Experts and scientists looked into the building of a dossier for Con Moong Cave in the central province of Thanh Hoa, seeking the UNESCO’s recognition as a world heritage site, at a symposium on April 8.

The event was jointly held by the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Institute of Archaeology, and the Vietnam Archaeological Association (VNAA).

Participants evaluated the outstanding values of the cave and its surrounding areas based on excavation and research results, and exchanged experience in the building of such dossier.

Associate Professor Dr. Dang Van Bai, Vice Chairman of the National Cultural Heritage Council, suggested Thanh Hoa pay more attention to consulting experts from the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) in this regard.

In his closing remarks, VNAA Chairman Assoc. Prof. Tong Trung Tin said participants shared the view that the cave can satisfy selection criteria regarding cultural tradition, traditional human settlement, and natural habitat.

Con Moong Cave was first excavated by Vietnamese archaeologists in 1974 and recognised as a Special National Archaeological Site by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourismin 2015.

The cave has been excavated many times and determined to be the first site in the country containing traces of ancient humans from the Paleolithic to the Neolithic period.

Con Moong (meaning “animal” in the Muong ethnic minority language) is 147m above the sea level and belongs to the Dong Giao geological layer dating back 240 million years ago. It measures some 40m in length, with two gates on both ends. Inside the cave, the ceiling at some places is 10m high.

In 2020, the Prime Minister approved a plan to preserve and promote the value of Con Moong Cave and its surrounding relics./.

Photo exhibition features Vietnamese revolutionary cinema

More than 100 photos featuring Vietnamese revolutionary cinema are on displayed on Nguyễn Huệ Pedestrian Street as part of the first Hồ Chí Minh City International Film Festival 2024 from April 6-13.

The exhibition, Vẻ Vang 77 Năm Điện Ảnh Cách Mạng Việt Nam (77 Years of Vietnamese Revolutionary Cinema), highlights the history and development of Việt Nam’s cinema industry, along with President Hồ Chí Minh, soldiers and artists.

Many photos capture southern film directors, producers, and artists of the Southern Cinematography and Photography Branch (SCPB) during the anti-French and American wars.

The Vietnamese motion picture industry was established officially in March 1953, but activities actually began in the SCPB, which opened in the Đồng Tháp Mười region (now located in Đồng Tháp, Tiền Giang and Long An provinces) in 1947.

SCPB artists, such as People’s Artist Khương Mễ and Nguyễn Thế Đoàn, worked hard to make lively documentaries and films on southern soldiers and people. Some of them died during the period.

Their works are still being used to train students at art schools at home and abroad.

The first work of SCPB was Chiến Trận Mộc Hóa (Mộc Hóa Battle), a documentary by the late cameraman and film director Mễ and his colleagues, People’s Artist Mai Lộc and Meritorious Artist Vũ Sơn.

The film was first released in December 1948, featuring the victories of Battalion 307's soldiers. It won the Silver Lotus award at the second Việt Nam Film Festival in 1973.

Director Mễ received the Licorne D’Or at the Amiens International Film Festival in France in 1997.

Highlighted photos feature late People’s Artist and director Nguyễn Hồng Sến and movie star Trà Giang, who, along with their colleagues, pushed the Vietnamese revolutionary film to higher heights from 1962 to 1975.

Sến’s prize-winning films include Cánh Đồng Hoang (The Wild Field), winner of the Gold Medal at the Moscow International Film Festival in 1979.

The film focuses on a guerilla couple and their newborn son living in the Đồng Tháp Mười region of Long An Province.

Giang studied at the Việt Nam Cinematography School in Hà Nội.

She performed the lead roles in films such as Chị Tư Hậu (MrsTư Hậu) by late director Phạm Kỳ Nam in 1962 and Vĩ Tuyến 17 Ngày Và Đêm (17th Parallel, Days and Nights) by late director Hải Ninh in 1972. Both productions highlight southern women and their character.

Giang won the best actress prize at the Moscow International Film Festival in 1963 and 1973.

“Cultural authorities, and arts and cinema associations should work to maintain the quality of films produced during the revolution because they are part of the country’s history,” said Dương Cẩm Thuý, chairwoman of the HCM City Cinematography Association.

The exhibition runs until April 13. 

Over 1,000 vehicles lose business badges for speed violations

More than 1,100 business vehicle permits were revoked in December 2023 by the Hà Nội Transport Department due to speed violations.

These violations were detected through data extracted from the trip monitoring devices by the Department for Road of Việt Nam (DRVN), utilising its data processing and exploitation system.

As per regulations on business and conditions for transport operations by car, vehicles with five or more speed violations in a single month face badge revocation.

Significantly, numerous vehicles operated by transport businesses exceeded speed limits hundreds or even thousands of times in December 2023. Notable instances include the tractor belonging to Bông Sen Trading and Service Co-operative, which violated speed limits 1,063 times within one month. Additionally, four vehicles associated with Trường Hải Transport Service Cooperative, Inter Bus Line, and Đại Nam Transport Service Co-operative each breached speed limits 800 times or more within the same timeframe.

Transportation companies are prohibited from utilising the vehicles involved in violations for any transportation business activities during the period of sanction.

Furthermore, these businesses are required to conduct a thorough review and rectification of their traffic safety monitoring activities and must ensure strict compliance with traffic safety regulations among their drivers.

As reported by the Hà Nội Transport Department, an average of 700-800 transport business vehicles have their permits revoked each month due to speed violations.

However, the department noted that following the conclusion of the penalties, many vehicles persisted in committing the same violations once more.

To enforce the law rigorously, the department has recently dispatched a document to the Việt Nam Register, DRVN, transport departments, and Traffic Police across all provinces and cities, urging coordinated efforts in addressing administrative violations within the realm of road traffic. Of particular emphasis, the Việt Nam Register has been requested to direct registration centres to refrain from inspecting vehicles whose owners have not yet fully complied with administrative sanctions.

Furthermore, owners of vehicles involved in violations will be denied renewal of their driving licenses if they have been sanctioned. 

UNICEF hails Vietnamese implementation of child care and protection policies

Rana Flowers, representative of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Vietnam, applauded the nation’s socio-economic development achievements amidst challenges and difficulties, especially in terms of implementing priority policies related to child care and protection.

Meeting with Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Vietnam's Permanent Representative to the UN, in New York on April 8, the official affirmed that UNICEF welcomes the nation’s initiative on the Resolution on the International Day of Play recently approved by the UN General Assembly. He described it as a practical and significant contribution to the international community's common goal of children's comprehensive development.

The organisation always places importance on its relations with the country and will continue supporting the nation’s implementation of priorities in this field.

Ambassador Giang welcomed the UNICEF's important role and effective co-operation in the care, education, protection, and promotion of the rights of local children.

He expressed his hope that the organisation will continue paying attention to supporting the country in terms of mobilising resources, building policies, and accelerating specific and practical co-operation projects to carry out the outcomes of the meeting in New York in March held between then Vice State President Vo Thi Anh Xuan and Catherine Russell, executive director of UNICEF.

At the meeting, both sides consented to jointly organise activities aimed at celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam-UNICEF partnership, whilst also seeking to take advantage of this milestone to outline directions for co-operation in the new period.

Vietnam, Russia’s Ulyanovsk eye broader cooperation

A delegation from Russia’s Ulyanovsk region led by its Governor Aleksey Yurevich Russkich visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Moscow on April 8.

Upon welcoming the visitors, Ambassador Dang Minh Khoi highlighted the time-honoured ties that exist between Vietnam and Russia, stating that the Vietnamese people always bear in mind the support from the former Soviet Union and Russia during the country’s past struggle against the French colonists, as well as the current national construction and development.

He highlighted the rapid development of bilateral ties, saying that the Vietnamese side always regards Russia as a leading partner in terms of security, defence, foreign affairs, and oil and gas.

The Vietnamese diplomat recalled important political events between the two countries in 2023, such as the phone talks between Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as the visits to Vietnam made by Dmitry Mededev, deputy chairman of the Security Council of Russia. This is along with trips made by Vyacheslav Volodin, chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of Russia, and Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko.

Most recently, General Secretary Trong extended condolences to Russia over the terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall on March 22, stating that many Vietnamese people living and working in Russia has donated blood and money to support families of the victims.

Khoi also spoke highly of the twinning ties between Nghe An province and Ulyanovsk region, using the occasion to thank leaders of the Russian locality for creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese people to enjoy stable lives in the province.

In response, Russkich stressed that as both nations have not tapped into their existing potential to the fullest extent, they should join hands to further develop bilateral ties across multiple fields, including economics and politics.

Ulyanovsk region wants to introduce its potential to Vietnamese partners so as to seek opportunities to bolster bilateral co-operation, he added.

He went on to say that a working delegation from the province will visit the nation moving forward and attend a ceremony to inaugurate a Vladimir Lenin statue in Nghe An province on April 16. He therefore expressed his hope that the visit will serve as a motivation to boost the ties between Ulyanovsk and Vietnamese localities, as well as between the two countries as a whole.

He thanked the Vietnamese community in Ulyanovsk for their positive contributions made to the bilateral humanitarian ties, as well as those in Moscow for supporting victims of the attack last month.

NA Chairman joins in Vietnam - China people’s friendship meeting

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue attended a Vietnam - China people’s friendship meeting that also saw the presence of many intellectuals, scholars, researchers on Vietnam, and representatives of businesses and young people in Beijing on April 9.

President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) Phan Anh Son said that over the past years, VUFO and its member organisations have actively coordinated with the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), other people’s organisations, and localities of China to hold many meaningful activities helping educate people, particularly the young, on the two countries’ traditional friendship.

CPAFFC Chairman Yang Wanming described people’s friendship as an important foundation and uninterrupted momentum for relations between the two Parties and countries, noting that activities boosting friendship exchanges and cooperation have considerably contributed to connecting the two peoples and developing bilateral ties.

At the event, participants expressed their hope that people-to-people exchanges will be further promoted to reinforce the social foundation for building a Vietnam - China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.

Highlighting the time-tested bilateral friendship, Chairman Hue, who is paying an official visit to China, said the countries’ solidarity and “comradeship plus brotherhood” have become a precious common asset of the two Parties, States, and peoples that need to be unceasingly treasured, nurtured, and passed down to future generations.

Vietnam always keeps in mind the wholehearted assistance from the Chinese Party, State, and people for its struggle for national independence in the past and national development at present, he stated, voicing his delight at the growth of bilateral ties in recent years, including many successful diplomatic activities such as the historic visit to China by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in 2022 and the trip to Vietnam by Party General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping in 2023.

The top legislator underlined that one of the most important cooperation orientations in the countries’ relations is to consolidate a more solid social foundation. He appreciated the sentiment and significant contributions by Vietnamese and Chinese people.

He asked the NA of Vietnam, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and VUFO to join hands with the National People’s Congress of China, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the CPAFFC, and people’s organisations of China to press on with friendship exchanges, especially those between young people, and step up communications about the Vietnam - China friendship along with each country’s reform and door-opening achievements, thereby consolidating the social foundation and promoting people’s consensus for developing the countries’ friendship./.

Expert teams detect infringement in distributing films on internet

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said that the team of experts on the management of film in cyberspace has contributed to the detection of many infringements in distributing films on the internet.

Because some film has illegal content and images of the nine-dash line which severely affect cultural security and national sovereignty on the internet, Hanoi voters voiced their petition on the increasing responsibility and careful censorship in appraisal and licensing of foreign films shown online on social networking platforms.

Answering voters’ petitions, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung stated that pursuant to the provisions of Clause 2, Article 21 of the Cinema Law, all movies distributed in cyberspace in Vietnam must display ratings and warnings according to the Government's regulations.

Moreover, the Minister said that those posting movies on the internet must be responsible before the law for the content and results of film classification. In case the conditions for classifying films are not yet met, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism or an agency authorized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is requested to classify films.

Furthermore, he revealed that according to the Article 12 of the Government’s Decree No. 131/2022/ND-CP on December 31, 2022, those disseminating films in cyberspace can only disseminate films with a film classification license or broadcast decision in accordance with the provisions of the exisiting law.

Films that have not been granted a classification license must be classified according to regulations or must be classified by qualified persons themselves before dissemination. Those who are responsible for classifying the movies must notify the list of films to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism before disseminating films in cyberspace.

The Ministry's leaders also stated that according to the provisions of Clause 5 of Article 21 in the Cinema Law, staff of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism must work hard to check film content, classification and display of popular movies on cyberspace. Last but not least, the Ministry must coordinate with the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Ministry of Public Security and relevant agencies to implement measures to prevent and handle violations as per the present regulations.

According to Minister Nguyen Van Hung, in 2023 the Ministry issued a decision to establish a team of experts to manage film dissemination in cyberspace who are responsible for checking movie content, classifying movies, and displaying the results of popular movie classification on cyberspace.

As a result, in recent times, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has checked the film content, classified and displayed the results of classifying films that violate the law, have illegal content and images of the illegal nine-dash line affecting Vietnam’s cultural security and national sovereignty.

At the same time, the Ministry has liaised with relevant agencies to handle violations related to the movies including MH370: Chiec may bay mat tich (MH370: The Missing Plane), Huong gio ma di (Go towards the wind).

The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism said the Ministry would continue to propagate and disseminate information to people in addition to the appraisal and issuance of film classification licenses in compliance with the provisions of the current law.

Thang Long Imperial Citadel archaeological excavation continues
 
The secrets of Vietnam's history and the capital of Thang Long-Hanoi will continue to be unearthed at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recently authorized the Thanh Long-Hanoi Cultural Heritage Preservation Center to coordinate with the Institute of Archaeology on the excavation of the central area of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel in Hanoi.

The excavation on the area of nearly 1,000 square meters, led by archaeologist Ha Van Can, Institute of Archaeology, will run until December 25.

In particular, the excavation pit on the foundation of Kinh Thien Palace is 30 square meters. The excavation pit in the Hau Lau (rear palace) area has an area of 200 square meters, and the excavation pit in front of the Operations Department House covers an area of 640 square meters. The remaining excavation pit takes up an area of 120 square meters.  

The agency authorized to carry out the excavation must protect the stratigraphy of the monument. At the same time, it is responsible for informing the population about the protection of the local cultural heritage and not to announce any official conclusions without the consent of the governing body and the Department of Cultural Heritage.

The artifacts from the excavation will be under the care of the Thang Long-Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center.

Upon completion of the excavation, the Thang Long-Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center and the Institute of Archaeology will have to prepare a preliminary report and propose a management and protection plan for the excavation site to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

In late 2023, for the first time, archaeological researchers were able to accurately determine the underlying structure and overall morphology of the Kinh Thien Palace - the most important architecture considered to be the heart of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel.

With this archaeological breakthrough, the public's desire to better understand the palace is probably closer to being fulfilled than ever.

Excavations at the ancient Thang Long Citadel have been going on for 20 years, revealing many architectural remains of palaces and countless artifacts. The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is a complex of historical imperial structures located in the center of Hanoi. It was first built in 1011 under the reign of King Ly Thai To of the Ly Dynasty. Situated in the heart of Hanoi, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel is an outstanding landmark not only for the capital city but also for the entire country. The site is one of the ten special national heritage sites proclaimed by the Prime Minister in 2009, and was inscribed on the World Heritage List by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in 2010.

Revised land law shows fair policy towards OVs: Ambassador

Overseas Vietnamese (OV) are thrilled to hear about new provisions in the Land Law (revised) passed recently by the National Assembly (NA), which demonstrates the attention of the Party, the State, the Government, and the NA in ensuring equal rights between OVs and Vietnamese citizens residing inside the country to purchase and own land use right and houses in their homeland, said Vietnamese Ambassador to Hungary Nguyen Thi Bich Thao.

In a meeting with NA Vice Chairman Tran Quang Phuong, who was on a working visit to Europe, the diplomat expressed the hope that specific regulations regarding procedures and necessary documents for real estate transactions involving OVs will be issued soon.

From a business perspective, Pham Ngoc Chu, Vice Chairman of the Global Vietnamese Business Association and Chairman of the Vietnamese Business Association in Hungary, affirmed that businesses in Europe strongly support the law as it ensures equality between OVs and Vietnamese businesses and those living in the homeland in buying, selling, transferring, and inheriting land use right and houses in Vietnam.

This will encourage Vietnamese citizens and businesses abroad to pour more investment in the homeland in all fields, he added.

In the meeting, NA Vice Chairman Phuong affirmed that the Vietnamese community abroad is an inseparable part of the nation.

He also addressed numerous opinions from the community regarding such matters as restoring the Vietnamese nationality, issuing citizenship cards, increasing the number of scholarships for Vietnamese students, teaching the Vietnamese language, and preserving and promoting the Vietnamese culture in Hungary./.

Top 10 best video clips of "I Love Vietnam" contest revealed

The Vietnam Film Promotion Association has just announced the 10 best video clips of the online video contest called "I Love Vietnam".

The film location promotion video contest was kicked off at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF) last May. It aims to spread the love for Vietnam, and promote images of the country as a tourist destination and the best location for filming to international friends.

The entries must introduce to visitors new and unfamiliar destinations, beautiful natural landscapes, and especially undiscovered scenic spots that are suitable for film shooting.

The organization board received 289 submissions and selected 10 best works for the final round, including Cinematic Adventure Kong, Buoc Chan Tay Nguyen (Footsteps of the Central Highlands), An Giang - Way back home, Exploring the Tiger Cave, Red Maple Tree forest in Quang Tri, Lost in Vietnam, Vietnam - the best forever, Pieces of Vietnam, Why you should visit Vietnam, Camping on the La An pine hill.

The competition is jointly organized by the Vietnam Film Development Association (VFDA) and the Motion Picture Association of America (MPA) in collaboration with the Embassy of the United States in Vietnam, BHD Star Cineplex Vietnam One Member Company Limited, K Plus Vietnam, and TikTok Technologies Vietnam Company Limited.

The award ceremony will be held at the second Da Nang Asian Film Festival which is set to take place in the central coastal city of Da Nang from July 2-6.

Vietnamese, Aussie universities sign cooperation agreement on AI research

Vietnam National University and Deakin University in Victoria, Australia signed a memorandum of cooperation on research and training in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) and a number of other fields on April 8.

Accordingly, the two sides will simultaneously implement many areas of cooperation, including training and research in community health, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, digital transformation, agriculture, environment, sustainable development, and climate change adaptation; develop short-term training programs on university management and public administration for leaders and managers of universities, state agencies, and businesses.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Vu Hai Quan, Director of Vietnam National University – HCMC, in the coming time, both universities will focus on enhancing the development of joint research projects in the field of AI and information technology. Specifically, the two sides will research and develop AI applications to address major issues in healthcare, agriculture, public administration management, and smart city construction in Vietnam, contributing to a plan to implement the program ‘Developing AI Applications in HCMC in the 2020-2030 Period’.

Deakin University has improved its position in the latest Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, climbing 12 places from 277 to 265 and confirming its place in the top 1 percent of universities worldwide.

The university is ranked the no. 1 Sport Science School in the world with the ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Sport Science Schools and Departments 2022, the world's top 5 for education and education research, top 16 universities in the world for Nursing.

In addition, Deakin University is a global leader ranked in the top 1 percent in a number of study areas, including computer science and information systems, communication and media studies, engineering, social humanities, accounting and finance, life sciences and medicine, business and management studies, and architecture.

Military supply water to drought-struck areas

The 9th Military Region Command has arranged three logistics vessels to carry 1,700 cubic metres of clean water to drought-stricken people in the Mekong Delta province of Ca Mau.

Around 320 cubic metres of clean water were provided for people in Bien Bach Commune in Thoi Binh District today, April 8. The water will also be supplied to people in Khanh Binh Dong Commune in Tran Van Thoi District and Khanh Thuan Commune in U Minh District. These localities have been hardest hit by the water scarcity in Ca Mau.

The locals bought water for VND50,000 (USD2.1) per cubic metre. In Bien Bach Commune alone, up to 500 households are struggling with the water shortage.

The 9th Military Region Command will maintain this supply for drought-ravaged areas in the Mekong Delta until the end of the dry season.

As many as 2,600 households in Ca Mau are in dire need of water due to the prolonged saline intrusion and droughts.

Ca Mau Province has allocated VND10 billion to purchase water storage containers and extend water pipelines to improve the water supply.

Many other provinces in the Mekong Delta region, including Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Tra Vinh and Soc Trang, are also experiencing water scarcity.

Football association fosters overseas Vietnamese’ sports movements in RoK

The Vietnam Football Association in the Republic of Korea (VFAK) recently held its second congress, introducing a new 27-member executive committee.

Established on March 24, 2019, the association aims to create a platform for Vietnamese football enthusiasts living, working, and studying in the East Asian nation.

In his remarks at the April 7 congress, Ambassador Vu Ho acknowledged that the tournaments organised by the VFAK have contributed to community cohesion, fostering a healthy sports culture, and providing beneficial recreational activities for the expatriates.

The diplomat also pledged further support for the association.

VFAK President Doan Quang Viet stated that for the 2024-2026 term, the association is set to overhaul its personnel, enhance the quality and scale of football events, and increase collaboration with Vietnamese associations to promote sports movements and foster healthy lifestyles within the community.

On the sidelines of the event, the VFAK signed a cooperation agreement with SBI Cosmoney, an international money transfer company, to support the association's activities in the upcoming period./.

Building of legal corridor for AI development, application underway: Official

The building of legal regulations related to virtual assistants in particular and artificial intelligence (AI) applications in general in Vietnam has been drastically implemented, said Deputy Minister of Information and Communications (MIC) Nguyen Phu Tien at a press conference in Hanoi on April 8.

The official underlined that one of the tasks stated in a decision issued by the Prime Minister on January 26, 2021, on the national strategy on AI research, development and application until 2030 is  to build and improve policies and laws to create an open legal corridor to meet the requirements of promoting research, development, and application AI in life.

Under the decision, the MIC is tasked to build, complete, and supplement legal documents regarding electronic transactions, he said, adding that the ministry is actively researching, building, and supplementing relevant decrees and circulars, including those in establishing and sharing data on testing institutional frameworks (sandboxes) and creating a favourable testing space with its own legal policy framework to conduct AI testing in areas with high potential.

At the same time, it has advised the Government to issue a decree on managing, connecting, and sharing digital data among State agencies, while building technical standards and regulations defining AI technology and products, said Tien.

Other relevant ministries and agencies are also drastically implementing their assigned tasks in the work, the MIC Deputy Minister said.

He affirmed that the overarching viewpoint in developing legal regulations related to virtual assistants is putting the people and businesses at the centre of AI development and application, avoiding technology abuse and infringement of legitimate rights and interests of organisations and individuals.

Many businesses have committed to accompanying the ministry in building a legal environment that ensures the rights and interests of individuals and organisations in the online environment but does not inhibit the development of society, the official said./.

Health Ministry leader says it hard to control bird flu outbreak

Dr. Nguyen Luong Tam, Deputy Director of the Department of Preventive Medicine, said that it is hard to control an outbreak of bird flu which caused the first case of A/H9 in Vietnam.

Regarding the first person in Vietnam to be infected with avian flu A/H9 in Vietnam, Dr. Nguyen Luong Tam, Deputy Director of the Department of Preventive Medicine under the Ministry of Health said, according to medical documents in the world, the most frequently identified sub-types of avian influenza A viruses that have caused human infections are H5, H7 and H9 viruses.

Among them, H5 is a highly virulent strain that often causes large outbreaks and mass deaths of poultry. However, the H5 sub-type of avian influenza A virus is transmitted into humans, it causes severe symptoms and a very high mortality rate. Meanwhile, the sub-types H7 and H9 are low virulence strains that usually cause mild disease and rarely cause mass deaths in poultry. Combined with these strains are N antigen subtypes from 1 to 9. The combination and recombination of H and N antigens can create many types of avian influenza that infect humans.

Currently, avian influenza viruses including strains H5N1, H5N6, H5N8, H7N9, and H9N2 have been recorded in animals in the world with the main strains including H5N1, H7N9, and H9N2.

For the first case of influenza A (H9) in the country, through epidemiological investigation, the patient's place of residence was in a poultry market. Worse, people trade poultry in front of the patient's house. However, there have been no reports of sick or dead poultry around the area where the patient is living. The failure to detect H9 outbreaks in poultry makes epidemiological surveillance, identification and localization of outbreaks difficult, which may affect the implementation of disease control measures, said Dr. Nguyen Luong Tam.

At the same time, the health watchdog recommended that people and those raising, trading, transporting, and slaughtering poultry should strictly comply with disease prevention measures when in direct contact with poultry or going to high-risk areas such as markets or poultry farms or markets where people sell live poultry and animals.

Meanwhile, Associate Professor Tran Dac Phu, former Director of the Department of Preventive Medicine, said that influenza A (H5N1) has so far mainly infected humans in the country. Thus, after the discovery of the first case of influenza A (H9) in humans, it requires more vigilance because influenza virus strains can easily mutate into more severe or more virulent strains, spread quickly and have more severe symptoms.

According to Director Hoang Minh Duc of the Department of Preventive Medicine, up to now, there is no vaccine or specific treatment for avian influenza in humans, so the death rate is very high, up to 50 percent.

At the same time, scientists around the world have identified many strains of influenza transmitted to humans such as A (H5N6), A (H5N1), A (H5N8), and A (H9). The simultaneous circulation of many strains of the avian influenza virus and the spread to mammals is a worrying factor because it possibly causes an increase in avian influenza epidemics in humans. Therefore, it is necessary to continue to strengthen disease control in poultry flocks to prevent the risk of the disease spread, Dr. Duc warned.

Report on digital transformation 2023 launched

The annual Report on Digital Transformation 2023 was launched by the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) at a press conference in Hanoi on April 9, providing enterprises with an insight into the twin green and digital transition trend in the world.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Director of the MPI’s Enterprise Development Department Nguyen Duc trung said that the report is an update of the digital transformation in the world and Vietnam in particular, while highlighting the twin transition that has been carried out by enterprises across the globe.

With valuable information as well as digital and green transition stories, the report will help the business community make right choices during the process, he said, adding it is also expected to offer ministries, agencies and localities new approaches to support enterprises.

As part of the programme to support businesses to go digital during 2021-2025, various activities were implemented by the MPI and competent domestic and international parties, with a focus being raising digital transformation awareness of enterprises across 63 cities and provinces.

Firms have understood the significance of digital transformation, with many proactively integrating digital transformation target into their development strategy as well as mobilising necessary resources for digital transformation projects, the report revealed.

It stated that the twin transition has become increasingly important on a global scale, with initiatives revolving around improving productivity and economic efficiency in a sustainable manner, enhancing climate change resilience, and cutting or eliminating greenhouse gas emissions.

In Vietnam, digital technology and digital transformation are expected to be a motivation to bolster green economic transition and realise strategic targets on green growth.

According to Director for Sustainable Economic Development at GIZ Vietnam Dennis Quennet, although enterprises are well aware of digital transformation, they need supporting policies and programmes to make breakthroughs in the process in the coming time./.

EVN calls on HCM City residents to save electricity

According to the HCM City Power Corporation (EVN HCMC), due to prolonged hot weather, the City's electricity consumption in early April has continuously increased and surpassed the peak of 2023.

From April 3 to April 5, daily electricity consumption reached from 95 to nearly 97 million kWh. Meanwhile, the highest daily electricity consumption of 2023 was 94.8 million (May 6).

It is forecast that in the coming days of April, temperatures in the City and the Southern region will continue to be hot and sunny. The average temperature is about 36 - 38 degrees Celsius, and the actual outdoor temperature sometimes reaches 40 - 41 degrees Celsius.

The number of sunny hours a day has also increased, so electricity consumption may continue to grow, and is forecast to increase by 30-40 per cent compared to March.

Bùi Trung Kiên, a deputy of EVN HCMC, said that prolonged hot weather has led people to use more cooling equipment such as air conditioners. This has led to increased electricity consuption.

In order to reduce electricity consumption, he recommended that people clean their air conditioners at least every three months. Cleaning the air conditioner regularly not only effectively saves electricity but also increases the life of the machine, Kiên said.

People should also only set the air conditioner temperature around 26 degrees Celsius, because if the temperature is set too low, it will cause excess electricity consumption.

In addition, EVN HCMC continues to call on people to use electricity effectively such as turning off electrical appliances when leaving a room, only using air conditioning when absolutely necessary and prioritising the purchase of cooling equipment with electricity saving functions.

More food poisoning involving students in Khánh Hòa Province

Several students in Khánh Sơn District of the south-central province Khánh Hoà were hospitalised after eating rice balls and rolls sold by local people in front of the school gates, reported the district’s medical centre.

Around 10am on Tuesday, the students who had this food exhibited issues like fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain and frequent loose stools. Then they were taken to a medical facility for initial treatment.

As of 4pm the same day, 31 students were taken to medical facilities, of which, four were discharged as outpatients, and 27 are being monitored for treatment. Their health was temporarily stable.

According to initial information, the students bought the food from a local people at the gates of preschool, primary and secondary schools in Tô Hạp Town.

After receiving information about the case, the Khánh Sơn Medical Centre implemented measures to handle mass food poisoning according to regulations.

From March 12 to date, Khánh Hoà Province recorded three consecutive cases of suspected food poisoning from eating at restaurants and street vendors.

The latest was the case of dozens of students being hospitalised after eating breakfast from the joints in front of the school gates in Vĩnh Trườn Ward of Nha Trang city, including one student who died on the morning of April 5.

On April 5, the Department of Education and Training of Khánh Hoà Province issued urgent dispatch 930/SGDĐT-VP to relevant units on the implementation of food safety and food poisoning prevention and control at educational establishments.

The provincial education authorities requested that units promote information dissemination to raise awareness and responsibility of officials, teachers, employees, students and parents in food safety and food poisoning prevention and control, strictly manage the origin of food, domestic water sources and stages of food processing, preserving and transporting in schools as well as comply with the three-step delivery and verification process and storing food samples according to regulations.

Schools have to proactively develop plans and scenarios for responses to food poisoning incident as well as promptly detect and report to local authorities food establishments and individuals near school campuses that might be lacking in food safety and hygiene.

The heads of the educational institutions are fully responsible if food poisoning occurs in the canteens managed by the schools. 

Vietnam, Saudi Arabia bolster labour collaboration

Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung received Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Vietnam Mohammed Ismaeil A. Dahlwy in Hanoi on April 9, during which they discussed measures to promote labour cooperation between the two countries.

Mohammed Ismaeil A. Dahlwy affirmed his country really wants to continue receiving an increasing number of Vietnamese workers, not only in the field of domestic work but also in many others. This will contribute to further strengthening bilateral cooperation.

Dung assessed that the bilateral relationship has great potential when the two sides further promote their diplomatic cooperation, thereby creating opportunities not only for the economy but also for other fields on labour and employment.

There also remains an ample room for developing labour relations, especially in human resources cooperation in vocational training, he said.

Statistics show there are currently about 5,000 Vietnamese labourers working in Saudi Arabia, mainly in domestic work, construction, and restaurant services, which is not commensurate with the potential for development cooperation of the two countries, partly due to legal institutions and geographical distance, the official stressed.

In order to increase the number of high-quality Vietnamese guest workers in Saudi Arabia, Dung proposed the two countries share similar views on institutions and laws in sending and receiving foreign labourers. Saudi Arabia should support vocational skills training for Vietnamese workers; specify contents related to salary and bonus regimes; adjust the content of the domestic worker recruitment agreement signed in 2014; and expand the occupational fields to industry, oil and gas exploitation, and mechanical engineering, he suggested./.

Border management focus shifted to cooperation for development

The focus of border management and protection between Vietnam and neighbouring countries has shifted from demarcation to cooperation for development, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son has said.

In his concluding statement delivered at a conference on reviewing and guiding the implementation of land border gate planning held in Hanoi on April 8, Son noted it is crucial to seize collaboration opportunities to promote development in border areas.

The minister also highlighted a need to leverage the role of border gates by enhancing harmonious connectivity of road and railway systems with China’s border provinces and inland regions, the ASEAN region, and Central Asian countries.

The conference was attended by representatives of several ministries and leaders of 25 provinces bordering China, Laos, and Cambodia on land.

At the conference, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc said since 2020, the ministry has coordinated with relevant ministries, sectors, and localities to conduct research and build border gate planning along the entire land border.

According to him, the plans, approved by the Prime Minister, play a role in guiding the development roadmap in the medium term by 2030, with a long-term vision towards 2050 and beyond. They provide an important internal legal framework for investment serving border infrastructure development, standardise and modernise border gate systems in a sustainable manner, and gradually develop digital and smart ones.

Participants delved into discussions on the opening and upgrading of border gates at the local level, as well as the advantages and difficulties in the implementation of border gate planning.

They said it is essential to prioritise the sequence of border gates mentioned in the plans and coordinate real-time exchanges for consensus with Chinese, Lao, and Cambodian counterparts./.

Vietnam treasures cooperation with World Intellectual Property Organisation

Ambassador Mai Phan Dung, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN), World Trade Organisation (WTO), and other international organisations in Geneva, received representatives from the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO)’s Division for Asia and the Pacific on April 9.

At his working session with the division’s Director Andrew Ong, Dung expressed his delight at the close cooperation between the WIPO and Vietnam.

He affirmed the importance of intellectual property for economic development, and emphasised the Vietnamese Government's attention to this field, given the fact that applying new technology is an important solution in the context of Vietnam's commitment to reduce emissions.

Ong said that the WIPO attaches great importance to cooperation with Vietnam and thinks that Vietnam is a bright spot in innovation activities as well as supporting women-owned small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
He said he is very impressed by success stories of Vietnamese SMEs in applying intellectual property knowledge in business, adding that the WIPO also shared these examples on its website to inspire others and help the businesses promote their images, reach target markets, and increase exports.

Dung took the occasion to thank the WIPO for its effective support in implementing technical assistance projects and improving professional capacity for human resources in the field of intellectual property in Vietnam. He pledged to continue strengthening collaboration between the Vietnamese Delegation to Geneva and the WIPO, and showed his hope that the organisation will maintain support for Vietnam’s activities related to intellectual property./.

Workshop talks Vietnamese film marketing, distribution in int’l markets

Issues of Vietnamese film marketing and distribution in international markets were discussed at a workshop held on April 9 as part of the Ho Chi Minh City International Film Festival (HIFF) 2024.

Tran Phuong Thao, Director for business and marketing at the BHD Co. Ltd, said current marketing and distribution strategies are making it hard for Vietnamese films to access European and American markets. Filmmakers have just paid attention to the domestic market as they thought the domestic audience are more important, and films are distributed in international markets only when they make a hit locally.

Besides, comedies are more popular in the domestic market as they can easily access the local audience, but this genre is not a favourite choice of international watchers, she pointed out, perceiving that how to distribute Vietnamese films to global markets remains a big challenge.

Apart from content-related hurdles, producers in Vietnam haven’t built detailed production plans, leading to a failure in distributing films to other countries, Thao added.

Winnie Lau, former head of Asian production and distribution at a subsidiary of SKE, held that although Vietnam has a developing cinema market, production cooperation remains limited among the local film producers. Other countries in Asia like China and Japan share similarities in culture, market, and producers, so it is not too difficult for their films to access global markets.

Meanwhile, Nguyen Pham Hoang Quan, CEO of media company ProductionQ, said one reason behind limited film marketing and distribution strategies is that producers have yet to truly understand film marketing. They need to learn about their target audience, introduce outstanding points of their film projects to attract watchers, and change audience access approaches.

Producers who plan to distribute film to international markets need to make thorough preparations, including devising detailed strategies for marketing on different platforms to access as many people as possible. A successful film project in other countries needs effective coordination between the marketing staff and producers, he opined./.

Source: VNA/SGT/VNS/VOV/Dtinews/SGGP/VGP/Hanoitimes