The National Action Month for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control was launched in Thai Nguyen province on November 7.

It is notable that there has been a sharp rise in the number of infections through unsafe sex.

In his speech, Deputy Prime Minister Truong Vinh Trong underscored the need to raise public awareness of changing attitudes and actions in the care and prevention of HIV infection for all people. Leaders should continue to live up to their commitments in the fight against HIV/AIDS while the health sector and other relevant agencies need to ensure all people have access HIV prevention and treatment information.

Mr Trong also asked families and social organisations to combat discrimination against people with HIV and the community and administrations at all levels should create the best possible conditions for people to prevent and control HIV/AIDS.

He called on international non-governmental organisations as well as governments from other countries to join efforts with the Vietnamese people in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

He added that Vietnam will join hands with the international community to implement the UN millennium goal of halting and reversing the spread of HIV/AIDS by 2015.

According to the Immigration Department under the Ministry of Public Security, international border gates of Huu Nghi, Lao Cai, Cau Treo, Lao Bao, Mong Cai and Moc Bai as well as border gates in Hon Gai, Vung Tau, Nha Trang, Sai Gon and Da Nang are the gates that will no longer require declaration.

The remaining border gates will follow suit when they meet the requirements.

Immigration declaration was already abolished at international airports as of September 15.

So far, there have been over 250 buffalos and cows infected with the disease in Gia Lai province. It has also occurred in Dong Xuan, Song Hinh district and Tuy Hoa City in Phu Yen province, where nearly 200 head of cattle have contracted the disease.

Dak Lak has the highest number of livestock with the disease-700 head in 18 communes in 8 districts.

220 head of cattle in five communes in Son La province have also been reported with the disease.

Neccesary measures are being taken to control the spread of the disease, said Lo Van Tang, Head of the Animal Health Department in Son La province.

Joining efforts to help people in central Vietnam

A programme called” Humanitarian Strength 2010” will be held in HCM City on November 13 by the Vietnam Red Cross (VNRC), in collaboration with Vietnam Television (VTV) and the Long Viet Media Joint Stock Company to raise funds for flood victims in central Vietnam.

The joint statement from the conference affirmed decentralised cooperation between Vietnam and France needs to be enhanced and expanded.

The two sides agreed to strengthen and expand cooperation in various sectors, especially health, education, training, science, technology, urban planning and development.

They also agreed to ask their governments to facilitate bilateral cooperation.

The two sides reached agreement on establishing an information channel to support and share experiences in implementing commitments among localities.

The conference will be held once every three years, with localities from both countries taking turns to be the host.

The next conference will be held in Brest province in the Bretagne region of France.

During his visit to Khanh Hoa on November 5, Dam, who is also member of the Party Central Committee, offered condolences to families with beloved ones killed or left missing by floods.

He called on local authorities and social organisations to continue with rescue efforts as well as sending more relief aid to worst-hit regions to help them recover production and bring their life back to normal as soon as possible.

“Hunger and flood-borne epidemics should be prevented”, emphasised the leader of the nation’s largest social organisation.

He also announced the Front’s decision to earmark VND500 million (roughly US$25,500) from the central relief fund as aid to Khanh Hoa.

On November 6, the Fatherland Front Chairman visited neighbouring Ninh Thuan province, where he handed over VND1 billion to the provincial administration as relief aid to flood victims.

Dam also visited and presented gifts for families of those who died in the floods.

Also on November 6, Ninh Thuan welcomed convoys of trucks carrying supplies for flood victims in the worst hit Phuoc Nam village in Thuan Nam district.

The Saigon Trade Corporation (SATRA) from Ho Chi Minh City sent 10 tonnes of rice worth VND100 million to distribute to 2,000 of the hardest hit families.

Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper and the La pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City sent 3.5 tonnes of rice, 350 boxes of instant noodles, hundreds of brand-new clothing items and medicines worth VND100 million for victims in Phuoc Nam village.

Monk Thich Nhuan Tam said he felt heartsick seeing the suffering of flood victims and pledged to continue raising funds to ease their plight.

The event was organised by the General Department for Vocational Training in coordination with the Belgian Association for Promoting Education and Training Abroad (APEFE).

The seminar was part of a project to improve the quality of vocational training for managers and teachers, supported by the APEFE.

Some measures were brought forward to increase the effectiveness of vocational training management such as raising awareness of factors that influence training, focusing on the effeciency of enrollment, providing more investment in facilities, and coordinating with businesses to address employment issues for workers.

Delegates gave their presentations and discussed and agreed to carry out measures to facilitate supplying highly-skilled workers and adapt to the changing environment.