Unforgettable songs to recall a glorious past

Singer Minh Chuyen will perform at the show (Photo courtesy of the organiser)

A concert comprising songs which have won the audience’s hearts for many years will take place on July 7 night at the Cultural Palace in Hanoi, with free entrance.

With the theme of Unforgettable Songs, the concert is held to commemorate the Martyrs’ Day (July 27). The day is dedicated to fallen soldiers and expresses gratitude toward the previous generation who sacrificed themselves for national liberty, said Meritorious Artist Quoc Hung, director of the programme.

“Audiences will revive the glorious history of the nation, the fierce time of war, the brave sacrifices and the determination to gain the freedom of the people and soldiers,” he said.

The concert will star tenor Tuan Anh, mezzo-soprano Minh Chuyen, singer Nguyen Tran Trung Quan and singer Khanh Linh.

They will perform famous revolutionary songs such as Bai Ca Khong Quen (Unforgettable Song) and symphony To Quoc (Nation), recently compiled by poet Nguyen The Ky and musician Le Quang.

The show is organised by Van Hoa (Culture) Newspaper.

Nhan Dan newspaper opens representative office in Russia

Editor-in-chief Thuan Huu speaks at the launching ceremony (Source: nhandan.com.vn)

Nhan Dan (People) newspaper officially launched its representative office in Moscow, Russia on July 6, becoming the fourth press agency of Vietnam opening a branch in the country.

The launching  ceremony was attended by Thuan Huu, member of the CPV Central Committee (PCC), Editor-in-chief of Nhan Dan newspaper, deputy head of the PCC’s Commission for Information and Education, and President of the Vietnam Journalists’ Association; Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Ngo Duc Manh; and Nicolai Nozdrev, Director of  the Third Asian Department under Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. 

Representatives from the Russian friendship associations, the Vietnamese Association in Russia and press agencies of Russia and Vietnam also participated in the event.

In his opening speech, Editor-in-chief Thuan Huu highlighted the time-honoured relationship between the two countries, saying that they have established a comprehensive strategic partnership and the bilateral cooperation has seen positive developments in the past few years.

He underlined the significance of establishing Nhan Dan newspaper’s office in Russia, noting that this will contribute to introducing and promoting the images of Vietnamese land and people, as well as the Southeast Asian country’s development to Russian people. 

For his part, Nicolai Nozdrev affirmed this is an important event as the office will help reflect information on the Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership as well as swiftly bringing stories about Russia to Vietnamese people. 

Ambassador Manh said along with the representatives offices of the Vietnam News Agency, the Vietnam Television and Radio the Voice of Vietnam, Nhan Dan newspaper’s office will help provide more information related to the bilateral relations, Russia’s people and culture, as well as the Vietnamese community’s activities in the European country.

The office’s operation will contribute to strengthening the traditional relationship and comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and Vietnam, he stressed.

People brave severe heat to donate blood in many provinces

Many people donated blood in the Red Journey campaign in Tuyen Quang province on July 6 

Thousands of people in northern mountainous and central provinces have braved the severe hot weather to take part in blood donation events of the Red Journey campaign over the past days.

Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of northern Lang Son province Nguyen Long Hai said this was the fifth time the Red Journey had been held in the locality. This year’s event was organised in not only Lang Son city but also the border district of Loc Binh, helping to call for more support for the voluntary blood donation movement.

On July 3 ad 4, over 1,030 blood units were collected, a record of the programme in Lang Son so far.

In the neighbouring province of Cao Bang, the scorching heat was also unable to deter many people, mainly from ethnic minority groups like Tay, Nung, Mong and Dao, from queuing up to wait for their turn to donate blood on July 6.

To attract ethnics, the provincial steering board for blood donation mobilisation set up clubs with many ethnic minority members who helped popularise the significance of humanitarian blood donation to residents in remote areas.

As a result, about 430 blood units were donated at the event in Cao Bang.

On July 7, the Red Journey also took place in the northern province of Bac Kan, collecting more than 630 blood units as of the midday.

Since 2012, the province has organised 10 – 15 blood donation events and received 1,500 – 2,200 blood units each year, supplying at least 60 percent of the blood needed for medical treatment at the Bac Kan General Hospital.

A similar event has also been taking place in the neighbouring province of Tuyen Quang, drawing the warm response from local residents.

Meanwhile, more than 500 blood units were donated at an event in Nui Thanh district, the central province of Quang Nam, on July 7. Such activities will continue in many other localities of Quang Nam until the end of July and are expect to receive over 3,000 blood units.

More than 6,300 blood units have been collected at 27 blood donation events in Quang Nam since the beginning of 2018.

The same day, the Red Journey campaign also took place in Quang Tri province, collecting nearly 500 blood units. This was the third time it had been held in the central locality.

As of the end of July 6, the Red Journey had received 16,300 blood units in the destinations it visited.

This year’s campaign is hoped to collect at least 30,000 blood units when it comes to 26 provinces and cities across the country from June 13 to July 14. 

The Red Journey was initiated by the National Steering Committee for Voluntary Blood Donation and the National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion in 2013. It is a nationwide communication campaign helping to address the shortage of blood for medical treatment in summer. 

More than 120,000 blood units were donated in the programme from 2013 to 2017.

Japan’s Kishokai helps Vietnamese hospital standardise services

At Phuong Chau International Hospital. (Photo: nld.com.vn)

Japan’s Kishokai Medical Corporation will support Phuong Chau International Hospital in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho in standardising health care services. 

To this effect, an agreement on comprehensive medical cooperation (first phase) was inked between the two sides on July 7. 

Under the deal, Kishokai will help the hospital develop its services in line with international standards while transferring latest assisted reproductive technologies such as Day 5 embryo transfer and In Vitro Maturation, and screening for gynecologic cancer to the hospital.

Also, Phuong Chau hospital will receive assistance in operation and quality management to professionalise its processes.

According to Nguyen Thi Ngoc Ho, Chairwoman and Director of Phuong Chau hospital, the hospital has mastered In-vitro-Fertilisation (IVF) technology and endoscopic surgery techniques. It is getting the hang of andrology advanced technologies.

There have been 1,400 babies born via IVF at the hospital since it came into operation seven years ago, she noticed.

The cooperation with Kishokai Corporation will help people in Can Tho city in particular and the Mekong Delta region in general access the world’s latest scientific achievements.

Meanwhile, Kishokai CEO and Executive Director Mamoru Yamashita said that his firm, which was established 11 years ago, is the largest perinatal primary care provider in Japan. It is in charge of 9,000 deliveries every year.

Besides domestic branches, Kishokai has branched out its operation to Mongolia, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Rwanda and Vietnam.

The cooperation project with Phuong Chau hospital is expected to back the hospital in fine-tuning its health care services and developing into a modern obstetrical facility in Vietnam, he added.

Children’s Council model shows efficiency

The model of forming Children’s Councils at provincial and city levels has proved its efficiency in protecting children’s engagement in issues of their concern, heard a conference in Ho Chi Minh City on July 6 to review one-year operation of the model.

In realising the Prime Minister’s Decision 1235/QD-TTg dated August 3, 2015 on approving a programme on promoting children’s involvement in child-related issues, the Central Council of the Ho Chi Minh Vanguard Children’s Union has set up five Children’s Councils in Yen Bai, Quang Ninh, Binh Dinh, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Thanks to communications efforts, children has get deeper understanding of the role and significance of the Children’s Councils, while giving more ideas and aspirations through dialogues with the People’s Councils at all levels regarding issues related to children.

Currently, the number of the Children’s Council members reaches 30 in Yen Bai, 15 in Binh Dinh, 30 in Quang Ninh, 41 in Hanoi, and 55 in Ho Chi Minh City.

Regular meetings have been held between the councils and leaders of the provincial and municipal People’s Councils, Party Committees, and People’s Committees.

The meetings gathered over 3,000 ideas of children on various issues, including studying, entertainment, and child protection.

Nguyen Pham Duy Trang, head of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee’s Board for Children Affairs and Vice President of the Central Council of the Ho Chi Minh Vanguard Children’s Union, asked the provincial and city Children’s Councils to improve capacity for its members, while popularising the Child Law 2016 and the International Convention on Children’s Rights.

Participants also shared difficulties and challenges as well as experience in the operation of Children’s Councils, while giving recommendations on how to strengthen the quality of children’s engagement and efficiency of the model.

They also gave ideas to complete guidance on organising activities of the councils.

As scheduled, delegates will attend the third meeting of the Ho Chi Minh City Children’s Council on July 7.

More passengers use online check-in service: Jetstar Pacific

Passengers process online check in at Jetstar Pacific check-in kiosks at the airport (Source: Jetstar Pacific)

A year-on-year surge of 443 percent was seen in the ratio of passengers using online check-in services when flying with Jetstar Pacific in the first six months of 2018, according to the airline’s statistics.

The carrier held that domestic passengers have quickly adapted to the new technology, finding it more convenient and time-saving.

Online check-ins, which allow passengers to check in for their flights through the Internet at home, on their smartphones, or at check-in kiosks at the airport, have been adopted by all major carriers in Vietnam.

Jetstar Pacific has used the technology since January 1, 2017. The low-cost airline recorded only 9,000 passengers, or 2.8 percent of its customers using the service in the first month of applying the technology at Tan Son Nhat, Noi Bai, and Da Nang airports. But the figure has risen to 693,146 so far, with 70,000 users each month.

Notably, the ratio of passengers buying flight tickets and processing check-ins online rose from 55 percent in January to 80 percent in June this year.

A survey by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) showed that 89 percent of asked passengers said that they liked e-tickets, while 56 percent said they had used online check-ins, and another 69 percent used check-in kiosks at the airport.

According to Jetstar Pacific, passengers can start processing their online check-ins anywhere between 48 hours up until one hour prior to take-off time at Tan Son Nhat, Noi Bai, and Da Nang airports.

Jetstar Pacific operates flights to 16 destinations in Vietnam, and 180 destinations in 18 countries around the world.

Its two major shareholders are Vietnam Airlines and Australian Qantas Group.

Vietnam Women’s Union delegation active in Argentina

Chairwoman of the Vietnam Women’s Union Nguyen Thi Thu Ha (centre) presents a gift to head of the women institution under the Argentine Ministry of Social Development María Fabiana Tuñez (L) 

A delegation of the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU), led by its Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, met with Argentine lawmakers and members of the Argentina -Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group on July 6 as part of its visit to Argentina starting July 4.

At the meeting, Ha lauded Vietnam – Argentina comprehensive partnership across politics, trade, diplomacy and culture and increasing mutual support at international and regional forums like the UN and the Forum of East Asia–Latin America Cooperation.

She stressed Vietnam is an active member of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and is striving to achieve the UN sustainable development goals by 2030 on poverty reduction and gender equality.

Introducing Vietnamese women’s rights and the VWU’s operation, she expressed her hope for Vietnam and Argentina to boost human resources training, cooperation at international forums and experience exchange, particularly in increasing the rate of female personnel in the parliament and public agencies. 

For his part, Amaro Gonzalez, secretary of the board for ASEAN cooperation under the Argentine Chamber of Deputies, highlighted the connection role of the Argentina-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group in bilateral cooperation.

He shared with the Vietnamese delegation Argentina’s experience on supporting women’s participation in politics and promoting gender equality in the parliament and in society.

Head of the Argentina-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group Sergio Javier Wisky praised Vietnam’s progress in alleviation of war aftermath and poverty as well as social welfare improvement.

He stated promoting gender equality is an important target of the Argentine Government.   

While in Argentina, the Vietnamese delegation also visited the women institution under the Argentine Ministry of Social Development to study its operation. 

At their meeting with representatives of the institution, the sides discussed women’s rights and participation rate in socio-political organisations of the two countries. 

They also exchanged experience in protecting women’s interests and women empowerment in the modern age.

The delegation also held a working session with the unit overseeing women’s affairs of Buenos Aires, visited the Argentina – Vietnam cultural institution, and Salvador University.

On July 7, the delegation left Argentina for Cuba.-

Saigontourist announces winners of “Savour Vietnam” contest

Secretary of the HCMC Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan (2nd R) and HCMC Chairman Nguyen Thanh Phong (C) receive flowers and copies of “Savour Vietnam” photo book from the contest organizing committee 

Saigontourist Holding Company and Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper has organized a ceremony to present prizes to winners of the second “Savour Vietnam” writing, photography and video making contest.

The contest – which lasted from August 2017 to March 2018 with the sponsorship of Saigontourist Travel Service Company, Rex Hotel and Grand Saigon Hotel – has total prize money of VND685 million.

There were thousands of entries from professional and amateur contestants at home and abroad, including nearly 8,200 photos, more than 800 articles and 198 videos which feature people, landscapes, culture, history, cuisine, festivals and religions in Vietnam. 

In the photo category, Le Dinh Sam won the first prize worth VND40 million plus a travel voucher valued at VND20 million for his photo collection “Thac Ban Gioc” (Ban Gioc Waterfall).

The second-prize getters were Ho Ngoc Binh with “Cat Ba nhin tu tren cao” (An aerial view of Cat Ba Island) photo collection and Nguyen Anh Tuan with “Sac mau Tay Bac thang 5” (Colors of the Northwestern Upland in May) photo collection. Three third prizes and four consolation prizes were also announced.

“Lang Vu Dai ngay nay” (Today’s Vu Dai Village) by Pham Thi Minh Thu won the first prize in the writing category.

The second prizes went to Le Quang Kiet with “Phai long Con Dao” (Falling in love with Con Dao) and Dinh Thi Hong Ngoc with “Duong len bien cuong Dong Bac chinh phuc 1305” (Road to the northeastern frontier). There were also three third and five consolation prizes.

In the video category, Nguyen Minh Tan got the first prize for his “Bien Viet Nam” (Vietnam’s seas) video. “Nam Du tam thap ly” (Nam Du: 30 miles) by Le Dinh Sam and “Viet Nam que huong toi” (Vietnam: My homeland) by Nguyen Vinh Hien came in second.

Similar to the photo category, the video category had three third and four consolation prizes.

Addressing the prize presentation ceremony at the five-star Rex Hotel in HCMC on July 3, Saigontourist general director Tran Hung Viet said: “Compared to the first edition of the contest which took place in 2014 and 2015, the second edition has gained greater success in both quantity and quality, with interesting stories, and amazing photos and videos featuring stunning landscapes, unique cultural traits, and charms of the Vietnamese in the country.”

Editor-in-chief of Tuoi Tre newspaper Le The Chu said that the contest would contribute to introducing the cultural values and the beauty of nature of the country to international friends and thus promoting tourism and socio-economic development.

Saigontourist also took the occasion to launch the “Savour Vietnam” photo book, which is a collection of outstanding photos and articles selected from the “Savour Vietnam” contest.

The 200-page book in both Vietnamese and English features Landscapes, Daily life, Festivals and Vietnam’s smiles. It can be used as a gift which HCMC authorities, Saigontourist and Tuoi Tre newspaper will present to Vietnamese and international partners, and foreign delegations during their visits to the city and the country.

In the Introduction of the book, Nguyen Thien Nhan, Secretary of the HCMC Party Committee, says he appreciates the initiative of Saigontourist and Tuoi Tre newspaper to organize the contest on Vietnam’s people, tourism and culture.

It attracted a lot of interest as thousands of entries from local and foreign authors were submitted and used as material for the “Savour Vietnam” photo book, he said. The book provides Vietnamese and international tourists with an insight into Vietnam’s nature, culture and people, and contributes to promoting HCMC and other tourist attractions in Vietnam.

Vietnam News Agency, Bac Ninh bolster communication cooperation

VNA General Director Nguyen Duc Loi (L) and Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Tu Quynh exchange the agreement signed on July 6 

The People’s Committee of the northern province of Bac Ninh and the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) will enhance communication cooperation under an agreement inked between both parties on July 6.

Per the terms of the agreement, both sides will join hands to disseminate the Party’s guidelines and the State’s laws while the state-run news agency will popularise the images of Bac Giang province, and nudge its socio-economic potential and achievements closer to domestic and international friends.

At the signing ceremony, VNA General Director Nguyen Duc Loi briefed local authorities on the VNA’s functions and operation. 

He said that the agency boasts a network of 63 bureaus in all cities and provinces throughout the country, and 30 overseas bureaus across five continents. With more than 1,000 reporters and editors among its 2,400-strong staff, the agency is now the largest producer of media products in the country.

It produces more than 60 products including bulletins, photographs, television programmes, dailies, weeklies, monthlies, magazines, pictorials, books, TV programmes, e-newspaper and information programmes on mobile platforms, he added.

He expressed his belief that Bac Ninh province will create favourable conditions for VNA and its bureau in the locality to fulfill assigned political missions, and pledged to bolster communication cooperation with the province to promote local images to both Vietnamese and foreign people.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Tu Quynh said that Bac Ninh is touted as an outstanding model in socio-economic development, hence, promoting the image of a vibrant and innovative province is significant to lure more domestic and foreign investments. 

He hoped that in the coming time, close coordination with the VNA will bring in effective results.