No discrimination to HIV carriers: Deputy PM

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam yesterday called for people not to discriminate against people living with HIV at a meeting held by Vietnamese Ministry of Health and the People’s Committee in the northern province of Hai Duong.

The meeting was organized in response to the National Action Month for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control (November 10 – December 11) themed “early test – Effort to achieve 90-90-90 goal in 202” and the World AIDS Day (December 1)

Deputy PM Dam lauded efforts made by related agencies, unions and people in HIV/AIDS prevention mission to reduce the number of infected people and the mortality rate, adding that Vietnam is the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to pledge to carry out the United Nations 90-90-90 Goals by 2020.

Before, he said, 90 percent of expenditure for HIV/AIDS prevention had been sponsored by international organizations. However, this was cut gradually; therefore, the government will allocate more sum for preventive activities including issuing health insurance cards to HIV carriers.

To achieve the goal, Vietnam needs to implement preventive measures against the disease. People’s awareness of the disease should be raised so that they will not discriminate HIV carriers. Moreover, agencies should facilitate people living with HIV or people at risk for HIV infection to be treated with ARV.

According to the Department for HIV/AIDS prevention under the Ministry of Health, around 10,000 fresh cases of HIV infections are discovered in the country annually. The disease is one of leading causes of burden in Vietnam. Increasing HIV transmissions are mostly through sexual acts; therefore, the control is becoming more and more difficult.

Nearly 10,000 new HIV infection cases are discovered in the country, mostly via sex. This year is the 10th consecutive year that the numbers of newly-discovered HIV infection, transmissions to full-blown AIDS and AIDS-caused deaths in Vietnam have decreased.

The UN 90-90-90 Goals mean that by 2020, 90 percent of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status, 90 percent of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral (ARV) therapy while 90 percent of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression.

More buses to run in HCMC

People’s Committee in Ho Chi Minh City has approved the investment projects of bus fleets of 11 enterprises and cooperatives. 

Accordingly, a total of 970 additional bus fleets will run in the city's stations. For instance, Sai Gon Bus Company buys more 21 vehicles for 13 routes while the Ho Chi Minh City Transport Company (Citranco) adds more 18 buses for its one route, Transport Cooperative invests 40 buses for three routes.

Additionally, new buses running on compressed natural gas (CNG) have been integrated in the urban public transport fleet by Quyet Thang Transport Cooperative. The subsidized buses will run on the route Le Hong Phong- the National University of Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City’s Thu Duc District.

As plan, more 200 additional buses will also run in 12 routes from now to year-end, according to a leader of the public transportation management center.

Of 200 new buses, 80 will run on CNG, helping reducing emissions of environmental pollution and cutting smell, vibrations and noise while the remaining will run on diesel. One of hiccups along the way to replace diesel buses with CNG-powered buses is the lack of CNG stations in several routes.

Currently, nearly 300 CNG-power buses run in the city while there are three CNG stations in An Suong Bus Station, the National University of Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City’s Thu Duc District and Tan Kien Station. 

Consequently, the city finds it hard to develop CNG-powered buses as the fluctuation of CNG price leads to investors’ hesitation.

Association of Vietnamese Cambodians in Mondolkiri holds first congress

The Association of Vietnamese Cambodians in Mondolkiri province of Cambodia held its first congress in Sen Monourom city on November 25.

At the event, Nguyen Van Duc was elected Chairman of the association’s new eight-member executive board.

The association agreed on its plans from November 2017 to 2020, with a focus on strengthening cooperation with Mondolkiri province’s authorities, authorities and offices of Vietnamese localities bordering Cambodia and Vietnam’s diplomatic offices in Cambodia.

Attention will be also paid to social and charitable activities, and to help children learn not only Khmer but also Vietnamese language.

The executive board pledged to soon rent a space to open a Vietnamese language class.

Speaking at the event, Chairman of the General Association of Vietnamese Cambodians Chau Van Chi asked the association to connect overseas Vietnamese in Mondolkiri.

He also expressed his hope that the Vietnamese community here will abide by Cambodia’s law and follow the customs of Khmer people.

There are about 100 Vietnamese households in Mondolkiri province.

Free radio sets for minority ethnic regions

The Prime Minister has approved a project on granting free radio sets to village elders and grassroots officials in mountainous areas, areas inhabited by ethnic minority communities, and border and disadvantaged regions.

The project will be carried out on a pilot basis in 10 provinces in the northwest, central highlands, central coast and southwest regions. The beneficiary provinces are Cao Bang, Ha Giang, Lai Chau, Nghe An, Quang Nam, Kon Tum, Dak Nong, Ninh Thuan, Tra Vinh and Kien Giang.

Those who are targeted by the project include village heads, village elders and religious dignitaries in disadvantaged villages, along with heads of Party committees, women’s unions, youth unions, war veterans’ associations, farmers’ unions, Vietnam Fatherland Front chapters, and officials dealing with legal matters and information.

Border guard stations and border guard officials sent to work in border communes in the said provinces will also receive radio sets under the project.

The project aims to facilitate the popularisation of the Party’s guidance and the State’s policies and laws in general and policies on ethnic groups in particular, thus helping raise local understanding and consensus and contributing to maintaining political stability in mountainous and ethnic minority areas.

Vietnam is home to 54 ethnic groups, with the Viet (Kinh) people accounting for 87 percent of the country’s population. The other 53 ethnic minority groups are scattered over mountainous areas from the north to the south.

Friendly football tournament celebrates Vietnam- Cambodia diplomatic ties

On November 26, a friendly football tournament was launched in Phnom Penh with the participation of Vietnamese and Cambodia students along with Vietnamese business representatives in Cambodia.

The event was part of activities celebrating 50 years of Vietnam-Cambodia diplomatic relations. 

The tournament include four male teams and two female teams from the Royal University of Phnom Penh and the Bank for Investment and Development of Cambodia, a subsidiary company of the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam and telecom group Metfone under the Military Telecom Group(Viettel).

In his opening address, head of the Vietnam alumni delegation in Cambodia Le Trung Kien highlighted the tournament as a practical activity of great significance for fostering the friendship, solidarity and mutual understanding among Vietnamese and Cambodian students and Vietnamese businesses operating in Cambodia.

The event has also helped encourage sports movements among students, youth union members of both nations, Mr Kien noted.

The championship went to male footballers from the Vietnam alumni delegation.

Bach Dang Giang relic site highlights national undauntedness

Located at the estuary of Bach Dang River, just 20 km from downtown Hai Phong Bach Dang Giang relic site is the city’s largest complex of historical, cultural and spiritual monuments and a popular tourist attraction.

Bach Dang estuary is a special place because it is closely linked to three great naval battles and symbolizes Vietnam’s undauntedness in protecting the nation from stronger aggressors. 

The first battle took place in the year 938, when Ngo Quyen defeated 20,000 Chinese naval troops. The second battle occurred 43 years later when Le Dai Hanh wiped out Song enemies from China. The third Bach Dang battle in 1288 is attached to General Tran Quoc Tuan, who helped the Tran Kings to win over the Mongolian  invaders. 

Chu Xuan Viet, a visitor from Hanoi said "These glorious victories reflect the bravery of Vietnamese soldiers and civilians with their determination to defend national sovereignty and creative military tactics.”

Since 2008, Hai Phong city has recreated part of the historical complex in Trang Kenh and built a number of monuments to honor the three victories in the Bach Dang river.

Nguyen Viet Ma, another visitor from Hanoi said “The historical relic site highlights national significance featuring national victories of the two Kings and a general of the Tran dynasty. The relic is also a destination for spiritual tourism. Vietnamese people come here to pay tribute to predecessors and honor exploits of the struggles against foreign invaders.”

Three temples dedicated to King Le Dai Hanh, General Tran Quoc Tuan and King Ngo Quyen were built in traditional architectural style with natural wood and stones. A new road leads to intricately carved stone bridges and the three statues of the General and the Kings near the Bach Dang wharf. In the river, fields of sharpened logs have been recreated as historical evidence of Vietnam’s past glorious victories. 

Vu Toan Thang, Head of the Bach Dang Giang Relic site Management Board:  “Many students have come here to learn history in a practical way. When they saw compasses, simulation models, and sharpened logs, they can imagine more vividly how their predecessors fought against foreign enemies.”

In the first half of this year, the relic site welcomed more than 600,000 visitors. More festive activities are scheduled including a spring festival, Tran temple seal opening festival, the death anniversaries of King Le Dai Hanh and General Tran Quoc Tuan and the Buddha Birthday. The complex is also expected to be expanded to accommodate also Bach Dang Victory Park. Hai Phong is proposing the State recognize Bach Dang Giang as a special national relic site.

HCM City calls for investment into waste-to-energy projects

HCM City will offer many preferential policies for projects using technology application in waste treatment to produce electricity.

On November 26, HCM City held a forum to seek investment for these projects, attracting more than 40 local and foreign investors.   

At the event, Nguyen Toan Thang, director of the municipal Department of Natural Resources and Environment, said that 8,700 tonnes of rubbish from household activities were discharged daily in the city.

The city’s solid waste per capita is forecast to reach 1.3 kilos daily by 2025 compared to the current 1 kilo. Meanwhile, the majority of these are buried. So, it is an urgent need for the city to change the waste treatment technology to avoid problems.

Associate Prof. Dr. Phung Chi Sy from the department said that burying rubbish is a waste of land and affects water resources. Incineration technology has been more widely in many countries and it is a better method for HCM City.

At the forum, Nguyen Toan Thang, director of the HCM City Department of Natural Resources and Environment, announced a range of special incentives for investors in waste-to-energy technology, including the land rental exemption for 11 years.

The city will also support investors in prices of electricity produced from waste treatment. Investors will be also offered with preferential interests for loans to carry out their projects. They will be also exempted from imported equipment for the project implementation.

According to city party secretary Nguyen Thien Nhan, HCM City wants to become a smart city so it is necessary to select smart waste treatment technologies. The city wants up to 80% of its waste to be incinerated to produce electricity by 2025.

BRT: A long term solution

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is gradually showing its efficiency and credibility among Hanoians.

Experts said, the current result of BRT is not a short term solution, but also contribute to the formation of high capacity public transport services in the future. 

According to statistics of the Hanoi Public Transport Management and Operation Center, since its first launching, BRT has achieved high efficiency with the average number of 13,485 passengers per day; carrying 40 passengers at a time and in peak hour reaches 17,465 passengers per day. In peak hours, in average each BRT can carry 70 passengers, even 105 – 115 passengers. Representative of the Public Transport Management and Operation Center said: “Comparing to normal bus, the average passenger in BRT is higher”. Passenger of BRT mainly use this kind of transportation in peak hours, from 7.00 – 9.00 a.m and 16.30 – 18.30 p.m; contributing to 50% capacity of the whole day. The number of passengers using month ticket are in the top among buses in Hanoi. Moreover, 53.7% passengers say they often walk to BRT station to use this transportation. 

Recently, Hanoi is considering of piloting the use of e-ticket for the BRT No.01. Based on the result, e-ticket will be used for the public transportation network, starting in 2018. Director of the Hanoi Public Transport Management and Operation Center Nguyen Hoang Hai said, with the use of e-ticket, passengers do not have to bring along cash to pay for the ticket. It is expected that by 2018, this ticket will be used for all buses in the city transport network. “Passengers will experience the best services in BRT. This is a great advantage and contributes to the image of BRT” – Hai said. 

Transport expert Nguyen Ngoc Quang said, the number of passengers choosing BRT to go to work or study in working days are around 4,000 – 5,000 passengers per day, contributing to 30%; 70% of passengers are using BRT for other purposes. As such, a majority of passenger in working age, the main target of public transport, has not chosen BRT. As such, Quang said, the combination of high capacity public transport services with other kinds of transport means are still ignored, resulting in the capabilities to access and connect with BRT are limited. The transport infrastructure capabilities for people waking along the BRT No. 01 route and nearby streets to BRT stations are inefficient and inconvenient. Therefore, in order to maximize the benefit of BRT, it is necessary to have more sustainable measures. 

With this being said, there should be a better linkage between public transport and other transport means. Quang said: “along with the BRT No. 01, the fist urban railway No. 2A will soon be in operation. The combination between BRT. No. 01 and urban railway No.2A will create the first modern public transport network of Hanoi. As a result, the transport infrastructure for people to access this network must be timely upgraded”. 

Besides, Hanoi also needs to consider and continues investing in additional BRT routes to form a network of BRTs in Hanoi. Transport expert Dang Chi Nga said: “One of the limitation of BRT is a single route. If we have more BRT routes and connected with each other, the efficiency of BRT will increase and this kind of public transport service will become more useful and efficient for Hanoians”.

More beautiful with "community gardens"

Passing Hanoi`s streets in the early Winter days, people all admire the beauty of the colorful flower gardens. From the rubbish spots on living waste, these are turned into lively flower gardens to bring fresh air, new look for many small alleys in Hanoi.

For many years, the garbage collection point was not regulated by people and business households at Quang Trung - Tran Quoc Toan crossroads (Hoan Kiem District), making the Quang Trung Primary School to be a black spot for environmental pollution. Nowadays, the rubbish dump has become a small green garden. It was the result of creative spirit of the youth of the Capital, that creativity has given impetus to the people here to protect the environment of their own place. From the appearance of the flower garden, Mrs. Dinh Thi Kha (Tran Quoc Toan Street) and many other people do not forget to irrigate, care for flowers every morning when going out for the gym. "Since there has been the flower garden, we have not seen any garbage bags. I expect that these models will be more diffuse in the community," Kha said.

Looking at the pictures of fresh branches and leaves in the "recycled garden" in 167 Phuong Mai, Dong Da, people suspected that it was one of the first spot on the waste of spontaneous activity. However, over the past year, this place has completely been changed, dressed in new clothes with unique plants made of recycled materials. From a garbage dump to the path, this has become a green space where the elderly and young children can relax, watch flowers, water trees. In the drastic and creative way, the Youth Union has deployed youth gardens in 16 wards, changing the landscape, raising awareness of public hygiene. 

With the desire to bring green, clean and beautiful space, while raising the awareness of protecting the environment for the people, the project aims to turn garbage into flower gardens in Ba Dinh District that was born with the attention and great support from the community. Up to now, there are 14 wards of Ba Dinh District that have implemented the waste collection program wrongly defined as flower gardens. Not only turning the garbage into the garden, unionists and young people also delete the rubbish wall.

Speaking about the small and significant projects, the Secretary of the Hanoi Union Nguyen Van Thang said that after a year of implementation in 12 districts, the delegation has completed and handed over 100 projects. For the period of 2017-2022, the group aims to complete and hand over, put into use, manage and care for 500 flower gardens. These are works and activities of youths to propagate and educate young generations to preserve environmental sanitation, create landscapes and green spaces in the heart of the urban center.     

More than 1000 people joined Danish Footprints in Vietnam

On Saturday November 25th, 2017, more than 1000 people joined Danish Footprints – a community event organised by the Embassy of Denmark - to promote healthy living and work-life balance.

Danish Footprints 2017 is an opportunity for Danish enterprises operating in Vietnam such as Maersk, A-Concept, Sonion, ECCO, Grundfos, Danisa, Neat Clean (JYSK), Orana and other companies to share and celebrate common values. This year, the values include healthy lifestyle, occupational health and safety, and work-life balance. Managers, staff and families of Danish companies participated in the event, with the presence and remarks by representatives from Ho Chi Minh City’s People’s Committee and the Danish Embassy.

Various activities were organised during the event in which both adults and children could participate: “Run with Maersk” around the park to encourage health care and environmental protection; A playground for children to play with Lego, paint and draw, and other games. Participants also learnt more about Danish culture via Danish food corner.

This was the third time the Danish Footprints Event was organized in Hochiminh city, Vietnam. Last year’s event attracted nearly 1000 participants.

Information on business - trade between Denmark and Vietnam:

There are more than 130 Danish companies in different fields in Vietnam, and Danish companies have an increasing interest in business and investment opportunities in the country.

In 2016 Denmark was the country in the EU that exported the most per capita to Vietnam. In the same year, the total export from Denmark to Vietnam was 3,886 million DKK. In 2017 it is expected to increase to approximately 4,000 million DKK.

The largest export from Denmark to Vietnam is Fish, shellfish, molluscs and products produce hereby.

PM visits culture-tourism space in Ha Giang province

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc visited the culture-tourism space in the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang on November 26.

He took this occasion to talk with local businesses, people and manufacturers.

The PM welcomed Ha Giang to host exhibitions introducing local key products, including farm produce, medicines, confectionery, and brocading products.

He reminded the manufacturing facilities to create highly competitive products by improving quality, design and packaging.

The PM is due to attend the largest-scale trade and investment promotion conference in Ha Giang on November 27.

Ha Giang province has a population of 800,000, 90 percent of whom are ethnic minority people with their unique culture and lifestyle. The most populous are the Mong, Tay, Dao and Nung.

The province draws tourists with its endless terraced rice fields, buckwheat flower fields and grandiose mountain landscapes.

One of the most beautiful sites in the province is the Dong Van Karst Global Geopark, designated by UNESCO as one of 77 sites with important geological and cultural value. The geopark is littered with ethereal karst formations that are nearly 400 million years old.     

Vietnamese language speaking contest held for Lao students

Eleven teams of Lao students competed in an elocution contest in Vietnamese about Vietnam’s capital city of Hanoi and the friendship between Vietnam and Laos in the city on November 26.|

The event, the first of its kind, hosted by the Vietnam – Laos Friendship Association (VLFA), the Hanoi chapter of the association, and the Foreign Trade University, aims to mark the 42nd National Day of Lao (December 2).

The event was attended by Tran Van Tuy, VLFA President, his Lao counterpart, Vilayvong Bouddakham, 39 delegates from 17 Lao localities, and Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Thongsavanh Phomvihane.

Addressing the event, VLFA President Tran Van Tuy expressed delight at the achievements Laos has gained over the past 42 years, believing that under the leadership of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, the country will continue reaping greater successes.

He expressed his hope that the event would enhance understanding between Vietnamese and Laos students, helping consolidate the special friendship between the two countries.

For his part, the Lao Ambassador described 2017 as an important milestone in the Vietnam – Laos relationship, saying it marks the Vietnam-Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year 2017, the 55th anniversary of Vietnam – Laos diplomatic ties and the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty on Amity and Cooperation.

Vimonsa Phasavat from the Friendship 80 school won the special prize, worth four million VND (176 USD) in cash, while two first prizes, worth three million VND (132 USD) each went to Palami Phashoukxayngam and Souphapone Xaysongkham from the University of Mining and Geology and the Foreign Trade University, respectively.

On the occasion, VLFA President Tran Van Tuy presented 400 million VND of donations raised to build a charity house for a mother in Phon village, Lamam district, the southern province of Sekong, who gave her milk to an exhausted Vietnamese soldier who was facing death from malaria some 40 years ago.

Fatherland Front leader visits Long Xuyen diocese ahead of Christmas

President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Tran Thanh Man extended Christmas greetings to Catholic dignitaries and followers in the diocese of Long Xuyen in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang on November 26.

Visiting the Long Xuyen Bishop’s Palace, Man offered congratulations to Bishop Tran Xuan Tieu and Vice Bishop Tran Van Toan of the Long Xuyen diocese, along with local dignitaries and followers.

He expressed his delight that Catholic dignitaries and followers in the diocese have maintained solidarity, adhered to the Party and State’s policies and law, and engaged in patriotic emulation movements like new-style rural area building, charity work, and poverty reduction.

The official expressed his hope that dignitaries of the diocese will continue encouraging Catholics to take part in more social activities and patriotic emulation movements.

Bishop Tieu appreciated the Party, State and An Giang administration’s support for local Catholic followers’ religious practice.

He added that Long Xuyen diocese will continue encouraging followers to maintain solidarity, comply with the Party and State’s policies and law, and participate in patriotic emulation movements. 

Algeria important to Vietnam’s cooperation in Africa: Minister

Algeria is of utmost importance to Vietnam’s political cooperation in Africa, so the two sides need to enhance their traditional relations, Minister of Construction Pham Hong Ha told staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in Algeria on November 26.

His working session with the embassy was part of the 11th meeting of the Vietnam-Algeria Inter-Governmental Committee from November 27 to 29.

Ambassador Pham Quoc Tru said the two countries have had sound relations for decades. Algerian people also have good sentiment towards Vietnamese people living in the African country.

Despite many difficulties, the embassy has made efforts to fulfill the tasks assigned by the Party and State, he noted.

Minister Ha, who is also head of the Vietnamese sub-committee of the Vietnam-Algeria Inter-Governmental Committee, said the two countries need to realise their commitments in diplomatic and trade ties.

He appreciated contributions by the embassy and Vietnamese people in Algeria to the two countries’ links. He asked the embassy to continue promoting the relationship between Vietnam and Algeria.

The 11th meeting of the Vietnam-Algeria Inter-Governmental Committee will take place in Algiers from November 27 to 29, during which Algerian Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia will receive Minister Ha and the Vietnamese delegation. The Vietnamese official will have working sessions with the Algerian ministers of housing and urban development; industry and mines; and agriculture, rural development and fisheries.

The Vietnamese side is set to attend a meeting between specialists of the Vietnam-Algeria Inter-Governmental Committee and the 11th meeting of the inter-governmental committee on November 28. They will also take part in a meeting between Vietnamese and Algerian businesses.

The 10th meeting of the Vietnam-Algeria Inter-Governmental Committee was held in Hanoi in January 2014. 

Table tennis tourney connects overseas Vietnamese in Russia

The Incentra Open 2017 table tennis tournament was held in Russia on November 25, aiming to connect overseas Vietnamese in the country.

The event was participated in by staff members from the Vietnamese Embassy in Russia and representative offices, along with Vietnamese people living in Russia.

Speaking at the event, Lai Ngoc Doan, Vietnamese Envoy to Russia stressed that the tournament offers a chance for overseas Vietnamese in Russia to meet and deepen their relations.

He also voiced his hope that it will strengthen solidarity of the Vietnamese community in Russia. 

HCM City raises more than 37 billion VND to support poor people

More than 37 billion VND (1.6 million USD) was donated at a fund-raising programme held by the Ho Chi Minh City chapter of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City Television on November 26.

President of the VFF’s HCM City said that the programme aims to call on people from all walks of life to support the poor. 

Along with the city’s measures like vocational training and job creation, the fund has helped the needy overcome difficulties and escape poverty, she said.

All of the money raised from the art programme will be used to assist the poor toward the upcoming Lunar New Year 2018.

Over the past 17 years, the municipal chapter of the VFF has mobilised more than 1.6 trillion VND (70.4 million USD) to support the disadvantaged, poor, near-poor, and orphans.