban is visiting Vietnam for the first time, speaking about his art and what it takes to make it as a filmmaker under Islamic rule.

On May 24, Ghorban spoke to Deputy General Director Ha Van Sieu of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism about the possibility of filming a movie in Vietnam. 

He's also scheduled to visit industry leaders in Ho Chi Minh City.

Cần Thơ to get new bridge

Construction of a bridge linking Ninh Kiều and Cái Răng districts in the southern city of Cần Thơ will begin in the first quarter of next year.

The Trần Hoàng Na Bridge over the Cần Thơ River, also including approach roads and other works, will cost more than VNĐ839 billion (US$ 36.9 million) to be sourced from official development assistance loans.

It will be 587m long and 23m wide with pavements a bit wider than usual in some places to allow people to stop and admire the river view below.

The bridge is designed by the Ministry of Transport-owned Transport Engineering Design Inc. 

Children’s Healthcare progamme begins

ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Việt Nam Limited (ExxonMobil) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the VinaCapital Foundation for medical capacity improvements in eight districts in Quảng Nam province in 2017.

ExxonMobil will contribute US$50,000 for its Survive to Thrive programme to equip healthcare centres in the poor districts Phú Ninh, Quế Sơn, Hiệp Đức, Tiên Phước, Nam Trà My, Bắc Trà My, Phước Sơn and Nông Sơn.

Since 2011, ExxonMobil has contributed a total of US$500,000 to the VinaCapital Foundation through its Critical Response and Survive to Thrive programmes. More than a million children in Đà Nẵng, Quảng Nam and Quảng Ngãi have benefited from ExxonMobil’s contributions.

Early this month, ExxonMobil also provided Operation Smile Việt Nam with $30,000 to provide medical evaluation and treatments for children born with facial deformities in central Việt Nam. More than 100 children born with a cleft lip and/or palate benefit from Operation Smile Việt Nam’s ongoing mission in Quảng Ngãi province.

Cà Mau asks for help in relocation

The southernmost Cà Mau Province’s People’s Committee has asked the Government to provide VNĐ120 billion (US$5.3 million) in funds to move locals from landslide areas to new residential areas.
The funds will be used to build new residential areas for households living in erosion-prone areas along the sea in Đất Mũi Commune and Ngọc Hiển District.

Under the plan, some 500 out of 2,000 households will be relocated to new areas, Tô Quốc Nam, deputy director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said.

Due to difficulties in obtaining capital, the province has only relocated some 1,000 households at high risk from disasters to safe areas.

According to Nam, coastal districts in the province always suffered the worst impact of climate change. Năm Căn, Ngọc Hiển and Đầm Dơi districts, in particular, were hit by landslides at different levels.

Nguyễn Long Hoa, chief of the provincial Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue Department, said heavy rains have caused many landslides in the region.

Since the beginning of the year, 540m of land has been eroded and 43m of riverbank has collapsed, affecting over 320ha of aquaculture, property and residents’ lives. Provincial authorities do not yet have specific statistics on the extent of damage caused by the natural disaster.

Court sentences two in prison for cheating people

The People’s Court of the southern province of Tây Ninh has sentenced two people in prison for cheating 41 people of around VNĐ12 billion (US$533,300).

Nguyễn Thị Thùy Trang, 30, from Bến Cầu District was sentenced to 20 years in prison, while Huỳnh Thị Ngọc Phương, 22, from Hòa Thành District received eight years.

The court has ordered them to return all the victims’ money.

As per the indictment, in June 2015, Trang began to live and work in Malaysia, where she met Đồng Thị Thu Giang, 36, who hailed from Hải Phòng City, and some of her foreign friends.

Together, they had created accounts on social network sites with false personal information picked up from foreign nationals living in different countries, to trick Vietnamese women.

Giang invited Trang to join the group, and she agreed. As per the deal, she would get 10 per cent of the total money they made.

In July 2016, Giang asked Trang to open four accounts in different banks in Việt Nam to receive money from their victims. Trang also asked Phương and another person to open more bank accounts.

The group provided an application form on their website and required customers to reveal their personal information to receive a ‘bonus’.

The ‘bonuses’ offering included motorbikes, jewellery or cash. The cheaters asked customers to pay tax for their bonuses by tranferring money into the group’s accounts. 

Investigations revealed that from August 2015 to February 2016, Trang and Phương appropriated VNĐ12 billion by cheating 41 people using dozens of bank accounts.

The police are continuing with their probe to determine Giang’s role and crime.

Cao Bang students get support

A delegation of the Vietnam General Federation of Labour on May 25 visited and presented 1,000 buoyant backpacks and gifts to students and a local social protection centre in the northern mountainous province of Cao Bang.

The delegation, led by Nguyen Thi Thu Hong, deputy president of the federation, gave 179 buoyant backpacks and financial aid worth 10 million VND to students of Doai Con primary school in Trung Khanh district.

The remaining backpacks will be delivered to local students in remote areas by the provincial labour federation.

The buoyant backpacks are hoped to protect students in rainy season and avoid drowning.

Film La Chèvre to be screened in Hà Nội

French comedy film La Chèvre, titled "Knock on Wood" in English, by renowned French director Francis Veber, will be screened at the French Culture Centre in Hà Nội, L’Espace, on two nights — June 2 and 4.
Starring Piere Richard and Gérard Depardieu, it is the first of three films featuring two actors as a comic duo. The film was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film of 1985 by the U.S. National Board of Review of Motion Pictures.
La Chèvre features Depardieu as tough-guy private detective Campana, hired to find Marie, the daughter of a rich businessman, who mysteriously disappeared while vacationing in Mexico. The case is complicated by the amateur sleuthing of the client’s accountant.
The film is being screened in French with Vietnamese subtitles. The ticket price is VNĐ60,000 (US$2,6), available at L’Espace. 

HCM City 2 win first tournament game

HCM City 2 secured their first win in the National Women’s Football Championship on Thursday by beating Hà Nội 2 2-1 at home in Thống Nhất Stadium.

The wet field did not hamper Hồ Thị Anh Đào from opening the score in the 15th minute. She broke into the box to face keeper Thu Phương and slotted into far corner.

The away side equalized through Nguyễn Thị Thúy in the 34th minute from close-range.

The hosts restored their lead when Nguyễn Thị Thanh Tâm took full advantage of Phương’s mistake to finish into an empty net in the 71st minute.

They nearly had a third goal when Ngọc Mai’s shot hit the bar two minutes before the end.

In a later match, Hà Nội 1 trounced Sơn La 3-0 to take top spot back from HCM City 1.

Sơn La are in fifth place with six points.

In the next fixture on Sunday, HCM City 2 will play TNG Thái Nguyên and Sơn La will meet Phong Phú Hà Nam. One day later, Việt Nam Coal and Minerals will see Hà Nội 2 before Hà Nội 1 face HCM City 1.

Huynh leads in national champs despite draw

Lại Lý Huynh suffered his first draw at the National Chinese Chess Championships on Thursday in Đà Nẵng City.

The defending champion from Bình Dương Province was tied with master Võ Minh Nhất from Bình Phước.

Huynh still leads the men’s category with 5.5 points, but there is only a gap of 0.5 points with the runner-up Nhất after the sixth match.

Nguyễn Hoàng Lâm of HCM City is at the third spot.

Huynh will play Lâm while Nhất will face Nguyễn Khánh Ngọc of Hà Nội in the next round.

In the women’s category, HCM City masters dominated the top three spots. Nguyễn Hoàng Yến is at the first place with six points. Trần Huỳnh Thi ên Kim and Đoàn Thị Thuỳ Dung are second and third, respectively.

There was no change in the ranking in the mixed doubles event. HCM City took the lead. Bình Định was second and Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu was third. 

Photo and painting exhibitions open in Đà Nẵng

A photo exhibition, entitled Youths with Sea and Islands, opened at Da Nang’s Teachers’ Training College yesterday, with 60 photos on display.

The exhibition featured photos of people, soldiers and youths living in Trường Sa (Spratly) Islands off the coast of Khánh Hòa Province.

Also yesterday, the Central Youth Union along with the Naval Engineering Division No 83 presented gifts to families of martyrs who died to protect the Trường Sa Islands in 1988.

Also yesterday, Đà Nẵng city’s Fine Arts Museum in collaboration with Đắk Lắk Provincial Culture Centre launched a painting exhibition, Meet the Central Highlands, displaying 60 paintings from 31 artists in the central highlands and Đà Nẵng.

It focuses on the land, people and lifestyle of ethnic groups living in the Central Highlands.

The exhibition, at 78 Lê Duẩn street, will last through June 5th.

Dysentery outbreak claims one life in Lai Châu

One person has died and 60 people have reportedly been hospitalised in the dysentery outbreak in the northern mountainous province of Lai Châu.

Although the outbreak has been under control, the risk of a reoccurrence is high, the provincial Preventive Health Centre said.

Report from the health clinic in Phong Thổ District’s Ma Ly Chải Commune showed that the first cases of dysentery were reported in late February with typical symptoms such as fever, stomach pain, and diarrhoea.

In late April, 27 cases were found, causing an outbreak in the commune.

The health centre in Phong Thổ District also reported 11 patients suffering from dysentery. The illness claimed the life of Chang Lở Mẩy, 72.

All the patients tested positive for Shigella flexeneri – the bacteria that causes dysentery.

The reason for the outbreak was unhygienic habits of patients, especially the ethnic minority. The hot weather along with high humidity also contributed to the development of the bacteria.

A preventive health team has been mobilised for supervision in Ma Ly Chải Commune. Those who are suspected to get the disease must be strictly observed. Chloramine B for sterilisation has been sent to the commune to prevent the spread of the disease.

Dr Trần Thị Liên, director of the Preventive Health Centre, said that they have asked the district’s authority to support residents’ water tanks and soaps and Chloramine B.

The centre has antibiotic medicines to treat those at high risks.

There are four villages in Ma Ly Chải Commune with 99 per cent of Hà Nhì ethnic minorities. Only 7 per cent of them have hygienic toilets.

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