Society aims to tackle Agent Orange woes

The Viet Nam-USA Society plans to mobilise more humanitarian aid and prioritise the improvement of healthcare and education, poverty reduction and dealing with the consequences of Agent Orange and war mines.

The society's meeting in Ha Noi yesterday, Dec 26, also affirmed the need to enlarge society membership with businesses and increase its English centres.

Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations chairman Vu Xuan Hong said he appreciated the society's contribution to developing relations between the Vietnamese people and the US.

The society had worked hard to boost co-operation with American partners, particularly organisations of American veterans, to help trace the remains of Vietnamese soldiers.

So far, with 300 documents provided by American partners, the Vietnamese authorities had located the remains of about 1,000 dead soldiers.

The society had also mobilised its sources to help deal with social problems in poor and remote areas in Viet Nam.

During the past six years, non-Governmental partners of the society had offered sponsorship of about $8 million for humanitarian activities in Viet Nam.

A notable partner was the Starkey Hearing Foundation, which offered 4,400 hearing devices for thousands of Vietnamese hearing-impaired children at a cost of $2.2 million.

At the meeting, former deputy minister of foreign affairs Nguyen Tam Chien was elected chairman for the next five years.

Japan funds bridge construction in Dak Lak

A ground-breaking ceremony for construction of Krong Kmar bridge in Dak Lak province was held on December 26.

llustrative image.

This is one of four bridges to be built in the central highland and coastal region with non-refundable aid from Japan.

Japanese Minister Counsellor Miyake expressed belief that the project will contribute to stabilizing the lives of local residents and help strengthen the friendship and mutual understanding between Japan and Vietnam.

So far, the Japanese government has provided 7.5 billion Yen in non-refundable aid for a project to build or upgrade 29 bridges in 16 mountainous provinces in the North and 38 others in 18 cities and provinces in the Mekong Delta.

Cops uncover bevy of drug-infused wine

About 5,000 litres of herbal wine without legal proof of origin were discovered by the police on Tuesday in a jewellery shop in suburban Tu Liem District in Ha Noi.

Samples of the confiscated wine revealed that the alcohol contained drugs.

"The wine was easily addictive and harmful for the health," said an investigator from the Ha Noi police's Environmental Department.

The owner of the shop said the wine was produced in northern Yen Bai Province. The investigation is on-going.

New milestone in pushing through UN reform in Vietnam

The Vietnamese Government and the United Nations have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the construction of the Green One UN House.

Addressing the event in Hanoi on December 26, Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh stressed “the signing of the MOA is a reaffirmation of the Vietnamese Government’s strong commitment to the implementation of the “Delivering as One initiative.”

Once completed, the Green One UN House will stand a symbol of lasting cooperation between Vietnam and the United Nations, Vinh said.

UN Resident Coordinator Pratibha Mehta extended her sincere appreciation and thanks to the Vietnamese Government, saying that “with its green building features, the Green One UN House will also demonstrate a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.”

The Green One UN House will facilitate inter-agency teamwork and programmatic synergies. The new building will use energy and water with efficiency to reduce the environmental footprint of the UN in Vietnam.

The project is a joint endeavor between the Vietnamese Government, donors and the UN Country Team.

Vietnam is one of eight global pilot countries for the “Delivering as One” initiative, which aims for UN system-wide coherence and greater efficiency and effectiveness at the country level. Vietnam is among the first countries in the world pursuing programmatic synergies through co-location and functional clustering of UN staff.

KOICA offers funds for NGO operations

The Korean International Co-operation Agency (KOICA) in Viet Nam will grant US$76,000 to two non-governmental organisations to carry out projects on HIV/AIDS prevention and agricultural reform.

The Community-based Care and Support Centre for Health and HIV/AIDS project will improve the quality of life of children affected by HIV/AIDS by helping grand-parents who must care for their sick children's children.

The Centre for Rural Communities Research and Development's project will introduce biogas and bio-fertiliser technologies to farmers as part of an attempt to teach sustainable farming practices and create a cleaner environment.

New regulations for children's formula

A new regulation specifying safety standards for children's formula nutrient products will take effect at the beginning of June, according to the Ministry of Health's Viet Nam Food Administration (VFA).

"The regulation will be an important tool for controlling the quality and safety of nutrient products in Viet Nam," said VFA director Tran Quang Trung.

The regulation is one of several health sector projects that aim to fulfill the National Nutrition Strategy and reduce malnutrition and stunted growth.

VNU-HCM to become leading research centre

Viet Nam National University-HCM City (VNU-HCM) aims to become the leading research-based university in the country by 2020, its director said yesterday at a workshop in HCM City.

Dr Phan Thanh Binh said that his university is currently building facilities and changing its management styles in order to achieve the target.

Faculties and centres that meet certain standards will be chosen for pilot investment, and even with these faculties, key disciplines will be prioritised for being taken to higher levels with the aim of achieving international recognition, the university said.

Coach driver attacks passenger in quarrel

Bus driver Tran Van Chinh, 49, of Bien Hoa Town was taken into custody for allegedly attacking a passenger after a quarrel.

On passing through Bien Hoa Town – Tan Thanh (Ba Ria – Vung Tau City), Chinh and a passenger began to argue.

Chinh and his assistant suddenly stopped the bus and used a chain to attacking passengers. His assistant then used a knife to stab the victim in the tomach.

The pair also hit the victim's son as he tried to protect his father, causing serious injuries. The police seized Chinh, while his assistant fled.

VNN/VOV/VNS