Penalties for traffic violators increase by 2.5 times

The government is planning much harsher penalties for those caught drink driving or speeding, as it prepares to get tough on traffic violators.

As part of the crackdown which starts in November, penalties for severe offences will increase by up to 2.5 times compared to existing levels, according to the latest government decree.

Fines incurred by drunk drivers will increase the most - particularly for drivers found to have a blood alcohol concentration exceeding 80mg per 100ml or breath alcohol concentration exceeding 0.4mg per 1l - as they will be subject to a fine ranging from VND10 to 15 million (US$476-714).

This represents a remarkable increase from the current range of VND4-6 million ($190-286) for an offence.
The penalties for motorbike drivers committing the same offence are from VND2 to 3 million($95-143).

Speeding fines will also be subject to a severe increase.

Automobile drivers caught driving more than 35km/h above the limit will incur fines of VND 8-10 million, compared to the current range of VND2 to 3 million, and will have their driving licences suspended for 60 days.

The penalties for motorbike drivers who drive more than 20km/h above the limit increase to VND2 to 3 million yp from the present fine of VND500,000 to 1 million.

14 victims of Russian fire brought home

The remains and bodies of all 14 Vietnamese nationals who were killed in a fire at a garment workshop in Russia have been returned to their homeland.

Representatives of the Vietnamese embassy in Russia and the Consular Department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a ceremony at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi on September 23 to hand over the remains and bodies of the victims to their families.

On September 21, the Vietnamese embassy, the Overseas Vietnamese Association, and the Garment and Textile Association in Russia held a memorial service and requiem for the victims before sending them home on the national flag carrier, Vietnam Airlines, on September 22.

All costs for transport and burial services, about US$2,000 per victim, were covered by the Vietnamese embassy and the Vietnamese community in Russia.

Relevant Vietnamese and Russian agencies have intensified measures to rescue and support victims of the fire and are working hard to identify the cause of the tragedy.

Int’l law enforcement program to be held in Hanoi

The 28th Asia Region Law Enforcement Management Program (ARLEMP 28) will be held at RMIT International University in Hanoi on September 25.

Representatives from 17 countries will take part in the event co-organized by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Vietnam Police General Department for Crime Prevention and Suppression under the Ministry of Public Security.

Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Hugh Borrowman will attend the opening ceremony.

As transnational crimes such as illicit narcotics trading, cyber crime, and human trafficking have escalated, creating an enormous negative impact on society, the most effective way to combat such crime is strengthening cooperation between law enforcement agencies.

ARLEMP aims to enhance the management, leadership and communication of law enforcement agencies and raise their capacity to combat the threat of transnational crime.

This year’s program is the first course in a new three-year funding cycle provided by the Australian Federal Police.

Australian Vietnamese to help build school

Overseas Vietnamese in Australia have raised more than AU$12,000 to build a school on Truong Sa Lon island.
Fund-raising campaigns were organised in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.

Launched by the Vu A Dinh Scholarship Fund and the Ho Chi Minh City Law newspaper last month, the "For beloved Truong Sa students" programme aims to mobilise about VND10 billion from donors to build a 300 sq. m six-classroom school for students on Truong Sa Lon island.

Work on the school is expected to start next month and be completed in March 2013.

On September 22, more than 1,000 Vietnamese students in Australia took part in a music gala in Sydney to highlight their sentiments towards the home land and raise fund for the "For beloved Truong Sa students" programme.

Families donate land for resettlement homes

Three households in central Quang Ngai Province donated three ha worth hundreds of millions of dong to build resettlement households for those living in landslide-stricken areas.

Beneficiaries include 49 households (150 inhabitants) at the foot of the Go Bo and Go Ray mountains in Ba To District's Ba Bich Commune.

In 2010, landslides in the mountains affected 34 households.

Youth hold blood donation festival

The Ha Noi Youth Blood Donation Mobilisation Association held the Youth Blood Donation Festival 2012 at Viet Nam National University Ha Noi yesterday in co-ordination with the National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion.

Organisers expect to collect at least 1,200 blood units (350ml each) from more than 2,000 registered donors out of the 3,500 people in attendance. However, by September 20, more than 4,500 people registered at the festival to donate their blood.

The event aims to educate the young about safe lifestyles and teach them how to love and to share.

Coach, truck collision leaves three injured

A coach collided into a truck in central Quang Tri Province's Cam Lo District's Cam Thanh Commune, seriously injuring three people.

The coach was travelling from Dong Ha to Lao Bao District with 8 passengers. The driver seems to have driven too quickly down the road, colliding with the truck, which was going in the other direction. Five people were lightly injured and received first-aid.

The investigation is ongoing.

1,470 scholarships presented to disadvantaged children

State Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan has presented 1,470 scholarships worth a total of VND4.41 billion to disadvantaged children in the Mekong Delta.

Addressing the ceremony on September 22, Vice President Doan thanked the sponsors for their support and expressed her sympathy with the disadvantaged children, while encouraging them to overcome all difficulties in their lives to develop into useful and productive citizens.

On the same day, the Pacific Ocean Import and Export Company and the Vu Anh International Hospital respectively awarded VND500 million and VND300 million in gifts to poor children and Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin victims.

VNN/VOV/VNS