Catholic congress attracts 334 delegates nation-wide


The Congress of God's People in Viet Nam opened at the Pastoral Centre in HCM City yesterday, Nov 21, under the chair of the Archbishop of Ha Noi's Archdiocese and President of Viet Nam's Episcopal Council Pierre Nguyen Van Nhon.

The opening ceremony drew 334 delegates representing bishops, priests and Catholic followers nationwide, and about 1,000 followers from the HCM City diocese. The Congress is one of three major activities to celebrate the Jubilee Year of 2010 among the Vietnamese Catholic community. The activities include the opening ceremony of the Jubilee Year held last November in So Kien Parish Church in the northern province of Ha Nam, the Congress of God's People taking place in HCM City from November 21-25, and the closing ceremony of the Jubilee Year and the 29th La Vang Pilgrims' Congress scheduled from January 4-6 at La Vang Church in the central province of Quang Tri.

After the opening ceremony, the delegates focused discussions on the role of the Catholic Church in the Vietnamese community.

The congress will close on Thursday with a festival.


University receives achievement award


Ho Chi Minh University of Science (HCMUS) was awarded the "Hero of Labour" title yesterday, Nov 21, for its outstanding achievements.

President Nguyen Minh Triet, who graduated from the university, congratulated its teachers, staff and students on the occasion. He also urged the university to promote research into applied technology and to collaborate with enterprises to train a highly qualified workforce.

Founded in 1942, HCMUS now has more than 16,000 students and 1,200 professors and lecturers. It runs 15 majors and has established links with over 50 universities and academic institutions within the country and overseas.


Vietnamese expatriates build pagoda in Laos


A pagoda built with donations from the Vietnamese community in Laos was dedicated in the Lao capital of Vientiane on Friday.

Attending the ceremony were Lao Deputy Prime Minister Somsavath Lengsavath, a Poliburo member, and Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Luong Quoc Huy.

Commenced in April 2008, the seven-storey Phat Tich Pagoda covers an area of 1,300sq.m and was built at a total cost of US$450,000.

The Most Venerable Thich Minh Quang, head of the pagoda, said that it would serve as a new religious and cultural site for the Vietnamese community in Laos, helping preserve and promote Vietnamese culture and strengthen solidarity between the two countries.


Hanoi has first ice-skating rink


Hanoi’s first ice-skating rink was put into operation at the Bao Son Paradise park in Hanoi on November 20.

In addition to the 200 sq.m rink, the park has also launched an “ocean world” with 2,000 kinds of sea animals including sharks, rays, seals along with corals and rare marine plants.
Construction of the VND1.7 trillion park was started in 2005 and so far, most of the 34 entertainment facilities within the park have been completed, welcoming thousands of tourists, local and foreign alike, every day.
The other entertainment facilities include a safari park, a modern 4D cinema, a 2,000-seat convention hall, a restaurant and theatre and a tennis course.


Vinashin’s subsidiary builds cargo ships


The Ha Long Shipbuilding Company on November 21 began the building of two 47,500-tonnage cargo ships for the Vietnam National Shipping Lines (Vinalines).

The ships are the largest ever to be built by the Ha Long Company, which is a subsidiary of the Vietnam Shipbuilding Industry Group (Vinashin).

Designed by the Win-Win Engineering Company of the Republic of Korea, the ships will have their main engines made by Warsila group of Finland.

They are the first two of four 47,500-tonnage cargo ships in the Government’s project to strengthen the country’s ship fleet.

With this shipbuilding project, the Ha Long Company demonstrated its endeavours to surmount difficulties and contribute to promoting successful and sustainable development of its parent company, Vinashin, after recent financial problems.


Vietnam hosts int’l contest for Young Innovators on science and technology


The seventh International contest for Young Innovators on Science and Technology will be held in Hanoi from December 18-22, according to the Vietnam Fund for Technological Creativity (VIFOTEC).

This is a creative playing field for teenagers aged 6 to 19 from different territories and nations around the world.

The contest aims to tap potential and promote creative thinking in young Vietnamese and international people. It also offers a good opportunity for young Vietnamese people to compete with others around the world.

Contestants will compete in developing learning materials, informatics software, and children’s toys as well as environmental protection and economic development, energy savings. The winning products should be creative as well as practical.

So far, 23 delegations from developed nations have participated in the exhibition with more than 240 entries. Vietnam has registered for the contest with more than 100 solutions.


VNN/VNS/VOV