COVID-19 Patient 1,291, who resides in Liem Hoa 1 village, Trung Hoa commune, Minh Hoa district of central Quang Binh province, has been suspected to suffer a relapse, according to Nguyen Duc Cuong, Director of the provincial Health Department.

Cuong said that the patient entered the country from Rumania through Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City on November 8. He was taken to Cu Chi COVID-19 treatment hospital after being tested positive to coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. The patient was discharged from the hospital on December 3 after several times of being tested negative to the virus.

After leaving the hospital, he took a coach from Ho Chi Minh City to Quang Binh and got off the coach at about 18:00 on December 4 at Trung Hoa commune.

He made a health declaration at the medical station of Trung Hoa commune where his temperature was measured with a normal result.

On December 7, the Quang Binh Centre for Disease Control took his sample for testing and found that he was positive to SARS-CoV-2. His sample has been sent to the Pasteur Institute in Nha Trang for re-testing.

Currently, local authorities have sent the patient to a local hospital for treatment, while sending all people having close contact with him to concentrated quarantine sites and testing./.

Da Nang opens beach accesses for disabled people

The central city of Danang is going to spend VND11bn (USD474,000) to open 24 access points leading to local beaches for disabled people.

The money will come from the city's budget. The project will be carried out in all beaches in the city including the beaches on Vo Nguyen Giap, Hoang Sa, Truong Sa and Nguyen Tat Thanh streets.

Metal plates and concrete will be used to build a path leading down to the beach for wheelchair access.

The Management Board of Son Tra Peninsula and Danang beaches will be the project's investor and manager. The project will be started in 2021 and completed in 2023.

In 2016, Danang authorities put into operation two beach access points for disabled people. One is in Bien Dong Park and the other is next to Vo Nguyen Giap and Hoang Ke Viem streets. These are the first beach accesses for disabled people in Danang.

Cat Linh-Ha Dong rail line to undergo full-scale trial run starting from December 12

The Cat Linh-Ha Dong Line, known as Line 2A in Hanoi’s urban railway system, will undergo a full-scale trial run starting from December 12 in order to test its safety for final approval.

Based on the results of the trial run, consultants from a trio of Apave-Certifer-Tricc will certify the safety of the project in the first quarter of 2021.

After the line is granted a safety certificate, the Ministry of Transport will approve the project and transfer it to the Hanoi government for management and operation.

Hanoi Metro, the company in charge of operating the system, said emergency drills are being conducted with the participation of all workers on the line.

The company said it currently has 681 workers, including 41 train drivers who have undergone training in China and 18 drivers trained in Vietnam.

Hanoi Metro General Director Vu Hong Truong said due to prolonged delays in the past, nearly 100 workers have quit but most of those were manual workers while highly-skilled technicians and engineers, especially train drivers, are still committed to the project.

For the Nhon-Hanoi Railway Station Line, known as Line 3, Hanoi Metro is recruiting 524 workers for the first phase and another 102 for the second phase.

Line 3’s elevated section is scheduled for completion by the end of 2021 while the underground section will be completed one year later. 

HCM City People’s Council convenes 23rd session

The 9th-tenure People’s Council of Ho Chi Minh City convened its 23rd session on December 7 to review the implementation of socio-economic tasks this year and put forth tasks and solutions for 2021.

The council will also look at local budget collection and spending this year and budget collection and spending estimates for 2021, among other issues.

In his remarks, Nguyen Thien Nhan, head of HCM City’s delegation of National Assembly deputies, lauded the city’s efforts in fighting COVID-19 and promoting economic recovery and development during the year.

He urged the southern metropolis to adopt plans on rearranging the management apparatus in districts and wards where people’s councils have been abolished, along with plans on intensifying the supervision of the municipal People’s Council and Fatherland Front.

Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen said the city People’s Council should be deeply aware of its supervisory role in the implementation of tasks set for 2021.

NA Vice Chairman Uong Chu Luu said the council needs to closely coordinate with relevant agencies in organising the election of deputies to the NA and People’s Councils at all levels.

To successfully roll out the urban administration model, the municipal People’s Council and People’s Committee should join hands with centrally-run agencies in drafting relevant documents, he suggested.

During the session, the Chairperson of the People’s Committee will clear up questions on the implementation of socio-economic development tasks as well as the operation of the committee./.

Hanoi People’s Council opens 18th session

The 15th-tenure Hanoi People’s Council opened its 18th session on December 7, with development directions for the next five years among items high on the agenda.

Chairwoman of the council Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc said that during the 2016-2021 tenure, the council organised 17 sessions whose resolutions have contributed to local development in a practical manner.

During the meeting, to be held until December 9, council members will review the implementation of socio-economic tasks in 2020 and set targets and tasks, together with feasible solutions, for next year.

Based on socio-economic outcomes from 2016 to 2020 and the major orientations contained in the political report at the recent 17th municipal Party Congress, the council will also make decisions on other issues, including directions for the city’s socio-economic development plan for 2021-2025, framework orientations for the public investment plan for the next five years, and orientations for the local financial and budgetary plans for the period.

Participants are also scheduled to vote on key positions of the municipal People’s Council and People’s Committee in the 2016-2021 tenure.

They will also spend a day on Q&As regarding issues of public concern.

Party, State leader attends national political-military conference

Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong speaks at the conference.

Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong has lauded the achievements of the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of Defence, and officials and soldiers during 2020, which contributed to the completion of targets and tasks set in the resolution of from the 12th National Party Congress.

Addressing the national political-military conference in Hanoi on December 7, he said that amid various challenges in 2020, the Central Military Commission and the Defence Ministry directed the entire military to overcome difficulties and fulfil military and defence tasks for the year.

The military has shown a pioneering spirit in the prevention and control of natural disasters and the pandemic as well as in search and rescue efforts and overcoming environmental incidents.

The armed forces have maintained combat readiness and ensured national sovereignty in the skies, seas, border areas, the interior, and cyber space.

Party building measures have been conducted effectively, while leadership capacity and the fighting spirit of Party Committees and organisations at all levels have been strengthened and inspection and supervision activities increased.

Defence external relations have been conducted in a flexible, creative, and effective manner this year, with the successful organisation of defence events throughout the year as Vietnam took on the roles of ASEAN Chair and non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Bilateral and multilateral defence cooperation have seen breakthroughs, with sound relations with neighbouring countries, global powers, ASEAN members, and traditional friends. Vietnam has actively engaged in UN peacekeeping operations, contributing to maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for national construction and development.

Pointing out a number of shortcomings in the military, Trong reminded it to focus on a number of tasks amid the complex and unpredictable developments in the region and the world.

He asked the Central Military Commission to remain vigilant, while providing forecasts and advice to the Party and the State on measures to protect the country and maintain stability and peace.

The military should focus on dealing with a number of issues relating to sea, islands, and borders as well as international relations, protecting national independence, sovereignty, national territorial integrity, and unification, he said.

He also requested that the Defence Ministry coordinate with other ministries, sectors, and localities to address consequences of natural disasters and conduct search and rescue activities.

He stressed the need for the building of a modern military by 2030 in line with the stronger application of achievements from the fourth Industrial Revolution and the development of the defence industry.

Highlighting the significance of a strong, pure military and Party Organisation, he asked the military to work harder in preventing and fighting corruption and strengthening inspection and supervision activities.

He asked the Defence Ministry to continue to follow the external relations policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation, diversification, and international integration, promoting defence cooperation with other countries, especially neighbouring countries, ASEAN members and traditional friends, actively joining multilateral cooperation mechanisms, and engaging in UN peacekeeping activities, thus enhancing the position and prestige of the country and its military.

The Vietnam People’s Army was presented a Fatherland Defence Order, First Class, at the conference./.

PM attends 76th national public security conference

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc commended the police sector in general and the Central Public Security Party Committee and police forces in localities in particular for performing their core role of ensuring national security and social order and safety during 2020, especially in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters and in subsequent rescue efforts.

Addressing the 76th national public security conference in HCM City on December 7, the PM affirmed that the sector’s efforts have contributed to completing the country’s socio-economic development goals.

The sector has deployed synchronous plans to protect the security and safety of Party Congresses at all levels towards the 13th National Party Congress, as well as the country’s key external events, and provided internal political protection and fought the incorrect views of hostile forces, he said.

He underlined the efforts of the sector in curbing crimes, especially those relating to corruption, “black” credit, drug trafficking, online gambling, and trade fraud.

He especially praised the sector for ensuring religious security in “hotspots”, saying that coordination between the police force and the Government Committee for Religious Affairs in the work has proven effective.

While acknowledging and praising the sector’s determination to speed up a project to build a national population database and one to simplify administrative procedures and citizenship papers, the PM spoke highly of the launch of the public service portal of the Ministry of Public Security, saying that this will result in fundamental changes to residential management.

On the occasion, he pressed a button to launch the ministry’s portal, which provides 289 online administrative procedures at level 2 and above.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Public Security General To Lam pointed out the difficulties and challenges facing the sector in ensuring security and social order as the global and regional situation continues to evolve in a rapid, complex, and unpredictable manner.

Delegates focused discussions on solutions to innovate and improve the efficiency of security work while demonstrating their determination to successfully implement the goals and tasks of the sector in 2021 and subsequent years./.

Cambodian PM to chair 9th ACMECS Summit

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen will chair the 9th Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) Summit which will be held on December 9 via videoconference.

He will also participate in the 10th Cambodia-Laos-Myanmar-Vietnam (CLMV) Summit and the 11th Cambodia-Laos Viet Nam (CLV) Summit on Development Triangle Area, which will be held back-to-back with the 9th ACMECS Summit and chaired by Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, according to the press release issued by the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on December 7.

Under the theme “Partnership for connectivity and resilience,” the 9th ACMECS will review past and ongoing cooperation, particularly, on how to further strengthen the ACMECS cooperation in all fields which serves as an essential solidarity framework for maintaining regional peace and stability, and promoting joint development post COVID-19.

The Summit will be concluded by the handover chairmanship ceremony from Cambodia to Laos.

The 10th CLMV Summit, held under the theme “Enhancing effective connectivity for regional integration,” will review the achievements over the past years, and chart future direction of the CLMV cooperation, taking into consideration the global health crisis posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and its recovery plan.

The 11th Summit on Development Triangle Area will review the progress made in the past years and discuss the future direction of Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam’s political, economic and social cooperation, especially on economic development, trade, investment, infrastructure, environment, culture, human resource development, health and transnational crimes./.

One imported case of COVID-19 reported on December 7

One imported case of COVID-19 was reported on December 7, raising the national count to 1,367, according to the National Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

The new patient is a 29-year-old Vietnamese woman who returned from Russia and was quarantined upon her arrival at Da Nang airport on December 6.

A total of 1,224 COVID-19 patients have fully recovered, with four given the all-clear on December 7.

Among those still under treatment, eight have tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 once, five twice and four thrice.

As of 6:00pm on December 7, Vietnam reported 693 locally-transmitted COVID-19 cases.

There are 19,806 people who had close contact with COVID-19 patients or arrived from pandemic-hit areas being quarantined across the country./.

Strict COVID-19 prevention measures must be maintained: meeting

Strict prevention and control measures are still needed as Vietnam would only massively provide a COVID-19 vaccine in the second quarter of 2022 at the earliest, Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long said at a meeting in Hanoi on December 7.

Speaking at the meeting of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, Long asked for tightening border management, as well as the supervision of quarantine at home and lodging facilities.

“Any violations of pandemic prevention and control regulations must be strictly handled,” he requested.

Long told the meeting that his ministry is racing against time for COVID-19 vaccine study, test and production.

The HCM City-based Nanogen Biopharmaceutical Co. Ltd, one of the four units that are joining the COVID-19 vaccine production in Vietnam, is scheduled to coordinate with the Vietnam Military Medical University to officially recruit volunteers for the first phase of human trials on December 10, he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, head of the committee, also urged stronger prevention measures, especially during the winter and upcoming major national events.

He highlighted the responsibility of local authorities in implementing relevant guidelines issued by the health ministries and other agencies concerned.

Strict prevention measures must be maintained on flights, the Deputy PM said, stressing the need to seriously follow regulations on concentrated quarantine, and continue health monitoring in localities towards those returning from concentrated quarantine facilities.

One imported case of COVID-19 was confirmed on December 7, raising the national count to 1,367, according to committee.

The new patient is a 29-year-old Vietnamese woman who returned from Russia and was quarantined upon her arrival at Da Nang airport on December 6.

A total of 1,224 COVID-19 patients have fully recovered, with four given the all-clear on December 7.

Among those still under treatment, eight have tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 once, five twice and four thrice.

There are 19,806 people who had close contact with COVID-19 patients or arrived from pandemic-hit areas being quarantined across the country.

More than 1,600 Vietnamese nationals repatriated over last week

As many as six flights carrying 1,620 Vietnamese citizens from Indonesia, Europe, America and Africa, the Philippines, the U.S., Russia and Saudi Arabia landed in Viet Nam from November 31-December 6, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

Viet Nam brings home 1,620 nationals from five continents from November 30 to December 6, 2020. 

Passengers onboard these flights included children under 18, pregnant women, the elderly, workers whose labor contracts had expired, students with no residences due to dormitory shutdown and other with especially difficult circumstances.

Precautious measures were implemented during these flights to prevent transmission of Covid-19.

Right after arriving at local airports, all the passengers received check-ups and were sent to concentrated quarantine sites in line with current regulations on COVID-19 responses.

From April 10 to December 6, local agencies coordinated with Viet Nam’s representative agencies overseas to arrange 216 flights, bringing home about 59,332 Vietnamese citizens stranded abroad due to COVID-19.

The repatriation of Vietnamese citizens in disadvantaged circumstances abroad will continue to be conducted in line with their wishes and quarantine capacity in Viet Nam.

In a bid to strengthen management of the COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on December 1 issued a directive, asking authorities at all levels to continue the strategy to prevent risk from outside, zone off areas, and treat the disease effectively while enhancing vigilance and standing ready to cope with all pandemic situations. 

Incoming flights carrying diplomats, experts, investors and skilled workers and their family members to Viet Nam as well as Vietnamese workers to other countries shall continue as part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to reboot economic recovery.

Meanwhile, Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said at a meeting with Vietnamese vaccine producers on December 5 that Viet Nam will conduct the first phase of human trials of a locally made COVID-19 vaccine from December 10.

As of late December 6, Viet Nam confirmed 1,366 COVID-19 infection cases, according to the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

Of the nation’s total, 1,220 patients have been cleared of the virus and exited hospitals while 35 others have been reported dead./.

Con Dao engages in sustainable tourism

Con Dao is an archipelago in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province off the southern coast of Vietnam, 230 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City. The US’s Travel and Leisure magazine included Con Dao in the top 20 most mysterious islands in the world.

The archipelago has won fame domestically and globally for its uncrowded beaches, clean air, and stunning landscapes. Local authorities have recognized tourism a key to Con Dao’s sustainable development and given priority to protecting the environment and ecosystem. 

Con Dao archipelago encompasses 16 islands, the largest of which is called Con Son. It features a warm tropical climate and a diverse marine and coastal ecosystem, perfect for resort-oriented eco-tourism. In 2015, Con Dao was included by the Prime Minister in a national master plan for tourism development.

Con Dao served as a prison for political prisoners during the French colonial era. Historical relics, including Hang Duong cemetery and the nationally recognized Con Dao prison, and traditional festivals of coastal residents are additional attractions.    

Between 2017 and 2019, tourist visits to Con Dao grew 20% annually. Its tourism revenue rose 15.5% a year.

Le Ngoc Khanh, Vice Chairman of the Ba Ria-Vung Tau provincial People’s Committee, said, “Our tourism services have expanded in quantity and quality. We have upgraded resorts, restaurants, and transportation on the islands and passenger express boats, which have significantly shortened the travel time from shore to the islands. This has generated jobs and ensured social security.”

But as more tourists head to Con Dao, the more improvement the island district needs in transportation infrastructure, power and water supply, and treatment of waste and wastewater.

A top destination on Con Dao island is Con Dao National Park, which has been recognized as a Ramsar wetlands site. The park is rich in fauna and flora, many species of which are listed in the red book of endangered species.

Nguyen Khac Pho, Director of Con Dao National Park, pointed out that “More and more pressure is being brought to bear on the ecosystem by the growing number of visitors to Con Dao. We need to regulate the number of tourist arrivals to our islands. The goal of preserving a green, clean island is within reach if the community gets involved.”

Ba Ria-Vung Tau authorities have devised a plan for high-quality, green, clean, and sustainable tourism for Con Dao until 2025. Under the plan, Con Dao will receive more investment in its waste and wastewater treatment, tighten population control to avoid a large population increase, build a code of conduct at tourism sites, protect the environment, and teach young people about their predecessors’ patriotic movements.

Vice Chairman Khanh underlined the need to carry out tourism promotion programs, develop core products, improve infrastructure, train tourism personnel and regularly oversee progress in turning Con Dao into a national tourism hub. 

Hanoi int’l food festival promotes cultural exchanges

The 2020 International Food Festival was held in Hanoi capital on December 6, introducing visitors to traditional dishes and popular cultures of foreign countries and Vietnam.

The event, the eighth of its kind, featured 143 booths from Vietnam and many foreign embassies in the country. It showcased the most typical dishes, specialties, books, souvenirs, and fine-art articles of Vietnam and many other countries in the world.

In addition, artists in traditional costumes of their countries performed songs and dances, especially folk dances, to popularize their unique cultures.

This year’s event took place under the auspices of Ambassador Nguyen Nguyet Nga, the spouse of Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.

Addressing the event, Ambassador Nga noted the festival offered the chance for foreign countries in Vietnam to introduce their cultures in order to promote friendship and mutual understanding among nations.

It is also a charity programmer in which visitors show their care and support for disadvantaged people living in especially difficult circumstances in Vietnam, she said.

So far such annual festival has raised nearly VND3.1 billion to support women and children in need across Vietnam. Many people from Nha Trang, Hoa Binh, Hanoi and Ben Tre to Ho Chi Minh City have benefitted from the fund.

This year, all the proceeds will be allocated to people in central Vietnam which was devastated by recent severe flooding.

Quang Tri builds houses for 45 landslide-prone households​

The People's Committee of Huong Hoa District yesterday coordinated with the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee in Quang Tri Province and sponsors to hold a groundbreaking ceremony of building houses for 45 landslide-prone households with 171 residents in Huong Son Commune, Huong Hoa District, Quang Tri Province.

After recent torrential downpours and floods, a 200-meter long, 20 –to-50 centimeter wide rack occurred in the mountainous area of Ta Bang in RaLy-Rao Village, Huong Son Commune which caused unsafety for 45 households living in the foot of the mountain. 

Responding to calling for assistance, VFF offered a financial aid of VND2.25 billion (nearly US$100,000) to help the landslide- prone people building new houses. Thus, households will be evacuated out of the land-slide areas and supported of building houses. 

VFF offered a financial aid of VND2.25 billion (nearly US$100,000) to help landslide- prone people building new houses.

In recent days, torrential downpours resulted in a landslide near the lower course of Huong Dien Hydropower Plant. In order to ensure safety for the reservoir and the downstream area, the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control suggested the Ministry of Trade and Industry and Thua Thien-Hue Province to keep a close eye on reservoirs operation according to the regulations, install warning signs to monitor and evaluate impacts of landslide on Huong Dien Hydropower Plant and safety of the downstream area, report results about the implementation to the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control.

Heart transplant success thanks to donated heart of traffic accident victim

A 34-year-old man in the Central Province of Thua Thien – Hue recovered well after undergoing a heart transplant from a donated heart yesterday.
 
The man with end-stage heart failure underwent a heart transplant with the donor being a brain-dead road accident victim in the Southern Province of Ba Ria – Vung Tau.

Professor Pham Nhu Hiep, Director of Hue Central Hospital, said that the National Coordination Center for Organ Transplantation December 1 informed the hospital about a 30-year-old man who died in a traffic accident in Ba Ria- Vung Tau Province. His family agreed to donate his organs for transplant.

The hospital immediately sent its men to Ho Chi Minh City to work with their peers in Cho Ray Hospital and the National Coordination Center for Organ Transplantation to finish document for donation of the heart.

Surgeons removed the  heart from the donor on December 2 and the heart was transported by air to Thua Thien – Hue. Surgeons in Thua Thien – Hue were performing a transplant on 4.45 PM . One hour later, the surgery finished.

The recipient has been waiting for the donated heart for 7 years. His heart, liver, kidney and respiratory functions are stable now.

367 outstanding students honored in Temple of Literature

The People’s Committee in the Central Province of Thua Thien - Hue yesterday organized a ceremony to honor 367 good students at the Temple of Literature where the Imperial Academy, Vietnam's first national university, was hosted.

These present students are those who have greatly contributed to the activities launched by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and other movements organized by schools and local administration such as Nguoi tot viec tot ( Good people, good deed ) movement.

Some of them are from poor families or they have physical disabilities but they try to study well. They are also winners of sport and music competitions or science contests benefitting the community.

Each student received a cash prize of VND1 million at the event.

Public transport project wins championship in ‘Al Hack 2020’
 
The final round of the contest ‘AI Hack 2020’ took place yesterday in Saigon Hi-tech Park (sited in District 9 of Ho Chi Minh City). The project bSmart – using AI to address public transport issues – impressively defeated other competitors to win the championship.

The contest ‘AI Hack 2020’ is a continuation of ‘IoT Startup’ – an innovative startup competition based on the IoT platform held since 2016, as said by Nguyen Anh Thi, Head of the Management Board of Saigon Hi-tech Park Incubation Center (SHTP-IC).

Launched for 4 years, this contest has attracted the attention of over 40,000 people and the participation of 280 promising projects, including the Smart Street Light System S3, the Smart Lock Gtek Lock, the Smart Signboard for Retail Chains in a Smart City Signee.

‘AI Hack 2020’ is organized to promote the development of AI solutions based on optimizing existing data and improving product quality as well as value.

This year’s contest is different from its previous versions in that it follows the Bootcamp model, which last 6 weeks, to select the top-10 projects for the Pitching Day, aiming at attracting capital from investment funds.

After 6 tense weeks working both online and offline, and with the support of mentors from several fields like VietAI, Microsoft Vietnam, NashTech Vietnam, Swiss EP Vietnam, Anscenter, the organization board finally identify the name of the 6 most outstanding projects.

Among them, bSmart – a solution to use AI to tackle current public transport problems – won the first prize of VND50 million (approx. US$2,155), along with an incubation package worth VND200 million ($8,620) by SHTP-IC.

The other five received a prize of VND10 million ($431) each and a chance to receive an incubation package of SHTP-IC.

Women’s role in peace building upheld

The role of women in building peace was upheld by delegates to the international conference on women, peace and security themed “Strengthening women’s role in building and sustaining peace: from commitments to results” which opened on December 7 evening.

The three-day conference is organised in the in-person format in Hanoi and via video conference in over 70 nations.

Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung said that women play an important role in each country’s social life, in national building and development, as well as in conflict prevention and peace maintenance.

In 1960s, the role of women was upheld and became one of the topics of the UN and international forums, with a focus on protecting the rights of women and children during wars and conflicts.

In 2000, the UN Security Council for the first time approved a resolution on the role of women for peace and security, which heightens their role in conflict prevention and peace building, Trung stated.

He added that this is also the first time Vietnam has organised an international conference within the framework of Vietnam’s activities at the UN, which draws the participation of more than 400 Vietnamese and foreign delegates, including three UN Under-Secretary-Generals.

The conference is of great significance as it takes place on the occasion of the 75th founding anniversary of the UN, 25 years of the approval of the Beijing Programme of Action on Gender Equality, and 20 years of the approval of the UNSC’s Resolution on Women, Peace and Security.

According to him, Vietnam and its women have been appreciated by the international community for their special role in nation building and peacekeeping missions, particularly Vietnamese women’s engagement in the UN’s activities.

Vietnam has actively participated in negotiations between countries and discussed with others to form international documents related to gender equality as well as programmes of actions.

When it was a non-permanent member of the UNSC for the first time in 2008-2009, it initiated a resolution on the role of women in the post-war period which was approved by UNSC members, Trung said, adding that this was also the council’s first resolution in this field.

Ambassador Nguyen Nguyet Nga, Senior Advisor to the ASEAN 2020 National Secretariat and Vietnam’s representative at the ASEAN Women for Peace Registry (AWPR), said that the role of women in international peace and security protection is urgent and crucial more than ever.

Today’s women play an important role in policymaking and in UN peacekeeping missions.

Besides measures to solve conflicts, countries should pay attention to educating peace culture and building trust, and women have advantage in these issues, added Nga./.

Int’l conference strengthens women’s role in building, sustaining peace

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the United Nations, opened an international conference on women, peace and security themed “Strengthening women’s role in building and sustaining peace: from commitments to results” on December 7.

The three-day conference is organised in the in-person format in Hanoi and via video conference in over 70 nations.

In his opening remarks, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh said that women over the world continue to affirm their role in conflict prevention and settlement and post-conflict reconstruction, actively participate in building and maintaining peace, and lead in orienting and promoting social development and progress.

However, women's lives and dignity are still threatened and many girls are not allowed to go to school as many countries and regions are facing wars, conflicts, poverty and epidemics, Minh stated, adding that gender violence remains a problem.

Women are also facing many political, economic and cultural barriers, and lacking necessary support to bring into full play their role. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic is threatening the progress towards the realisation of sustainable development goals, and depriving resources used for protecting and promoting women’s rights on the globe.

Therefore, through the conference, Vietnam hopes the international community will continue affirming commitments to promoting gender equality, putting forward effective measures and attracting necessary resources to facilitate women’s engagement in building and consolidating peace and security, Minh stressed.

He suggested participants discuss the results achieved in the implementation of the global agenda on women, peace and security over the past 20 years and review the implementation of the UN Revolution 1325 on women, peace and security and related resolutions of the UN Security Council.

He affirmed that Vietnam considers promoting gender equality and intensifying women’s role and contributions to peace building important policy priorities both at home and in the international arena, especially at such multilateral forums as the UN and ASEAN.

Permanent Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Tong Thi Phong said that the Vietnamese Party and State’s consistent policy is to promote the role and great potential of women in nation building and safeguarding, increase their position, and promote gender equality in the political, socio-economic and cultural aspects.

In a pre-recorded message sent to the conference, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said that the COVID-19 pandemic is threatening women’s interests as well as peace and security, and increasing poverty, inequality and tensions over the world.

She stressed that the world needs to put women at the centre, and listen to those who are contributing efforts to building peace, including the young ones.

It is necessary to reduce global military expenses and invest more in gender equality, she said./.

USAID contest finds out water ambassadors of 2020

Four water ambassadors of 2020 (Source: laodong.vn)

The final round of the 2020 water ambassador contest was held at Nguyen Du Secondary School in Hanoi on December 7, during which four water ambassadors were named.

The contest, jointly held by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in Vietnam, the Management and Sustainable Development Institute and the Centre For Sustainable Community Development (SCODE), attracted the participation of secondary school students in the capital city.

It aimed at improving students’ knowledge on clean water use, personal hygiene and water sources protection, and mobilising resources to increase access to clean water for students in mountainous schools in Tam Duong district of the northern province of Lao Cai.

Launched in September, the organising board selected 40 outstanding students to the final round.

They then chose three style ambassadors and four water ambassadors of 2020./.

Photo exhibition spotlights women’s role in bomb, mine aftermath settlement

Vietnamese women’s special role in the settlement of post-war bomb and mine consequences has been highlighted at a photo exhibition held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The exhibition, opened in Hanoi on December 7, forms part of the international conference on strengthening women’s role in building and sustaining peace: from commitments to results, from December 7-9.

In his opening remarks, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung said the settlement of bomb and mine aftermath, especially in the post-conflict environment, is one of the priorities set by Vietnam in its role of a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2020-2021 tenure, with the aim of sharing experience and contributing to international efforts in this regard, for peace, security, stability and development.

The settlement work requires not only national efforts and international cooperation, but also the involvement of all forces, he said, adding that women have played a significant role in this sphere.

The exhibition is set to draw more international attention and resources for the settlement of bomb and mine consequences in Vietnam, promote women’s role, and create a momentum for the settlement of bomb and mine aftermath in service of post-conflict reconstruction at the UNSC in April 2021 when Vietnam assumes the UNSC presidency for the second time in the 2020-2021 tenure./.

Front working delegation grants gifts to flood-affected people in Quang Binh

Secretary of the Party Central Committee and President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Tran Thanh Man led a working delegation to visit and present gifts to people affected by recent storms and floods in the central province of Quang Binh on December 7.

Recent record floods claimed the lives of 25 locals, made 197 other injured, and submerged over 106,000 houses. Economic loss is estimated at more than 3.5 trillion VND (151 million USD).

The working delegation granted 100 gifts worth 2.2 million VND each for families seriously affected by the disasters, and three gifts worth 40 million VND each for three families whose houses completely collapsed.

Man asked local authorities to pay more attention to families which have no accommodations to help them repair and rebuild houses before the Lunar New Year festival.

More support is needed to help locals resume production and ensure no students are forced to leave school, he stated, stressing the importance to better environmental sanitation, especially measures to prevent diseases, including the COVID-19.

On this occasion, the VFF leader presented 5 billion VND to Quang Binh province to help in overcoming disaster consequences./.

Da Nang looking to fuel economic growth

Uniform measures should be put in place in central Da Nang city to recover from consequences of natural disasters and disease and promote economic recovery, Chairman of the municipal People’s Council Nguyen Nho Trung said on December 7.

Addressing the opening session of the 16th meeting of the municipal People’s Council’s 9th tenure, Trung said the city has posted negative growth of 9.77 percent for the first time, while budget collections accounted for only 70 percent of the target.

Public investment disbursement is still behind schedule, he said, laying stress on several concerns in the locality, including environmental pollution, water security, and traffic congestion, among others.

He ordered attendees to identify effective measures to recover the economy and ensure sustainably over the years to come.

Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Nguyen Van Quang said it is necessary to improve the business climate, sharpen the focus on infrastructure development, promote the disbursement of public investment, and attract investment from domestic and foreign corporations.

The municipal People’s Council should work to remove bottlenecks in the legal system to promote the implementation of real estate projects, he added.

Participants also provided solutions for effectively piloting the urban administration model and many other special mechanisms in the time to come. Preparations for the election of National Assembly deputies and members of all-level People’s Councils for the 2021-2026 tenure were also on the agenda.

The meeting will take place until December 9, with participants considering dismissal from and election to key leadership positions in the municipal People’s Committee.

Lao revolution relic site opened

The first phase of the Nam Soi historical relic site, considered the cradle of the Lao revolution, was opened in Houaphanh province on December 7.

Located near the Nam Soi border gate in Viengxay district and bordering the Na Meo border gate in Vietnam’s north-central province of Thanh Hoa, the site is where the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) was set up and the first Party Congress was organised from March 22 to April 6, 1955.

Former Lao Deputy Prime Minister Somsavad Lengsavath, who was formerly the Secretary to late President Kaysone Phomvihane for nearly 30 years, affirmed that President Ho Chi Minh and the Communist Party of Indochina’s decision to establish a particular party in each country in 1951 was a prudent decision, thus leading to the formation of the LPRP.

The decision also contributed to forming and nurturing the Laos-Vietnam special friendship, he added.

Construction on the first phase of the relic site began in September, with an investment of nearly 1.2 billion LAK (129,000 USD). In the second phase, a meeting hall and a traditional house showcasing documents and objects related to the establishment of the LPRP will be built./.

UNFPA earmarks additional 800,000 USD for flood-affected women, girls

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has provided an additional 800,000 USD for women and girls in Da Nang city and eight provinces in the central region affected by flooding in recent times, raising its total aid to 1.34 million USD.

“When emergencies like this strike, life changes in a moment,” said Naomi Kitahara, UNFPA Representative in Vietnam. “This natural disaster has already destroyed thousands of homes and forced people to flee. Women and girls are among the most vulnerable. Women do not need to die giving birth, and this must hold true even in emergencies.”

“While fleeing, people are in need of basic necessities, ranging from food and water to hygienic supplies and medical care,” she went on. “UNFPA is striving to assist the Government in restoring and improving the lives of flood victims, particularly the most vulnerable. UNFPA expresses sympathy for victims and their families affected by the latest tragedy, especially women and girls. This contribution underlines our solidarity with the people of Vietnam, many of whom have suffered the loss of homes, livelihoods, and belongings in the wake of the devastating floods.”

According to the joint rapid assessment carried out in October, in which UNFPA experts played a lead role in the most affected areas of central Vietnam, health facilities have been hit hard by floods and landslides, and routine public health programmes such as antenatal, delivery, post-natal care and family planning services have been disrupted. Women and girls continue to be unable to access basic healthcare services, including sexual and reproductive health.

The disaster forced women and girls to move to evacuation centres without having time to pack essential supplies. They are unable to manage their hygiene properly as a result and lack access to basic needs such as sanitary pads, clothes, and underwear, which are needed to manage their menstrual periods. In addition, access to water and places to wash and dry reusable pads and clothes, or to dispose of used materials, is currently challenged.

The UNFPA funding and support includes the distribution of Dignity Kits, with essential hygiene items, along with vital maternal health equipment (such as the Doppler Foetal Heart Rate Detector, which detects the heartbeat of a pregnant woman’s foetus). In addition, UNFPA is supporting the delivery of mobile and outreach sexual and reproductive health services, as part of the wider health sector response to violence against women and girls in flood-affected areas./.

Source: VNA/VNN/VNS/SGGP/VOV/NDO/Dtinews/SGT/VIR