RoK pledges support to multicultural families

Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Kim Hwang-sik held a get-together on December 12 with individuals and social organisations who have actively supported the RoK-Vietnam multicultural families over the recent years.

Photo: VOV

This is part of activities launched by the Korean Government to mark the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties (1992-2012).

The two countries’ friendship has fostered remarkable achievements, the Korean PM said, adding that their governments and peoples are busy preparing celebrations for the major diplomatic event.

Vietnamese Ambassador to the RoK Tran Trong Kim expressed his gratitude for the PM’s sentiment towards the expatriate community residing in the RoK, especially for his assistance to multicultural families.

The ambassador said cross-cultural exchanges between the two nations have been strengthened and the Vietnamese community has played an important role in tightening the relationship.

South Korea builds welfare centre

The construction of an educational welfare complex area called the Lotus Village worth nearly US$4.65 million was started yesterday in An Phu Commune, Tam Ky City, central Quang Nam Province.

The village, which will be built over an area of seven hectares, is being funded by the South Korean International Lotus Village Organisation.

The area will have a foreign language centre, areas for elderly and disabled people - and a kindergarten.

Two shrimp firms receive hefty fines

The People's Committee in the central province of Thua Thien Hue has fined two shrimp farms, the Truong Son JSC and Thien An Phu Ltd Company, VND453 million (US$21,700) for polluting the environment.

Following inspections, the provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment detected the firms were violating environmental regulations regarding waste water.

Student stabbed in heart saved by doctor

A student from Ha Noi's Me Linh District has been saved by doctors at the city's E Hospital after being stabbed in the heart.

On December 7, the victim lost his bicycle and suspected a friend of stealing it. They argued and his friend pulled a knife and stabbed him in the chest. The victim was taken to the hospital after losing a lot of blood.

Le Ngoc Thanh, director of the hospital's cardiovascular centre, said that this was a rare case. Remarkably, just five days later, the patient had recovered and was discharged from hospital.

Phuc Lam Christian Church convenes general conference

The Vietnam Phuc Lam Christian Church convened its second general conference in Ho Chi Minh City on December 12, attracting more than 400 delegates, dignitaries and followers from 30 cities and provinces nationwide.

In his speech, Pham Dung, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs and Head of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs, greeted Christian dignitaries and followers on the occasion of their general conference and the coming Christmas festival.

He stressed that with the participation of many domestic and international participants, the event reflects the Vietnamese Party and State’s consistent policy of respecting and ensuring people’s rights to religious and belief freedom.

The Deputy Minister also affirmed the Vietnamese Party and State always acknowledge the religious community’s positive contribution to great national unity and pay much attention to the community’s life in all fields.

The two-day conference will review the 2008-12 operational period, elect a new Executive Board for the second tenure and adopt the 2012-16 working plan.

The Phuc Lam Christian Church received State recognition of its legal status in 2006 and was recognised by the Government Committee for Religious Affairs as a religious organisation in 2008.

During its operation, the Church’s dignitaries and followers have worked with people nationwide to contribute to national construction and protection.

500kg of illegal crackers seized

The police of Ha Noi seized nearly 500 kilos of crackers made in China, which were being transported on a coach through the route of the northern Cao Bang - southern Lam Dong provinces yesterday, Dec 12.

Tran Van Nguyen, a resident in the central Highlands province of Gia Lai, is the driver of the coach.

The driver did not have valid licence for manufacturing or selling these crackers and had hidden them in bags in the coach.

All crackers were seized. The case is on-going.

Winners of contest on history of Vietnam-Laos relationship awarded

Winners of the contest to learn about the history of Vietnam-Laos special relationship have received awards in Laos.

The awards ceremony took place in Sepone district, Savanakhet province on December 12. Among those present were Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Lao counterpart, Somsavat Lengsavat, and representatives from the Lao province of Savannakhet and the central Vietnamese province of Quang Tri.

The Vietnamese and Lao leaders presented two first prizes, five second prizes and 13 third prizes to the winners from both countries.

The contest has received 3 million entries with around 20,000 sitting for multiple choice tests every week for eight months in Vietnam and six months in Laos.

The awards ceremony was part of activities to mark the Vietnam-Laos 2012 Friendship Year.

VNN/VOV/VNS