UN Green Climate Fund supports Quang Ngai residents

Scene taken at the event 

Forty safe houses, funded by the UN Green Climate Fund, were handed over to residents in the central province of Quang Ngai’s Binh Chanh  commune on May 5.

The houses were part of a project coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and UN Development Programme (UNDP) on improving the resilience of vulnerable coastal communities to climate change related impacts in Vietnam. 

The project worth more than 29 million USD is funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) through the UNDP and is being during the 2017-2022 period. It aims at raising the resilience to bad consequences of climate change in Vietnam through building safe homes, increasing the coverage of mangrove forests, and providing trustworthy information about climate risks.

The project is expected to benefit 28 coastal localities, with the focus on northern Nam Dinh province, central Quang Binh, Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Nam and Quang Ngai provinces, and Ca Mau province in the south.

In Quang Ngai, it has been carrying out in Quang Ngai city and the districts of Mo Duc, Duc Pho, Binh Son, and Tu Nghia. 

This year, it is set to build in the province 302 flood-resistant houses for coastal residents this year and another 329 next year.

Hanoi Party official inspects progress of urban railway project

Construction site of the Hanoi train station - Nhon urban metro rail project in Cau Giay district. 

Hoang Trung Hai, Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee, led an inspection group to examine the progress of the Nhon-Hanoi Railway Station urban rail project on May 6.

Built at a total cost of 1.176 billion EUR, the Nhon-Hanoi Railway Station project has a total length of 12.5km, comprising an 8.5km aerial track that will connect Nhon depot with Thu Le Zoo and a 4km-long underground track that will link Thu Le with the Hanoi Railway Station.

The line will start at Nhon and reach Cau Giay via Highway 32 and Ho Tung Mau and Xuan Thuy streets. It will also pass through Kim Ma, Nui Truc and Quoc Tu Giam streets. The last stop will be the Hanoi Railway Station at the T-junction of Le Duan and Tran Hung Dao streets.

At a meeting with the working group as part of the inspection, Nguyen Cao Minh, head of the municipal urban rail project management board, reported that the auction of all nine bid packages of the Nhon-Hanoi Railway Station project has been completed, with eight contracts signed to date.

About 41 percent of the total construction workload was done, he said, adding that the building of the elevated track has been completed by more than 82 percent.

According to him, the project’s disbursement has amounted to over 7.1 trillion VND (260.8 million EUR).

The first train will arrive in Hanoi in June 2020, while the construction of the underground track is expected to be finished in 2022.

Vietnamese People’s Association in RoK holds first sports event

Participating teams at the event 

The first sports event of the Vietnamese People’s Association in the Republic of Korea was held at Osan city’s stadium on May 6.

Through the event, the organising board hoped that the Vietnamese community will get closer and continue supporting each other in the host country.

The event was expected to help local authorities and people understand more about the solidarity and friendship of Vietnamese people.

According to the association, there are about 170,000 Vietnamese people living and working in the country. The number is forecast to increase sharply in the time ahead.

Over the past years, the association has organised a lot of social, cultural and sport activities to connect the community.

HCM City marks ASEAN Dengue Day

HCM City leaders and health officials flag off a campaign on May 5 for the prevention and control of dengue to mark annual ASEAN Dengue Day. Photo sggp.org.vn

The HCM City Department of Health last Saturday began a campaign to mark ASEAN Dengue Day on June 15.

The city-level campaign, which will run until the end of June, seeks to raise awareness of dengue and mobilise resources from various stakeholders for the prevention and control of the disease.

It will focus its efforts on the prevention and control of dengue fever by eradicating conditions that enable mosquitoes to breed and killing the insects and destroying their larvae and breeding grounds on a weekly basis.

The campaign would reach out to organisations, businesses and households, and speed up the adoption of measures to prevent and control dengue, Nguyễn Tấn Bỉnh, director of the city Department of Health, said.

Việt Nam ranks third among 30 most highly endemic countries and territories.

Half of hospitalised cases in the country are in the southern region.

Last year 19,500 people were hospitalised with dengue while six died, a year-on-year decrease of 11 per cent, according to the city Preventive Medical Centre.

In the first four months of this year the city reported 3,000 infections, 31 per cent down from the same period last year.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection that can potentially develop into severe complications characterised by respiratory distress, severe bleeding and organ impairment. 

Việt Nam celebrates Int’l Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

Members of the Việt Nam Red Cross take part in a contest on the NGO’s humanitarian activities at an event to celebrate the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in HCM City May 5. 

Nearly 800 HCM City officials and members and volunteers of the Việt Nam Red Cross Society took part in the annual celebration of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement held on May 5.

On May 8 celebrations are held around the world to commemorate the birthday of the NGO’s founder, Henry Dunant.

The theme of this year is the dedication, bravery and achievements of all volunteers and staff, whose life-saving and life-changing services ensure that we keep our commitment to humanity, Gianni Volpin, the International Committee of the Red Cross’s representative in Việt Nam, said.

Every year millions of Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers and staff around the world are able to reach more than 160 million people and provide a diverse and innovative range of services, he said.

“Whether natural or man-made disasters, armed conflict or health and social care issues, our volunteers and staff are there to help people in need without discrimination. The month of May is important for the Việt Nam Red Cross (VNRC), which celebrates it as ‘Humanitarian Month’ across the country," he said.

The VNRC, with some four million volunteers, has outstanding achievements to its credit, with the Tết (Lunar New Year) charity campaign for the poor and the victims of the Orange Agent being a great example of humanitarianism and dedication to help the most destitute.

The blood bank of the VNRC, blood donation campaigns and clubs make a significant contribution to the lives of people who need transfusions.

Trần Thị Hồng An, deputy chairwoman of VNRC, said the Humanitarian Month is celebrated across the country with the aim of helping poor households escape poverty in a sustainable manner and raise public awareness of humanitarian works.

Acclaimed musicians to perform with local saxophonist Trần Mạnh Tuấn

Leading Vietnamese jazz saxophonist Trần Mạnh Tuấn performed in a joint concert “Oriental Moods” with jazz guitarist Nguyen Le in HCM City on May 6.

Internationally acclaimed jazz guitarist Nguyên Lê and leading Vietnamese  jazz saxophonist Trần Mạnh Tuấn performed in a joint concert “Oriental Moods” in HCM City on May 6.

The musicians played 12 songs composed by either Tuấn or Lê, featuring a fusion of Vietnamese traditional music and jazz.

The songs included Sen (Lotus), Sương Sớm (The Morning Fog) and Hội Làng (Countryside Festival).

Vietnamese folk songs like Bèo Dạt Mây Trôi (Water-Fern and Wandering Clouds) and Qua Cầu Gió Bay (Gone with the Wind while Crossing Bridge) were also performed.

“The concert provides an opportunity for Nguyên Lê and I to perform together and share our favourite Vietnamese traditional melodies with audiences,” said Tuấn.

The two musicians met in 2004 at a concert in Việt Nam, but have had no chance to co-operate until now.

Lê and Tuấn shared the stage with their friends, bassist Thanh Tân, French pianist Jean Sebastien, 19-year-old drummer Lê Minh Hiếu, and Tuấn’s 14-year-old daughter, saxophonist An Trần.

“We are lucky to have two young talents who can introduce traditional Vietnamese music to the world,” said Tuấn.

The artists also invited Việt Nam’s leading traditional performers, including folk singer Kim Luyên, percussionist Đào Tuấn Trường, xẩm (blind busker’s singing) singer and kìm (two-stringed guitar) player Kim Anh Tấn to perform.

After the concert, Lê and Tuấn will also host a master class on May 7 to introduce fusion music to local audiences.

Born in Hà Nội, Tuấn, now 46, began playing the saxophone in 1979. He received a scholarship to study jazz at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts in the US and became the first Vietnamese to study there.

He has released 11 solo albums and worked with well-known Vietnamese and international singers and musicians. He has toured in Europe, Russia, China, Thailand, Singapore and the US

He owns a jazz club, Jazz Sax n’ Art, in HCM City.

Nguyên Lê was born in Paris in 1959 and entered the music business in 1983. His impressive career kicked off after he joined the French Orchestre National du Jazz in 1987.

He has released 16 albums. His album Jazz from Vietnam in 1996, a blend of Vietnamese traditional music and jazz, surprised the world.

In 2017, Lê and traditional artist Ngô Hồng Quang released album Hanoi Duo, which was nominated for Echo Jazz 2018, a prestigious jazz award hosted by the ACT Music recording company.

Lê was awarded the title Chevalier de l’ordre des Arts & des Lettres (Knight of the Order of the Arts and Letters) by the French Cultural Minister in 2011 for his energetic effort in promoting jazz across the world.

Hà Nam celebrates Long Đọi Sơn Pagoda Festival

The pagoda was built on top of Long Đọi Mountain in 1054 under the reign of King Lý Thánh Tông, covering a total area of two hectares. To reach the pagoda, visitors and pilgrims have to climb over 300 stone steps. — Photo mapio.net

Visitors to Đọi Sơn Commune in northern Hà Nam Province this weekend will have the chance to enjoy the Long Đọi Sơn Pagoda Festival that recently commenced in the area.

The festival pays tribute to those who had made significant contributions to the country, such as Buddhist monk Thích Chiếu Thường, General Lý Thường Kiệt and Emperor Lý Nhân Tông.

The festival, a unique cultural event of the commune in particular and the province in general, includes a variety of activities. The highlight is a palanquin procession from the foot of Long Đọi Mountain to Long Đọi Sơn Pagoda as well as ceremonies to express gratitude to ancestors.

Other activities include contests of rice cooking, cloth weaving, boat rowing, traditional singing and dancing, in addition to traditional sports such as wrestling and human chess.

The festival is expected to attract many visitors and pilgrims to the region. It will conclude this Sunday (May 6).

As a major landmark of the province with significant cultural, historical and architectural values, Long Đọi Sơn or Đọi Sơn Pagoda was recognised as a special national relic by Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc in December last year. A ceremony to grant the title certificate was organised on Thursday by the People’s Committee of Hà Nam Province.

The pagoda was built on top of Long Đọi Mountain in 1054 under the reign of King Lý Thánh Tông, covering a total area of two hectares. It was expanded between 1118 and 1121 during the rule of King Lý Nhân Tông, along with the construction of Sùng Thiện Diệu Linh Tower.

In the early 15th century, both Đọi Sơn Pagoda and Sùng Thiện Diệu Linh tower were completely destroyed when the Ming aggressors invaded the country. Later, under the Lê, Mạc and Nguyễn dynasties, the pagoda was rebuilt and its architecture was gradually restored.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Đặng Thị Bích Liên asked Hà Nam Province authorities to work out an overall planning scheme for the long-term preservation of the relic site.

The relic site management board should install landmarks surrounding the pagoda, promote the dissemination of knowledge about its historical, cultural, scientific and artistic values, prepare plans for restoration and upgrading as well as maintain traditional festive rituals, she said.

Liên also suggested the provincial authorities to uphold the values of local festivals in a bid to further promote tourism in the province. 

Beneficial football tournament to kick off in Hà Nội

A charity football tournament is scheduled to kick off at the Hà Nội Sports Training Centre today.

Four teams taking part in the event are include of Việt Nam Football Federation (VFF), Việt Anh actor, Tuấn Hưng singer and staff from the German Embassy.

The event hopes to raise VNĐ150million (US$6,520) to send 67 orphaned children to a summer camp.

The event is co-organised by the German Embassy, Football Total, Việt Nam Football Federation and YWAM Mercy Việt Nam.

Danko Golf Tournament to start in Thanh Hóa

The 2018 Danko Golf Tournament will tee off at FLC Sầm Sơn Golf Links later this month.
Around 1,000 domestic and foreign golfers will hit the fairways for the event in the central province of Thanh Hóa on May 15-16.

The winner with the best gross score will receive a trophy, a long-term golf membership card, a voucher worth VNĐ50 million (US$2,170), and a number of gifts from sponsors.

Players will also have a chance to win a luxury car if they manage to get a hole-in-one during the competition.

The organisers will also award other prizes such as VIP member cards and FLC resort vouchers with the total value of the cash and prizes equal to hundreds of billions of Vietnamese đồng.

The tournament will be the second of its kind and is co-organised by Danko Group and FLC Biscom.

National Football First Division League in 2018

The National Football First Division League has its own sponsor after a signing ceremony yesterday in Hà Nội.

An Cường Wood-Working Materials Jointstock Company has agreed to pair up with the tournament in a one-year deal in 2018 season.
Following the announcement, the tournament will be called the An Cường National First Division League.

There are 90 matches, with teams taking part in the competition which was kicked off on April 14 and will close on September 29,

The winner will take a trophy, a bonus of VNĐ1 billion (US$45,000) and a berth in the V.League next season.

An Cường is one of the national leading company in the field of wood-working and decorative materials. Their products are distributed to both domestic and international markets.

Tân Hiệp Hưng beat Kim Toàn Đà Nẵng

Tân Hiệp Hưng vs Kim Toàn Đà Nẵng in the first stage’s second match of the National HDBank Futsal Championship on May 3. — Photo vov.vn

Tân Hiệp Hưng beat Kim Toàn Đà Nẵng 2-1 in the first stage’s second match of the National HDBank Futsal Championship on May 3.

The game was held at Đà Nẵng’s Tiên Sơn Sports Arena.

Tân Hiệp Hưng scored the opening goal just eight seconds after the match started. A few minutes later, the hosts levelled the score to 1-1.

In the last few minutes of the second half, Tân Hiệp Hưng raised the score to 2-1.

Earlier, Cao Bằng had crushed Hoàng Thư Đà Nẵng 8-3, and Vietfootball lost to Sanest Tourist Khánh Hoà 1-5.

With two wins, Tân Hiệp Hưng top the rankings with six points, followed by Cao Bằng with four points.

On May 5, Kim Toàn Đà Nẵng will face Cao Bằng, Hoàng Thư Đà Nẵng will play against Vietfootball and Sanest Tourist Khánh Hoà will take on Tân Hiệp Hưng.

Twelve futsal teams are taking part in the tournament, which is divided into two stages.

The first stage is underway and will go on till May 9. Six teams will compete in a round-robin format. Four winners will enter the second stage.

The second stage will include 10 teams (including the four winners of the first stage and six leading teams in the previous championship). It will be held in HCM City from November 24 to December 3. 

Tân Hiệp Hưng beat Kim Toàn Đà Nẵng

Tân Hiệp Hưng vs Kim Toàn Đà Nẵng in the first stage’s second match of the National HDBank Futsal Championship on May 3. — Photo vov.vn

Tân Hiệp Hưng beat Kim Toàn Đà Nẵng 2-1 in the first stage’s second match of the National HDBank Futsal Championship on May 3.

The game was held at Đà Nẵng’s Tiên Sơn Sports Arena.

Tân Hiệp Hưng scored the opening goal just eight seconds after the match started. A few minutes later, the hosts levelled the score to 1-1.

In the last few minutes of the second half, Tân Hiệp Hưng raised the score to 2-1.

Earlier, Cao Bằng had crushed Hoàng Thư Đà Nẵng 8-3, and Vietfootball lost to Sanest Tourist Khánh Hoà 1-5.

With two wins, Tân Hiệp Hưng top the rankings with six points, followed by Cao Bằng with four points.

On May 5, Kim Toàn Đà Nẵng will face Cao Bằng, Hoàng Thư Đà Nẵng will play against Vietfootball and Sanest Tourist Khánh Hoà will take on Tân Hiệp Hưng.

Twelve futsal teams are taking part in the tournament, which is divided into two stages.

The first stage is underway and will go on till May 9. Six teams will compete in a round-robin format. Four winners will enter the second stage.

The second stage will include 10 teams (including the four winners of the first stage and six leading teams in the previous championship). It will be held in HCM City from November 24 to December 3. 

F1 car run on racetrack delivers message about safe driving

The "Perfect Formula 1 Experience" event featuring a real F1 car from the Aston Martin Red Bull Racing Team, brought and sponsored by Heineken, kicked off yesterday in HCM City’s Sala Residential Area in District 2.

Former driver and Heineken F1 Ambassador David Coulthard, and the world’s No 1 DJ, Martin Garrix, joined the event.

For the first time ever, Heineken turned the Sala Residential Area into an extravagant 2-km long racetrack to pave the way for an epic performance from the real F1 car.

“We definitely made as much noise during the day at the F1 experience as Martin Garrix and leading Vietnamese artists did later at the spectacular music event,” said David Coulthard, who has won 13 Grand Prix races, and has finished in the top 3 of the FIA F1 world championship five times, with a remarkable 62 podium finishes over 15 seasons.

The event is also used as a platform to raise awareness about “When You Drive, Never Drink” in the ongoing campaign that was launched in September 2017 to bring about behavioural changes toward driving after drinking.

A day before, the F1 car of Aston Martin Red Bull Racing Team, which has won four successive F1 World Constructors’ Championships - was displayed for the public at The World of Heineken at the Bitexco Financial Tower in downtown HCM City.

This was an opportunity for Vietnamese fans to have a hands-on experience of a real F1 racing car for the first time ever in Việt Nam.

Prevent illegal sand mining, deforestation: Deputy PM

Illegal sand mining on Lam River in central province of Nghệ An.

Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hòa Bình has ordered ministries and local authorities to tighten control over sand and gravel exploitation to manage agricultural land and protect forests.

The request came amidst rampant violations taking place in several localities, including Vân Đồn District in Quảng Ninh Province and Phú Quốc District in Kiên Giang Province, which has raised public concern.

The deputy prime minister has asked the Ministry of Public Security to launch a campaign until the end of July to tackle sand exploitation in cities and provinces. The ministry has also been assigned to set up joint inspection team to visit hotspots and handle illegal sand exploitation.

He requested the people’s committee of provinces and cities, including HCM City, Hà Nội, Hải Phòng, Hưng Yên, Hải Dương, Khánh Hòa and Kon Tum, to clarify the responsibility of individuals and organisations related to violations. Measures should be adopted to stop illegal mining, he said.

The deputy prime minister ordered the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to work with the agencies and localities concerned to review the implementation of the law protection regulation and strictly deal with violators.

The people’s committees of provinces, namely, Đắk Lắk, Đắk Nông, Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Quảng Nam, Quảng Bình, Nghệ An, Thanh Hóa, Bắc Kạn and Điện Biên, were requested to determine the responsibility of individuals and organisations involved in cases of deforestation.

They are required to submit a report on the incidents to the Prime Minister before May 31.

Regarding violations of the use of agricultural land, Bình ordered the people’s committees of Quảng Ninh, Khánh Hòa and Kiên Giang to enhance the land management work, ensure that agricultural and forest land are utilised for the right purpose, and in accordance with the approved plan. Thus, authorities would be able to prevent illegal construction and sale of land, as well as inflated land prices.

If violations are found, chairpersons of provincial people’s committees will have to answer the Prime Minister, Bình said.