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Hanoi authorities have approved planning of an 18.4-hectare park in the outlying district of Gia Lam’s Trau Quy Town.
Of the total area, 4.4 hectares will be used for road construction, nine hectares for lakes and the remaining area for green space and sports areas.
The park will include areas for educational and cultural activities, performance activities, sports activities and parking lots.
It will be located near Nguyen Mau Tai Street and the new headquarters of Gia Lam District People’s Committee.
New plant species discovered in Thua Thien-Hue
A new species of flowering plant named My nhuy rang cua in Vietnamese has been discovered by scientists and forest rangers in the Phong Dien nature reserve in the central province of Thua-Thien Hue.
Le Ngoc Tuan, director of the provincial forest protection department, said the discovery took place in December 2020, with the species scientifically named Deinostigma serratum. It was found growing on wet cliffs, areas around waterfalls and stream banks near the Rao Trang River.
Tuan said that it took more than a year from the date of discovery for the team to receive confirmation from research institutes around the world due to the COVID-19 epidemic.
It is a good news for scientists and forest protectors, as it proves the biodiversity in the Phong Dien nature reserve, Tuan said with delight.
“Tigers in Vietnam ancient art” exhibition held ahead of Tet festival
An exhibition themed “Tigers in Vietnam ancient art” opened on January 18 at the Vietnam National Museum of History in Hanoi to mark the occasion of the lunar 2022 Year of the Tiger.
On display are 30 exhibits, documents, and images featuring tigers throughout over 2,000 years of the country's art history.
The event presents a thematic exhibition through different periods, such as tigers in art from the Dong Son era, from ancient times to the 10th century, and beyond the 10th to 20th centuries.
Most notably, various images of tigers in tombs during the 13th to 18th centuries, exhibits featuring tigers in ancient pottery between the 13th and 18th centuries, images of tigers in Hang Trong folk paintings, and the arts of the Nguyen dynasty from the 19th to 20th centuries, are being showcased.
The event has been jointly organised by the museum, the Hung Kings Temple historical relic site, and collectors and is set to last through to August 31.
Vietnam, China exchange congratulations on 72 years of diplomatic ties
Leaders of the Party, State and National Assembly of Vietnam have exchanged congratulatory messages with Chinese leaders on the 72nd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and China.
Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue exchanged the messages with General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping, Prime Minister Li Keqiang, and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China Li Zhanshu.
Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son also exchanged a message of congratulation with State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi.
Vietnam and China established diplomatic ties on January 18, 1950.
NA Standing Committee starts seventh session
The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee started its seventh session in Hanoi on January 18, under the chair of NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.
In his opening remarks, Chairman Hue said that during the two-day session, lawmakers are expected to consider and opine on proposals related to the draft revised Law on Emulation and Commendation. The draft law was discussed at the 15th legislature’s second plenary session.
Lawmakers will also scrutinise the NA’s draft resolution on piloting the model of labour organisation, career counseling, and vocational training for detainees outside prisons as part of the 2022 law and ordinance building programme.
They will also decide on the implementation of the jury’s trial attire and comment on additions to the foreign capital investment plan from the unallocated capital, as well as adjustments to the medium-term public investment plan for 2021-2025.
The committee will discuss a report on the NA’s hearing of people’s feedback in December last year and comment on the outcomes of the NA's first extraordinary sitting, among other matters.
Bonuses for Lunar New Year 2022 down slightly
Average bonuses for both New Year and Lunar New Year (Tet) festivals 2022 in 60 cities and provinces were down slightly, reported the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.
About 62.7 percent firms out of a total 42,159 reported an average bonus of 6.17 million VND (268 USD) each person for the Lunar New Year, or 97 percent of that recorded in 2021 and 92.2 percent of the 2020 figure.
All enterprises recorded a 2-10 percent reduction in Tet bonus compared to 2021 and 2020. Foreign-invested firms offered the highest bonus of 6.66 million VND on average to each employee, equivalent to 95 percent from 2021 and 97.5 percent from 2020.
The private sector gave 5.92 million VND, or 98 percent from 2021 and 92.4 percent from 2020.
A 5.59 million VND bonus per person was recorded in one-member limited liability companies wholly held by the State, or 96 percent from 2021 and 90.7 percent from 2020.
Meanwhile, bonuses for New Year festival were only equivalent to 58 percent from last year.
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My nhuy rang cua, scientifically named Deinostigma serratum (Source: thanhnien.vn)
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New plant species discovered in Thua Thien-Hue
A new species of flowering plant named My nhuy rang cua in Vietnamese has been discovered by scientists and forest rangers in the Phong Dien nature reserve in the central province of Thua-Thien Hue.
Le Ngoc Tuan, director of the provincial forest protection department, said the discovery took place in December 2020, with the species scientifically named Deinostigma serratum. It was found growing on wet cliffs, areas around waterfalls and stream banks near the Rao Trang River.
Tuan said that it took more than a year from the date of discovery for the team to receive confirmation from research institutes around the world due to the COVID-19 epidemic.
It is a good news for scientists and forest protectors, as it proves the biodiversity in the Phong Dien nature reserve, Tuan said with delight.
Vietnam important partner of UK: British legislative leader
Vietnam is an important partner of the UK, especially in the post-Brexit context, Speaker of the House of Commons of the UK Lindsay Hoyle told a Vietnamese diplomat.
During a reception for Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Nguyen Hoang Long on January 18, Hoyle expressed his delight at Vietnam's impressive development achievements, as well as the fruitful development of the bilateral relations in recent years, stressing that the two countries are promoting the implementation of the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA).
The same day, the UK Prime Minister's Trade Envoy to Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos Graham Stuart also received Ambassador Long, during which the host expressed interest in Vietnam's trade and investment promotion activities in the UK market.
The two sides agreed on priorities to be promoted in the coming years, including activities to connect partners and businesses of the two countries in areas where the UK has strengths and Vietnam has great potential for development such as education, finance, renewable energy, and green transition.
Nhat Tan flower village attracting crowds as Tet draws near
With the Lunar New Year holiday, or Tet, fast approaching, the Nhat Tan peach blossom village in Hanoi has become increasingly busy as many people come to snap beautiful photos or buy beautiful flowers for Tet.
When Tet draws near, Thanh and her friends often visit the Nhat Tan peach blossom gardens in Hanoi’s West Lake area to admire the beauty of the flowers and take photos.
The Nhat Tan flower gardens have long been a popular destination for photos all year round, attracting people of all ages, especially youngsters.
COVID-19 orphans in HCM City receive Tet gifts
Nearly 1,500 Tet gifts were presented to children orphaned by the COVID-19 pandemic in Ho Chi Minh City, and the southern provinces of Dong Nai and Binh Duong from January 16-18 under a programme launched by the Hope Foundation.
The programme is carried out with the hope of bringing a warm Tet (Lunar New Year) festival to the children, she added.
Around 1,100 packages were delivered to children in different districts of HCM City, and nearly 400 others were given out in neighbouring Binh Duong and Dong Nai provinces. Each package consists of 1 million VND (44 USD) in cash, a schoolbag and food items.
Education ministry asked to re-open schools at earliest
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has asked the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) to partner with the Health Ministry to hold a nationwide teleconference collecting experts, scientists and localities’ feedback on a detailed roadmap to re-opening schools and educational establishments nationwide.
Its results and proposals must be reported to Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam for consideration.
It was part of the PM’s conclusions at a meeting of permanent Government members in Hanoi that were announced by the Government Office on January 18.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 20 million pupils and students have been forced to suspend going to school and switch to online learning for many months. Over 70,000 students also failed to graduate, thus affecting education and training quality.
Library for semi-boarding elementary school in Ha Giang inaugurated
A Room to Read library for a semi-boarding ethnic minority elementary school in Minh Son commune, Bac Me district, the northern province of Ha Giang was inaugurated on January 18.
The library is a gift from the Israeli Embassy in Vietnam and Miss Universe Vietnam 2017 H’Hen Nie in a three-year project which aims to improve pupils’ access to books and cultivate their reading habit.
The project is carried out in two semi-boarding elementary schools in Minh Son commune, Bac Me district and in Niem Tong commune, Meo Vac district, under which two library rooms are upgraded at a total cost of 336 million VND (14,600 USD) and equipped with nearly 10,000 books and other materials.
Phu Quoc welcomes nearly 1,000 foreign visitors after one month of reopening
After more than 30 days of reopening its doors to international visitors with Covid vaccine passports on a trial basis, Phu Quoc Island off Kien Giang Province has welcomed some 1,000 foreign tourists.
The travelers came from Thailand, the Republic of Korea, Laos, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, according to the provincial Department of Tourism.
Among the nearly 1,000 international tourists, the first visitors traveled to Phu Quoc on November 20 last year, while four groups of other visitors flew to the island on board their private aircraft.
Kien Giang is one of five localities to get the green light from the government to welcome back fully immunized tourists from November onwards, alongside Quang Nam, Khanh Hoa, Quang Ninh, and Da Nang.
National press award on Party building to announce winners this week
Sixty-seven journalism works in Party building will be honoured at the Bua Liem Vang (Golden Hammer and Sickle) Award, to be held in Hanoi this week, heard at a meeting on January 18.
The award ceremony will take place at Hanoi Opera House on January 21 to mark the 92nd founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and celebrate the Lunar New Year, said Ngo Minh Tuan, editor-in-chief of Xay Dung Dang (Party Building) magazine, the organiser.
This year’s Bua Liem Vang Award, the sixth National Press Award on Party Building, has received 2,081 entries, up 21.69 percent from 2020. They include 843 works for print outlets, 449 for online newspapers, 511 television programmes, 221 radio programmes, and 57 photo entries, which touched on a number of major events and pressing issues, such as Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress, elections of deputies to the 15th National Assembly and all-level People’s Councils, and COVID-19 response management.
International delegations updated with SEA Games 31 preparations
The first meeting of chiefs of delegations (CDM) to the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) took place in Hanoi on January 18.
Participants at the event were updated with the progress of preparations for the event, registration procedures, reception services, and COVID-19 prevention and control measures throughout the SEA Games 31.
International sport delegations will arrive in Vietnam through three the airports of Noi Bai in Hanoi, Van Don in Quang Ninh and Cat Bi in Hai Phong city.
The opening ceremony will be held from 7pm-9pm on May 12, and the closing ceremony is slated for May 23 evening at My Dinh national stadium.
The delegation members will only move from their accommodation to the competition venue and vice versa, while getting COVID-19 tests every 72 hours.
The organisation board will decide on the number of audience at each game following three levels of no audience, audience restriction (10-30 percent), and maximum 50 percent of competition venues’ occupancy load.
Health Ministry calls for no firework display during Lunar New Year
The Ministry of Health (MoH) has asked localities not to organise firework display during the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday to ensure the effectiveness of COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control.
Under a document sent to the Government Office, the ministry said if firework display is conducted, it is necessary to observe the MoH’s 5K message – khau trang (face masks), khu khuan (disinfection), khoang cach (distancing), khong tu tap (no gatherings), and khai bao y te (health declarations); and to ensure no crowds at the venues.
Localities are entitled to suspend unnecessary large gatherings, outdoor activities and festivals and maintain production in a safe manner.
Exhibition features tigers in Vietnam’s ancient art
A thematic exhibition highlighting tigers in Vietnam’s ancient art opened at the Vietnam National Museum of History (VNMH) on January 18.
The event, in celebration of the coming Year of the Tiger, is jointly arranged by the museum, the Hung Kings Temple historical relic site and collectors.
On showcase are more than 30 exhibits, documents and images featuring tigers throughout over 2,000 years of the country's art history, showing that the image of tigers was widely portrayed in Vietnam’s ancient pottery, carving and folk paintings, among others.
The event will run until August 31.
Trung Luong-My Thuan expressway opens to traffic
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on January 19 attended a ceremony to open the main road of Trung Luong-My Thuan expressway, a key route linking the Mekong Delta with Ho Chi Minh City and localities in the southern key economic region.
The construction of the Trung Luong-My Thuan expressway has been delayed for a decade with the project’s investor changed two times and the completion deadline put off four times. After the Deo Ca group was invited by investors to take charge of the project in March 2019, the work was again affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, with the tremendous efforts made by engineers and workers of the group, the road was completed after three years.
The 51.5km long expressway, which is an extension of the existing HCM City-Trung Luong Expressway, is part of the eastern section of the North-South Expressway. Together with the under-construction My Thuan-Can Tho Expressway will enable smooth transport from HCM City to Can Tho city. It will shorten travel between the cities to two hours from the current three to four hours.
Vietnamese, German parties eye stronger cooperation
The Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), the oldest political party in Germany, has played an active role in enhancing the Vietnam-Germany relations during the past years since the beginning of Doi Moi (Reform) in Vietnam, according to Le Hoai Trung, member of the CPV Central Committee and head of the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations.
At an online meeting with Alexander Schweitzer, member of the SPD Central Committee on January 18, Trung said the relations between the CPV and the SPD have helped maintain political trust and foster the strategic partnership between the two countries.
Highlighting the trusting and effective relationship between the two Parties, Schweitzer said the relationship forms a crucial part in the external relations of the SPD.
The two sides compared notes on measures to maintain and forge the relations between the two Parties and countries, helping to deepen the Vietnam-Germany strategic partnership.
They agreed to make efforts to soon hold the seventh theoretical dialogue between the two Parties in 2022, which they both regard as an important mechanism to strengthen the relationship between the two Parties.
USAID funds project to improve private sector competitiveness in Vietnam
The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) on January 18 launched a project on building the competitiveness of Vietnam’s small and growing businesses (SGBs).
This project will foster locally-led, locally-owned solutions that leverage the strength of the Vietnamese talent pool, including the promotion of “Made by Vietnam” products, services, and technologies, as well as solutions that contribute to improving the business enabling environment.
It aims to support 5,000 SGBs, with 240 businesses successfully participating in domestic, regional and international markets.
Traditional Tet rituals re-enacted at Thang Long imperial citadel
Traditional rituals for the Lunar New Year, known locally as Tet, are being re-enacted at the Thang Long imperial citadel relic site in Hanoi, offering participants a glimpse into festive celebrations from the past.
The highlight of the Tet programme is a re-enactment of the old Tet rituals performed by the Le dynasty, as they help visitors to discover Lunar New Year celebrations from ancient times.
Furthermore, guests will also be able to experience the festive atmosphere of Tet in ancient times by joining diverse cultural activities such as calligraphy giving, traditional Vietnamese painting drawing, and folk-games playing, among others.
The occasion will see historian Le Van Lan talk about Tet traditions from a bygone era, whilst local artisan Nguyen Van Thao will give an introduction to the unique woodblock carving craft.
Moreover, an exhibition on traditional Tet celebrations will be held virtually until January 25 in order to follow COVID-19 prevention and control measures.
Female footballers test negative, ready to Asian Cup games
Fourteen players of the Vietnamese women’s national football team, who previously contracted the SARS-CoV-2 virus during their training camp in Spain, have tested negative, according to the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF).
The testing results mean they are now able to fly to India to gather along with other members of the team for their upcoming matches in India.
The Asian tournament is set to take place between January 20 and February 6 in India. Vietnam have been drawn in Group C, and they are due to play the Republic of Korea on January 21, Japan on January 24, and Myanmar on January 27.
HAGL FC fall into Group of Death at AFC Champions League 2022
Vietnam’s Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) FC are set to play in a group of death alongside powerhouses Jeonbuk FC of the Republic of Korea and Yokohama F Marinos FC of Japan at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League 2022.
As the Vietnamese representatives in the tournament, HAGL FC are in East Asia’s Group H alongside Jeonbuk FC of the Republic of Korea, Yokohama F Marinos FC of Japan, and winners of a play-off match between teams from China, Australia, and Myanmar.
HAGL FC will play games in neutral locations between April 15 and May 1. The schedule brings favourable conditions for the Vietnamese side as Vietnam’s V.League 1 is currently not running.
In another development, Vietnam’s Viettel FC have been drawn in Group I at the AFC Cup 2022 where they are to compete with Hougang United of Singapore, Phnompenh Crown of Cambodia and Hanthawardy of Myanmar. Group matches are scheduled to take place from June 24 – 30.
Local football fans indifferent about China fixture
Vietnamese football fans seem not to be interested in going to the My Dinh National Stadium to watch the upcoming World Cup qualifier between Vietnam and China, with tickets still available.
The main reason behind this indifference is because the match will take place on February 1, which falls on the first day of the Lunar New Year. In addition, the complicated developments relating to the COVID-19 pandemic has led to many fans feeling too frightened to go to the stadium for the match.
As scheduled, the upcoming fixture will admit 20,000 spectators to the My Dinh National Stadium, half its capacity. Tickets for the World Cup qualifying clash went on sale online from 9 a.m. on January 18 and will be available until the end of January 20.
As the case in previous home World Cup qualifiers, there will be four prices available, including VND500,000, VND700,000, VND900,000 and VND1.2 million.
Kien Giang Province strengthens ties with airlines to revive tourism
The Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang plans to step up co-operation with airlines and travel businesses to revive its tourism sector, which has been severely hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Its Department of Tourism signed memorandums of understanding with airlines operating domestic and international flights at a conference held last week.
The agreements with airlines were a strong foundation to enhance stimulus programmes, promotions and attractive tourism products expected to be launched as the sector shifts to a new normal, he said.
Tourism promotion and marketing activities would also focus on the domestic market, especially HCM City, Hà Nội, Đà Nẵng, and Hải Phòng cities and Thanh Hóa, Nghệ An and Lâm Đồng provinces.
Project launched to develop digital population database
Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính on Tuesday launched a project to develop a national digital population database in Hà Nội.
The project is to actualise a plan on building a population database and electronic authentication and identification, which was approved by the Prime Minister on January 6.
Speaking at the conference, Deputy Public Security Minister Nguyễn Duy Ngọc said the plan was going to be carried out during the 2022-25 period and continue until 2030.
It outlined seven main goals and five missions, as well as solutions to be implemented in different stages of the project. A list of 25 crucial administrative procedures that need to be prioritised for digitalisation were included.
To make it easier for citizens, this year, the project would create electronic identifications for all people whose personal information had been added to the national population database, Ngọc said.
This information would include an identification number, medical insurance, social insurance, driving license, motorbike registration, certificate and degree.
Smart app to be launched for Vietnamese students
A smart app named “Vietnamese students” is expected to be launched in the near future, contributing to the management of Vietnam Students’ Association members around the country.
The app will be implemented in three stages. Particularly, during the first two stages, from February to August, the app will be piloted throughout several universities, academies and then Students’ Associations at the provincial level and finally at universities in centrally-run cities.
Based on comments and assessments, the app will be launched in the third stage at the Students’ Associations, at all levels.
Cho Ray hospital opens clinic to treat long Covid
The Cho Ray Hospital in HCMC on January 18 put into operation a clinic to treat those having long Covid.
Dr Le Trung Nhan, head of the Cho Ray Hospital’s medical examination department, said that the clinic would treat post-Covid syndrome and give guidance on nutrition and physical therapy to recovered Covid patients.
All Covid patients with no, mild or severe symptoms need their health to be monitored and assessed and to be treated for long Covid, Nhan said, adding that the hospital expected the clinic to offer effective treatment and care to patients after recovering from Covid.
HCMC Pasteur Institute puts into service biosafety lab supported by JICA
The HCMC Pasteur Institute on January 17 inaugurated its new Biosafety Level-3 Laboratory, which the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) equipped with primary materials and equipment.
The materials and equipment comprise an air conditioning system, a wastewater treatment system and a two-door autoclave, with a total value of 200 million yen, or nearly VND40 billion.
Currently, three Japanese experts are working on a project to increase the capacity of the laboratory systems at NIHE and the HCMC Pasteur Institute, the two key testing institutes in Vietnam, under the Project for “Capacity Strengthening for Medical Laboratory Network on Biosafety and Testing of Highly Hazardous Infectious Pathogens in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia (2017-2023).”
Work on VND2.1-trillion road project in Mekong Delta begins
The Transport Ministry, in coordination with the authorities of An Giang Province and Can Tho City today, January 18, broke ground on a project to build a road connecting to National Highway 91 and a bypass in An Giang’s Long Xuyen City.
The 17.3-kilometer project will pass through Can Tho City and An Giang Province, both in the Mekong Delta. Under this project, the Transport Ministry as the investor will build a new road measuring over 15 kilometers in length and upgrade a two-kilometer section of National Highway 80.
This is the ministry’s first project to get off the ground in 2022, with total investment exceeding VND2.1 trillion (US$90.11 million), backed by loans offered by the Asian Development Bank and the reciprocal capital of the Vietnamese Government.
Health Ministry asks medical centers to admit all Covid-positive pregnant women
The Ministry of Health today, January 18, issued a dispatch asking medical facilities across provinces and cities in Vietnam not to refuse admitting pregnant women infected with Covid-19.
The move came after a number of medical facilities, including private ones, recently shifted the responsibility onto others and denied admission of Covid-positive pregnant women.
The ministry said in the dispatch that during the complicated developments of the pandemic in 2021, lots of pregnant women had been infected with Covid and many of them had even died.
The ministry had issued many guidelines on providing intensive care to pregnant women during the pandemic, as well as prioritizing administering Covid vaccines to those pregnant or breastfeeding.
Covid-19 infections or suspected cases not to join in military, police services
Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Phan Van Mai has just signed a directive on selection and calling citizens to join in the compulsory military and police services in 2022.
Accordingly, the directive required the enhancement on selection and calling citizens to join in the compulsory military and police services. It is necessary to prioritize young people having competencies in culture, art, sports. In addition, 100 percent of administered citizens in 2022 have to be fully vaccinated for the Covid-19 vaccine and show valid negative PCR test results on the day of admission.
Based on the set criteria, the Ho Chi Minh City High Command will announce the set targets to each military unit. At the same time, the HCMC High Command instructs the Military Command of districts and Thu Duc City to well implement the selection and call citizens to join in the compulsory military and police services.
Annual book street festival on Tet holidays to open on January 29
The annual book street festival during Tet holidays will open on January 29 and run until February 4 ((the 27th day of the last month – 4th day of the first month of the lunar calendar), announced the HCMC Information and Communications Department.
The book fair will be divided into various subjects on every street. Nguyen Hue Boulevard will present to viewers exhibitions of the Party's 92nd founding anniversary (February 3), HCMC’s fight against Covid-19. Ngo Duc Ke and Mac Thi Buoi streets have the subjects of ‘Proud of HCMC’s Children” and “Stimulating the knowledge”.
The HCMC Book Street on Nguyen Van Binh Street will include a book week marking the 92nd anniversary of the establishment of the Communist Party of Vietnam, an exhibition of works and documents of the 13th Party Congress, the introduction of two books of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, the history and establishment of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the HCMC Party Committee, an exhibition of Tet issues of newspapers and magazines.
Source: VNA/VNN/VOV/VNS/SGGP/SGT
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