Hanoi, Paris boost comprehensive friendship

More than 100 delegates from 21 chapters of the Vietnam-France Friendship Association gathered in Hanoi on July 11 for its 4th congress.

They elected new executive board of 33 members led by Nguyen Tai Thu, who is also president of the Vietnam Acupuncture Association.

In the five-year term (2012-2017), the association will continue with its the people-to-people diplomacy by organizing a wide range of cultural and educational events to promote cooperation in economics, trade, tourism and information for the benefit of the two countries

In the spirit of flexibility, creation and self-reliance, the Vietnam-France Friendship Association has always encouraged its members to take part in socio-cultural and charity events.

During the celebration of Thang Long-Hanoi’s millennial anniversary, the association called on business partners and mass organizations in France to take part in the “Ha Noi- Your Destination” quiz contest.

It also held many seminars on French culture and architecture with the participation of representatives from the French embassy and Vietnamese agencies, as well as overseas Vietnamese and experts.  

Northwest urged to develop technology

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc yesterday, July 11, called for the development of a national programme to apply science and technology to boost sustainable development in the northwest region.

Phuc was speaking at a meeting organised by the Northwest Steering Committee.

The North-west region includes 12 mostly mountainous provinces, such as Ha Giang, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, and 21 districts located to the west of Thanh Hoa and Nghe An provinces.

The region is of strategic importance to the economy, national defence and foreign affairs. Despite the development of agriculture, forestry, hydro-electricity, mineral resources and tourism, it still remains one of the poorest regions in the country.

At the meeting, participants agreed that a national science-technology development programme could help the development of the region's human-resources and transport infrastructure.

The Deputy PM asked the Viet Nam National University in Ha Noi to draft a programme for the purpose in co-ordination with other institutes and agencies.

Drifting Vietnamese ship towed to port

A Vietnamese cargo ship, named Anh Son, whose rudder broke down in Indian waters two weeks ago and has been drifting since was expected to be towed to the Kolkatta Port in India yesterday, July 11.

Phan The Vuong, director of the Hai Phong-based Anh Son Shipping Trading Co Ltd, which owns Anh Son, told the media on Tuesday that the Kolkata port authority has allowed the Vietnamese vessel to enter at the request of Viet Nam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as guarantees given by insurance agencies.

Anh Son Co. has hired an Indian firm to tow the cargo ship to the Kolkata Port for US$101,000, Vuong said.

The towing of Anh Son was delayed over an insurance dispute. Vuong said last week his company had hired an Indian rescue company to tow the ship to port but the ship's insurer refused to pay the towing cost of US$250,000.

The Indian port authorities wanted a guarantee from the insurer before it would allow the vessel to be towed in.

The unidentified insurer had refused to foot the bill saying the cause of the accident was an "unexpected fault" and not covered by the insurance agreement.

According to the Viet Nam Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC Viet Nam), the 4,374 DWT Anh Son was carrying wood from Hai Phong to India when its rudder broke down 32 nautical miles off the coast of India on June 26.

The ship, with 15 crew on board, had been drifting in rough seas since.

At the request of MRCC Viet Nam, its Indian counterpart in Chennai sent planes and rescue vessels to the distressed ship, and reported it was 30 nautical miles off the coast, and that the crew were safe and in normal health.

Deputy PM highlights religious freedom

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc yesterday, July 11, highlighted that Viet Nam always respected its people's right to freedom of religious beliefs.

He made this statement while receiving a Cambodian Buddhism delegation led by Venerable Tepvong, Buddhist Supreme Patriarch of Cambodia.

Phuc highly valued the great contributions of religious people to the development of the two countries' solidarity, traditional friendship and comprehensive co-operation.

He expressed his belief that the two sides would boost co-operation in the field of religion in the time to come.

Venerable Tepvong said the Cambodian state also paid attention to its citizens' right to freedom of religion.

He said he would make every effort to strengthen relations between the two countries.

Five provinces hit by blue-ear disease

Blue-ear disease, which affects pigs, continues to spread in five the provinces of Dien Bien, Quang Ninh, Lang Son, Dong Nai and Binh Duong, deputy agriculture minister Diep Kinh Tan said at a meeting of husbandry sector.

He said the localities' prevention efforts have not been effective, causing the disease to spread from one district to four districts in Dong Nai and one to six in Lang Son.

Coaches install black boxes to boost safety

About 600 coaches, about 90 per cent of the total in northern Bac Giang Province, have been equipped with black boxes.

This was done to help make ensure that public vehicles are not overloaded, speeding or driving in the wrong lane.

Dengue fever on the rise in Binh Thuan

About 450 cases of dengue fever have been confirmed in central Binh Thuan Province since early this year, nearly 65 per cent higher than the same period last year.

Tran Thi Ngoc Phuong, an official of the provincial Preventive Medicine Centre said that despite a range of preventive measures, cases of dengue fever continued to rise.

An early rainy season and abnormal changes in the weather have been blamed for the spread of the disease.

Doctor's blood saves woman patient's life

A doctor at Le Loi Hospital in southern Vung Tau City has used his own blood to save the life of a woman who gave birth to a stillborn baby.

The woman, 27, from Rach Dua District, had been pregnant for 32 weeks. During birth, she suffered acute kidney failure and blood clotting.

During emergency surgery, she suffered severe bleeding at the hospital where doctor Luu Duc Hanh, her blood donor, worked.

Text messages to help Agent Orange victims

The Viet Nam Association for Victims of Agent Orange/dioxin (VAVA) and the National Humanitarian Information Gate have launched "Orange Pain 2012" programme to raise funds.

Each mobile text message with the word DACAM sent to 1409 will add VND18,000 (US$ 0.9) to the association's funds.

In the next year, VAVA plans to build 46 boarding establishments nurturing AO victims and about 1,200 houses.

It will also provide scholarships and jobs to the children of victims with donations of VND250 billion ($11.9 million).

VNN/VOV/VNS