The Foreign Ministry has directed the Vietnamese Embassy in Myanmar to keep a close watch on the situation in the host country, while keeping close contacts with local agencies, regularly updating on local information and staying ready to roll out measures to protect Vietnamese citizens if necessary.

The embassy has contacted the Vietnamese community in the country to update on their situation, and to remind them to maintain normal operations.

Vietnamese citizens in Myanmar are warned to avoid travelling far from the areas where they live as well as stay away from gatherings, and pay attention to protecting their own security and safety, especially during the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet) holidays.

In case of needing help, citizens can contact the embassy via its citizen protection hotline at ( 95)96.6088.8998, or email at baohocongdan123@gmail.com, or the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry’s hotline at ( 84)981.848.484./.

Localities must be faster in COVID-19 combat: minister

Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long has asked localities to change their tactic and act faster in the prevention and control of COVID-19 as the pandemic is developing complicatedly in a different way from before.

Speaking at an online meeting with pandemic-hit localities on February 2, the minister noted that the new SARS-CoV-2 variant is spreading faster than the old one by 70 percent, while 70-80 percent of patients showed no symptoms.

In case that the number of people having contact with COVID-19 patients becomes too large, making it difficult to trace their movements, localities should apply social distancing immediately and take samples for large-scale testing, he said.

He underlined the need to be faster and stronger measures to combat the pandemic.

In the outbreak in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai where 13 infections were recorded within three days, Minister Long asked the province to conduct testing and treatment on the spot. Equipment and human resources will be mobilised to support the locality in the work, he pledged.

For the southern province of Binh Duong where a patient is a student of a large university having more than 10,000 students, a field hospital with 400-550 beds has been prepared.

Meanwhile, the northern province of Quang Ninh is working hard to control the pandemic by the last day of the Lunar Year.

Minister Long asked Quang Ninh to impose large-scale lockdown in Dong Trieu town. Quang Ninh has had 8,000 coal workers who are on home quarantine, so that it is necessary to speed up testing so that they can return to work, he said.

Earlier, 11 additional communes of the township have been put under lockdown until a notification is issued.

Vietnam documented nine locally-transmitted COVID-19 infections, and no imported cases in the 12 hours from 6pm February 2 to 6am on February 3, according to the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

Of the new cases, four were recorded in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai, two in the northern province Hai Duong province – the country’s largest COVID-19 hotspot, two in the southern province of Binh Duong, and one in Hanoi.

The country has recorded 1,891 SARS-CoV-2 infections so far. Of the total, 1,003 were locally-transmitted cases, including 310 linked to Hai Duong since the latest coronavirus outbreak hit the province on January 27./.

Students minimise Covid-19 risks with Tet taxis home

 

The families of many students in Hanoi have chosen taxis to go home for Tet for fear of virus spread on passenger buses despite higher charges.

Various schools, colleges and universities in Hanoi have allowed students to take an early Tet Holiday amid the new Covid-19 outbreak.

Nguyen Huong from Thai Nguyen Province said she used to take passenger buses to return to her hometown. However, this year, her parents hired a taxi for her for VND1.2m (USD52). The driver must wear a face mask and has no Covid-19 symptoms.

"The bus would cost just VND50,000 (USD2) to VND120,000. But my parents don't want me to take a crowded bus," she said.

Other well-off families in Ha Nam, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh and Bac Giang provinces also hired taxis for their children. Hai Tu from Ninh Binh Province said she hired a taxi to pick up both of her children. To make it safer, she hired a driver near her house who she knew instead of calling a taxi firm.

"It will probably take me about VND1.1m (USD46)," she said. "My husband and I planned to pick them up ourselves but we have urgent matters to attend to so we hired a driver in our village. I felt more assured and it's safer this way."

Other students still have to take passenger buses home.

My Hang, a student at Hanoi University of Science & Technology and from Bac Giang Province said she wore face masks and washed hands the whole way to home.

"I went home two days after the university announced an early Tet Holiday. I took a morning bus so it was less crowded," she said.

Quang Ninh residents required to fill in health declarations from February 3

All residents in the northern province of Quang Ninh will be required to complete a health declaration from February 3 amid the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The provincial People’s Committee issued the instruction on February 2, asking people’s committees of districts, townships, and cities to partner with the provincial public security force, health departments, and relevant units to finish the task before February 9.

The public security forces of districts, communes, and townships must work with medical stations from January 15 to conduct health declarations for those coming from other localities or travelling through pandemic-hit areas from January 15.

Authorities in districts, townships, and cities were directed to set up anti-pandemic groups in residential areas, each in charge of 40-50 families.

The groups will be responsible for reminding residents to follow anti-pandemic measures each day, fill in health declarations, and assist authorities and medical agencies in tracing down F1 and F2 cases./.

Quang Ninh imposes temporary lockdown on additional 11 wards, communes

The People’s Committee of Dong Trieu town in the northern province of Quang Ninh has decided to impose a temporary lockdown on an additional 11 wards and communes from 9:00 am on February 2 until the province issues a new direction.

The lockdown was imposed on Dong Trieu, Hung Dao, Trang An, Xuan Son, Kim Son, Duc Chinh, Hong Phong wards, and Tan Viet, Nguyen Hue, Viet Dan and Binh Khe communes.

Earlier, Thuy An commune was put under quarantine while Binh Duong and An Sinh communes are being locked down until February 21.

To date, 14 out of 21 communes and wards of Dong Trieu, which border Chi Linh city in Hai Duong province - the country’s largest COVID-19 hotspot, have been locked down as part of measures to prevent the spread of the pandemic.

The same day, Van Don island district also locked down seven towns and communes from 0:00 am.

With 15 new COVID-19 infections recorded on February 2, Dong Trieu is considered the biggest COVID-19 spot in Quang Ninh province./.

Dong Nai wants to stop receiving, quarantining returnees from abroad

The authorities of Dong Nai Province have sought approval from the High Command of Military Region 7 over a decision to stop receiving and quarantining Vietnamese citizens returning home from overseas, as this southern province could be affected by the resurgence of Covid-19 in the country.

According to the provincial government, a host of Covid-19 cases by community transmission have been reported in many localities since January 27, especially Hanoi and the country’s two major coronavirus hotspots—Hai Duong and Quang Ninh.

Dong Nai is forecast to feel the impact of the Covid-19 resurgence as it is a densely populated locality and is home to scores of industrial zones, with many workers being local residents of Hai Duong and Quang Ninh.

Dong Nai had to prepare human resources and all of its quarantine facilities to assist with inspecting, tracking and quarantining those returning to the province from the virus-hit regions in the country.

As a result, the province does not have spare quarantine facilities as well as available human resources to receive and quarantine Vietnamese citizens returning home from overseas like it did before.

As of now, the Dong Nai Province Health Department has placed in quarantine over 3,000 Vietnamese citizens returning home from many countries and territories.

Authorities fine singers from karaoke bar

Fourteen people have been fined and ordered into quarantine after they were caught in a karaoke bar that should have been closed.

Inspectors of Hạ Long City in Quảng Ninh Province on Monday discovered the venue was open for business at the Vườn Đào Hotel in Bãi Cháy Ward.

Elsewhere in the country, prevention measures have been increased to stop the spread of COVID-19 following the recent surge of community cases. 

Vĩnh Phúc Province temporarily closed business establishments, entertainment such as karaoke venues, discotheques, massage parlours and bars until further notice.

The local Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism will work with relevant departments and agencies to inspect premises to make sure they are abiding by regulations.

Schools in the province have also closed ahead of the planned Tết (Lunar New Year) holiday.

Meanwhile, the Hà Nội Department of Health on Monday afternoon announced that a new COVID-19 case was a parent of fifth grade student at Ban Mai Private Primary School in Hà Đông District. Two teachers of the school had to go into quarantine on Monday night as they had previously had a private meeting with the parent.

This parent is an employee at the Vân Đồn Airport in Quảng Ninh Province.

Also on Monday, 84 students and teachers of the Dịch Vọng Junior Secondary School in Cầu Giấy District also had to self-quarantine at home due to another parent testing positive for coronavirus.

Previously, on Sunday, 80 students, teachers and staff of the Xuân Phương Primary School in Nam Từ Liêm District had to go to an emergency quarantine at school when a third grade student was infected with COVID-19. 

Vietnam first time surpasses China in number of labourers working in Japan

Vietnam has for the first time surpassed China to become the nation with the highest number of labourers working in Japan, according to 2020 statistics from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW).

According to local newspaper Asahi, Vietnam accounted for the largest number of foreign workers with 443,998, while China followed with 419,431 and the Philippines with 184,750.

The paper said, as of the end of October last year, a record number of 1,724,328 foreign nationals worked in Japan, an increase of about 65,000 from the same period a year earlier, in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic.

There were 402,355 foreign technical intern trainees in the country last year, an increase of 4.8 percent annually./.

Hanoi blocks eight areas for Covid-19 prevention

Hanoi authorities have locked down eight locations that have new Covid-19 cases.

Hoang Duc Hanh, deputy director of Hanoi Department of Health said there have been 19 cases in the city so far. One case is related to the outbreak in Quang Ninh Province and 18 cases are related to the outbreak in Hai Duong Province. The confirmed cases in Hanoi are detected in Nam Tu Liem, Cau Giay, Dong Anh, Me Linh and Hai Ba Trung districts. As the result, the authorities have blocked eight locations:

Building T6, Times City, Hai Ba Trung District 

After 163 days without a new community case, Hanoi reported the first patient who lives at Times City Building T6. Truong Quang Viet, deputy director of Hanoi CDC said they had quickly locked down a floor of the building which a positive case on January 29. The patient visited the house of a confirmed patient in Quang Ninh and was later tested positive to SARS-CoV-2. Thousands of residents of the apartment building have been asked to isolate themselves at home.

Alleyway 92, Nguyen Khanh Toan Street 

Cau Giay District People's Committee said on January 28 that they had quickly locked down and disinfected Alleyway 92 after a student from Chi Linh City, Hai Duong Province tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. He came to Hanoi to study and showed symptoms on January 27. At least 30 people who live off the alleyway had been in contact with the student.

Xuan Phuong Primary School, Nam Tu Liem District 

During a meeting with the delegation team led by Chu Xuan Dung, vice chairman of Hanoi People's Committee on January 30, Chairman of Nam Tu Liem District People's Committee Nguyen Huy Cuong said they had detected five more cases. After a patient was tested positive, her three children and three family members were also tested positive. In order to ensure safety for the teachers and students at Xuan Phuong Primary School and Cau Dien Nursery School where the three children study, 80 students, teachers and parents have been tested. The local authorities also let students stay home. On January 31, Xuan Phuong Primary School was turned into a quarantine area for 80 students, teachers and parents there.

Factory Z153, Dong Anh District 

Patient 1694, worker at Factory Z153 was tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and later infected another worker, Patient 1695. People who had been in contact with Patient 1695 have been tested. 57 workers have been transferred to quarantine centres. Other 300 workers were asked to stay at the factory while tests are being carried out. Dong Anh District People's Committee proposed testing 2,000 people living around the factory and transfer all patients to Bac Thang Long Hospital.

FPT University, Thach That District 

Nguyen Manh Hong, deputy party secretary of Thach That District announced on January 31 that FPT University-Hoa Lac Branch was temporarily locked down after a student there tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. The student went to Chi Linh City to attend his brother's wedding. He showed symptoms on January 28 and stayed home from January 30. Hong said they had sent the list of students who already returned to their hometowns for Tet to their local authorities for monitoring.

Dream Land Apartment Building, Nam Tu Liem District 

An apartment of the Dream Land Apartment Building was locked down as two new tenants were confirmed Covid-19 patients. They have just moved to Hanoi from Hai Duong Province.

Alleyway 49, Dich Vong Street 

The house was locked down on January 31 after Patient 1819 was confirmed positive. The 44-year-old patient and three family members went to Hai Duong on January 23 and returned to Hanoi the following day.

Bach Tru Village, Me Linh District 

The village was in a lockdown after the confirmation of two patients. The local authorities have also disinfected the area and tested the residents. The villagers were asked to stay home and only go out when necessary. After Patient 1725 was tested positive, his parents were also tested positive. 64 other people were also tested and the results were negative.

13th National Party Congress - Milestone for Vietnam’s prosperity: Algerian scholar

The freshly-concluded 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) is a historic milestone for Vietnam’s future prosperity, an Algerian scholar has said.

Mohamed Berzig, Secretary General of the Algeria-Vietnam Friendship Association, told Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Algeria that the CPV plays an important, outstanding role in orienting Vietnam during its cause of national construction and reform towards modernity while consolidating the principles of a socialist-oriented market economy.

Given a range of challenges facing the world, Vietnam, under the leadership of the CPV, has overcome obstacles, strengthened solidarity, protected its territorial integrity, and moved forward, he said.

The scholar lauded Vietnam’s achievements in different spheres after 35 years of reform, such as political stability and extensive and intensive international integration.

He recalled Vietnam joining international organisations like the WTO, ASEAN, the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in 1988, and the Asia-Europe Economic Meeting (ASEM) in 1996.

Berzig said that following the 12th National Party Congress, Vietnam stepped up international integration and brought into full play the strength and potential of each region.

The country has benefited in all fields, from politics and national defence and security to culture and science-technology, the scholar said, adding he has been impressed by anti-corruption efforts.

He hopes that with its creativeness, Vietnam can surpass all the challenges ahead and complete its set targets./.

Brief nomination report on Yen Tu complex to be submitted to UNESCO

A brief report nominating the inclusion of the Complex of Yen Tu Monuments and Landscape in the list of those planned to have world heritage dossiers compiled will be sent to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam has assigned the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to work with the Vietnam National UNESCO Committee to send the report, which will replace the one currently posted on the website of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.

He also ordered the People’s Committee of northern Quang Ninh province to coordinate with the administrations of nearby Bac Giang and Hai Duong provinces and related agencies to compile a dossier seeking the world heritage status for this complex.

Children’s council model proves effective

The model of children’s council has enabled children to promote their rights since it was piloted three years ago, heard a meeting in Ho Chi Minh City on January 29.

The model was formed by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee in line with the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 123/QD-TTg dated August 3, 2015, and was put into operation since June 2017.

It was piloted in five cities and provinces, comprising Yen Bai, Hanoi, Quang Ninh, Binh Dinh and HCM City.

The children’s council gathers outstanding children who have held dialogues with representatives of all-level People’s Councils on child-related issues in localities.

The model has also contributed to raising the awareness of all-level Party committees, authorities, agencies and the entire society about the role of child protection, care and education.

Under the programme, more than 1,500 activities were held in the localities, with the participation of more than 300,000 children and 2,000 opinions collected.

The number of children suffering from domestic violence in those localities also halved, while those living in an environment without violence and abuse increased around 20 percent.

The model has served as an important information channel helping all-level Party committees, authorities and agencies devise child-related policies and guidelines.

Apart the five cities and provinces, more than 10 other localities like Da Nang, Lai Chau, Ben Tre and Ca Mau have also joined the model./.

Embassy establishes itself as useful link between Vietnam and African friends

For the time ahead, the Vietnamese Embassy in Algeria, which is also in charge of Senegal, Mali, Niger, and the Western Sahara, is set to continue performing well its role as a bridge linking Vietnam and African nations and disseminating the Party and State’s guidelines and policies to Vietnamese expatriates there, said Ambassador Nguyen Thanh Vinh.

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency, Vinh said during the Party’s 12th tenure, Algeria and the countries and territories his embassy in responsible for witnessed a number of political, economic, and social uncertainties.

In that context, he noted, the embassy’s Party cell has taken drastic action to fulfill assigned tasks, contributing to the embassy’s success during the past tenure as well as diplomatic achievements of Vietnam.

Apart from promoting mutual visits at all levels between Vietnam and Algeria and Senegal, the embassy has helped organise the 11th meeting of the Vietnam - Algeria joint committee, activities marking the 55th founding anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties, and celebrations of Vietnam’s important anniversaries, and call for international support for the homeland.

In terms of economic diplomacy, the embassy has stepped up promoting trade, introducing economic cooperation potential, and connecting Vietnamese businesses with partners in the areas it takes charge of, thus helping foster Vietnam’s trade with the African countries, the ambassador went on.

He added that cultural diplomacy and external information service are also among highlights of the embassy’s activities as seen through its coordination with an Algerian filmmaking company to produce a film about Vietnam, the hosting of many photo exhibitions, support for activities of Vietnam’s traditional martial arts federations, and invitation of local press agencies to report on Vietnam on the occasion of the homeland’s big anniversaries.

The diplomat also underlined the opening of Vietnamese language classes for descendants of the expatriates in Algeria and members of Vietnam’s traditional martial arts federations there who love the Southeast Asian nation.

Besides sending of several Vietnamese students to the homeland for an annual summer camp for the overseas youth, in 2020, facing the COVID-19 pandemic, the embassy worked with relevant agencies of Vietnam and host countries to assist Vietnamese citizens and arrange the repatriation for many of them.

Ambassador Vinh stressed that solidarity, unanimity, proactiveness, creativity, and the resolve to address difficulties are key to his embassy’s fulfillment of the tasks assigned by the Party and State over the past five years.

This is also the basis for the embassy to keep exerting efforts to help successfully carry out the resolution of the 13th National Party Congress and perform its role as a bridge linking Vietnam with African friends, as well as Vietnamese in the African countries with the homeland, according to him./.

Students’ association in Italy convenes first congress

The Vietnamese Students’ Association in Italy (ASVI) convened its first congress for the 2021-2023 tenure in the form of videoconference on January 29.

At the event, participants reviewed activities of the ASVI and students campaigns in the recent past, as well as mapped out targets, orientations, tasks and action plans of Vietnamese youths in Italy in the new term.

In her remarks, Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Nguyen Thi Bich Hue appreciated contributions by the ASVI, calling on the association to improve quality of its activities in a bid to fulfill the set targets, promote Vietnam’s images and enhance Vietnam-Italy relations.

The ASVI aims to connect all Vietnamese students in the European nation via activities such as the Day of Vietnamese students in Italy, sporting events, exchange programmes, fairs and exhibitions.

In addition, it works to foster learning opportunities and support new students in finding accommodations, as well as completing administrative procedures and documents on scholarships. The association also connects students and businesses in Italy./.

Top legislator calls for support to disadvantaged people

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan on February 2 called on administrations at all levels and sectors to better the social welfare work, ensuring that all people, especially social policy beneficiaries and poor households, enjoy a happy Tet (Lunar New Year) festival.

Speaking at a ceremony presenting Tet gifts to disadvantaged people in the southern province of Ben Tre, the top legislator said join efforts are needed to care for people, especially Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin victims, people with disabilities and orphans.

At the ceremony, PetroVietnam Gas Joint Stock Corporation handed over 1,500 packages of gifts worth 1.5 billion VND (65,015 USD) to local authorities.

The gifts, each worth 1 million VND, will be presented to local social policy beneficiaries./.

VN responds to World Wetlands Day

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment  (MONRE) has asked other ministries, agencies and localities to take action in response to World Wetlands Day (February 2).

In a document issued recently, the MONRE called for stepping up communications work to raise public awareness of the significance of wetlands and urged efforts to preserve and use wetlands sustainably.

It also suggested integrating wetland preservation into programmes, planning schemes and development projects.

World Wetlands Day 2021 highlights the contribution of wetlands to the quantity and quality of freshwater on the planet. Water and wetlands are connected in an inseparable co-existence that is vital to life, human wellbeing and the health of the planet.

The campaign is also an occasion to commemorate the signing of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971.

The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty that provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. It aims to stem encroachment on and loss of wetlands.

As the first Southeast Asian nation to become a member of the Ramsar Convention in 1989, Việt Nam has rolled out various activities to protect and use wetlands wisely and built a legal corridor on wetland management.

So far, nine wetlands in the country have been recognised as Ramsar sites – wetlands of international importance – namely Xuân Thủy National Park, Bàu Sấu Wetlands and Seasonal Floodplains, Ba Bể National Park, Tràm Chim National Park, Mũi Cà Mau National Park, Côn Đảo National Park, Láng Sen Wetlands Reserve, U Minh Thượng National Park, and Vân Long Wetland Nature Reserve. 

Ca Mau Province’s production of popular dried shrimp surges ahead of Tết

Establishments that make dried shrimp in the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Cà Mau are operating at full capacity since there is high demand for it during Tết (Lunar New Year), which falls this year on February 12.

Dried shrimp made in the province’s Rạch Gốc Town, U Minh District’s Khánh Hội Commune and Năm Căn Town are well-known nation-wide since they have been making it for more than 100 years.

In the past shrimps were abundant in the province, and, unable to eat them all, locals hit upon the idea of drying them to preserve them.

They use both freshwater and brackish water shrimps for this, with the former considered more delicious and so costing more. But with their output being small, most of the province’s dried shrimps are from brackish water. 

The Tân Phát Lợi Co-operative in Ngọc Hiển District is operating at full capacity for Tết.

It produces around four tonnes of dried shrimp, shrimp chips, fermented shrimp, and fermented mangrove crabs a month in normal time. 

Bùi Văn Chương, director of the co-operative, said production has been increased three-fold during the two months before Tết.

His and many other households use organic shrimps bred in mangrove forests, and are thus more delicious, sweeter and have a beautiful red colour, and are preferred by consumers, he said.

The Cà Mau Trade Promotion and Industry Extension Centre provided the co-operative with an automatic solar - powered dryer in 2019, and that has helped it increase its output of dried shrimps.  

Ngọc Hiển District has more than 40 households making dried shrimps and shrimp chips, according to its Farmers Association.

Lê Ngọc Lâm, chairman of the association, said official agencies regularly inspect the households and penalise those violating food safety standards.

The households produce 20-30 tonnes of dried brackish water shrimps and two to three tonnes of dried organic shrimps a month.

In the district’s Rạch Gốc Town, high demand has pushed up dried shrimp prices to VNĐ900,000, even VNĐ1.5 million (US$39-65), for a kilogramme depend on the variety, VNĐ200,000 more than during normal times.

Dried shrimp eaten with pickled leeks or pickled mustard greens is a popular dish in the south during Tết.

In 2011, the National Office of Intellectual Property granted the ‘Rạch Gốc dried shrimp’ brand name for the district’s dried shrimp.

There are 13 establishments in Ngọc Hiển that use the brand name, according to the Farmers Association. 

Director of National Children’s Hospital found dead

Professor Lê Thanh Hải, director of the National Children’s Hospital, a leading paediatrics expert, was found to have died at his workplace on Sunday afternoon.

The cause of the death is being investigated.

Earlier Hải had lunch with his colleagues the same day and showed no abnormal signs.

He had a history of a high blood pressure and did not have any chronic disease.

Professor Lê Thanh Hải was born in 1961.

He was a doctor in Paediatrics and director of the National Children’s Hospital since 2013.

He was also head of the Children's Health Research Institute under the National Children's Hospital.

He was the editor of 19 books, including three monographs, 15 textbooks and one reference book.

The National Children’s Hospital is one of the biggest paediatrics centres in Việt Nam with nearly 2,000 staff and almost 2,000 beds.

The hospital receives more than one million visits every year for medical examination and treatment.

Welfare programmes help city workers during Tet

Workers at Linh Trung 1 Export Processing Zone in the HCM City's Thủ Đức District can now shop at ERA Mart welfare supermarket and food stores that have opened in the zone.

Nguyễn Thị Thùy Ngân, a worker at one company in the zone, told Việt Nam News: “Since the supermarket opened, I have gone there after my working day. For holidays, it has promotions for goods at discounts. I feel assured of the quality.”

Phạm Thành Đạt, a worker at a footwear company in the zone, said: “The supermarket’s products are diverse and are sold at affordable prices.”

Besides the supermarket, many coffee and food stores and one general medical clinic are in the zone, creating favourable conditions for workers.

“We feel assured of food safety and hygiene when eating here. We also have places to sit and eat with each other after our hard working days,” he added.   

Trần Thiên Long, vice chairman and general secretary of the HCM City Export Processing Zone and Industrial Park Authority Business Association, said that the association was co-operating with groups and brands as well as enterprises in export processing zones and industrial parks to carry out welfare programmes for workers.

As a part of the programme, 18 welfare supermarkets would open.

On January 22, the first ERA Mart Welfare Supermarket opened at Linh Trung 1 Export Processing Zone. “The supermarket will reduce financial pressures buying goods to prepare for Lunar Tết which will fall on February 12,” Long said.

Many enterprises in the zone had been affected by COVID-19. “The supermarket opened at the right time and is helpful," he added. 

The association is co-operating with E-wallet SmartPay to promote a digital experience at the ERA Mart welfare supermarket.

Marek E. Forysiak, chairman of SmartPay, said: “We will provide better money value through our incentives and promotions, which will make SmartPay the most convenient, safe and affordable way to pay.”

The activity aims to improve the livelihood of the workers and employees at export processing zones and industrial parks in the city and nationwide. It uses technology that will administer social programs in partnership with private industry for the benefit of workers, according to Long.

Workers can buy products at the supermarket but pay later via SmartPay. The service will help workers avoid so-called black credit.    

In the upcoming time, many entertainment facilities and more medical clinics will be opened for workers.

This reflects the association’s determination to improve care for the mental and physical health of workers.

From January 22 to March 22, workers in the Linh Trung 1 Zone who buy products worth VNĐ100,000 (US$4.3) at the ERA Mart welfare supermarket will get a discount of VNĐ30,000 when paying via E-wallet SmartPay.    

The association has worked with Era Group to present 100 Tết gifts to workers with financial difficulties in the zone.

Speaking at a press meeting on January 21, Huỳnh Văn Tuấn, chairman of the Trade Union at export processing zones and industrial parks, said that departments and enterprises in the city were organising many programmes, including Tết gifts and bus tickets for workers.

Around 418 enterprises have sponsored 5,016 bus tickets worth more than VNĐ3.2 billion (US$138,847) presented to workers.

More than 15,000 Tết gifts will be presented to workers.  

According to the Trade Union, 60 per cent of workers at the export processing zones and industrial parks will not return to their hometown for Tết.  

HCM City ensures clean water supply for all residents

HCM City has asked its departments and enterprises to carry out measures to prevent water pollution, groundwater exploitation and lack of clean water for local use.

City authorities said that clean, safe water would continue to be supplied to all city households in every district. 

Under its plan for 2020-2025, the city targets increasing the average supply of water per capita per day by 165 litres and reducing tap water leakage rate to 15 per cent.

By 2025, the municipal water supply capacity would reach 3.6 million cu.m per day, using only 100,000 cu.m of groundwater.

The city People's Committee said that works on clean water projects in new urban and residential areas must not cause any inconvenience to residents.

Water supply works in industrial parks and other business establishments must be closely monitored to prevent groundwater exploitation.

The city’s Department of Construction plans to issue regulations and guidelines on the provision of clean water supply.

The department is also in charge of inspections, risk management, and preparations for incidents or disasters related to water supply and water security.

As for domestic water quality, the Department of Health must devise local technical regulations in accordance with national standards.

The city has asked its Department of Natural Resources and Environment to set up a water protection corridor, carry out inspections and deal with violations.

In addition, the Department of Planning and Investment has been asked to prioritise and call for investment in a clean water supply system for the city.

The State-owned Saigon Water Corporation (SAWACO), Saigon Water Infrastructure Corporation, and other water supply units have been urged to use modern technology.

Enterprises have also been asked to install water monitoring systems that connect to the online supervision portal of the Ministry of Construction.

SAWACO, the city's largest tap water supplier, said its water supply capacity has reached 2.4 million cu.m per day, meeting local demand.

In the past five years, SAWACO invested VNĐ12 trillion (US$520 million) to upgrade its water supply system, covering 2.1 million households in HCM City.

Dương Hồng Nhân, chairman of the membership board of SAWACO, said the tap-water leakage rate in 2020 was 18.2 per cent, down by 12.23 per cent compared to 2015.

According to Dr Nguyễn Hồng Tiến, vice chairman and general secretary of Vietnam Water Supply, the output of all water plants in Việt Nam had reached 10.6-10.9 million cu.m per day.

Around 89-90 per cent of urban residents have access to tap water, while the wastewater treatment rate has hit 1.2 million cu.m per day, Tiến added.

UNDP helps build roads in Bạc Liêu and Ca Mau

People in Kim Châu Hamlet, Vĩnh Trạch Commune, Bạc Liêu City are ready to celebrate Tết after a new road opened on Wednesday.

The road is more than 2 kilometres in length and was built with help from the Japanese Government.

Lâm Thị Hải, 50, said: “The old road was very dirty. On rainy days, it was muddy and difficult to travel on. We are happy with the new road.”

The road is part of a project funded by the Government of Japan, through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), aiming to support poor people affected by saline intrusion and the pandemic.

Sitara Syed, UNDP Deputy Representative in Việt Nam, said: "Communities have new and better roads to facilitate travel and improve access to essential services such as schools, healthcare, trade and tourism."

“It will take a long time to fully recover from the impacts of the pandemic,” she said, “UNDP commits to support the people of Vĩnh Trạch Commune and Vietnamese farmers.”

Bạc Liêu Provincial  People's Committee is calling on contributions from social organisations to build public infrastructure, including rural roads.

Due to limited resources, roads in some areas have become deteriorated. 

“Bad roads are affecting local people and the transport of goods. Paved roads are necessary for residents,” said Cao Xuân Thu Vân, Deputy Chairman of Bạc Liêu Provincial People's Committee.

At the inauguration ceremony, Trương Hồng Trang, Chairwoman of the Bạc Liêu Provincial Women's Union, said 1,700 local people will benefit from the road.

By getting involved in building the road, residents also earned additional income during the COVID-19 period. Many people, especially the poor, ethnic minorities, migrant workers and those in semi-formal jobs have lost work, so their incomes and livelihoods were affected.

"The project pays people involved in the construction of the road," said Trang.

Trang said that 325 local labourers participated in the construction of the road, each receiving an average of VNĐ4.6 million for 20 working days from the project.

Lâm Thị Hải and her husband both helped in building the road. Hải said: “Before COVID-19, our income was about VNĐ70,000 per day. My husband worked as a cow breeder and I was a cook at a local kindergarten.”

“However, due to the pandemic, we have no income. Participating in building the road gives us money."

Sitara Syed said: “This income is very important for poor and near poor households to buy essential items, to pay school fees and medical expenses during the COVID-19 period.”

It was one of three rural roads UNDP helped to build in Bạc Liêu. The total costs for three roads in Bạc Liêu and 16 residential works in Cà Mau were over VNĐ3.9 billion (US$170,000).

On Thursday, Kênh Xáng Bridge in Nguyễn Việt Khái Commune, Phú Tân District, Cà Mau Province, another project supported by UNDP, was also inaugurated.

This was one of 16 public constructions in Cà Mau that UNDP sponsored to pay more than 1,400 local labourers during the COVID-19 period.

Each worker received an average income of VNĐ1.4 million.

Cà Mau Province’s breeders as well as other farmers in the Mekong Delta are being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, witnessing a decline in revenue from agricultural and fishery breeding, of which two famous products are catfish and shrimp.

Lê Văn Sử, Deputy Chairman of Cà Mau Province, expressed his deep gratitude to UNDP for the projects.

“We are looking forward to further support from UNDP to recover after COVID-19."

Trần Thị Kiều Yến, Chairwoman of the provincial Women's Union, said: “The local budget is very limited, thanks to the support of UNDP and the Japanese Government, we are able to build bridges and roads, serving the needs of local people.”

Hanoi's historical sites brought to life

Student Đặng Viết Lộc won first prize at a drawing contest held by the Centre for Scientific and Cultural Activities of the Temple of Literature.

Lộc, from National University of Civil Engineering is honoured for his sketch entitled Khuê Văn Các (Khuê Văn Pavilion).

He was among the winners who received prizes in Hà Nội last weekend.

The contest was launched two months ago by the Centre in co-ordination with UNESCO Office in Hà Nội and the University of Civil Engineering aiming to show Hà Nội’s commitment to enhancing international co-operation among cities as a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

It was also an opportunity for students to show their creativity, feelings and viewpoints via sketches of the Temple of Literature’s architecture, objects and statues.

Juror Trần Hậu Yên Thế, lecturer from the Việt Nam University of Fine Arts highly valued the creativity and talent of the contestants.

“The contest helps young students to express their feelings about the temple,” he said.

“The drawings with a variety of materials and perspectives exploited the simple and familiar beauty of the historical relic which has fascinated tourists to Hà Nội."

The contest received hundreds of entries which show different perspectives and beautiful angles of one of the most popular architecture in Hà Nội.

They are are very diverse, including Khuê Văn Pavilion, Văn Miếu gate, Đại Trung gate, Thái Học courtyard, 82 doctoral steles - world documentary heritage, ancient trees and green spaces at the temple.

The organisers also awarded two second, three third and eight encouragement prizes to other artists.

“We hope that the contest will nurture a love for painting and popularise cultural heritage to the younger generation making contributions to traditional cultural value preservation and development,” said the centre’s director Lê Xuân Kiêu and head of organisation board at the awarding ceremony.

Apart from the awarded sketches, the organisers also selected 40 others which will go on display during the Lunar New Year.

The contest is helpful to fine arts students, according to architect Lê Thành Vinh, former head of Relics Preservation Institute.

“It is not only a drawing contest but it also a useful activity to promote heritage education and draw the young people closer to the heritage,” Vinh said.

The Temple of Literature was built in the 11th century during the Lý Dynasty. It is known as one of the most important relics and popular tourist destinations, rich with history and culture of Hà Nội.

It receives about two million visitors each year. 

Khanh Hoa fishermen to welcome Lunar New Year at sea during tuna season

Many fishermen in the southern coastal province of Khanh Hoa have set out to sea to get the tuna season during the Tet Holiday period.

At the Hon Ro Fish Port in Nha Trang City on the first days of January, 2021, many boats are preparing for fishing trips to the Spratly Islands and DK1 Rigs. 

Their trips are expected to last about 20 days.

According to the fishermen, although Tet is coming, they don't want to miss the tuna season. They are bringing some Tet foods including Chung cakes, pork, chicken and beer to welcome the Lunar New Year at sea.

"My boat has stayed idle for some months and now it's a good time to earn some money," said a fisherman, Duong Van Quang.

A week earlier, many boats in Nha Trang returned with big catches of tuna. It was estimated that each boat caught between 1.5-2.5 tonnes of tuna.

The prices of tuna have increased recently to VND115,000-VND120,000 (USD5-USD5.20) per kilo thanks to higher demand from the US and Europe. This has encouraged more local fishermen to get out to the sea.

A statistic from the Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee said that the total seafood output reached 110 trillion tonnes in 2020, an increase of 1.3 percent against 2019's figure.

UK experts explore Thai Nguyen cave

A delegation of UK experts has come to the northern province of Thai Nguyen to explore local caves to help assess their tourism potentials.

The experts, who are from the British Cave Research Association had previously explored Son Doong Cave in the central province of Quang Binh.  

Thai Nguyen authorities previously worked with Quang Binh Province, the British Cave Research Association and Oxalis Adventure Company about the exploration of many caves.

According to the UK experts, many caves in Thai Nguyen have great potential for tourism development. Among those, Suoi Mo Ga Cave boasts advantages for adventurous tourism. However, the cave needs to be surveyed more.

Chua Cave has a total length of 750 metres. It is suitable for mountain climbing and kayak tours.

The experts said that Phuong Cave which is 476 metres long should be protected more carefully to prevent littering and graffiti. The stalactite system is also favourable for tourism development.

The provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism will cooperate with localities to tighten control over caves. The department will build plans on building cave tourism products, focusing on Suoi Mo Ga Cave firstly.

Lao newspaper highlights success of Party Congresses in Vietnam, Laos

The success of the National Party Congresses in Vietnam and Laos has contributed to regional stability and development, the Lao News Agency’s Pathet Lao newspaper affirmed in a front-page article on February 2.

The article underlined that the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), which took place in Hanoi from January 25 to February 1, was a success and Nguyen Phu Trong was re-elected as Party General Secretary in the 13th tenure.

The documents of the 13th National Congress have re-affirmed the viewpoint and guidelines of Doi moi (Renewal), setting the direction of and guidance for all activities of the Party and the Government for the country’s sustainable development in a new era.

It also noted that the 11th National Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) took place on January 13-15, during which Thongloun Sisoulith was elected as General Secretary of the Party.

The article said that as the two Parties originate from the same root - the Communist Party of Indochina - the LPRP and the CPV will continue to stand side-by-side in leading the entire Party, army, and people in each country, strengthening the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries in an effective and practical manner to fulfil the wishes of the people of both while contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world./.

13th National Party Congress charts comprehensive strategy: Professor

The freshly-concluded 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam has set forth a comprehensive strategy of turning Vietnam into a developed country in the next 25 years, a Vietnamese professor in the US has said.

Prof. Tran Ngoc Anh from Indiana University Bloomington and Director of the Vietnam Initiative told the Vietnam News Agency on February 1 that the key to the strategy lies with the responsibility-related mechanism.

A minister must be responsible for his ministry’s performance and a provincial leader must take responsibility for the implementation of tasks in his or her locality, he explained.

Their performance needs to be assessed objectively and publicly, he added.

Over the past five years, according to the professor, Vietnam completed three major tasks: maintaining macro stability and stable politics, signing many free trade agreements, and strongly supporting enterprises.

He also pointed out three major challenges facing the country in the years to come: human resources quality, institutional obstacles with overlapping regulations, and the environment, with air pollution in the north, flooding in the central region, and drought in the south.

Vietnam will have opportunities to penetrate into major markets as COVID-19 vaccines are administered shortly around the world, he said.

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