Run to raise funds to save newborn children

Newborns Vietnam and VNG IT Company on July 26 launched a charity run called UPRACE to raise funds to prevent neonatal mortality and promote the health of newborns and their mothers. — Photo Courtesy of VNG Company

NGO Newborns Vietnam and VNG IT Company on Thursday launched an annual charity run to raise funds to combat neonatal mortality, promoting the health of newborns and their mothers in Southeast Asia with a focus on Việt Nam.

This year the run, UPRACE, is expected to attract 10,000 runners. But they will not gather at one place for a face-to-face competition, and instead will run wherever they want with mobile devices recording the distance they run and the time they take.

For every kilometre participants run, the company and others will contribute VNĐ1,000 (US$0.04) to Newborns Vietnam.

The number of participants is expected to increase to 100,000 in the next five years.

According to Newborns Việt Nam, in 2015 neonatal mortality accounted for 75 per cent of all infant deaths in Việt Nam and more than half of all deaths of children aged under five.

Strengthening the existing hospital-based care is the most effective way to save the lives of the most vulnerable newborns.

More neonatal deaths could be prevented with greater availability of hospital neonatal intensive care.

In high-income settings, access to this care is nearly universal while in middle-income and poor countries, coverage, access and quality of care are highly inconsistent.

Suzanna Lubran, executive director of Newborns Việt Nam, said: “A world of safe newborns starts with each of us, we all have a role to play in supporting Việt Nam in developing first-world care and reducing the number of newborn deaths.” 

Winners announced for Alexandre Yersin Prize for Outstanding Publication

The paper “Freeze-only versus fresh embryo transfer in vitro fertilization” by Dr. Vương Ngọc Lan and colleagues at the HCM City University of Medicine and Pharmacy receives the Alexandre Yersin Prize for Outstanding Publication.

The Swiss-Vietnamese Medical Association on Thursday presented awards to four winners of the Alexandre Yersin Prize for Outstanding Publication.

Each winner received a cash award of VNĐ30 million (US$1,300) and a testimonial of recognition.

The medical association established the Alexandre Yersin Prize for Outstanding Publication to recognise Vietnamese scientists who have made important contributions to the medical literature.

Through peer-reviewed publications, they help build Việt Nam’s reputation in the international medical research community.

Another goal of the prize is to foster national and international collaborations for medical education and better health care.

Each publication was evaluated using five standardised criteria, including scientific quality, clinical significance, scientific impact, innovation, and journal prestige.

The winners were Dr. Vương Ngọc Lan and colleagues at the HCM City University of Medicine and Pharmacy for the paper “Freeze-only versus fresh embryo transfer in vitro fertilization” published in the New England Journal of Medicine; Dr. Hà Tấn Đức and colleagues at Cần Thơ General Hospital for the paper “Development and validation of a prognostic model for predicting 30-day mortality risk in medical patients in emergency department” published in Scientific Reports; Dr. Hồ Phạm Thục Lan and colleagues at Tôn Đức Thắng University in HCM City for the paper “Association  Between Lean Mass, Fat Mass, and Bone Mineral Density: A Meta-analysis” published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, and  Dr. Ngô Tất Trung and colleagues at the 108 Military Central Hospital in Hà Nội for the paper “Enrichment of bacterial DNA for the diagnosis of blood stream infections” published in BMC Infectious Diseases.

The prize is named in honor of Dr. Alexandre Émile-John Yersin (1863 – 1943) who was a world-renowned pioneer and a devoted promoter of medical research and education in Việt Nam.

With his discovery of plague bacillus, Yersinia pestis, he made fundamental contributions to the knowledge of plague and helped eliminate the disease that had claimed millions of lives over the centuries.

First national conference on heritage protection, promotion opens

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (fourth, right) and other participants in the conference

The first national conference on the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage in Vietnam was held in Hanoi on July 27, with the participation of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, head of the UNESCO Vietnam branch Michael Croft, as well as authorities from World Heritage Site localities, cultural researchers, and experts.

Addressing the event, PM Phuc stated that heritage sites are treasures made either by nature or during the ongoing development of previous generations.

“The task shared by all of us, especially those in the cultural sector, is to revive our heritage sites, making them more appealing and bringing them to life. This duty includes the training of human resources serving this purpose,” he stated.

The leader stressed that protecting and promoting the value of heritage spaces is not only the responsibility of the State, but of the entire society. The State will create legal frameworks and policies for the work, while the community must play the central role of preserving and passing on to younger generations the value of their heritage.

It is necessary to enhance international integration and partnership in heritage conservation and management, as well as the strict implementation of commitments to UNESCO and international community, he said, adding that making the world’s cultural heritages more globally diverse is not only the responsibility of Vietnam, but also an international obligation.

He asked for the increase of supervision and protection of UNESCO-recognised cultural and natural heritage sites, as well as for non-geographical cultural heritage, such as traditions and rituals.

The Government leader stressed the need to use social resources effectively for the protection of heritage sites and the promotion of its value, creating optimal conditions for people to engage in the work and benefit from it.

He also highlighted the necessity to harmonise tourism development with the preservation of historical-cultural heritage and environmental protection, as well as the strengthening of technology application in heritage conservation and management and the digitalisation of data on aspects of cultural heritage.

Statistics from the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism show that Vietnam owns over 40,000 heritage sites, including nearly 10,000 sites ranked at provincial level, 3,463 at national status, and 95 of special national level.

UNESCO has recognised eight heritage sites in Vietnam as deserving the status of World Cultural and Natural Heritage.

Under the Law on Cultural Heritage and the Convention of the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, Vietnam has 61,669 intangible cultural heritage elements. Of this, 11 have been listed as the Common Heritage of Humankind, with one in need of urgent protection.

Following UNESCO’s World Memory Programme, Vietnam has seven documents deemed as Documentary Heritage by UNESCO, including three World Documentary Heritage documents, and seven that represent the Heritage of the Asia-Pacific Region.

Since 2012, following six reviews, the PM has decided to recognise 142 national treasures. 

HCM City association inks smart city deal with Taiwanese partner

Scene at the signing ceremony 

The Ho Chi Minh City Computer Association (HCA) and the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), on July 27, signed a memorandum of understanding on the exchange of technology, experience and solutions relating to smart city development.

Accordingly, the two sides will promote liaisons that involve market information and partnership opportunities. They will inform and support each other’s goods promotion at trade fairs and exhibitions, as well as organise exchanges and workshops for companies of both sides and carry out joint market studies.

At the signing ceremony, HCA Chairman Lam Nguyen Hai Long stated that Vietnam’s software industry is ready to turn itself into the next silicon valley of Asia, with Ho Chi Minh City emerging as a startup hub.

He noted the HCA, with 30 years of development, plays an important role in promoting cooperation between local authorities and businesses. It also serves as an advisor for the city on policies for IT planning and development, he added.

TAITRA Chairman James Huang said Taiwan (China) has years of experience in building smart cities, with significant capacity in relevant research and development (R&D), original equipment manufacturing (OEM), and original design manufacturing (ODM).

He suggested that the two sides also cooperate in the fields of agriculture, education, retail, and transport.

President visits Hung Yen on Martyrs’ Day

President Tran Dai Quang visits Dang Thi Thu's home in Nguyen Hoa commune’s La Tien village for her family’s contributions to the nation’s revolution

President Tran Dai Quang visited the northern province of Hung Yen on July 27 to meet local authorities, offer incence and flower at revolutionary relic sites, and visit a family who greatly contributed to the revolution.

The activities were made to mark the 71st anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs’ Day (July 27).

At his meeting with Hung Yen authorities, President Quang praised the province’s achievements in socio-economic growth, defence and security development, and Party building.

In the first six months of 2018, Hung Yen’s Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) grew 8.68 percent, with a total export value estimated at 2.17 billion USD.

The State leader recommended the province focus on sustainable industrial development, environmental protection, and high-tech agriculture to capitalise on its own strengths and potential.

The same day, he offered incense at commemoration spaces for former Party General Secretary Nguyen Van Linh and Lieutenant General Nguyen Binh in Giai Pham commune of Yen My district.

He also paid his respects to local martyrs at a monument, in the Nguyen Van Linh square in Hung Yen city.

The President also went to the Cay Da (banian tree) relic site and La Tien temple in Nguyen Hoa commune, Phu Cu district, which are places of honour for the 1,145 soldiers and residents killed when the French colonised the land between 1949 and 1954. 

He visited and presented gifts to Dang Thi Thu in Nguyen Hoa commune’s La Tien village for her family’s contributions to the nation’s revolution.

EVN offers support to victims of Lao dam collapse

People move to safer place following the dam collapse incident 

Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) on July 27 offered 1 billion VND (43,000 USD) to help Lao people overcome difficulties and stabilise their lives after the collapse of the Sepien-Senamnoi hydropower dam.

The assistance was handed over to a delegation of Lao inspection officials led by Deputy Prime Minister and Government Inspector General Buonthong Chitmany, during the delegation’s visit to EVN in Hanoi on July 27.

Leaders of EVN also extended their profound sympathies for the great human and property losses caused by the collapse of the hydropower dam in Attapeu province.

For his part, Bounthong Chitmany thanked EVN for its assistance in addressing the consequences of the dam collapse incident.

At the meeting, EVN informed its guest of its achievements over the years as well as some of the company’s recent activities.

The two sides discussed Vietnam-Laos cooperation in the power sector over the past few years, as well as prospects for future collaboration.

On the occasion, the delegation also paid a visit to the EVN National Load Dispatch Centre.

The same day, the Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRC) Central Committee handed over 50,000 USD in aid relief to the Laos Embassy in Vietnam to help victims deal with the aftermath of the dam collapse incident.

In addition, a VRC delegation led by its Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Xuan Thu will visit and present 100 boxes of necessary household goods containing blankets, mosquito nets, and cooking utensils to people in the affected area.

Earlier this month, the VRC Central Committee also sent assistance worth 30,000 USD to support victims of a blaze in Russey Keo district in Phnom Penh capital of Cambodia. The incident, which occurred on July 10, destroyed the houses and assets of more than 60 families of overseas Vietnamese in the area. 

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development also sent 300 million VND (about 13,000 USD) donated by the ministry’s staff to help victims of the dam collapse in Laos.

HCM City music show to raise fund for national seas, islands

The press conference to give information about the music show 

The Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Committee in Ho Chi Minh City (VFF HCM City) will hold a music show with Ho Chi Minh City Television (HTV) on August 2 to raise funds for the National Seas and Islands Foundation. 

It will be broadcast live at 7:30pm on channel HTV1, then at 8:30pm on HTV9 channel the same day. 

Performances praising the seas, islands, and nationwide patriotism will be staged by artists who recently visited the Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago and other islands to the southwest of the mainland. In particular, an exchange with naval soldiers who defend national sea and island sovereignty will also be held. 

Funding raised at the event will be used to support naval soldiers, border and coast guards, fishery surveillance staff, fishermen, and people living in border areas and islands. 

Trieu Le Khanh, Vice Chairwoman of the hosting VFF HCM City, said the foundation has set the target of raising 35 billion VND to care for officers, soldiers and people living in border areas and islands; build fresh water supply stations in seven provinces, a multifunctional cultural house on Da Nam island in the island district of Truong Sa, and 60 houses for poor soldiers and people in border areas of northern mountainous provinces. 

Last year, the foundation raised more than 30 billion VND (1.32 million USD) which was spent on building a training room for Submarine Brigade 189; water reservoirs and farming gardens on Phu Quoc, Tho Chu and Hon Doc islands; fresh water supply facilities in five provinces; and a solar power station for Dac O border guard station in Bu Gia Map district, the southern province of Binh Phuoc.

Ca Mau fishermen receive loans to build or upgrade ships

Ca Mau rovince has approved 73 applications to build new fishing ships and six others to upgrade low-capacity fishing ships under Decree 67 

The People’s Committee of the southern province of Ca Mau has approved 73 applications to build new offshore-fishing ships and six others to upgrade existing low-capacity fishing ships to serve offshore fishing activities under Decree 67.

Under the decree, which was issued on July 7, 2014, owners of ships with steel or new materials (other than wood) with total main engine capacity of 400CV - 800CV can borrow bank loans that do not exceed 90 percent of the total cost for building the ships.

Tran Van Thoi district has a large number of fishing vessels approved for building or upgrading.

The provincial People’s Committee said commercial banks in the province have provided total loans worth over 352 billion VND (15 million USD) for local fishermen to build 32 new ships. Of that amount, more than 341 billion VND (14.7 million USD) has been disbursed.

Meanwhile, loans worth 4.4 billion VND (189,260 USD) for upgrading two ships have already been disbursed.

The province has also provided insurance support for 1,944 offshore fishing vessels valued at 20 billion VND (860,000 USD), and for logistics vessels catering to fishing ships with total value of 25 billion VND (1.08 million USD).

Nguyen Tien Hai, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, has asked the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, in collaboration with authorised agencies, to review the performance of newly-built fishing ships to ensure their efficiency and safety in offshore fishing.

If the vessels are found to be inefficient and are found idle on riverbanks, the provincial People’s Committee will strictly handle the cases.

The province is also providing information to local fishermen about the guidelines in Government Decree No 17 issued on February 2. The decree amended and supplemented a number of articles in Decree No 67.

The province’s People’s Committee said it would continue to create favourable conditions for fishermen to access loans to build new ships or upgrade low-capacity ships.

HN leads the nation in rural development

Farmers collect eggs at a chicken farm in Ba Vì District in Hà Nội. 

Hà Nội is the leading country in terms of rural development and is setting an example for the nation with 294 out of 386 districts and communes meeting or exceeding the Government’s new rural development standards.

One of the city’s most celebrated achievements was its success in reorganising agricultural assets. The city is now running 154 large rice fields and 101 organic vegetable farms. Reorganising agricultural land into centralised and large production zones is regarded as a critical step in rural development to take advantage of shared infrastructures, machinery and manpower. However, it has proven to be one of the challenging tasks due to the inherent complexity of its nature, which involves a mirage of logistics and community-related issues.

In addition, 15 livestock production centres were established or relocated from residential areas. Nearly 4,000 farms have been registered and reported to the city’s authorities with more than a hundred farms employing high-tech solutions. The city is also home to some 12 well-known brands of agricultural products in both domestic and international markets.

As the city’s rural areas develop, citizens’ incomes have been steadily rising. The city’s average income has reached US$1,800 with the number of poor households at a record low at less than 2.5 per cent based on a report by the city’s census office last June.

“It was a bold and important move, which required a tremendous amount of political will and co-operation between the city and Hà Nội’s residents to complete,” said Minister of Agricultural and Rural Development Nguyễn Xuân Cường.

“The city must now focus on developing quality products, building its own brands and improving its policy to encourage and guide businesses to make more investment in agricultural production.”

Ngô Thị Thanh Hằng, deputy secretary of the city’s Party Committee, said Hà Nội’s objective for 2018-20 was to continue pushing for faster development of rural areas as well as to restructure its agricultural sector to produce and add even more value to farm products. Hằng stressed the need to further streamline and improve the legal process to support farming communities, especially with the issuance of land right certificates.

The city’s natural resources and environment department has been charged with the task of overseeing some 30 districts and communes. Five task forces have been sent to local communities to answer questions, collect inquiries and help local authorities to process paperwork. Obtaining land right certificates, for many farmers, is a major step towards securing financial co-operation from commercial banks to expand their production capacity.

The city, however, is aware of numerous obstacles that must be addressed. From 2018-20, Hà Nội will continue to encourage enterprises to make more investments, preferably in high-tech farming practices.

Centralised slaughtering houses and food processing centres are priorities and seen as key to improving the quality control process and food safety standards.

Poverty eradication remains an objective for the city, especially in remote areas where the poor household ratio is high, such as the districts of Ba Vì (4.8 per cent), Sơn Tây (3.17 per cent) and Phú Xuyên (3.07 per cent).