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Walls along Nguyen Huu Canh Street in District 1, HCMC have become more attractive as students of HCMC University of Fine Art have been painting murals to bring a fresh look to the city.
These murals featuring the stunning landscapes of Vietnam such as the ancient town of Hoi An and the historic Hoan Kiem (Sword) Lake capture the attention of passers-by.
For budget-minded students, the activity will open up chances for them to show up their artistic talent and earn some money to cover their tuition fees.
Around 23 countries to participate in the 2017 Int’l Travel Expo
The 2017 International Travel Expo- ITE HCMC will be held at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 7 from September 7-9.
The expo is expected to attract 300 display booths of hundreds of local and foreign companies from 23 countries and territories worldwide, such as Australia, China, Germany, India, Brazil, Indonesia and more, showing a year-on-year increase of 26 percent.
The event is an opprtunity for travel agents, hotels and representatives from tourism promotion agencies to publicize their brands and offer tourist products to local and international travelers.
It also aims to promote potentials, key tourism products and strengthen cooperations among countries in the Mekong River region.
Started in 2005, the ITE has become one of the leading travel events in Vietnam and the region with expanded scale and diversified activities, such as exhibition, meeting between Buyer and Seller and others, promotional programs
The annual event is co-organized by the HCM City People’s Committee, the ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism.
The 6th Haiku poem contest launched in city
The Japanese Consulate in HCMC has cooperated with the HCM City University of Social Sciences and Humanity to launch the 6th Vietnamese-Japanese haiku contest.
The contest is an opportunity for Vietnamese people to learn more about the Japanese culture. It also aims to encourage the people of the two countries to learn about each other’s language and culture.
The organizers will receive entries from now until October 15. Participants write their entries in Vietnamese and send to the email: thithohaiku15@gmail.com or the HCM City University of Social Sciences and Humanity at No.10-12 Dinh Tien Hoang Street in Distrcit 1. Each person may have maximum of 3 entries.
None of the entries can be copied or translated from others’ work (printed, published or from the Internet).
The entry must follow haiku rules. It includes three short lines of no more than 5, 7, and 5 words each.
Haiku is not usually popular in Viet Nam except with those Japanese Language students from the University of Social Sciences and Humanity. This Japanese form of verse relies on brevity and simplicity to convey its message. An art form that dates back to the seventeenth century; haiku has developed from the Zen Buddhist philosophy of simplicity and the idea of perfection that excludes the extraneous.
The ward ceremony will be held in December.
Man receives nine-month sentence for assaulting doctor
Can Ngoc Giang hailing from Noi Thon village in Hanoi’s Thach That District yesterday was sentenced to nine months in prison for attacking medical worker.
The case was concerned by the public because doctor Le Quang Duong was assaulted by Giang while the medical worker was providing examination to a patient.
As per indictment, Giang took his 10-month old son to the General Hospital in Hanoi’s Thach That District on April 13 because the neonate experienced sore throat and diarrhea. Medical workers were immediately provided intensive care to the baby yet on April 16, the family asked to transfer to another infirmary.
While doctor Duong was explaining the condition of the baby to the family, Can Ngoc Giang, threw a cup at a doctor’s head because he thought that the doctor had failed to properly treat his son. The doctor failed into coma after. Moreover, Giang and some relatives threatened the hospital’s medical workers.
Police officers took him to the station for further investigation.
Police decided to prosecute the case to deter people from assaulting medical workers.
HCMC to build VND1 trillion An Phu intersection
The HCMC People’s Committee has sent a document to the Ministry of Transport about a project to build the first phase of An Phu intersection with the investment capital of VND1 trillion ($44 million) to reduce traffic jam in the area.
According to an announcement by the HCMC Department of Transport on Thursday, An Phu intersection will be built at the crossroads of HCMC-Long Thanh-Dau Gia expressway and Mai Chi Tho street in District 2.
In the document, the city People’s Committee proposed the Ministry of Transport to approve the project’s construction scale and phasing of investment.
About construction scale, the first phase will build a four lane tunnel for vehicles to travel from HCMC-Long Thanh-Dau Giay expressway to Mai Chi Tho street and Saigon River tunnel and vice versa.
In addition, a two lane tunnel will be built from the expressway to Luong Dinh Cua street. A two lane flyover from Luong Dinh Cua street to the expressway and another from Cat Lai-Mai Chi Tho crossroads to the expressway will also be constructed.
Moreover, there will be a light rapid transit route from Long Thanh district in Dong Nai province to Thu Thiem new urban area, District 2, HCMC. HCMC-Nha Trang railway route will have an above ground stretch to travel through Mai Chi Tho street to reach Thu Thiem station.
Yen Bai up all night searching for flash flood victims
Hundreds of rescue workers have worked through the night on August 3 to search missing people after a flash flood ravaged Yen Bai Province.
Torrential rains have caused flash floods and landslides in Mu Cang Chai District, killing at least two people and leaving 13 others missing. 32 houses were completely destroyed and swept away.
Mud filled Vo Thi Sau Secondary School. There are cracks on the walls and the tables and chairs are severely damaged. Nguyen Thanh Ha, deputy head of the school said the flood caused an estimated VND5bn (USD220,000) in damage.
Trinh Minh Hang, deputy director of Mu Cang Chai Department of Education and Training said they would send out a call and gather a force of 500 people to find the missing and clean up Vo Thi Sau School.
Yen Bai Chairman Do Duc Huy quickly arrived at the scene to direct the search and rescue mission. One man was miraculously alive after being swept away by the flood and was rescued on August 3. Hundreds of officers and rescue workers were sent out to search for missing people and clear the rocks.
"The search is difficult because of the sheer amount of rocks and land that have been swept away. It’s been made worse by continued rainfall at night," he said.
The local authorities have provided VND20m (USD880) for people whose houses were swept away and provided free meals and shelter for other victims. The health sector was also asked to prepare medicines and equipment.
Traditional culture, tourism, cuisine introduced in South Africa
Vietnam’s traditional culture, tourist potential, festivals and standout cuisine were introduced to international friends at a culture week held by the Vietnamese Embassy in South Africa on August 3 in Johannesburg city as part of activities marking the 50th founding anniversary of ASEAN.
The event was attended by officials and staffs from ASEAN member states’ embassies, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, authorities of Pretoria and Johannesburg and local people.
Along with promoting political, economic and trade relations between Vietnam and South Africa, it is necessary to popularise Vietnam’s culture and tourism so South African people can better understand the Southeast Asian country, said Vietnamese Ambassador to South Africa Vu Van Dung.
The event aroused the interest of South African friends, Ambassador Dung stressed, saying he will promote more cultural activities in the future.
HCM City to build interchange in District 2’s An Phú Ward
HCM City People’s Committee has asked the Ministry of Transport to approve an investment plan to build an interchange at a traffic-clogged area in An Phú Ward in the city’s District 2.
Total investment in the first project phase would be over VNĐ1 trillion (US$44.05 million), including construction costs of around VNĐ800 billion (over US$35.24 million), which would be taken from the leftover capital from the HCM City - Long Thành - Dầu Giây Expressway project.
Phase one of the project includes a two-way tunnel with two lanes in each direction, which would connect the HCM City - Long Thành - Dầu Giây Expressway to Mai Chí Thọ Street and Sài Gòn River Tunnel.
In addition, a two-lane tunnel would be built to connect the HCM City - Long Thành - Dầu Giây Expressway to Lương Định Của Street.
The second and final phase of the project would include a two-lane overpass connecting Lương Định Của Street to the HCM City - Long Thành - Dầu Giây Expressway, and another two-lane overpass connecting the Cát Lái - Mai Chí Thọ three-way junction to the HCM City - Long Thành - Dầu Giây Expressway.
Two elevated railways over Mai Chí Thọ Street that would enter Thủ Thiêm Station are also expected to be built, namely the Long Thành - Thủ Thiêm light rail and HCM – Nha Trang railway.
VN-US diabetes programme enters 2nd phase
The Vietnamese Association of Diabetes and Endocrinology and the American Diabetes Association have kicked off phase two of an international specialised education programme in diabetes, or iSTEP-D.
It will focus on improving diabetes management in hospital as well as out-patient settings.
There will be eight training courses, with 600 physicians attending.
The country has a diabetes incidence of 5.4 per cent, double the figure in 2000. It means nearly five million Vietnamese are diabetic, Assoc Prof Thái Hồng Quang, president of VADE, said.
More than 52 per cent of people with diabetes die because of the disease before the age of 60.
“There is a very urgent need to take action for better diabetes management.
“To quickly improve treatment, VADE regularly updates guidelines for diabetes management.”
Linda Cann, senior vice president of professional services and education at ADA, said: “By creating an opportunity for educational exchange between physicians from the ADA and those from VADE, it is ADA’s hope that the burden of diabetes in Việt Nam will be reduced.”
The partnership with VADE aims to strengthen the capabilities of endocrinologists managing diabetes, she said.
The four training centres are at the HCM City University of Medicine and Pharmacy and training centres of Chợ Rẫy Hospital, Bạch Mai Hospital, and the Central Hospital of Endocrinology.
iSTEP-D is a medical education programme aimed at updating standardised practical knowledge in diabetes and thus enhancing the effectiveness of diabetes diagnosis and treatment in Việt Nam.
Young marksmen to shine at national tourney
More than 150 athletes are competing at the National Youth Shooting Championships which kicked off yesterday in Hà Nội.
The young shooters, including the ASEAN youth champion Bùi Thị Thu Thuỷ, will take part in 18 events for individuals and 18 for teams across different age groups, ranging from 14 to 21.
Thuỷ, 14, will compete in her strongest event of the 10m air pistol, in which she triumphed at this year’s Southeast Asian Youth Shooting Championship.
She is a member of the national team and will receive strong support to succeed at the Youth Olympics in 2018 and the Olympic Games in 2020, according to national head coach Nguyễn Thị Nhung.
Speaking at the opening ceremony yesterday, head of the organising board Nguyễn Mạnh Hùng said shooting was one of Viet Nam’s most successful sports in many international competitions. This year’s tournament is a chance for managers to select talented athletes for the national team and push the sport’s development nationwide.
The championships will close on August 8.
Vietnam-China Friendship Association contributes to bilateral ties
The National Congress of the Vietnam-China Friendship Association (VCFA) for the sixth tenure (2017-2022) convened in Hanoi on August 3.
Addressing the congress, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh highlighted recent developments of the Vietnam-China relationship, including regular exchanges of meetings.
The two sides have also reached agreements on enhancing mutual political trust, and improving cooperation and settling disputes to deepen ties between the two Parties and States in a stable manner, he added.
The official also commented on close collaboration between Vietnamese and Chinese ministries, agencies, localities and people, as well as strides made in economic and trade cooperation, benefiting the two countries’ peoples.
Stressing the contributions of the VCFA to the relationship during 2012-2017, Deputy PM Minh said the association has diversified its activities, serving as an important bridge between the two nations.
To strengthen bilateral relations, he urged the association to step up their friendly exchanges, improve its organisation quality and promote friendship among people from all social strata, especially youths.
The Deputy PM noted his belief that the association will attain more achievements in the 2017-2022 term, contributing to increasing mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation between Vietnamese and Chinese people.
Nguyen Van Tho, VCFA Vice President for the fifth tenure, said with branches in 30 cities and provinces, the association carried out many activities such as meetings, delegation exchanges and seminars, along with cultural and humanitarian activities.
Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Hong Xiaoyong emphasised that preserving and promoting China-Vietnam friendship is a responsibility shared by both sides.
The Chinese Embassy in Vietnam wishes to closely partner with the association to diversify people-to-people diplomacy.
The congress elected a new 70-member executive board. Nguyen Xuan Thang, member of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, and Director of Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, was re-elected as president.
Delegates at the event agreed to revamp the association’s operation in the next tenure, intensify communications work and expand networks of friends and partners.
More people to benefit from palliative care
Health experts and doctors met in Hanoi on August 3 to discuss the updated and amended guiding document on palliative care.
In 2006, the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment, under the Ministry of Health, issued guidance on palliative care for cancer and AIDS patients.
The newly updated document expands the subjects of the specialised medical and nursing care to all people with life-limiting illnesses. It says the therapy begins when diseases are detected and continues throughout the treatment process.
It encourages the building of multi-component groups, which include medical staff, families, social workers and volunteers, to care for patients. Palliative care can take place at hospitals, at home and within the community.
Speaking at the meeting, Luong Ngoc Khue, Head of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment, said palliative care carries significant humanitarian value.
Eric L. Krakauer, an expert from the World Health Organisation, said the therapy helps reduce pain and should be incorporated into primary and comprehensive healthcare.
Japan aids fishermen in Quang Tri with LED lights
The Japanese New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation (NEDO) presented LED lights to 40 offshore fishing vessels in the central province of Quang Tri.
NEDO has spent more than 3.4 million USD to aid local fishermen with 1,800 boxes of LED lights and 40 electrical measuring equipment.
Vessels receiving the tools are from the districts of Vinh Linh, Gio Linh and Thieu Phong, and have minimum capacity of 200 CV.
The use of LED lights helps save more than 70 percent of fuel costs on each sea trip.
Hospital project: Investor fined over environmental impact report
The Ninh Bình People’s Committee has imposed an administrative fine of VNĐ400 million (US$17,700) on the investor of the Ninh Bình Obstetrics and Paediatrics Hospital.
The hospital investor has been fined for not having the environmental impact report for the past eight years.
The investor of the project is the management board of the Ninh Bình Civil and Industrial Investment and Construction Project.
Construction work on the hospital started in 2010; however, the investor did not have the environmental impact report as regulated by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
Inspectors from the Ninh Bình Department of Natural Resources and Environment on June 26 this year checked and proposed that the provincial People’s Committee impose an administrative fine on the investor of the hospital.
Nguyễn Ngọc Thạch, deputy director of the provincial People’s Committee, signed the decision on the administrative fine, in which he temporarily suspended construction work on the hospital for 60 days.
The management board of the Ninh Bình Civil and Industrial Investment and Construction Project was requested to complete all legal procedures related to environment protection to submit to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
The Ninh Bình Obstetrics and Paediatrics Hospital has total investment of VNĐ2.7 trillion (US$120 million). At present, construction work on the hospital is temporarily halted due to a shortage of funds.
A leader of the management board of the Ninh Bình Civil and Industrial Investment and Construction Project told the Dân Trí (People’s Intellectual Standards) e-newspaper that the board took over the project from another investor, and was unaware that the hospital lacked environmental impact report.
At present, construction work on the hospital has been halted until the report is complete and sufficient funds can be collected. The management board does not know when construction work will resume.
Vietnamese in Thailand overcome consequences of floods
The historic flood over the last 40 years that recently hit northeastern Thailand caused serious damage to many overseas Vietnamese living there.
Hardest hit is Kakhon Nakhon province where a large number of OVs are residing. According to preliminary statistics, around 400 Vietnamese families were affected by the floods with estimated losses of around US$4 million.
The OVs Association in Thailand has launched a campaign to help flood victims stabilize their lives soon. The OVs Association in Nong Bua Lamphu Province and the Women’s Union in Khon Kaen Province also visited Sakhon Nakhon and donated VND120 million to OVs there.
A working delegation from the Vietnamese Consulate General in Khon Kaen led by Consul General Nguyen Ngoc Son also visited the flood victims in Sakhon Nakhon and provided them with essential food and things.
Meanwhile, OVs across Thailand have effectively responded to the campaign in support of their countrymen in the northeastern region, particularly Sakhon Nakhon province. Around VND350 million has been raised for the flood victims so far.
The historic flood killed 11 people, submerged hundreds of villages and affected the living conditions of ten thousand locals.
ASEAN photo exhibition marks bloc founding anniversary
A photo exhibition on ASEAN countries and people is scheduled to take place at Ly Thai To square in downtown Hanoi from August 5 to 11.
The event will feature 230 photos taken by 136 photographers from the ten ASEA member states, including 61 Vietnamese.
The photos have been selected from a contest launched by the Department of Art, Photography and Exhibitions under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, which attracted 10,127 entries by 1,248 amateur and professional artists from across the ASEAN region.
The organiser said the contest broke a record in terms of submission volume compared to similar competitions held by the ministry in recent years.
The upcoming exhibition is part of activities to celebrate ASEAN’s 50th founding anniversary.
Thua Thien-Hue restores Trang Tien Bridge
The central province of Thua Thien-Hue has invested 3.8 billion VND (167,162 USD) to repair the Trang Tien Bridge crossing Huong River, in Hue city.
The work, conducted by An Giang Dragon company, is scheduled to be completed in October this year.
Ten sight-seeing locations with a length of 7m and width of 1,25m each along the bridge will be restored. In the last time of reparation over 20 years ago, the locations were erased, affecting the architecture of the bridge.
Trang Tien Bridge is 402.60m long and 5.40m wide. It was designed by Gusrave Eiffel and built in 1897-1899 under the range of King Thanh Thai. The bridge was restored for the first time in 1937 under the King Bao Dai’s reign, and the second time in the 1991-1995 period.
Vinh Phuc works to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission
The northern province of Vinh Phuc has paid great attention to the prevention of HIV/AIDS spreading in the community, especially the transmission of HIV from mothers to newborns.
According to the provincial Centre for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control, the province has 1,963 people living with HIV, including 1,405 becoming full-blown AIDS. The province has recorded 707 deaths of AIDS. Total HIV cases receiving treatment are 742, including 27 children.
The province has carried out activities to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission since 2007, with 13 facilities providing prevention services.
As of June this year, the centre has provided prevention treatment for 98 women before and during their pregnancy as well as in labour period. All the infants were born without HIV.
Currently, Vinh Phuc has given facilities supplying medicine for preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission, with ARV medicine available for pregnant women.
At the same time, the province has raised local government and residents’ awareness of the need to take preventive measures, and improved the capacity of healthcare staff in the field.
Vietnamese children perform in New Zealand
An event featuring performances of Vietnamese children was recently held at the Embassy of Vietnam in Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand.
The event was the first among a series of performances aimed at introducing Vietnam’s culture in New Zealand’s schools in two weeks. It was attended by Nguyen Viet Dung, Vietnamese Ambassador to New Zealand and overseas Vietnamese currently living in the country.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Ambassador Dung said it was a good opportunity to promote Vietnamese culture though young talents.
During two weeks, the children will stay with local families and go to school with students in New Zealand, as well as participate in musical shows.
This is the first time Vietnamese children have joined such an cultural exchange event.
VNA presents friendship-featured photos to embassy in Algeria
A Vietnam News Agency (VNA) representative on August 3 presented 20 black-and-white photos featuring Vietnam-Algeria friendship to the Vietnamese Embassy in Algeria.
They include a photo depicting former Algerian President Liamine Zerouae’s visit to Vietnam-Algeria secondary school in October 1996, and former Speaker of the People’s National Assembly of Algeria Amar Saadani’s meeting with General Vo Nguyen Giap at his home in March 2005.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Algeria Pham Quoc Tru thanked VNA for helping the embassy own valuable materials about bilateral ties and spoke highly of VNA’s photo archive – which keeps a number of valuable historic photos.
VNA also assisted the Vietnamese representative diplomatic agency in Algeria in publishing a special publication on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties.
VNA’s photo archive boasts valuable photos about the national resistance war, generations of Party and State leaders, and the national construction and defence.
VFF leader praises Baha’i community’s contributions to nation
The Baha’i community has made significant contributions to the country’s development via activities to improve living conditions of needy people and enhance the public’s intellectual standards.
Vice President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Truong Thi Ngoc Anh made the compliment while receiving Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’i Nguyen Thuc in Hanoi on August 3.
She introduced the VFF’s role in protecting legitimate rights and interests of the people, including Baha’i followers.
The VFF leader congratulated the Baha’i community on its 200th founding anniversary and hoped that Baha’i followers would continue accompanying the nation and actively involving in patriotic emulation campaigns.
Thuc said the Baha’i Faith operates with the aim of supporting women, improving the lives of poor people, increasing public intellectual standards, and encouraging useful scientific activities.
The Baha’i Faith was introduced in Vietnam in 1954 by an Indian female follower. The Baha’i community now has nearly 7,000 followers in 45 cities and provinces nationwide.
It was officially recognised as a religious organisation in Vietnam in July 2008.
Deputy PM directs flood recovery efforts in Yen Bai
Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung directed flood recovery efforts in Mu Cang Chai district, the northern mountainous province of Yen Bai on August 3.
He urged local authorities to promptly seek missing people and providing support for victims and their families.
With the support of Military Zone 2, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) and relevant ministries and agencies, localities must evacuate residents to safety areas and provide them with necessities.
The Deputy PM asked the locality to soon repair roads, houses, schools, hospitals and key public works, ensure communications and normal production.
The MoNRE and MARD were required to promptly zone off landslide-prone areas to minimise losses.
Preliminary statistics showed that the disaster left two dead, 13 missing and 8 others injured in the district. The total damage in Yen Bai is estimated at nearly 150 billion VND (6.52 million USD).
Earlier on August 2, the heaviest rainfall and flash flood hit Muong La district, the northern mountainous province of Son La, leaving 6 dead, three injured and 10 others missing.
Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Lo Minh Hung, who is also deputy head of the provincial Steering Committee on Disaster Prevention and Control and Search and Rescue, asked local authorities to evacuate local residents and their assets out of landslide-prone areas while seeking the missing people and providing support for victims’ families.
The flooding swept away 188 houses, destroyed 119ha of rice, 20ha of corn, nearly 800 heads of fowl and cattle, and many other facilities.
The district’s Steering Committee on Disaster Prevention and Control and Search and Rescue mobilised 1,200 people for recovery efforts.
Vietnam, Laos Parties share experience in sustainable development
The fifth theoretical workshop between the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP), themed “Rapid, sustainable development,” opened in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang on August 3.
In his opening remarks, Vo Van Thuong, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and head of the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for Information and Education, said the workshop is significant theoretically and practically.
It is taking place at a time when Vietnam and Laos are marking the 55th anniversary of their diplomatic ties and 40 years of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, he said.
Vietnam is implementing the Resolution adopted at the 12th National Party Congress and Laos is also materialising the Resolution of the 10th Party Congress, the official added.
The two-day workshop offers an opportunity for Vietnamese and Lao scientists to exchange experience in socio-economic development, especially socialist-oriented sustainable development.
Thuong reiterated the Vietnamese Party’s viewpoints on rapid, sustainable development, and introduced experience the country gained over the past years as well as orientations and tasks set for the time ahead in order to improve the efficiency of the Party leadership.
Rapid, sustainable development is the cause pursued by the entire Party and population, he said, noting that all people have equal chances to develop, contribute to development and benefit from its outcomes.
Thuong stressed the need to ensure rapid, sustainable development on the basis of ensuring the macro-economic stability and improving productivity, quality, efficiency and competitiveness of the economy.
It is a must to closely combine economic development with cultural, social and environmental development, the readiness to cope with climate change, and national defence and security, he said.
The official expressed his hope that the two sides will regularly share theoretical and practical experience, contributing to spurring rapid, sustainable development, and successfully carrying out reform in each country.
Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune, head of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee’s Commission for Propaganda and Training, also highlighted the LPRP’s viewpoints on sustainable development and briefed the workshop on Laos’ experience in this field.
He called on the two Parties and States to enhance the bilateral friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation.
Another investor plans out solar power project in Hau Giang
The ASEAN Energy Joint Stock Company is planning to build a one-billion USD solar power plant on a 200-hectare area in the Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang.
Director of the ASEAN Energy Joint Stock Company Ta Xuan Thang revealed the plan during a working session with leaders of Hau Giang province on August 3.
The company is now surveying possible locations for the project in Hoa An commune in Phung Hiep district, Vinh Tuong commune in Vi Thuy district and Vinh Vien commune in Long My district.
Once the project is approved by the provincial authorities, construction of the plant will start soon so that it can be put into operation in 2019.
Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Truong Canh Tuyen said the province is willing to create favourable conditions for the company to build the solar power plant.
Optimal incentives in terms of land rental, cooperate income tax and vocational training will be offered to the investor, Tuyen said.
To date, four investors have planned to build solar power plants in the province, with investments ranging from one trillion VND (44 million VND) to dozens of trillion of VND, which are scheduled to operate this year and several next years. However, none of the projects has been launched yet.
Hai Duong has additional 13 new-style rural areas
The Steering Committee for the National Target Programme on New Rural Development of northern Hai Duong province has recognised additional 13 communes as new-style rural areas.
They include Le Ninh, Phuc Thanh, Pham Menh communes of Kinh Mon district; Le Loi, Hung Dao, Kenh Giang, Bac An communes of Chi Linh township; Vinh Hoa, Tan Phong, Hung Thai, Van Hoi, Hoang Hanh, Nghia An communes of Ninh Giang district.
Hai Duong has so far recorded 115 new-style rural communes, or half of the total, and is working to recognise Kinh Mon district and Chi Linh township as new rural areas.
Between now and the late 2017, the province strives to have at least 17 new rural communes, raising the total to 132, or 58.4 percent, with each commune meeting 17 criteria.
In order to spread the campaign sustainably, the province has rallied resources for the effort, including raising local and private funds, and incorporating the drive into other socio-economic development schemes.
The committee asked localities to promptly deal with debts in the effort.
Advertising technology expo opens in Ho Chi Minh City
The 8th International Advertising Equipment and Technology Exhibition (VietAd 2017) opened at the Phu Tho Indoor Sport Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City on August 3.
The four-day event, which was annually held by the Vietnam Advertising Association (VAA), drew the participation of nearly 100 businesses who have set up 300 booths to introduce advertising and display equipment, LED technology, advertising materials and gifts and label and package printing.
VietAd, the largest advertising event in Vietnam after eight years of development, has become an effective trade channel for foreign and domestic advertising enterprises, while offering opportunities to firms to share experience in the field. Furthermore, the expo has established cooperation relations with the most renowned advertising expos in Asia.
Experts said that the inked free trade agreements will create favourable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to enter regional and global markets. Thus, businesses in advertising equipment and technology need to enhance capacity to bring made-in-Vietnam products to large markets like ASEAN, the EU and the US.
Only by trading Vietnamese-branded products, domestic advertising companies can promote the development of advertising industry and support other sectors, making contributions to the nation’s economic development.
VAA Chairman Dinh Quang Ngu said that rational investment and market research are key to enhance competitiveness of advertising enterprises.
Meanwhile, advertising businesses said that state management agencies should create a favourable investment climate as well as provide sound business conditions so as to make advertising equipment and technology an important industry in Vietnamese economy.
HCM City youths join voluntary activities in Laos
More than 100 youngsters from Ho Chi Minh City on July 23 went to Laos to take on voluntary activities till August 5.
The volunteers, who had been involved in the “Green Summer” and “Red Holiday” campaigns in the city, will tour Lao provinces of Attapeu, Champasak and Xiangkhouang, to do good deeds.
They will support the building of two Vietnam-Laos youth friendship houses, coordinate with health workers to provide medical check-ups and treatment for poor people, transfer agricultural techniques, and present gifts to needy students.
The youngsters are also expected to help with building playgrounds for children, guiding locals to use electricity economically and safely, improving the power system, and visiting contributors to the Vietnamese revolutionary cause in Laos.
They will participate in a wide range of culture, sport and art activities with local youths and residents to study the traditional friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.
The event aims to demonstrate the pioneering role of youngsters in HCM City to nurture the friendship and solidarity between the two countries, as well as between the city and Lao localities.
It also means to celebrate the 55th anniversary of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic ties and 40 years of signing the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.
2,000 infertile couples to be checked for free
From August 5 to 18, the Andrology and Fertility Hospital of Hanoi will offer a “Golden Week – Cultivation of Happiness 2017” with the theme “Connecting Love” to raise public awareness of infertility and offer financial support for infertile and subfertile couples.
This information was reported by the hospital on July 11, on the occasion of the World Population Day. Accordingly, during the Golden Week, the hospital will offer 2,000 free consultations, examinations and ultrasound checks.
This is an annual activity of the hospital, contributing to raising public awareness of risks and causes of injuries or bad effects on reproductive health as well as providing knowledge of prevention, early detection and timely treatment of infertility with the aid of advanced techniques.
Since the establishment of the Department of Reproductive Medicine in 2012, in addition to professional activities, the hospital frequently organizes programs to support infertile patients in various forms, including the Golden Week, said Dr. Nguyen Khac Loi, Director of the Hospital.
Thanks to each program organized annually, the number of beneficiary couples, particularly poor ones, increases, he added.
Today’ advanced medicine has various methods helping infertile and subfertile couples have babies, said Dr. Le Thi Thu Hien, Director of the Hospital. Provided that the couple are aware of their situation and go to specialists soon, the possibility of success is high, she added.
Those who are interested in infertility treatment or seeking for support please contact Andrology and Fertility Hospital of Hanoi. Address: 431 Tam Trinh, Hanoi. Email: tuanlevang@afhanoi.com; telephone: 1900 56 56 01. Hotline: 090 222 1268.
Vietinbank leads Vietnamese banks in Top 1000 World Banks 2017
Vietinbank holds the highest position among Vietnamese banks listed in the Top 1000 World Banks 2017 recently announced by TheBanker, the global financial intelligence agency since 1926.
TheBanker's rating is based on three key criteria including total assets, pre-tax profits and tier 1 capital.
VietinBank is ranked 376th by TheBanker, up six places compared to the previous ranking in 2016.
Vietnam has a total 13 commercial banks listed in the Top 1000 World Banks in 2017 including VietinBank, Agribank, Vietcombank, BIDV, Military Bank, Sacombank, Techcombank, SCB, Maritime Bank, Vietnam Prosperity Bank, Vietnam Eximbank, ACB and SHB.
VietinBank has been named in the world rankings many times, including six consecutive years in the Forbes Global 2000, a comprehensive annual ranking of the world’s largest public companies.
Brand Finance also estimated Vietinbank's brand value at US$252 million with the brand’s strength given an A+ rating.
VietinBank is now the most effective commercial bank in Vietnam with the largest chartered capital and the best asset quality.
TheBanker's Top 1000 World Banks 2017 did not see much change from that of 2016. The Top 10 features four Chinese banks and four US banks namely ICBC, China Construction Bank, JP Morgan Chase & Co, Bank of China, Bank of America, Agricultural Bank of China, Citigroup, Wells Fargo & Co, HSBC Holdings, and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group.
Expanding export markets for agricultural products
In 2017, the agriculture sector is facing two major challenges including the complicated situation of climate change and increasing competitiveness in the market. In order to improve on the 3% GDP growth in 2016, with export revenue of just US$33 billion, the agricultural sector is prioritising the restructuring of production to meet the market demand and adapt to climate change.
Over recent times, thanks to the close attention of the Party and State, the active coordination among the relevant sectors and branches, as well as the efforts of farmers in implementing agricultural restructuring, challenges have gradually been resolved. In the first six months of 2017, the agricultural sector reached 2.65% of the 3.05% growth target and export revenue reached US$17.1 billion, with almost all major industries meeting the target.
In the first half of 2017, export turnover of agro-forestry-aquatic products hit US$17.1 billion, up 13.1% annually. During the first half of the year, earnings from the export of farm produce were estimated at US$9.1 billion, up 15.4% annually. Meanwhile, revenues gained from aquatic and forestry product shipments reached US$3.5 billion and US$3.8 billion, an increase of 14.1% and 12.8% respectively.
Vietnam exported 413,000 tonnes of rice worth US$182 million in June, raising the six-month volume to 2.8 million tonnes and the value to US$1.2 billion, up 6.3% and 4.9%, respectively. China remained the top importer of rice from Vietnam.
Aquatic products worth US$3.5 billion have been shipped abroad since the beginning of this year, predominantly to the US, Japan, China and the Republic of Korea, marking a 14.1% rise.
Vietnam also saw a significant rise in exports of fruit and vegetable products in the first half of 2017. According to statistics provided by the General Department of Vietnam Customs, exports of fruit and vegetable products hit over US$1.68 billion in the first six months of 2017, an annual increase of 41.4%. The country has enjoyed impressive growth in fruit and vegetable exports in certain foreign markets, including the UAE (93.6%), Hong Kong (China) (89%), and Laos (69%).
Thanks to the close instruction of the Government, many banks and credit organisations, such as the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies, the Vietnam Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Agribank), have deployed a number of loan packages to boost agricultural production and export. In the first six months of 2017, Agribank’s total outstanding loans reached VND788.588 trillion and loans for the agricultural and rural development sector reached VND578.652 trillion, accounting for 73.4% of the total outstanding loans. In particular, investment in agricultural exports accounted for VND7.7 trillion, with over 480 customers.
Through fact finding missions in a number of localities, in the context of common challenges, many branches and localities have quickly found new solutions, changing their export strategies to overcome difficulties.
In the northern region, in the first six month of 2017, a number of key export products, exported through the border gates in Lang Son province, such as watermelon, dragon fruit, banana, cashew nut and cassava starch, saw a decline in export revenue over the same period last year. However, a number of local products that were exported to China including sweet fennel, tea, black agar, and pine resin recorded higher export revenue to the Chinese market. In the past few months, local enterprises have been more active in promoting the export of local goods. According to the statistics from the Lang Son provincial Department of Industry and Trade, in the first six months of 2017, turnover from flower exports reached about US$15 million, up approximately 12% over the same period last year.
According to Director of Lang Son Agricultural Products Processing and Export Co. Pham Thu Giang, the company has actively exported sweet fennel to China and a number of other markets. The company's sweet fennel product has been registered and issued with geographical indications, as well as being protected by the State.
Deputy Director of the Lang Son Department of Industry and Trade Nguyen Quoc Hai said that thanks to the advantages of tax incentives in the China-ASEAN trade agreement, local agricultural products are actively promoted by exporters. Specifically, in the first six months of the year, local export revenue reached US$44 million, recording an annual increase of 23.9%.
In the Mekong Delta province of Long An, from the beginning of 2017, consumption of agricultural products has been stable. In addition to key export products such as dragon fruit and rice, the seedless breed of lime has become increasingly popular. So far, local farmers have planted more than 9,000 hectares, of which the fruit producing area is about 6,000 hectares, with an average yield of about 182 tonnes per hectare a year, and total output is estimated at over 110,000 tonnes a year. Currently, 35 units and two orchard cooperatives are organising the production, purchase and consumption of seedless limes in the Long An province. The product has been exported to Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Europe, China and the Middle East, bringing in export revenue of over US$45 million a year. In particular, orders for seedless lemons from fruit traders have increased after the cooperatives applied the VietGap standards for production of the fruit.
Meanwhile, the livestock industry has been facing difficulties over recent months, which is mainly due to supply exceeding demand, but more specifically due to low product quality and such products having not reached markets of high demand, along with high costs, especially in feed. Ensuring hygiene and safety, and limitations in preservation and processing, have also negatively affected the livestock sector. In order to resolve the existing problems, it is necessary to quickly invest in concentrated and modern processing establishments; expand the market to find an output for Vietnamese livestock products; and continue to improve the legal system to encourage businesses to invest in the livestock sector, especially in processing facilities. In addition, local enterprises should continue studying the market to create diversified products and improve competitiveness. They also need to study and expand investment to create a complete value chain from feeding, breeding, slaughtering, processing and preservation.
32 auctions in two stock exchanges in H1
The HCM and Hà Nội stock exchanges organised 32 auctions in the first half of this year, the State Securities Commission (SSC) has reported.
Of these, there were 11 initial public offerings (IPO), 20 divestment auctions of State-owned firms and one auction to issue shares to the public.
In all, 176.4 million shares worth around VNĐ2.93 trillion (US$128.5 million) were auctioned during this period. The ratio of shares auctioned successfully was nearly 90 per cent.
In H1, the Vietnam Glass and Ceramics for Construction Corporation (code VGC) auction on the Hà Nội Stock Exchange was notable. On May 29, 120 million VGC shares were put up for sale, which attracted 1,026 investors, the highest number recorded at an auction in Việt Nam since 2012.
At the VGC auction, bidders registered to buy 314.3 million shares, 2.62 times higher than the total volume offered. The auction ended with all shares being sold to 37 organisations and 13 individuals at the highest bidding price of VNĐ17,300 per share against the initial price of VNĐ12,300. Foreign investors acquired around 109 million shares.
In the second half of 2017, the SSC said it would take steps to increase the supply source of the securities market and improve the quality of the source, besides continuously streamlining legal regulations and policies for the market.
VNA/VNS/VOV/SGT/SGGP/TT/TN/Dantri/VNE
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