Vietnamese people contribute to strengthening Vietnam-Australia ties
Cooperative ties between Vietnam and Australia have developed not only in economics and trade but also in education, tourism, culture and people exchanges in recent years.

The statement was made by Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations, Huynh Minh Thien and Australian consul general in HCM City, Graeme Swift, at a meeting to mark the 223rd Australian National Day (January 26) on January 19.

Thien said Vietnam has been one of Australia’s trading partners with strong growth over the past five years. The economic ties between the two countries will develop further as Vietnam continues to implement economic reform.

Australia provided AUD119.8 million in financial assistance to Vietnam in the fiscal year of 2010-2011.

Mr Graeme Swift said he was very pleased to join in many projects to aid Vietnam, especially in infrastructure, such as transport projects in the Mekong Delta region and improving people’s living conditions.

About 188,000 Vietnamese people are living and more than 24,000 Vietnamese students are currently studying in Australia.


Reburial for war martyrs


The remains of 77 of 81 soldiers who died during the American War were moved to Sa Thay District martyrs' cemetery by the local People's Committee and Military Command in the Central Highland province of Kon Tum on Wednesday.

The memorial and burial services for the soldiers are expected to be held as soon as possible.

The Sa Thay District Command discovered the unknown war martyrs' remains after a two-year search in a mass grave on top of Chu Tan Kra Mountain in the district's Sa Son Commune last month, said Tran Van Khanh, deputy chief of the command.

The soldiers were identified as belonging to Regiment 209 under Division 312, which mainly consisted of men from Ha Noi, Khanh said.

The remains of four soldiers including Nguyen Dinh Tam, Le Van Xuyen, Luu Van Cap and Nguyen Van Tao were previously commemorated and buried in their hometown war cemetery in Ha Noi's Gia Lam District .

According to docum-ents, about 400 soldiers died while fighting against US forces on the top of the mountain in 1968.


Journalist burnt in home attack


A journalist working for Nguoi Lao Dong (The Labourer) newspaper was attacked and set on fire while sleeping in his home early yesterday morning.

According to police in southern Long An Province, an unknown man broke into Hoang Hung's house at dawn and poured alcohol onto his body while he was sleeping and set his body on fire.

Hung then called for help. He was rushed to Cho Ray General Hospital in HCM City, with burns on 50 per cent of his body.

At the site, police found a string and a plastic bag. Police are continuing their investigation and their search for the man.


Int'l business school opens in HCM City


The HCM City University of Economics on Wednesday opened the International School of Business (ISB), which offers bachelor- and master-level courses taught in English.

The ISB will also manage collaboration projects with foreign partners in bachelor's and master's degree programmes.

The school is implementing a five-year joint Doctor of Business Administration degree with Australia's University of Western Sydney that will train 50 doctors.


Antiseptic provided for blue-ear disease


Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has ordered the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to provide 45,000 litres of Benkocid antiseptic to four provinces to help prevent blue-ear disease in pigs.

They are Da Nang City and Ha Tinh, Quang Nam and Khanh Hoa.

The disease has been largely controlled across the nation, except in central Ha Tinh Province, according to the Animal Health Department.


High school students in mass collapses


Sixty students from Son Thanh Tay School in central Phu Yen Province have fainted in groups during classes early this week.

On Monday morning, 40 girls in the 8th and 11th grades passed out en masse. The students recovered after getting treatment from the local health clinic.

On Tuesday afternoon, 19 girls and one boy in the 8th and 11th grades suddenly collapsed.

All other students of the 13 classes were given the day off as a precaution.

Doctor Vo Hong Hai from Tay Hoa General Hospital said a decrease in calcium levels in the students' blood might be the cause of the fainting.

HTML clipboard

AO victims receive New Year gifts

Fifty gifts and two wheelchairs were given to Agent Orange/Dioxin (AO) victims in Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi by Vietnam News Agency and the Hanoi Fund for Agent Orange/Dioxin victims, on January 20.

These two organisations frequently offer gifts to disadvantaged AO victims across the country.

The activities call for help from the community, particularly at the Lunar New Year Festival (Tet).

The Hanoi Fund for Agent Orange/Dioxin victims and the Hanoi Association for victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin will present 16.000 gifts, worth VND300,000 each, to other AO victims in Hanoi.


2011 Spring Fair opens in Hanoi


Around 600 businesses have joined in the 2011 Spring Fair which opened at the Vietnam Exhibition and Fair Centre in Giang Vo, Hanoi on January 20.

Displayed in 900 pavilions are different consumer goods like food and foodstuffs, beverages, clothes, household utensils, gifts, and fruits.

Foreign businesses also showcased their products at 30 pavilions such as gold, silver, gems stones, jewelry products, handicrafts and other consumer goods. During the fair with 120 pavilions, there is also a Spring Beverage Festival.

Visitors will have he chance to taste specialties from many regions across the country like Hoa Binh wine, Nam Roi pomelo, Bo Ha orange and Thai Nguyen tea and enjoy many cultural and art performances at the fair.  


Vietnam, Italy cooperate in health and humanitarian fields


A delegation from Vietnam National Hospital of Pediatrics paid a working visit to Tuscany region, Italy on January 14-21 to promote cooperation and exchange of health officers and advanced medical technologies transfer.  

The visit was made at the invitation of the Red Cross Society from Tuscany, Italy.

During their stay, the delegation held a working session with one of the largest pediatrics hospitals in Italy.

Both sides devised cooperation programme for 2011. Three doctors from Vietnam National Hospital of Pediatrics will go to Italy for three months to share and gain experiences. Tuscany’s Red Cross Society will provide funding sources for the programme of a long-term cooperation between the Vietnam National Hospital of Pediatrics and Tuscany’s pediatrics hospital.

The delegation also visited Red Cross rehabilitation centres and some health stations in the region. Representatives from Tuscany region expressed their wish to promote cooperation in healthcare between hospitals.

Regarding the humanitarian cooperation, the Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Dang Khanh Toai held a working session with the President of Tuscany’s Red Cross Society, Francesco Caponi to discuss measures to expand humanitarian projects in Vietnam.

Mr Caponi emphasised that the Red Cross Society in Tuscany in particular and Italy’s Red Cross Society in general want to expand their cooperation with Vietnam Red Cross Society in all fields to strengthen the friendship between Italy and Vietnam.


Conference reviews 2010 health and nutrition activities


A conference was held in Hanoi on January 20 by the Vietnam National Institution of Nutrition and the Ministry of Health to review the 2010 activities on health and nutrition and their further implementation in 2011.

Last year, health and nutrition activities such as providing nutritional care for pregnant women, encouraging breastfeeding, monitoring children’s nutritional state, and supplementing vitamin A, were launched in all communes and wards throughout the country.

As a result, the number of malnourished children determined by the relation between the weight and age dropped from 18.9 in 2009 to 17.5 percent in 2010 while child malnutrition determined by the relation between height and age fell from 32.9 percent in 2009 to 29.3 percent in 2010.

Despite the significant decrease in the number of malnourished children in Vietnam, the rate remains high compared to other countries in the region.

This year, nutrition activities will be focused on promoting community education, caring for pregnant women and providing Vitamin A for pregnant mothers and their children.

Preventing child malnutrition and improving their physical health should be a key national target to be carried out in localities across the country in the near future for the sake of children’s health as well as the national development.


Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisation reviews its activities


The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisation (VUFO) held a press conference in Hanoi on January 20 to review most important activities in 2010, especially in foreign relations.

The event was attended by VUFO President Vu Xuan Hong, representatives from relevant state agencies and press correspondents.

Last year, VUFO’s foreign relations were strengthened through activities that promote peace, friendship, solidarity and cooperation among people. The organisation wished to strengthen traditional friendships with Vietnam’s important partners.

This year, VUFO will continue to strengthen friendship, and cooperation with the neigbouring countries and strategic partners, hold dialogues on democracy, human rights, and religion in the US and Western Europe.  The organisation will also participate in many forums such as the World Social Forum, the seventh ASEAN People’s Forum and the ninth Asia-Europe People’s Forum.

Participants also reviewed the national progamme on assistance provided by the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in 2006-2010 and devised a plan for the 2010-2015 period, contributing to economic cooperation, transfer of science and technology, as well as cultural activities in foreign affairs.

At the meeting, VUFO also granted certificates of merit to 15 reporters who ran news on the union’s activities last year.


Power cut free Tet promised


Ha Noi electricity utility's deputy general director Vu Quang Hung announced yesterday that there would be no power cuts in the capital during the Tet holiday from January 23 to February 7, except in special circumstances.

Although demand had increased by 20 to 25 per cent because of the cold weather, it was still much lower than in the summer, he said.

HCM Power Company has announced it is also committed to maintaining a constant supply from January 31 to February 7.

The company said that recent power cuts in the city were to allow repair work to be carried out, not because of a power shortage.


Coach and truck collide, 1 injured


One person was injured after a truck crashed into a coach on National Highway No 1A in northern Lang Son Province's Chi Lang District yesterday morning.

After the collision, the coach hit the barrier and burst into flames. Fortunately, all passengers were able to escape.

Local police are still investigating the cause of the accident.


Cement truck crashes into house


A cement truck hit a motorcycle repair shop yesterday in Gia Vien District in northern Ninh Binh Province, causing it to collapse.

The damage is estimated at hundreds of million of dong. The truck driver admitted to falling asleep at the wheel, causing him to lose control.

The case is under investigation.


General directors get car allowance


The Ministry of Finance has issued a circular to allow general directors of state-owned enterprises to use public cars worth less than VND840 million (US$43,000).

Enterprises can buy public cars for business purposes for no more than VND720 million ($36,900).

The circular is expected to take effect from March 1.


Four smugglers fined VND206 mil


Vice chairman of the People's Committee from northern Thanh Hoa Province has decided to fine four men VND206 million (US$10,500) for illegally transporting 350 kilogrammes of rare, wild animals and 7.5 cubic metres of timber.

Four cars used for the transport were also seized.

The men, all from different localities, are between 30 and 41 years of age.


VNN/VOV/VNS