Thanh Hoa residents oppose road's takeover by firm

Hundreds of residents in the central Thanh Hoa Province's Xuan Bai Commune have gathered to protest the takeover of a road in the area by a hi-tech agricultural project.

Police were yesterday on the spot to keep order and security as local residents prevented workers from breaking up the road.

Last year, Thanh Hoa Province People's Committee let out about 921,000sq.m of land in Xuan Bai Commune to Lam Son Sugar Joint Stock Company to develop a hi-tech agricultural project.

The company representative told media that the company had built a new road for the local residents.

However, the people refused to use the new road.

Trinh Dinh Long, a resident, said the new road was not convenient for children to go to school and people to go to work.

They had to travel 3km more if they used the new road, he said.

Tho Xuan District People's Committee this morning asked Lam Son Company to delay the takeover of the road for further negotiations with local residents. 

Ha Noi University launches English-speaking contest

The first round of Echoes 2015, an English-speaking contest organised by Ha Noi University's English Club, will be held over the next two weeks, beginning today.

In the first round called "Video making - Recording your light", each candidate has to submit a three-minute video in any form. They are required to answer one of three questions starting with "If you…"

The competition aims to give high school and university students in Ha Noi a chance to participate in an English-speaking contest.

With the theme of "Dream big, Speak out, Sparkle more", the contest will be a combination of academic English and daily conversations.

The candidates will compete in various activities, such as video clip making, group discussions, presentations and improvisations, besides debates.

The judges will include experienced teachers from the English faculty of Ha Noi University.

Fifteen candidates will debate in the public finale to be held on October 25.

Further information about the contest and video guidance can be found in the ECHOES 2 official booklet that can be downloaded from https://www.fshare.vn/file/DV16IR1MSTHL, or by writing to echoes.voh@gmail.com. 

Hanoi succeeds at birth rate control

Hanoi’s birth rate this year is likely to stand at 15.8 per 1,000 members of the population, a sharp drop from 19.36 in 2012 and meeting the city’s yearly target, according to the municipal Steering Committee for Population and Family Planning. 

From 2011-2015, about 120,000 children were born each year. Gender imbalance at birth has also declined with an expected 114.5 boys per 100 girls in 2015 from 117 boys per 100 girls in 2010, revealed the committee. 

The committee attributed the achievements to the great attention of the Party as well as close coordination among sectors and agencies. During the period, the city spent 191 billion VND (8.5 million USD) on population and family planning activities. 

However, it also pointed to difficulties facing the city, including a large population and extensive geography, which led to a high birth rate in 18 districts and towns as well as unstable birth rate reduction. 

From 2016-2020, the capital aims to maintain reasonably low birth rates, enhance population quality, improve reproductive health, and a stablise population structure. 

Specifically, the city will strive for a natural population rise of 12.5 per thousand and a birth rate reduction of 0.1 per thousand annually. Meanwhile, the city will work to ensure gender balance at birth with a maximum of 115 boys per 100 girls.

Disadvantaged families assisted to build flood-proof sheds

Over 1,470 low-income households in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue will be assisted to build flood-proof sheds through assistance from the provincial People’s Committee, after they earmarked over 20 billion VND (890,800 USD) sourced from the State budget for the initiative. 

Beneficiary localities include the townships of Huong Tra and Huong Thuy and the districts of Phong Dien, Quang Dien, Phu Vang, Phu Loc, Nam Dong and A Luoi. 

Through joint efforts of State agencies, communities and beneficiary families, the flood-proof facilities will be built 1.5 – 3.6 metres higher than the flooding level contingency in each location and have a minimum area of 10 square metres. Other components will mimic those of ordinary houses. 

More than 3,500 impoverished families in Thua Thien-Hue are eligible for the building assistance as decided by the Prime Minister in 2014; over 2,230 have received support so far. 

The targeted localities said all constructed sheds are still steady and have protected human lives during past storms and deluges. 

Meanwhile, flood-tolerant crop cultivation has also been expanded in the province. 

In Quang Dien’s low-lying commune of Quang Thanh, locals have grown vegetables on 1-metre-high frames with an area of 20 – 50 square metres each. The roofed frames also help prevent the crops from being damaged by torrential rains. 

Many of the 325 local vegetable farming households have applied this method, which generates higher income in the rainy season since vegetable prices usually double or triple.

VNA to offer promotional tickets for 2016 Tet Festival

National carrier Vietnam Airlines (VNA) has announced a promotional programme for flights on some domestic routes on the occasion of the 2016 Tet (Lunar New Year) Festival.

Accordingly, passengers will have an opportunity to purchase one-way tickets from October 6-31 on Ho Chi Minh City- Buon Ma Thuot, Nha Trang, Pleiku, Da Lat, Quy Nhon and Dong Hoi routes at VND299,000 and on Ho Chi Minh City- Da Nang and Hue routes at VND399,000.

The promotional tickets at VND599,000 will be provided for flights on the route connecting Ho Chi Minh City with Hanoi, Hai Phong, Vinh and Thanh Hoa.

The promotion applies to flights taken from February 1-7 and February 11-16 (depending on each route). The above prices exclude taxes and other additional fees.

The special offers aim to bring more opportunities for passengers to come back to their hometown to reunite with their families as well as meet the high demands for travel of people during the upcoming 2016 Tet Festival.

On the occasion, Vietnam Airlines is also implementing the programme ‘Golden Moment’ with promotional prices from VND599,000 on Hanoi-Quy Nhon, Ho Chi Minh City-Dong Hoi and Da Nang-Hai Phong routes; from VND799,000 on the Hanoi-Pleiku route; and from VND999,000 on the Hanoi-Phu Quoc route. The discounted fares is for travel between October 2 and 31.

Seminar on Vietnam held in Russia

A seminar entitled “Vietnam: 70 years of Independence” was held on October 5 at the Centre for Vietnam and ASEAN Studies under the Russia Academy of Science.

The sixth seminar brought together a number of Russian experts in Vietnamese studies as well as Vietnamese scholars from the Ho Chi Minh National Political Academy.

Participants presented 21 reports on Vietnamese socio-economic aspects, such as Vietnam on the threshold of the 12th National Congress of the Communist Party; the role of the Vietnamese Communist Party; and concerns related to foreign relations, the economy and culture.

Associate Professor Dr. Doan Xuan Thuy, Deputy Director of the Political Economy Institute under the Ho Chi Minh National Political Academy, appreciated the topics and themes discussed at the seminar, especially those pertaining to the progress of preparations for the upcoming 12th National Congress of the Vietnamese Communist Party.

Hanoi forum discusses women’s role in equality, development

A forum opened in Hanoi on October 6 to promote understanding, solidarity, friendship and cooperation among women worldwide for targets of equality, development and peace set forth at the 4th World Conference on Women in 1995 in Beijing, China.

Co-organised by the Vietnam Women’s Union and the United Nations Women (UN Women), the event offered a chance to update international friends on Vietnam’s land, people and achievements during its 30-year reform process; women’s movements in the country; and the VWU’s operations.

Addressing the forum, President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan highlighted the role played by Vietnamese women in national construction and development both in the past and at present.

Vietnam’s Constitution, the Law on Gender Equality, the Law on the Election of NA Deputies and People's Councils, the Labour Code, and the National Strategy on Gender Equality from 2011-2020 confirm the central roles and rights of Vietnamese women, Nhan said.

Vietnam is also an active member in implementing The UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the 1995 Beijing Platform for Action (BPA) on women, Nhan said, adding that the country also committed to realising UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) related to women.

The VFF President expressed his hope that through the forum, foreign participants would understand more about the role and position of Vietnamese women.

At the event, participants discussed the implementation of the 1995 BPA and issues related to gender in the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development.

A workshop themed “Women and Peace-Security” was arranged in the framework of the forum, focusing on dealing with traditional and non-traditional security challenges for women and the role of women in maintaining peace.

Policies and initiatives to ensure equal and effective participation of women in all fields, especially in economic development and political activities, will also be on table.

The two-day forum will issue a joint statement, presenting common awareness and commitments to enhancing cooperation and action unanimity among national, regional and global women organisations for equality, development and peace.

Ho Chi Minh City to house two inland waterway routes

Ho Chi Minh City will have two inland waterway routes under a project worth 124.5 billion VND (nearly 5.5 million USD) proposed by the Thuong Nhat Limited Company. 

The projects, which were recently presented to the municipal People’s Committee for approval, aim to meet local travel demands, ease road overload and promote waterway tourism in the city which boasts a 1,000 kilometre-long waterway. 

Accordingly, the first route will run from the Bach Dang wharf through the Sai Gon River and the Thanh Da channel to a wharf of Binh Quoi River in Linh Dong ward, Thu Duc district with a total length of 10.8 kilometres. 

The second, spanning about 10.3 kilometres, will also start from the Bach Dang wharf, passing through the Sai Gon River and the Tau Hu channel to the Lo Gom wharf in Ward 7, District 6. 

There will be a total of seven wharfs along each route and ten boats with between 30 and 60 seats in service from now to 2020. 

Once approved, the project is scheduled to be implemented in 2015 and put into operation in 2016. 

The project has won the basic approval of People’s Committees in districts it will run through.

Vietnam attends WIPO Assemblies’ meetings

A Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Tran Viet Thanh, is attending the 55th session of the Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) in Geneva, Switzerland.

Delivering a speech at the session which opened on October 5, WIPO Director-General Francis Gurry underscored progress made in public-private partnerships, and in the integration of basic infrastructure into the intellectual property (IP) system, which has taken place globally, especially in developing countries.

He considered IP demand as among the driving force behind governments’ creative and modern economic strategies.

On the sideline of the five-day session, the Vietnamese delegation will hold bilateral meetings with Japanese and Russian partners, the WIPO Director-General and the Deputy Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

At the last WIPO Assemblies’ session held in October 2014, Vietnamese Ambassador to the UN, the WTO and other international organisations in Geneva Nguyen Trung Thanh was elected as Chair of the Coordination Committee.

WIPO is the global forum for the promotion of intellectual property (IP) policy, services, information and cooperation. As a specialised agency of the UN, WIPO assists its 188 member states in developing a balanced international IP legal framework to meet society’s evolving needs.

Seminar seeks ways to fight cross-border infectious diseases

It is necessary to enhance quarantine efforts and communication campaigns raising public awareness in border areas to prevent cross-border infectious diseases from spreading, said a medical official from Rattanakiri province, Cambodia.

Ung Rattana, Director of the Health Department of Rattanakiri province, made the suggestion during a conference held in the central city of Da Nang on October 6, which aimed to share experience, update information on related infectious diseases in border areas and discuss effective prevention measures.

The event, organised by the Central Highlands Institute of Epidemic Prevention, brought together participants from health departments of the central Highlands provinces of Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Dak Lak and Dak Nong as well as Da Nang city, and representatives from Laos’ Attapeu province and Cambodia’s Ratanakiri province.

Speaking at the event, Director of the institute Dr. Pham Tho Duoc underlined the importance of promoting infectious disease information sharing in the border areas of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia to contain their development and spread.

Attendees heard reports on the development of infectious diseases and an overview of emerging diseases in border provinces of the three countries, thus debating and putting forward measures to control cross-border infectious diseases in the future.

According to the Central Highlands Institute of Epidemic Prevention, the region has yet to record any highly dangerous infectious diseases. However, global climate change and increasing trade activities among countries are contributing to disease outbreaks.

Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia are still facing outbreaks of dangerous infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, seasonal flu, measles, hand-foot-mouth disease, rabies, bird flu and especially plague , which is at a high risk of flaring up again.

Ung Rattana stressed that the countries need to increase cooperation in supervising diseases transmitted from animals to humans and focus on other community health care operations.

Meanwhile, Deputy Director of the Health Department of Attapeu province Cham Thavong called for closer coordination and mutual support among the three countries’ localities along the shared border line in order to prevent infectious disease outbreaks.

Ways to develop acupuncture education discussed

The Vietnam Acupuncture Association (VAA) teamed up with the National Hospital of Acupuncture to organise a workshop on acupuncture education from 2012-2015 in Hanoi on October 6, discussing ways to develop acupuncture in Vietnam. 

In her remarks at the workshop, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Xuyen said traditional medicine and acupuncture in particular have a thousand-year history in Vietnam and have played a significant role in the country’s public healthcare. 

The ministry has worked closely with the VAA to provide vocational training and carry out acupuncture studies over past decades, she added. 

Acupuncture is an effective and cost-efficient therapy which has long been used and appreciated worldwide. 

Dozens of Vietnamese experts have been invited to open training courses and acupuncture clinics overseas and Vietnam has established cooperation in the field with nearly 50 countries. 

Event attendees shared the view that despite the rapid expansion of acupuncture clinics at both provincial and communal levels, the practices have not yet satisfied the needs of the people due to the rising number of chronic and severe illnesses that cannot rely on acupuncture treatment and the lack of capable acupuncturists, especially in far-flung areas. 

They stressed the need to intensify acupuncture education among the younger generation as most skilled acupuncturists are elderly and many have died. 

Between 2012 and 2015, the VAA provided acupuncture education in 32 cities and provinces throughout the country. It plans to coordinate with the national acupuncture hospital to improve the skills of acupuncture therapists in all localities moving forward.

HCM City asked to ease hospital overload due to dengue fever

Head of the Health Ministry’s Preventive Medicine Department Tran Dac Phu has requested Ho Chi Minh City to send doctors from centrally-run hospitals to grass-roots clinics as part of effort to reduce patient overcrowding caused by increasing dengue fever cases. 

At a meeting with municipal Health Department officials on October 6, Phu also asked the department to adopt new dengue prevention communications as conventional leaflets and posters failed to work.

Besides, communications should go together with calling on the people to join hands with the health sector in the prevention work, he stressed. 

The city should give priority to dealing with dengue hot spots, while controlling mosquito larvae at all construction sites across the locality, he suggested. 

As of October 1, the city had recorded 10,624 dengue fever cases, up 80 percent from the same period last year, with high prevalences in Binh Tan, Thu Duc, Binh Chanh, Tan Binh and Tan Phu districts. 

At present, municipal hospitals admit an average of 600 dengue inpatients per week. 

The disease has killed five people, including two children, in the city so far this year. 

According to the World Health Organisation, dengue fever is contracted through bites from dengue-infected mosquitoes, causing headaches, fever, exhaustion, severe muscle and joint pain, swollen glands, vomiting and rashes. There is no medication to treat the disease, only to ease the symptoms. 

The disease is currently at its peak in Vietnam, with 25 deaths and 40,000 confirmed dengue cases.

RoK firms share corporate social responsibility in Vietnam

Scores of businesses from the Republic of Korea (RoK) have carried out social and charitable activities while operating in Vietnam, as heard at a press conference in Hanoi on October 6. 

Their notable charity programmes cover the provision of healthcare services, scholarships, and helmets; construction of hospitals and schools; environmental protection; and rural development. 

RoK Ambassador to Vietnam Jun Dae Ju and President of the Korea International Trade Association Ryu Hang Ha shared that RoK businesses take on corporate social responsibility as part of their operations in the host countries. 

Ambassador Jun Dae Ju noted that the RoK is the biggest investor in Vietnam with more than 4,000 businesses. Two-way trade topped 30.3 billion USD last year. 

He said he hopes after the free trade agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the RoK takes effect, the bilateral trade target of 70 billion USD by 2020 would be reachable. 

Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Van Trung said Vietnam is drawing a lot of foreign investors and looks towards long-term and sustainable economic growth. 

The Vietnamese Government highly values RoK investments in the economic, social, and environmental sectors as helping Vietnam ensure social welfare and economic development, he added.-

Dengue fever on the rise in HCMC

The number of dengue fever cases in HCM City has risen sharply in the last few weeks and the trend is predicted to continue through the month, according to the city's Preventive Medicine Centre.

More than 10,600 cases of dengue fever have been reported this year, an increase of 80 per cent compared to the same period last year, said Nguyen Tri Dung, director of the centre.

An average of 400 cases have been reported every week in the city, Dung said at a meeting held yesterday in HCM City.

Five dengue-fever related fatalities, including two children and five adults, have been reported.

Most of the dengue-affected areas are in districts 8, Binh Tan, Thu Duc, Binh Chanh, Tan Binh and Tan Phu.

Urbanisation, population growth and environmental pollution have contributed to the increase in density of mosquitos and mosquito larvae, he said.

Tran Dac Phu, head of the Ministry of Health's Department of Preventive Medicine, has asked the city's Department of Health and hospitals to ensure the supply of equipment and medicine.

He also asked the department to reinforce preventive measures such as increased public awareness and spraying of insecticide in dengue-affected areas.

HCM City Paediatrics Hospital No.2 yesterday reported a two-fold increase in the number of dengue fever cases this month compared to the same period last year.

More than 100 in-patients with dengue fever are being treated at the hospital, with seven patients in serious condition, said Trinh Huu Tung, deputy director of the hospital.

The hospital reported five dengue-related fatalities, all of whom had been transferred to the hospital from other provinces, Tung said.

It has received more than 6,600 out-patients and 2,800 in-patients with dengue fever this year. The number is expected to continue to rise, he said.

At HCM City Paediatrics Hospital No.1, the number of patients with dengue fever rose to 2,100 this week. Three children died.

The hospital also reported a two-fold increase in the number of in-patients with dengue fever in September, to a weekly average of 60 in-patients compared to the previous month.

Along with dengue fever, hand, foot and mouth disease rose sharply in the two last weeks of September.

At the Paediatric Hospital No 1, 150 patients with hand, foot and mouth disease were hospitalised each week in early September. At the end of September, 300 hospitalised cases were reported a week - three times higher than the number of patients during a week in August.

In September, 860 people suffering from hand, foot and mouth disease were hospitalised.

Dr. Le Thi Bich Lien, deputy director of the Paediatrics Hospital No 1, said there are two periods each year – from April to May and from September to November - when people are more susceptible to hand, foot and mouth disease.

Outbreaks are most common during the warm summer and early fall months, but disease can spread year-round in tropical parts of the world.

Women's role in development discussed at forum

A two-day forum began yesterday in Ha Noi to promote understanding, solidarity, friendship and co-operation among women worldwide.

Co-organised by the Viet Nam Women's Union and the United Nations Women (UN Women), the event offered a chance to update international friends on Viet Nam's land, people and achievements during its 30-year reform process, but the focus was on women's movements and the VWU's operations in the country.

President of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee, Nguyen Thien Nhan, spoke at the forum, highlighting the ways Vietnamese women have contributed to the nation's development.

Viet Nam's Constitution, the Law on Gender Equality, the Law on the Election of NA Deputies and People's Councils, the Labour Code, and the National Strategy on Gender Equality from 2011-2020 confirmed the importance and rights of Vietnamese women, Nhan said.

Viet Nam is an active member of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the 1995 Beijing Platform for Action (BPA) on women and the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) related to women.

"Women have mastered higher levels of education. From 2006 to 2014, the number of female Professors and Associate Professors reached 811, accounting for 22 per cent of the total number of Professors and Associate Professors in the country," Nhan said.

"They have held high positions in bodies of power in the country and in Vietnamese agencies and organisations; 24,4 per cent of National Assembly deputies are women. They also occupy 25,17 per cent of People's Council in provinces and cities," Nhan said.

The VFF President expressed his hope that through the forum, foreign participants would understand more about the role and position of Vietnamese women.

Tran Thi Lan, a member of the Presidium of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Women's Union (VWU), said, "We should have a more positive view of the role of women in society. In a family, a woman who is a mother is also a citizen. Women have a dual role. To promote the dual role, all family members need to take care of each other and share housework as much as they can."

At the event, participants discussed implementation of the 1995 Beijing BPAs and issues related to gender in the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development.

A "Women and Peace-Security" workshop focused on traditional and non-traditional security challenges for women, and the role of women in peace processes.

Policies and initiatives to ensure equal and effective participation of women in all fields, especially in economic development and political activities, will be on the table at today's forum events.

HIV/AIDS community seeks support from businesses

Community-based organisations working with HIV/AIDS patients sought support from local enterprises last week as funds from international aid for HIV/AIDS prevention will continue to fall since Viet Nam is no longer ranked a low-income country by the UN.

Business support is needed for living skills courses for HIV/AIDS patients, according to Nguyen Cong Tuan Anh, of Song That Voi Chinh Minh, which provides counselling to HIV/AIDS workers.

Anh said that skills courses were especially needed for MSM (men who have sex with men), female migrant sex workers, abused children and women, and users of injected drugs.

Le Thanh Phuong, head of TheBoy community-based organisation (CBO), said his group needed funds to develop an app called TurnOn for Safe Sex.

The app would provide information on free health exams and HIV counselling, as well as a delivery service for condoms for sale.

He said TheBoy CBO would donate part of its profits from the sale of condoms to HIV-AIDS CBOs that no longer received international aid.

Vo Quang Phuc, sales supervisor for Rang Dong Corp, which specialises in condoms and similar products, said that it would offer discounts to community-based HIV/AIDS prevention groups.

Representatives of other enterprises said they would provide financial assistance and advice as well.

The representatives, however, said they needed to learn more about what the operations and abilities of the CBOs.

Do Huu Thuy, head of the central department for HIV/AIDS Prevention's communication division, said the workshop yesterday was a good start for CBO-business cooperation.

He said that the CBOs' network of people with HIV/AIDS could become a delivery system for enterprises in the field.

The CBO could also provide healthcare and HIV counselling services for company employees.

Cooperation with local enterprises would help CBOs "stand on their own two feet" and maintain their HIV/AIDS prevention activities, he said.

The number of people with HIV in Viet Nam is nearly 300,000. 

Torrential rains hit northern Vietnam in wake of Typhoon Mujigae

Heavy rains have occurred in many parts of northern Vietnam in the wake of Typhoon Mujigae that battered the southern Chinese province of Guangxi on Sunday evening, the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said.

A cold front entering northern Vietnam has also brought rain to the region, especially in mountainous areas, the center said.

Rains causing a rainfall total of up to 100mm will hit Quang Ninh, Lang Son and Cao Bang, while flash floods will likely happen in small rivers and streams in the northern region. 

The rainy climate will last until Tuesday noon before it gradually gets better, the center said.

Today Hanoi and many other northern localities will have rains during the day, creating cool weather with temperatures of 28-31 degrees Celsius.

On the weekend, another cold snap will strike the northern region, lowering the temperatures there to up to 18 degrees Celsius, and it will be cold at night in many provinces.

Meanwhile, showers and thunderstorms will be scattered in other localities across the country, with vortexes and squalls likely to hit the Central Highlands and southern regions.

On Sunday evening, Typhoon Mujigae with winds of up to 180kph hit the southern coast of China, killing at least four people and causing 16 others to go missing, China’s Xinhua News reported.

The main affected areas are the provinces of Hainan, Guangdong and Guangxi, Reuters said.

The storm left a trail of destruction and flooding as authorities issued the highest “red alert” emergency response, according to Reuters.

Mekong Delta sugarcane growers enjoy bumper crop, high prices

Farmers in the Mekong Delta provinces have entered sugarcane crop of 2015-2016 with joy of bumper crop and high sugarcane prices. 

Currently, traders bought sugarcanes at VND950-1,000 per kilogram at the field, VND200 higher than that in the same period last year. This price level ensures profits for farmers.

Phung Hiep District and Nga Bay Town in Hau Giang Province are places where sugarcanes were harvest earliest among provinces in the Mekong Delta. During these days, farmers feel motivated as early sugarcanes are not only sold at high prices but also easily.

Le Van Gan, a farmer in Phung Hiep District’s Hiep Hung Commune, happily said that this year he grew 7,000 square meters of sugarcanes. Many traders offered him a price of VND970 per kilogram. After excluding all expenses, he had a profit of VND20 million for this sugarcane crop.

Sharing the same joy, Truong Van Hien, chairman of 200-ton Sugarcane Club in Hiep Hung Commune, said that it had been a long time that sugarcane growers were able to smile again as traders and sugar plants rushed to buy sugarcanes.

According to Mr. Hien, during the past three years, selling sugarcane had become a nightmare to farmers in Phung Hiep District as well as other places as sugarcane prices were extremely low and traders and sugar plants refused to buy sugarcanes, causing huge losses to farmers. The situation now has much improved with sugarcane prices climbing and farmers being able to sell sugarcanes at any time.

Tran Van Xuan, a farmer in Hiep Hung Commune, who has just sold his sugarcanes at VND1,000 per kilogram, said that owing to high prices, farmers concentrated on taking good care of their sugarcane fields. As a result, sugarcane productivity improved, raising up to 170 tons per hectare. This year, he made a profit of VND30 million from sugarcanes.

According to Nguyen The Tu, deputy director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Phung Hiep District, there were around 7,805 hectares of sugarcanes in the district. Local farmers have harvested around 1,000 hectares of sugarcanes and will continue harvesting within the next two months. This year, thanks to favorable weather, farmers do not have to harvest sugarcanes early so they are able to improve the quality of their sugarcanes so as to sell them at higher prices.

The Vietnam Sugar and Sugarcane Association (VSSA) said that the price of refined sugar is currently at VND13,000-14,000 per kilogram, up VND1,500 per kilogram compared to the same period last year. Because sugar prices were high, sugar refineries raised sugarcane purchasing rates in order to give benefit to farmers.

According to the association, by the end of September, 4 out of 9 sugar refineries in the Mekong Delta provinces have begun operation. It was expected that 5 remaining refineries would altogether enter new crop this month. Thus, the demand for sugarcanes will definitely increase in the near future.

Nguyen Hoang Ngoan, deputy CEO of Can Tho Sugar Joint Stock Company, said that although sugarcane prices at the beginning of the crop were fairly high, his company had continued to increase sugarcane purchasing rates to VND1,050-1,100 per kilogram during the past few days. With such rate level, sugar refineries almost make no profits but they still have to buy sugarcanes because many provinces have been decreasing drastically the area of sugarcanes, leading to a shortage of material for refineries.

It was estimated that this crop Hau Giang Province reduced about 1,500 hectares of sugarcanes compared to previous crop; Soc Trang Province’s Cu Lao Dung District also slashed more than 800 hectares. In Ca Mau, Tra Vinh, and Long An provinces, a large number of area of sugarcanes was also replaced by other cultivars.

Ho Thanh Kiet, director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Cu Lao Dung District, said that farmers abandoned sugarcanes because they had suffered losses for several consecutive years. In the past three years, the area of sugarcanes dropped to 6,600 hectares from 8,200 hectares. The district aims to keep the area of sugarcanes steadily at 6,500 hectares by 2020. If sugar plants do not foster investments in material growing areas, underwrite sugarcanes, and maintain purchasing rate at high levels, sugarcanes will continue to be overshadowed by shrimps and other cultivars. Once the area of sugarcanes drops at the same time, sugar refineries will be in distress due to a shortage of material.

The VSSA said that sugar price should be high so that sugarcanes will be bought at high rates. However, sugar prices depend on the market. Meanwhile, cost prices of local sugar refineries remain high and mechanism of import and export of sugar is still vague. In addition, illicit sugar from Thailand which is sold at extremely low prices will crush local-made sugar. These long-lasting issues should be resolved quickly and thoroughly for domestic sugar industry to develop strongly.

Dengue fever cases increase by 300 percent in Khanh Hoa Province

Dengue fever infections in the central province of Khanh Hoa increased by 300 percent, said the provincial Department of Health.

As per the department, by end of September, 2015, over 2,700 infected dengue fever cases have been recorded in the province, increasing by 322 percent compared to the same period last year. One death was reported.

Accordingly, the Department urged the Preventive Medicine Center to enhance control and prevention task in the localities as well as implement more effective measures against the disease especially in areas which have outbreaks of the disease. 

The Department also asked medical facilities to prepare enough medicine and equipment to treat patients so as to minimize the death.

Tay Ninh customs save smuggled wild animals

Tay Ninh’s Forest Management Department said on October 6 it was completing procedures to hand over two Mustela putorius weasels and two Manouria emys turtles to the Kien Giang forest management department’s Wild Animal Rescue Centre.

On September 9, the rare wild animals, and four African iguanas, which were dead, were found hidden in the luggage of Vuong Vinh Phat, 20, residing in District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, at awhen he underwent customs check at the Moc Bai International Border Gate. 

Phat, who returned from Cambodia, neither declared the animals to customs officers nor had any documents about the origin of animals. 

He said he bought weasels and turtles in Bangkok, Thailand, to sell in Ho Chi Minh City. 

In 2014, Phat was also fined for the same violation.

The trafficking of wildlife into Vietnam has recently become more complicated than before, occurring byconcurrently on road and by sea and air, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

The Vietnam CITES Management Authority under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said Vietnam is used as one of the wildlife trading and transporting routes from Africa and other Southeast Asian nations to consumption markets.

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