Hanoi ready to cope with abnormal weather phenomena

Hanoi is taking a lot of measures to actively deal with abnormal weather phenomena in order to minimise the loss of human life and property.

Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen The Thao said that due to predictions of increasing numbers of storms and low pressure systems and the early appearance of heat waves and floods, the city has prepared for expenditure, forces and means of transportation to ensure the implementation of preventive measures and search and rescue activities in case a disaster occurs.

All districts were asked to define areas prone to natural disasters and take the initiative in evacuating locals from dangerous areas, especially those close to rivers and in parts at risk of landslides.

Thao urged local authorities to store food, medicine and basic necessities to support people to overcome the consequences of storms and floods.

He stressed the need to provide locals with information on disaster types and basic knowledge on how to cope with natural calamities.-

Earthquake strikes Song Tranh hydro-power plant

A 3.4 magnitude earthquake jolted Song Tranh hydro-power plant 2 in central Quang Nam Province's Bac Tra My District on the evening of April 3.

According to the National Geo-physic Institute, the quake hit the monitoring system and 10 relay stations around Song Tranh Hydro-power Plant 2 and was felt throughout the area and beyond.

Ho Van Loi, Secretary of the Party Committee of Tra Doc village, Bac Tra My district, said in the two days leading up to the earthquake, Tra My has witnessed heavy rains.

The quake, which caused strong tremors for five seconds, was the strongest one since early 2013.

There have not been any reports of damages or injuries.

Workers suspended in vaccination scandal

Two more medical staff were suspended from Huong Hoa General Hospital in Quang Tri Province pending further investigation into their possible involvement in the administering of vaccinations that led to the death of three newborns last year.

The two workers will be suspended for six months, according to Quang Tri Health Department.

Earlier on March 31, nurse Nguyen Thi Thuan was arrested and detained for four months for investigations.

Thuan, who had worked as a nurse for more than 20 years, is said to have used the wrong injections while vaccinating the three newborns for hepatitis B on July 20 last year.

12 injured in bus-truck collision

At least 12 people were injured after a truck and a passenger bus collided yesterday afternoon near the Hoa Cam Industrial Zone in Cam Le District.

According to reports, the truck and the bus were travelling in the same direction on Highway 14B when the truck crashed into the back of the bus.

Some of the victims were in critical conditions and are being treated at the Da Nang General Hospital.

Environment ministry seeks solutions to land disputes

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has handled about 700 complaint letters related to land issues in the first quarter of this year.

This information was released by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment at a meeting held yesterday in Ha Noi.

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Minister Tran Hong Ha said that the ministry had approached the Government to ask for solutions to five complicated cases.

The ministry was also seeking solutions to three land disputes in the provinces of Ben Tre and Ca Mau, he said.

Ha added that the country has issued 40.1 million land-use right certificates, covering 92.2 per cent of the households so far.

In another move, around 270 producers and industrial parks have been fined over VND12.5 billion, or US$587,500, for violating environment regulations in the first quarter of this year.

HCM City seizes fake perfume shipment

Customs officers in HCM City said yesterday that they seized a shipment containing more than 2,600 bottles of what they believed to be fake perfume.

Imported from China at the end of March, the shipment was officially declared as equipment used in fish tanks.

But more than half of the 530 packages contained perfume carrying labels of famous brands including Calvin Klein, Chanel, Lancome, Gucci.

The case was being investigated further, officers said.

Drug trafficking ring busted near Vietnam-Laos border

Border guards in the central province of Thanh Hoa in coordination with Lao security forces have arrested five Lao people processing and trafficking drugs to Vietnam.

According to Colonel Le Kha Cong, director of the Thanh Hoa force’s drug and crime prevention office, they busted the ring in Sam Neua district, Laos ’s northern province of Houaphan, on April 3.

A total of eight cakes of heroin powder, 1,250 amphetamine tablets, two flint-locks, 20 fuses, 9,800 USD and over 43.5 million Kip were confiscated.

The five had purchased heroin powder from Myanmar and Lao northern provinces , and then smuggled to Vietnam for consumption and trafficking to other countries.

The Lao side is dealing with the case.-   

Construction planning for northern midland, mountainous region announced

The Ministry of Construction has announced a detailed plan for the construction of infrastructure and the upgrade of industrial clusters in the northern midland and mountainous region by 2030, giving a boost to its socio-economic development.

The region covers 115,153 square kilometres, accounting for 35 percent of the country’s total area. It is expected to have a population of more than 15 million by 2020, of which around 5 million (34.4 percent) will live in urban areas. By 2030, the rate of urbanisation will reach 39.8 percent.

Under the plan presented at a ceremony in Yen Bai province on April 3, the region consists of three sub-regions, including the Vietnam- China border area (Lang Son, Cao Bang, Ha Giang and Lai Chau provinces), the Vietnam-Laos border area (Dien Bien, Son La provinces and western districts of Thanh Hoa and Nghe An), and the midland region (Bac Giang, Thai Nguyen, Bac Kan, Tuyen Quang, Yen Bai, Phu Tho and Hoa Binh provinces).

Efforts will be exerted to complete the construction of the region’s highway road and waterway transport systems and express railway network by 2020.

The region will also focus on upgrading urban areas in Lao Cai, Lang Son, Viet Tri city (Phu Tho province) and Bac Giang as well as industrial parks and clusters, continuing the resettlement programmes in the border areas and places near the Son La and Lai Chau hydropower plants.

At the ceremony, representatives from the provinces emphasised the region’s important role in socio-economic growth, national defence and security.

They suggested that ministries and agencies put forth and work out key investment projects in some provinces to create a boost to the whole region’s economic development.

The ministry asked the localities in the region to promptly publicise the planning, develop urban areas in accordance with each province’s cultural identities, and protect and preserve natural resources.-

OVs to take part in Hung Kings worship

As many as 70 overseas Vietnamese (OV) will return home to participate in the worship of Hung Kings and visit Truong Sa Archipelago from April 7-28.

The information was revealed at a press conference held in Hanoi on April 3.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Foreign Minister and head of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs Nguyen Thanh Son affirmed that the Vietnamese communities in foreign countries are an indispensable part of the country as they serves as a bridge between the homeland and their host countries.

As scheduled, from April 7-14, the delegation will offer incense in the Hung Kings Temple in the northern province of Phu Tho, visit the residential and working place of late President Ho Chi Minh in Hanoi, and pay tribute to General Vo Nguyen Giap at his grave in the central province of Quang Binh.

During the next 13 days, they will visit and present gifts to officers, soldiers and people in Truong Sa Archipelago and join a requiem to commemorate Vietnamese soldiers and people who laid down their lives protecting the country’s sea and island sovereignty.

At the conference, Deputy Foreign Minister Son also briefed participants on his working trip to the US, Canada and the Republic of Korea from March 9-29 to meet with OV communities.

The official stressed that his trip helped Vietnamese communities abroad better understand the homeland’s socio-economic development, especially the Party and State’s incentive policies for OVs when they invest in the country.-

HCM City sees more measles, dengue fever cases this year

An increasing incidence of measles, chicken pox, dengue-fever and hand, foot and mouth disease has occurred since January 1, despite a public awareness campaign to give measles shots to children, according to the city's Preventive Medicine Centre.

Dr Nguyen Tri Dung, the centre's head, told online Dan Tri newspaper that only 63 per cent of wards and communes had participated in the campaign to give measles vaccinations to children.

On March 7, the city launched a measles vaccination campaign aimed at children aged nine months to three years. The effort was part of the national programme on expanded immunisation.

Despite the campaign, the number of measles cases in the first quarter rose 602 per cent by 603 cases compared to the same period last year.

As of the end of March, the number of vaccinations totalled 23,100, including 8,600 vaccinations to children who had never had one, and 14,500 shots for those who had had only one shot. Two shots are necessary for the vaccine to be effective.

The number fell below the target of 95,000 shots, said Dung, adding that wards and communes should publicise the names of children who had not received vaccinations.

The incidence of dengue fever usually falls in the dry season and increases in the rainy season, but the number of cases rose to 120 in the last two weeks.

More than 2,180 patients have been hospitalised for dengue fever since the beginning of the year, an increase of 26.5 per cent compared to the same period last year.

For the first quarter, chicken pox cases totalled 369, an increase of 220 per cent compared to the same period last year, and the number of hand, foot and mouth cases rose by 29.2 per cent over the first quarter of last year.

Dung said that the city health sector had faced challenges in trying to prevent the outbreak of these diseases.

To better educate the public and to limit the spread of contagious diseases, he asked educational and health divisions in each district to coordinate disease-prevention activities such as vaccinations.

Programme provides vocational guidance for students

A programme aimed at helping young people, especially university students, have an insight into their future jobs and make plans was introduced in Hanoi on April 4.

Jointly launched by Rising Young Social Entrepreneurs (RYSE) and the International Training Institute under the National Economics University , the “I 2.0 2014 – Futuroscope” serves as a bridge between students and prestigious organisations and businesses, thus contributing to meeting the demand for high-quality human resources.

According to a survey by the University of Social Sciences and Humanity, within one year after finishing their study, 26 percent of the graduates cannot find any jobs, 51.8 percent get unsuitable jobs and 94 percent need to be further trained to meet recruiters’ requirements.

Those figures mean that a large number of students did not have clear vocational orientations for themselves.

Therefore, this year’s programme helps this group understand clearly about the nature of their future jobs and capacities.

The April-October programme will be held at major universities and academies in Hanoi, featuring a string of activities such as seminars, fact-finding tours, online activities and long-term contacts between students and recruiters.

Phu Yen fishermen equipped with ICOM devices

Eighteen fishermen from the central province of Phu Yen have been equipped with ICOM radio devices, which help them get in touch with the mainland in case any contingency occurs during offshore fishing operations.

The device, each worth 28 million VND (1,300 USD) is also helpful in weather forecast and search-and-rescue efforts.

The move is a joint effort between the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL)’s charity fund for fishermen and the provincial VGCL chapter.

Chairwoman of the provincial VGCL chapter Nguyen Thi Thu Van said this activity will continue in the coming time.

Earlier, the fund also presented such device to four local fishermen.

In 2013, the southern central coastal province gave more than 44.5 billion VND (2.1 million USD) to boost off-shore fishing, benefiting 455 vessels in their 1,176 fishing expeditions.

The assistance came in the form of fuel subsidies and insurance for boats and fishermen. In addition, the vessels were installed with communication and Global Positioning System equipment.

Over the past three years, total financial support sourced from the province’s budget to fishermen has amounted to 108 billion VND.

Phu Yen authorities are considering another 9.5 billion VND aid package to fishermen in 2014.

The province is the cradle of oceanic tuna fishing in Vietnam.

30 bln VND to be raised to help Truong Sa soldiers

The Vietnam Fatherland Front in Ho Chi Minh City announced at a conference on April 3 that the city has set a target of mobilising at least 30 billion VND for its fund “For the beloved Truong Sa – For Vietnam’s frontline” to help officers and soldiers serving in border and island areas.

With the amount, the committee will work with relevant agencies to build a primary school in Song Tu Tay island and offer water tanks to the marine defence platform DK1 and canoes to the naval service on the island.

Colonel Nguyen Hai Trieu from the Naval High Command in the southern region said he hopes the programme will be expanded to other localities across the country in the future.

In 2013, the city front’s fund raised nearly 23 billion VND, used to improve officers and soldiers’ living conditions in border and island areas nationwide.

On the occasion, the fund presented seven scholarships worth five million VND each to demobilised naval soldiers, while honouring 62 units and 18 individuals who made outstanding achievements in calling for donations for the fund in 2013.-

VN hastens procedures to bring citizen home from Pakistan

The Vietnamese Embassy in Pakistan is now working with the host country’s competent agencies to complete consular procedures to bring home a Vietnamese citizen who has been detained in the country for his illegal entry.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Le Hai Binh made the statement at the ministry’s regular press conference in Hanoi on April 3.

According to the spokesman, on December 31, 2013, the Vietnamese Embassy in Pakistan informed the ministry’s Consular Department about Pakistan ’s arrest of Vu Gia Po, 36, a H’Mong ethnic person from Lung Lau village, Khau Vai commune, Meo Vac district, the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang .

Po was detained for illegally entering Pakistan in October 2013 and taken to Athmuqam police station in Muzaffarabad district (Kashmir region controlled by Pakistan ), the embassy quoted local police as saying.

On receiving the news, the Consular Department actively coordinated with authorised agencies and localities to verify Po’s records and instructed the embassy to take measures to support him, Binh said.

On March 21, 2014, the embassy said it has had a consular contact with Po at the Zila Nellum police office. The man said he is in good health and stable spirit, expressing his hope to soon return to Vietnam to be reunited with his family.

President inspects Vietnam-Japan University progress

President Truong Tan Sang on April 3 inspected the progress of the Vietnam-Japan University project in the Hoa Lac High-Tech Park in the west of Hanoi.

Covering a total area of 36.6 hectares, the university is being constructed at an estimated cost of 330 million USD, including 200 million USD of ODA from the Japanese Government. Currently, 23 hectares of the project grounds have been cleared.

Launched in 2013, the university is scheduled to be operational by 2019 and be able to welcome 6,000 students.

President Sang stressed the significance of the project, which is expected to help Vietnamese students acquire Japan ’s latest science and technology.

The success of the project will not only contribute to deepening the friendship between Vietnam and Japan , but also mark a bright spot in attracting foreign investment in education and training, he said.

He also asked ministries and authorities of Hanoi to exert more efforts in removing obstacles for investors and contractors to complete the project on schedule.

Currently, the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park hosts 70 projects totalling 54,198 billion VND. It has given 1,586 hectares of space to the construction of universities.

VWAM provides free check-ups in Thua Thien-Hue

A medical team from the US-based Vets With A Mission (VWAM) has provided free check-ups and medicines and donated 28 wheelchairs for poverty-stricken locals in A Luoi district, central Thua Thien-Hue province.

From March 31-April 3, the team also examined and distributed medicines to patients in Quang Dien district and Huong Tra town, including those living in difficulty and suffering from diseases related to cardiovascular issues, bones, paediatrics and ophthalmology.

Chairman of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations of Thua Thien-Hue Province Le Van Anh said that over the past 20 years, the VWAM has provided financial assistance to the construction of some dispensaries and numerous victims affected by natural disasters in the province and surrounding localities.

The US organisation also granted 24,000 USD of aid to build additional facilities and offer equipment to the Hong Ha commune medical station in mountainous A Luoi district.

Mental health project proves effective

Nearly 21,000 people suffering from schizophrenia and epilepsy across the country have been detected and received treatment in 2013.

The information was reported by the Ministry of Public Health at a conference in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho on April 3 to review the implementation of a project to prevent unsafe diseases in the community and protect mental health in the country last year.

La Duc Cuong, head of the management board of the project, said the programme has been carried out nationwide since 1999, resulting in 70 percent of mentally ill patients and sufferers of epilepsy being managed and treated.

The 13-year-long project proved effective as it saw a yearly rise in the number of mental health patients integrating into the community without requiring hospitalisation.

The number of people suffering from mental diseases is on the increase due to the pressures of modern life, while the country has only 34 mental health hospitals and centres, with 31 provinces without any centres specialising in such illnesses.

According to the ministry, the project will continue in 200-300 communes and wards throughout the country in 2014.

In addition, the quality of healthcare services in the field will also be intensified to contribute to ensuring public order and safety.-

Germany aids Mekong Delta’s climate change response

Germany will speed up the provision of official development assistance (ODA) for the Mekong Delta in the fields of climate change adaptation, energy and environment.

Dr. Hans Dieter Stell, German Consul General to Ho Chi Minh City , made the affirmation at a meeting with Can Tho city’s leaders on April 3.

According to the diplomat, Vietnam and Germany have seen fruitful cooperation in the fields, with the latter’s large ODA projects in the Mekong Delta region.

Among those are a 200 million EUR project to build the O Mon IV thermoelectricity power plant, a 13.5 million EUR mangrove forest protection project and another worth 26 million EUR in wastewater treatment.

In addition, a programme to improve the ecosystems in five regional provinces, namely Bac Lieu, Soc Trang, Ca Mau, An Giang and Kien Giang, has helped raise locals’ awareness of environmental protection and how to slow down salt water intrusions in coastal areas.

The Consul General said a delegation of German parliamentarians will make a two-day working visit to Mekong provinces late this month to seek ways to improve the efficiency of sea dykes.

This is a chance for the region to receive more aid from Germany, he stressed, adding in the coming time, the European country will provide more ODA for Vietnam in general and the Mekong Delta region in particular in these fields.

Chairman of the Can Tho People’s Committee Le Hung Dung expressed his wish that more businesses from Germany will come to invest in Vietnam in the future.

He also called on the Consul General to pay more attention to the city’s health sector in addition to assistance for climate change response.-

Vietnam helped to use natural resources sustainably

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has signed with Germany’s Hanns-Seidel Foundation a cooperation agreement on green growth and sustainable utility of natural resources in the 2014-2016 period.

At the signing ceremony in Hanoi on April 3, Deputy Minister Tran Hong Ha said the country is facing water, land and air pollution and declining ecosystem, which require work together of the whole community and support from both domestic and foreign organisations.

Vietnam is one of the five countries in the world most vulnerable to climate change, while the Mekong Delta region, the country’s rice granary, is among the three large deltas in the globe being hard hit.

Scientists forecast that if the sea level rises by one metre, about 70 percent of land in the Mekong Delta region will be intruded by salt water and Vietnam will lose two million hectares of farmland and many coastal localities will be inundated. If no prompt measures to deal with climate change are taken, natural resources may cause a total loss of up to 10 percent of the country’s GDP a year.

According to Deputy Minister Ha, Vietnam is prioritising the building of sea and river dykes, reservoirs, as well as working hard to recover mangrove swamps and replant forests in order to protect the water sources and deal with storms and floods.

At the event, the deputy minister also asked for more support from the Hanns-Seidel Foundation.

Vietnam and Germany can cooperate effectively in the fields that the European country holds advantages, including the environment, nuclear power ad renewable energy, he stated.-

Changing behavior towards blood donation

Vietnam is observing Voluntary Blood Donation Day (April 7) with the aim of raising awareness about the importance of year-round blood donation and encouraging people to roll up a sleeve.

Deputy Head of the National Steering Committee for Voluntary Blood Donation Nguyen Hai Duong said on April 3 the mass media will help change the behavior of people, especially ranking officials and Party members, towards the humanitarian campaign.

The organizing board hopes to collect at least 100,000 units of blood in April through a nationwide promotion campaign, Duong said.

All grassroots-level agencies will carry out activities in response to the Day throughout April. Each province and city hopes to collect an amount of blood equal to 10% of the total annual amount estimated to meet the emergency and treatment needs of the nation.

Communication campaigns will be enhanced during the month long to highlight the importance of blood donation and encourage people, including officials, to join the humanitarian work.

Meetings, seminars, forums and exchanges will be organised to honour individuals, organisations, families and businesses for their contributions to the work.

Sixteen football teams of Vietnamese students studying at universities and colleges across the United Kingdom attended a football tournament in London on April 2-3.

They were selected from 26 teams playing in the qualifying round.

This year, the organising board hired experienced and highly qualified referees from the English Football Association (FA) to officiate the game.

The Vietnamese students team from the University of Southampton claimed first prize, London FC came in second, and third prize went to the University of the West of England (UWE) Bristol.

Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Vu Quang Minh spoke highly of the Vietnamese students’ preparations and their high spirit of good sportsmanship and fair play.

He said that the event aimed to enrich the students’ spiritual life, creating a healthy playground for a large number of Vietnamese students in the UK, contributing to strengthening solidarity and friendship amongst them.

The SVUK Cup 2014 tourney was organised by the Vietnamese Students Association from University College in London (UCL).

Currently more than 8,000 Vietnamese students are studying in the UK.

Silt buildup chokes local waterway traffic

Local authorities are struggling to find affordable ways to solve the continuing problems of silt buildup in estuaries in the central region, a problem that hinders the movement of boats in the area.

Most of the 19 estuaries located from Quang Binh Province to Phu Yen Province are full of silt, according to a report in Tuoi Tre (Youth) news paper.

Quang Binh is the region's hardest-hit province as its Nhat Le, Ly Hoa, Dinh and Roon estuaries have severe buildup of silt.

Fisherman Nguyen Ngoc Quy said the Roon estuary was 100 metres wide and boats with an engine of 400 horsepower could travel through it easily.

But in recent years, the buildup of silt has narrowed the estuary to 30 metres, and now has a depth of one metre at low tide, blocking fishing boats.

"Every year, about 50 fishing boats are stranded at the estuary," Quy said.

Most stranded boats have broken propellers, rudders and other parts, he said.

"Some stranded boats broke and sank," he said.

Fishing boats now have to hire small boats to transport fish through the estuary, he said.

Similarly, the width of Da Dien estuary in Phu Yen Province's Tuy Hoa City has narrowed from about 1 km a few years ago to less than 100 metres because of the buildup of silt. During low tide, boats cannot travel through the estuary.

Da Dien estuary is used by more than 600 fishing boats in Phu Dong Ward and Ward 6.

Dao Quang Minh, deputy head of the province's Fisheries Resource Exploitation and Protection Sub-department, said sand built up because there were few floods in the last three years.

Phan Khanh, head of the Tuy Hoa's Economic Bureau, said about 2,000 cu.m of sand, soil and stones build up in Da Dien every year.

Scientists over the years have suggested measures to curb the buildup of silt, but the results would only be temporary and the cost remains prohibitively expensive.

In 2009, Tuy Hoa City, at a very high cost, dredged Da Dien estuary but silt built up again after one year.

In Binh Dinh Province, boats find it difficult travelling to the Tam Quan Bac boat shelter in Hoai Nhon District because the estuary developed silt.

The shelter is a place for more than 1,000 boats to avoid storms, but most large boats have to dock at other places.

Pham Trong Ho, director of the Binh Dinh Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said Binh Dinh planned to dredge the estuary at a cost of VND1-1.2 billion (US$47,000-57,000) a year, but it was only a temporary measure as the amount of money was insufficient.

Tran Huu Tuyen, head of the Hue Science University's Geography and Geology Faculty, said in recent years that many construction projects had caused the decline of water flow at river mouths, contributing to the buildup of silt.

More research should be conducted to find cost-effective ways to curb the buildup of silt and do it in a sustainable manner, he added.

HCM City to clamp down on private coaches

HCM City is set to crack down on unauthorised private vehicles that illegally offer transportation to the public and tourists, officials said.

Many people in the city buy vans for personal use and end up renting them out to individuals and tourism companies, and there are around 13,000 of them, according to the city's Department of Transport.

They illegally sell tickets to passengers and ply to many destinations from HCM City.

"They are in the same business as licensed coaches operating from bus stations run by the city government," Duong Hong Thanh, deputy director of the department, said.

"Licensed coaches collect and drop off passengers at the bus terminals or other authorised spots.

"Illegal coaches pick up and drop off passengers at their office or any other spot demanded by passengers.

"This is convenient for passengers but causes traffic chaos."

But this also means licensed coaches lose customers, and they have often complained about this.

The number of vehicles operating at Mien Dong (Eastern) Bus Station has fallen by more than a half since 2010, while many of those still around have curtailed operations, according to Thuong Thanh Hai, the terminal's deputy director.

Most of the illegal coaches ply to central provinces like Phu Yen, Quang Nam and Quang Ngai just like the licensed ones operating out of Mien Dong.

Le Hong Van, deputy head of the department's Inspection Office, said it was often difficult to fine the illegal operators, explaining: "The city allows coach owners to rent out their vehicles. We cannot fine them."

Department officials called for regulations requiring a business signing a contract to transport 10 passengers upwards must report by email to the department about the duration of the contract, destinations, departure and arrival spots, and pick-up and drop sites.

"Transport businesses signing contracts with tourism companies are not allowed to sell tickets to passengers," Van said.

Thanh said: "Tourist coaches are prohibited from picking up and dropping off passengers at their offices and can do so only at designated sites."

Sand prices spike on short supply

The high demand for sand in the central province of Quang Binh had caused its price to skyrocket recently, delaying construction projects, according to the provincial Department of Construction.

Nguyen Van Quyet, director of the department, said the price of sand had increased significantly over the past three months, and there was not enough to satisfy demand.

The price of sand was usually around VND50,000 (US$2.3) per cubic metre, but that had jumped to VND350,000 ($16.6).

Many construction companies also had to buy sand from surrounding provinces such as Quang Tri for an additional cost of between VND100,000-150,000 ($4.7-7.1) per cubic metre.

Nguyen Tan Hung, director of Hung Phat Building Material Company in Dong Hoi City's Bac Ly Commune, said that local sand suppliers had run out.

"We have been transporting sand from surrounding provinces, but the price is high. Many customers have decided to wait until the price goes down," he said.

The reason for the shortage of sand, was that a large volume had been transported to Ha Tinh Province to build an iron and steel refinery, according to the chairman of Tien Hoa Commune People's Committee, Cao Van Truc.

This had caused the imbalance in supply and demand and the price hike. The crackdown on illegal sand exploitation by local agencies had also contributed to the shortage.

There are 29 sand mines in the province, but only three are licensed to operate, and most sand supplied to the market comes from illegal exploitation.

Construction enterprises and Tien Hoa Commune People's Committee have sent a petition to provincial authorities asking them to solve the problem.

Truong An Ninh, chief of the secretariat of the provincial People's Committee, has asked the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to complete plans for mines to supply enough sand for the market.

Urban wastewater pollutes Mekong River

Aside from hydropower plants, a large volume of wastewater resulting from the fast development of urban areas has polluted the Mekong River, posing threats to Vietnam and other nations in its basin, said Benedito Braga, president of the World Water Council.

Speaking to the Daily on the sidelines of an international conference themed “Water, Energy and Food Security under Climate Change in the Mekong Delta” in HCMC on April 2, Braga said pollution in the mainstream river has yet to reach a critical level but water of tributaries had been heavily polluted.

The main reason of the problem is the fast development of urban areas in recent years, he said.

Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand are suffering direct impacts from water quality change of the river.

Water quality from tributary rivers has turned worse. Therefore, nations along the basin should consider solutions for building up an urban wastewater treatment system now. Otherwise, the problem would cause bad impacts on human health, he said.

In addition, hydropower damming and flooding are also a big concern. Nations under the Mekong River Commission should discuss to reach an agreement on an operation mechanism of the upstream reservoir system to secure a win-win solution for all sides, Braga said.

For instance, there should be a connection between Laos and China in hydropower dam construction. However, the upstream reservoir system should be run in a way that helps Vietnam reduce flooding.

According to the Vietnam National Mekong Committee, hydropower projects have mushroomed along the mainstream and tributary rivers given rising population and economic development pressure. Demands for watering, fishing, aquaculture and waterway traffic have also increased.

The basin of the Mekong River covers a total land area of 795,000 square kilometers from the eastern of the Tibetan Plateau to the Mekong Delta, sheltering 20,000 plants and 850 fish species.

The area now has a population of over 60 million, raising demand for natural resources exploitation to serve food and energy security. Urbanization has taken place rapidly.

Over the past 20 years, over 3,200 MW of electricity output has been developed along tributary rivers of the Mekong River. Meanwhile, experts have estimated hydropower potential of the river at around 30,000 MW.

The second Summit of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) will take place in HCMC on April 5 with the theme “Cooperation for Water, Energy and Food Security in Trans-boundary Basins under a Changing Climate”. Vietnam will join others from Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and dialogue partners China and Myanmar at the event.

Blood filtering treatments save children with urea cycle disorder

Two babies at the National Children Hospital in Hanoi received the first successful treatment for urea cycle disorder.

Doctors worked around the clock administering continuous blood filtrations, said Director Le Thanh Hai.

Urea cycle disorder is a genetic disorder caused by a mutation resulting in an enzyme deficiency in the urea cycle. The enzymes lacking are responsible for removing ammonia from the blood stream.

In early March 2014, a child was taken to the hospital in critical condition. The one-week-old baby turned blue and fell unconscious.

Tests revealed the child had an alarmingly high level of ammonia in the blood. She received a three-day blood filtering treatment and is currently in stable condition.

The second child received a 10-day treatment after entering the emergency room. He is currently in stable condition.

These children are the first survivors of the disorder.  Doctors were unable to stabilize children before blood-filtration technology arrived.

Surgeons of the National Children Hospital plan to separate conjoined twins next week. Nguyen Quang A. and Nguyen Quang N. from the northern province of Yen Bai are conjoined in the chest and belly.

Each has his own liver, bile and heart.

Imported veggies tested safe for consumption

Health authorities have verified imported vegetables as safe for consumers.

This was revealed at a meeting focused on food hygiene and safety held by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on April 3.

In the first quarter 2014, Vietnam has imported more than one million tons of vegetables from 35 nations. Thirty seven samples were tested safe for consumption. The toxicity of pesticide on the vegetables is at a safe level.

The country imported 203 containers, about 83,000 tons, of meat and seafood products in the first three months of 2014. Most tested safe to eat except for a batch of Chinese animal feed. It failed standards and a new batch will be imported by the company.

Inspection teams check food safety in street eateries

Inspection teams will be inspecting roadside eateries from April 15 to May 15. Any places that fail inspection will be shut down.

Restaurants must provide proof of clear origin of food.

The inspection will be run by the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Local governments will also be doing inspection for eateries.