Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong received Israeli Ambassador to Vietnam Nadav Eshcar on November 28 to exchange bilateral cooperation programmes.

Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong (R) received Israeli Ambassador to Vietnam Nadav Eshcar  (Source www.hcmcpv.org.vn)

The official proposed the diplomat enhance cooperation between the city and Israel in various fields, primarily in hi-tech agriculture, education, healthcare, water management, tourism, and innovative start-up development.

He highly valued the scholarships provided by Israel to help Vietnamese experts in water management, rural development, economics, education, and environment.

HCM City is applying successfully most of Israel’s technologies, he added.

He also highlighted the growing relations between the two sides, noting that two-way trade hit nearly one billion USD in 2016. Israel is running 12 projects worth 9.5 million USD in the southern economic hub.

Phong described Israel as a start-up nation with the developed economy and modern science-technology.

He hoped the Ambassador will serve as a bridge to connect HCM City with Israel in wide-ranging fields such as hi-tech agriculture, information-technology, telecommunication, education, water management and share experience in starting a business and establishing a start-up ecosystem.

Ambassador Eshcar invited Chairman Phong to visit Israel to study the fields of cooperation. 

Since Vietnam and Israel are celebrating the 25th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2018, he hoped HCM City will support Israel to host celebration activities in the most effective manner.

The fields that HCM City wants to strengthen cooperation with Israel are of the country’s strengths, he noted.

Vietnam News Agency resumes cooperation with Polish counterpart

The Vietnam News Agency (VNA) and the Polish Press Agency (PAP) have agreed to exchange information and enhance professional cooperation in the time to come, resuming their ties after a long time of interruption. 

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) to this effect was signed by VNA General Director Nguyen Duc Loi and Polish Ambassador to Vietnam Barbara Szymanowska in Hanoi on November 28. 

The signing was witnessed by President Tran Dai Quang and his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda who is on a State visit to Vietnam from November 27-30. 

Under the MoU, the two agencies will exchange text news, photos and video clips in English, for the purpose of publishing on their news channels. 

They also consented to support each other’s correspondents working in the respective countries. 

The VNA and the PAP first signed a cooperative agreement in 1978. However, the deal is no longer effective due to historical changes. 

The signing of the new document is in line with the VNA’s policy on intensifying international cooperation in order to develop its foreign news services, and to access direct information about Central Europe where the agency has yet to establish a bureau. 

The cooperation also runs along the Party’s and State’s foreign policy on diversifying and multilateralising foreign relations. 

Established in 1918, the PAP is Poland’s largest media agency with about 300 reporters. 

Meanwhile, the State-owned VNA boasts a network of 63 bureaus in all the cities and provinces nationwide and 30 overseas bureaus across five continents.

With more than 60 media products by more than 1,000 reporters and editors out of its 2,400-strong staff, the VNA is now the media office with the largest number of products in the country: bulletins, photos, television programmes, dailies, weeklies, monthlies, magazines, pictorials, books, TV channel, e-newspapers and information programmes on mobile platforms.

The agency also delivers news in the largest number of languages. In addition to official Vietnamese-language news provided for domestic and foreign media outlets, stories for foreign service are written in English, Chinese, French and Spanish, not to mention print and e-newspapers in four other languages, namely Lao, Korean, Japanese and Russian.

Mexico's Labour Party chief hails Vietnam’s development

Mexico’s Labour Party (PT) chief said the Doi Moi (Renewal) process, initiated in 1986, was a wise decision of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), which helped turn Vietnam from a food importer into one of the world's largest exporters in numerous goods.

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency in Mexico on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of relations between the CPV and the PT (November 25), the PT’s National Coordinator Alberto Anaya Gutierrez highlighted Vietnam’s high economic growth rate of over six percent for many years. 

He said Vietnam’s hosting of the recent successful APEC 2017 Economic Leaders' Week demonstrated the progress and prosperity of Vietnam, as well as the increasingly high role and position of Vietnam in the international arena. 

Alberto Anaya expressed his delight at the traditional friendship and cooperation between the PT and the CPV over the past two decades, which contributed to ties between the two governments and mutual understanding between the two peoples.

He emphasised the results of the cooperation between the two parties, including the establishment of three acupuncture centres in Mexico with the help of Vietnam's Central Acupuncture Hospital, the partnerships in human resource training, printing, and experience exchange in agriculture sector.

Vietnam and Mexico need to continue promoting all-around relations, he said.

Illegal sand mining ships to be investigated

Quảng Nam Province’s functional forces caught six illegal sand mining vessels on Thu Bồn River across Điện Bàn Town on Monday, and arrested the persons responsible.

Lê Phan Minh Mẫn, head of the provincial waterway police team, said that the vessels were operated by Quảng Nam-based Tăng Phúc Hiền, Phạm Còn, Nguyễn Dũng, Phạm Tùng and Nguyễn Sự.

At the time they were caught, there was 200cu.m of sand found on the ships.

According to Mẫn, this activity is being continued due to the huge income it brings.

“This is the most serious case we have ever handled. We seized all vehicles, equipment and fined them at least VNĐ57.5 million (US$253),” he said.

Hanoi cracks whip on site clearance

The People’s Committee of Hoàn Kiếm District in Hà Nội has asked local households to quickly hand over their land to an apartment building project by the end of this month.

The announcement was made on Monday with 11 households in the project’s area having yet to move.

The site clearance work is set to begin at 8am on November 30.

In 2011, Hà Nội’s People’s Committee approved the apartment building project on nearly 1,170 square metres connecting between 30A Lý Thường Kiệt and 33 Hàng Bài Street.   

At the time there were 41 households and five State-owned agencies in the area.

The project aims to replace the old building, which has been downgraded for years.

The households living in the old building have been offered resettlment in the new one.

Environmental sanitation campaign launched in HCM City

A publicity campaign was launched in Ho Chi Minh City on November 26 to encourage people to keep the city cleaner.

The programme, part of activities of the World Bank-funded Ho Chi Minh City Environmental Sanitation project will be implemented from 2017 – 2022.

Nguyen Ngoc Ha, Deputy Director of the project management said the campaign will be conducted on a monthly basis, calling on locals to keep the city clean, particularly along the Nhieu Loc – Thi Nghe canal, thus promoting tourism on the canal.

As part of the programme, students of local universities will collect garbage and clean Thi Nghe market. Members of the local youth union, police force, associations of women and veterans join in the cleaning campaign, from Thi Nghe bridge to Dien Bien Phu bridge on Hoang Sa and Truong Sa roads.

Nguyen Si Thi, a member of the Da Kao ward youth union, district 1 hopes that the campaign will help send a message to all people in the city, particularly those living near the Nhieu Loc – Thi Nghe canal, thus encouraging them to keep the city clean.

The project, worth nearly 20 trillion VND (883.4 million USD), aims to improve the living environment of over 1.2 million people in the targeted areas. The first phase of the project was implemented from 1999 – 2012. The second phase is underway from 2014-2021.

Under the first phase, a number of flood-proof works were constructed, benefiting 1.2 million people in districts 1, 3, 10, and Phu Nhuan, Tan Binh, Go Vap, and Binh Thanh districts. Wastewater and rainwater was collected in the Nhieu Loc – Thi Nghe basin for treatment and released into the Saigon River.

Upgrades, worth over 554 billion VND (24.47 million USD) were made to Truong Sa and Hoang Sa roads.

The second phase will focus on recovering the ecosystem and improving environmental sanitation in the basins of the Dong Nai river, Saigon river and Vam Co river.

A wastewater treatment plant will be built in Thanh My Loi ward, district 2 to collect and treat wastewater from Nhieu Loc – Thi Nghe basin. A similar plant will be built to treat wastewater in the basins of Thao Dien, Nam Thao Dien and Binh Trung Dong – Binh Trung Tay in district 2.
  
Quang Ninh hosts forum on reproductive, sexual health

A forum on reproductive and sexual health and rights of young people was held in Ha Long city, the northern province of Quang Ninh on November 27.

The event was a sideline activity of the ongoing ninth Asia Pacific conference on reproductive and sexual health and rights (APCRSHP), scheduled for November 28-30.

Bjorn Andersson, Asia Pacific Regional Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), said the conference has the theme “Leave no one behind! Justice in sexual and reproductive health”.

He underlined the need for investment in reproductive health care and gender education, particularly at primary level, to help children respect each other while improving their communicative skills.

Legal framework should be developed and enforced to ensure that teenagers and youths are well taken care of in terms of reproductive and sexual health, and that their rights on the issues are fully implemented, according to Bjorn Andersson.

According to UNFPA, Asia Pacific Region, around 10,000 girls are annually reported dead due to pregnancy-related complications. Some 5.2 million teenagers get pregnant and 6.3 million have sex without contraceptive measures. The region also reports 90,000 new cases of HIV infection.-

More aid sent to disaster-affected people in Vietnam

he Vietnam-Republic of Korea (RoK) Friendship Association on November 27 received aid for disaster-affected localities from two Panko Corporation factories.

The Panko Vina Company in southern Binh Duong province donated 500 million VND (22,010 USD), while the Panko Tam Thang Company in central Quang Nam province provided 100,000 T-shirts.

The northern provinces of Hoa Binh and Yen Bai will receive 200 million VND and 40,000 T-shirts each, and the central province of Thanh Hoa will be presented with 100 million VND and 20,000 T-shirts.

President of the RoK-Vietnam Friendship Association Choi Young Joo expressed his hope that these gifts will help locals in disaster-hit areas surmount flood consequences.

On November 26, the General Union of Vietnamese in France (UGVF) hosted a meal as part of the “Bridge of Love” programme to raise funds for people affected by floods in Thach Dinh and Thach Lam communes of Thanh Hoa province.

More than 70 overseas Vietnamese and French people raised some 100 million VND (4,402 USD) at the meal.

Currently, the “Bridge of Love” programme is implementing two projects. The first project aims to provide 100 long-term scholarships for students in Lai Chau and Tien Giang province, while the second looks to raise funds to buy water purifiers for island soldiers.

The UGVF also plans to establish a rehabilitation centre for children with disabilities in Huong Son district of Ha Tinh province.

HCM City 1 win, maintain national top spot

HCM City 1 strengthened their position at the top, beating Việt Nam Coal and Minerals 2-0 in their 14th round match of the National Women’s Football Championship yesterday at Nam Định’s Thiên Trường Stadium.

Trần Nguyễn Bảo Châu opened the score in the 33rd minute, converting a corner kick into the net with a close-range tap.

Substitute Tuyết Ngân doubled the result in the 50th minute. Ngân received a ball from a counter-attack. She left all Việt Nam Coal and Minerals’ defenders behind to come face-to-face with goalkeeper Khổng Thị Hằng. A low straight shot by Ngân to the left corner gave Hằng no chance to save her net.

HCM City have 39 points, 11 more than closest rivals Hà Nội 1.

HCM City 1, Hà Nội 1, Việt Nam Coal and Phong Phú Hà Nam are the four teams that have qualified for the semi-finals which will be held on Thursday.

Vietnamese workers in RoK receive consultations

Vietnamese agencies held a meeting on November 26 with Vietnamese guest workers in Gwangju city, about 300km west of Seoul, and neighbouring areas, to give them legal consultations and encourage them to return home on schedule.

Addressing the meeting, the second of its kind this year that drew about 300 workers, Minister Counsellor and Vice Ambassador to the RoK Tran Anh Vu noted that with support from both Vietnam and the RoK, many workers have learned skills and saved money under their working contracts in the RoK.

He called on the workers to go back to Vietnam on time, thus giving the vacancies to those who wish to work in the RoK.

Vu also expressed hope to continue receiving coordination from the RoK side and Gwangju province to ensure the legitimate interests of Vietnamese guest workers.

A representative of Gwangju city lauded the contributions of Vietnamese workers to the growth of the locality and the RoK over the years, while revealing that local authorities have applied strict measures to prevent people working illegally.

Meanwhile, Le Manh Hung, Vice Director of the Overseas Worker Centre under the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, said those who return home from the RoK on schedule will have a good chance to work in the RoK again, adding that workers returning from the RoK have also received support from the ministry to seek jobs.

During the meeting, Vietnamese and RoK authorities also answered questions raised by guest workers related to their interests after returning home on time, as well as legal problems that they counter in the RoK.

The organisation board also held a contest on Vietnam and RoK law at the event.

Nearly 50,000 Vietnamese workers are working in the RoK, with about 16,000 of them having stayed after their contracts expired. Gwangju city and neighbouring areas host about 3,000 Vietnamese labourers.

Photo exhibition takes people on visual tour of Panama

Images of old and modern Panama are on display at an exhibition entitled ‘Visit Panama’, which opened yesterday in Hà Nội.

The photos from different locations around Panama, from the past and the present day, invite visitors on a visual tour of the small country in Central America.

“Panama has become one of the largest countries in terms of transit, tourism and investment in the region,” said Ambassador of Panama to Việt Nam, Servio S Samudio B. “In the part on Old Panama, visitors will appreciate images of the valuable ruins – irrefutable proof reminding us that our beautiful country has a great historical past both in the Pacific where the Old Panama was destroyed and in the Atlantic where our beloved Portobelo was recognised for its famous Ferias during the Pre-Columbian colonial period, and where we received great assistance with visitors of different nationalities since then,” he said.

“This means that Panama was and will be the centre of the universe as our beloved liberator Simon Bolivar would recognise us since our origin.”

The part on modern Panama presents photos depicting the country’s economic growth and tourism potential.

The photos introduce many destinations in Panama such as Bocas del Toro beach on the Caribbean Sea, the coral reef in Vereguas Province and ruins of Santo Domingo Church constructed in the 17th century.

People can also contemplate the culture of the country through handicrafts of the indigenous people, and the dances of the Congo and Dirty Devil.

“In this way we have managed to turn our country into a destination you will not want to miss on your next trip to our American continent,” he said. The exhibition will run until December 1 at Hà Nội University, Nguyễn Trãi Street, Thanh Xuân District, Hà Nội.

Waste-to-energy a solution to waste management: experts

The HCM City People’s Committee on Sunday hosted an investment seminar on its waste-to-energy project.

Speaking at the event, Đặng Huy Đông, deputy minister of planning and investment, said that burning garbage to produce electricity was similar to coal power technology. Therefore, the city authority has to carefully consider proposals submitted by investors to ensure technical parameters and capacity before signing contracts. Moreover, innovation also needs to be fostered for better environment protection, he said.

A representative of HCM City said it plans to call for private sector’s investments instead of allocating the State budget for development projects. 

By funding the project, investors can enjoy the land free for 11 years or a reduction of 70 per cent on land rent. Also, the city will adopt the subsidy policy for incineration generator projects.

On the occasion, several experts stressed on waste-to-energy as the innovative solution in waste management. International and domestic companies also expressed their interest in the project.

At present, the daily solid waste in HCM City is 8,700 tonnes, of which 76 per cent is to be buried and 14.7 per cent is for composite production. Additionally, there are about 2,000 tonnes of industrial waste, 400 tonnes of hazardous waste and 22 tonnes of medical waste. These numbers are expected to rise by 5 to 10 per cent in one year. HCM City aims to reduce the amount of buried waste to 20 per cent by 2025.

All project bidding will be publicly organised.

Exhibition on Hoang Sa, Truong Sa comes to Bac Giang

Officers and members of the 2nd Corp High Command at the exhibition 

The exhibition titled “Hoang Sa, Truong Sa of  Vietnam: Historical and legal evidence” is taking place at the 2nd Corp High Command in Luc Ngan district of the northern province of Bac Giang.

The exhibition, organised by the Ministry of Information and Communications from November 24, features evidence affirming that Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos belong to Vietnam.

On showcase are documents issued by the Vietnamese feudal regime from the 17th to 20th century and research of Vietnamese and international scholars, along with maps, images and atlases published by other countries, asserting Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos.

The event is part of activities to raise public awareness and responsibility of Vietnamese people, especially youths in protecting the country’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa.

Photo exhibition on Vietnam, Laos relations opens in Hanoi

The Vietnam News Agency (VNA) opened a photo exhibition on the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Laos in Hanoi on November 27.

The event is part of activities to celebrate the 55th founding anniversary of Vietnam - Laos diplomatic ties, the 40th years of the signing of the Vietnam - Laos Treaty on Amity and Cooperation and Vietnam - Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year 2017.

The exhibition features more than 100 photos taken by VNA photo journalists, which reflect the special bond of the two countries in the struggle for independence and in each country’s national construction. Photos of President Ho Chi Minh, Lao President Souphanouvong and other leaders of the two countries were also on display.

Speaking at the event, VNA General Director Nguyen Duc Loi said 2017 is a special milestone in the Vietnam - Laos relationship, as activities have been launched in the two countries as proofs of a special international friendship.

He noted that bilateral relations have been thriving over the years in all fields, including politics, defence-security, external affairs, economy, trade-investment, education-training and people-to-people exchange.

Vietnam’s press agencies have contributed to the development of bilateral relations, he added. In January 2018, VNA and Lao News Agency (KPL) will celebrate 50 years of cooperation.

The event runs until November 30 on 45 Trang Tien Street. A similar exhibition will be held by VNA and KPL in Laos’ capital city of Vientiane in December 2017.

Deputy Defence Minister receives Russian chief military prosecutor

Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Le Chiem had a received Deputy Prosecutor General and Chief Military Prosecutor of the Russian Federation Petrov Valery Georgievich in Hanoi on November 27.

Sen. Lieut. Gen. Chiem lauded the outcomes of the Russian official’s working sessions with Vietnam’s Central Military Procuracy and other military procuracy agencies.

He expressed his belief that the visit will lay the foundation for new cooperation orientations, contributing to promoting the traditional friendship between people and armies of the two countries.

He proposed that Vietnam and Russia should continue strengthening ties through increasing delegation exchanges and enhancing defence strategy cooperation and mutual support at multilateral forums, while maintaining win-win technical affiliation.

The Russian guest said that he hopes in the coming time, the traditional friendship between the two countries in general and military judicial bodies of both sides in particular will be further fostered and developed.

Poverty reduction – leading task assigned to Ha Giang

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc described poverty reduction as the leading political task of the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang. 

At a working session with the Standing Board of the provincial Party Committee on November 27, the PM said although poverty rate in Ha Giang dropped by 5 percent, the number of poor households in the locality has remained high. 

Pointing to shortages and backwardness in local socio-economic infrastructure, along with small economic scale, PM Phuc asked Ha Giang to continue to apply information-technology, build trademarks and seek resources for infrastructure development.  

At the same time, Ha Giang should make all-out efforts to improve budget contributions, he stressed. 

The leader also asked the province to better spread start-up spirit, strongly restructure the economy and revamp the operational apparatus.

Taking into account Ha Giang’s proposals, PM Phuc assigned the Ministry of Transport to roll out a plan to mobilise capital for the construction of a route linking Ha Giang with Hanoi-Lao Cai Expressway. 

Earlier, the PM made a field trip to the Thanh Thuy International Border Gate to examine the implementation of export-import procedures and administrative management at the border gate. 

As of October 2017, total export-import turnover via the border gate reached nearly 2.53 million USD, up 266.7 percent year-on-year. 

While in Ha Giang, PM Phuc visited a 110 USD project on milk cow breeding and high-tech milk processing in Phong Quang commune, Vi Xuyen district. Once operational, the project is expected to generate job for thousands of labourers, both directly and indirectly. 

He also visited and presented gifts to a number of families of revolutionary contributors, social beneficiaries and war invalids in Ha Giang city.

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.

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.

PM believes investors will help turn Ha Giang into well-off province

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc appreciated the presence of investors in an investment promotion conference of Ha Giang on November 27, noting that they will greatly help to develop the northernmost province of Vietnam into a well-off locality.

In his speech, the Government leader expressed his belief that investors will overcome every challenge and reap the rewards in Ha Giang.

“What you have done today will not only help improve livelihoods and living standards of local ethnic people and but also create breakthrough development in this remote border region in the future,” he said.

Good business models and inclusive investment projects that can create sustainable jobs and income for locals are what local authorities target as they are also key to the development of the whole northwestern region, including Ha Giang, in the time ahead, he added.

He asked provincial authorities to persist in building an incorruptible and growth-enabling administration that support businesses. They need to minimise unreasonable business expenses so as to help enterprises increase labour efficiency and gain sustainable profits, thereby enhancing Ha Giang’s attractiveness to investors.

“Ha Giang’s competitiveness ranking must be promoted in the coming time, which is an urgent requirement for the province’s political system and public employees,” PM Phuc said.

With regard to tourism, he said the province is completely able to attract tourists all year round. To do that, it needs to step up popularising local images and identities, develop community-based tourism, and revive and bring into play cultural values of traditional festivals. Ha Giang should also boost manpower training to meet demand for exploration tourism, leisure, agriculture and herbal farming.

He suggested the province expand ecological and clean agricultural production, apply high technology in agricultural production and processing, and build and upgrade agricultural brand names.

The Government will do its utmost to provide favourable conditions for Ha Giang to develop strongly, PM Phuc promised.

Ha Giang, which is home to Dong Van Karst Plateau UNESCO Global Geopark and 19 ethnic groups, aims to become a key tourism area by 2020.

Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Trieu Tai Vinh said Ha Giang is determined to have active and effective integration in the fourth industrial revolution. It has also offered some incentives for businesses investing in the province such as supporting a maximum of 15 billion VND (662,500 USD) for each herbal material processing factory and 10 billion VND (441,700 USD) for each feed factory.

At the conference, the local administration introduced 26 investment projects worth 16.1 trillion VND (711.1 million USD) in total. It pledged to work to enable investors to quickly launch these projects soon.

Scholarships presented to students in flood hit regions

The Vu A Dinh Scholarship Fund on November 27 held a ceremony to present scholarships to students of ethnic groups and children of naval soldiers and fishermen in the central coastal province of Phu Yen who were severely affected by storm Damrey.

Accordingly, each of a total of 140 students received a gift set and a scholarship totalling 1 million VND (44 USD).

Addressing the ceremony, former Vice President Truong My Hoa, who is Chairwoman of the Fund, expressed her sympathy to the students over losses due to the storm.

She noted that over the years, the Vu A Dinh Scholarship Fund and the “For beloved Hoang Sa-Truong Sa” Club established by the fund have presented thousands of grants to students nationwide, especially those of ethnic groups and from islands.

More support of the fund will come to students in Binh Dinh, Quang Nam and Quang Ngai provinces in the coming time, Hoa added.

Damrey, the 12th storm in the East Sea this year, made landfall in Vietnam on November 4 with winds of up to 135 km/hour, 50 km south of Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa province), and became one of the worst storms to strike Vietnam’s southern coastal region in years.

The typhoon and subsequent floods claimed 89 lives and left 18 missing and 174 others injured in central and Central Highlands localities as of November 7.