A total of 37 people were killed and 52 others were injured in 81 traffic accidents nationwide during the Hung Kings Commemoration Day holiday, which started on April 9.

According to the Traffic Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security, police handled 15,951 traffic violations, with total fines of more than 17.18 billion VND (about 751,465 USD). As many as 2,033 vehicles were seized and 1,236 drivers had their licences revoked.

Of the total, as many as 230 road traffic violations were handled by the department's police force, with total fines of more than 889 million VND. Nine vehicles were seized and 90 drivers had their licences withdrawn.

Meanwhile, waterway traffic police dealt with 159 violating cases, with fines worth 281.2 million VND imposed.

Notably, a severe motorbike accident was reported Cam Lam district in the cental province of Khanh Hoa on April 10, leaving three people dead.

Exhibition builds cultural bridge between Vietnam and Italy

For the first time, the full collection of 12 ceramic boots created by late People's Artisan Vu Thang is on display at an exhibition titled “The Bat Trang Ceramic Boots - An Inspiration from Italy”.

The event is being held at Casa Italia, Hanoi, from April 10 to May 3, by the Embassy of Italy and the Hon Dat Viet Bat Trang Art Museum (Bat Trang Museum).

Organisers said the powerful creativity, unique skills and delicate ceramic techniques of Vu Thang, one of only two People’s Artists of Bat Trang ceramic village, are exquisitely represented through the image of the boot embroiled with Vietnamese traditional motifs.

The highlight of the exhibition is a ceramic pair of shoes that was recognised by Guinness Vietnam in 2013 as the largest nationwide.

“Talented craftsmanship from a 700-year-old Vietnamese village and the unique taste for beauty and style of Italy, the “boot-shaped country”, have much in common in spite of their geographical distance: they are both expressions of people’s creativity and skillfulness and are deeply connected to each country’s traditions and cultural heritage,” they said.

Vietnam logs 23,184 new COVID-19 cases on April 11

An additional 23,184 COVID-19 infections, including three imported cases, were reported in Vietnam on April 11, the Ministry of Health announced.

The new infections brought the country’s total caseload to 10,250,160 since the pandemic broke out, ranking 12 out of 227 countries and territories in the world.

The capital city of Hanoi continued to log the highest number of infections on April 11, with 2,011 cases.

It was followed by central Nghe An and northern Yen Bai provinces, with 1,470 and 1,271 infections, respectively.

The same day, 22,400 patients were declared to recover from the disease, raising the total number of recoveries to 8,554,923.

Meanwhile, 17 fatalities were reported on April 11, lifting the country’s death toll to 42,830.

As of April 11, more than 208.56 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines had been administered in Vietnam.

Da Nang serves nearly 78,000 visitors during Hung Kings commemoration holiday

The central coastal city of Da Nang welcomed almost 78,000 visitors during the holiday from April 9 to 11 for the commemoration of the Hung Kings, the legendary founder of Vietnam.

According to the municipal Department of Tourism, the room occupancy rate of local 4-5 star hotels was about 50-60 percent during the period. Meanwhile, tourists flocked to popular destinations such as Sun World Ba Na Hills, Mikazuki entertainment site, and Ngu Hanh Son (Marble Mountains) landscape.

On the occasion, the city organised a series of enticing events, including the launch of the tourism promotion programme Enjoy Danang, which is participated by more than 200 firms and offers various preferential products and services.

Da Nang organised the first boat trip to Ly Son island in neighbouring Quang Ngai province on April 9 carrying nearly 400 guests. It also applied free entrance fees for visitors to Ngu Hanh Son, Danang Museum, Fine Arts Museum, and Cham Sculpture Museum.

Cultural and art events, including the electronic music programme "DaNang - The City of Future", also took place along the banks of the Han river.

TRI – Factor Vietnam attracts nearly 300 athletes

Nearly 300 foreign and domestic athletes competed in TRI - Factor Vietnam 2022 which took place on April 10 in Vung Tau city in the southern province of Ba Ria - Vung Tau.

TRI - Factor Vung Tau - Vietnam belongs to the Asian championship system. It offered a chance for Vung Tau city to promote its tourism to domestic and foreign visitors.

The triathlon featured five distances, including Enduro (1.5km swimming, 80km cycling, and 20km running); Standard (1.5km swimming, 40km cycling, and 10km running); Sprint (759m swimming, 20km cycling, and 5km running); Aquathlon Sprint (750m swimming and 5km running); and Standard for duathlon (1st running: 10km and 40km cycling, and 2nd running: 5km).

Besides Vietnamese athletes, the event saw the participation of those from Japan, Singapore, Taiwan (China), Canada, France, South Africa, the UK, Spain, and the US.

According to the organiser, TRI - Factor Vietnam 2022 was considered a tournament to select athletes for Vietnam’s national Aqualon, Triathlon and Duathlon teams to attend the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31).

TRI - Factor has given athletes world-class challenges and experiences and with many different levels.

Chris Clark from the UK said he feels excited about this year's tournament, adding that although the weather was very harsh, local volunteers actively supported and guided athletes.

Park Hang-seo reveals three over-23 players for SEA Games

Coach Park Hang-seo has announced the names of three over 23-year-old players who will be in Vietnam’s line-up to compete at the upcoming 31st Southeast Asian Games.

The Korean coach picked midfield duo Do Hung Dung and Nguyen Hoang Duc and striker Nguyen Tien Linh for the campaign to defend the title this May. All were members of the Vietnam team that won a gold medal at the last SEA Games in 2019.

Dung is currently the national senior team captain. The 28-year-old has just returned to action after several months out due to a leg injury, but his performance has persuaded his coaches at Hanoi FC as well as Park and his assistants.

Duc, 24, has been a key player for Vietnam in recent years and tournaments. He has just won the Golden Ball for the best player of the 2021 season.

Linh, 24, is a sharp forward. At the recent 2022 World Cup qualifying rounds, he netted eight goals, outscoring  Korean Son Heung-min (seven goals), Argentinean Lionel Messi (seven goals) and Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo (six goals).

Park’s decision to leave one of his key midfielders Nguyen Quang Hai at home goes against the widespread expectations of the last few days.

Overseas Vietnamese abroad commemorate legendary national founders

The Vietnamese communities in Russia, Thailand, the Czech Republic, Canada and Germany have held ceremonies to commemorate the death anniversary of Hung Kings - the country’s legendary founders.

The Hung Kings are commemorated each year on the 10th day of the third lunar month, which falls on April 10 this year, as an occasion for the nation to express gratitude to the ancestors.  

During the ceremony in Russia on April 10, Phan Le Chuyen, on behalf of 10 Vietnamese people evacuated from the Mariupol war zone in Ukraine to Russia, thanked the Vietnamese community in Russia for their support for the evacuees.

The celebration offered a chance for Vietnamese people abroad to express their solidarity and turn their hearts towards the homeland, said Dr. Nguyen Quoc Hung, Vice Chairman of the Vietnamese Association in Russia.

Addressing the event in Udon Thani province of Thailand on the same day, Chairman of the Vietnamese Association in Udon Thani Luong Xuan Hoa said that this year is the 4th year in a row the community has held the commemoration in Khanh An Pagoda.

He called on overseas Vietnamese in Thailand, especially young people, to join hands to preserve the traditional culture of the nation, and maintain practical activities towards the homeland.

The same day, a ceremony to commemorate Hung Kings was organised under the chair of Venerable Thich Phap Nhan, head of Pho Da Temple in Berlin, Germany.

On this occasion, Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany Vu Quang Minh presented certificates of merit to four individuals who had made special contributions as well as had great influence on the Vietnamese community in the European country.
                      
Previously, speaking at a ceremony to commemorate Hung Kings in the Czech Republic on April 9, Vietnamese Ambassador Thai Xuan Dung affirmed that the embassy always accompanies activities of the Vietnamese community in the country in order to preserve and promote the nation's cultural identity and traditions, and strengthen solidarity.

On April 8, a similar ceremony was held by the Vietnamese Embassy and community in Hungary to pay homage to Hung Kings.

President commends brave men for saving lives

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on April 11 praised a firefighter in the southern province of Dong Nai and a resident in the northern province of Nam Dinh for saving many people in the past two days.

The brave men are Lieutenant Thai Ngo Hieu from the Dong Nai’s fire prevention and rescue police division, and Nguyen Duc Chinh, who resides in Nam Dinh’s Hai Hau district.

President Phuc said he was moved by Hieu’s bravery and effort to save four young men aged 19-23, who faced a risk of drowning while bathing in the sea in the Mekong Delta province of Ba Ria – Vung Tau’s Long Dien district on April 10.

The President also lauded Chinh for his quick and brave act of jumping from Thinh Long bridge at a height of about 30m into Ninh Co river to save a female 8th grader who was struggling in the fast-flowing water on April 9.

Stressing that their actions were brave, noble, and admirable, the President said examples of self-sacrificing people in the community need to be promptly spread so that more people can have more faith in the good things in life.

He requested awards be presented to the men to encourage more good acts to take place.

Traditional festivals of Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar celebrated in HCM City

Bunpimay, Songkran, Chol Chhnam Thmay, and Thingyang - the traditional new year festivals of Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar, were celebrated at a ceremony in Pho Minh Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City on April 11.

The Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations (HUFO) in coordination with the International Department of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS)’s Chapter in the city jointly hosted the event.

Most Venerable Thich Thien Tam, Vice President of the Executive Council of the VBS and Vice Chairman of the VBS's Chapter in HCM City, said the celebration has practically promoted the solidarity and close relationship between the peoples of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand in the cause of peace and development promotion of each country and region.

On behalf of the consulate generals of the countries in Vietnam, Wiraka Mudhitaporn, Consul General of Thailand in HCM City, expressed her joy to attend the celebration, and her impression of the thoughtfulness and interest of the municipal authorities and people in neighbouring cultures.

Hanoi ready to vaccinate children aged 5-11

Vice Chairman the Hanoi People’ Committee Chu Xuan Dung has requested related units to prepare necessary conditions for the vaccination of children aged from 5 to 11.

Informing that the numbers of new COVID-19 cases, severe patients, and deaths have decreased strongly in recent days, he also requested good management of high-risk groups and review of the 3rd dose injection for people over 18 years old.

According to the municipal Health Department, between 6pm on April 9 and 6pm on April 10, the capital logged 2,181 infections, bringing the total number of cases to 1,522,800 as from April 29 when the fourth wave of COVID-19 hit the city.

During the period, there were nearly 149,700 patients under treatment and monitoring, with no death reported on April 9.

With the country approving Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for use in children aged 5-11, the Vietnamese government has decided to buy 21.9 million doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for the kids.

Vietnam wins two golds at Thailand Open International Boxing Tournament

Vietnam won two gold medals to place fifth at the Thailand Open International Boxing Tournament that ended on April 10 in Phuket.

Vietnamese athletes also pocketed one silver and seven bronzes at the, which lured powerful participants from a number of different countries.

World No 7 Nguyen Thi Tam had no worthy rivals in the women’s 51kg class. In the final, she overcame Aira Villegas of the Philippines 5-0 to take the first title for Vietnam.

Tam, a former Asian champion, showed excellent technical skills and found her rhythm in time to defeat the promising Filipino hope who won an SEA Games bronze three years ago.

Tam’s teammate Vo Thi Kim Anh won in the women’s 54kg category. In the final match, the 25-year-old beat world European U22 champion Sirine Charaabi from Italy.

Earlier, Tran Thi Oanh Nhi grabbed a silver in the women’s 75kg after losing to Hergie Bacyadan of the Philippines. Among the seven bronzes of Vietnam, one was in the women’s class and six in the men’s.

President praises hospital for successful liver transplantation for 9-month-old child

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc has praised the Vietnam National Children’s Hospital for their successful liver transplantation operation on a nine-month-old child, who is discharged from the facility on April 11.

Weighing 8.2 kilogrammes, the young boy was at the end-stage of a liver disease caused by advanced biliary cirrhosis. It was a result of a rare disease of the liver and biliary tract called congenital biliary atresia.

He then underwent a nine-hour surgery to receive a transplant from his father at the Vietnam National Children’s Hospital on March 14.

This was the 25th successful liver transplant at the hospital, and was entirely conducted by native doctors with no help from foreign experts. 

Acknowledging that the operation requires the most advanced techniques in organ transplantation, President Phuc praised the doctors for their thorough preparations to be fully in control of the preliminary examinations, as well as the techniques in the transplantation, anesthesia and recovery process, with their relentless efforts in improving their medical knowledge and skills. 

The successful operation has given new hopes to families whose children suffered from end-stage liver failure diseases, said the President.

Lao students in Thua Thien - Hue celebrate Bunpimay Festival

Some 400 Lao students studying in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue gathered on April 10 night to celebrate Bunpimay, the traditional New Year Festival of Laos.The event was jointly held by the Thua Thien Hue College of Pedagogy, the Hue University and the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association.

The Bunpimay festival is observed from April 14-16 annually to pray for good weather, health, abundant harvests and prosperity.

The celebration opened with an art performance programme introducing traditional culture, costumes and the country and people of Lao ethnic groups, and highlighting the friendship between Vietnam and Laos.

During the festival, participants practiced traditional rituals of the festival, including thread tying, water-splashing and peace-praying ceremonies.

Hanoi begins countdown to SEA Games 31

Hanoi began counting down 31 days left until the opening of the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) at a ceremony held at Ly Thai To Statue and Hoan Kiem lake area on April 11, which attracted the attendance of more than 3,000 athletes and local people.

In his remarks at the event, Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Chu Ngoc Anh said 19 years from SEA Games 22, the capital city is honoured to be selected as the venue for the regional tournament’s opening, closing ceremonies and many sports.

Hanoi has basically completed preparations in terms of facilities and decorations, getting itself ready for the important political and sport event, the official informed.

The ceremony also saw the organisation of the Olympic Run Day for Public Health and the launch of the 47th edition of the Ha Noi Moi Newspaper Run. In response, participants took to the street to run around the lake.

The two races, simultaneously taking place across 30 localities of the capital, aim to raise public awareness of the importance of physical training and improvement in the integration period.

Hundreds of thousands flock to Phu Tho during Hung Kings’ commemoration

Hundreds of thousands of people visited the Hung Kings Temple Relic Site in the northern province of Phu Tho during the three-day national holiday.

The site reported a major surge in visitors as 200,000 people came to attend the official ceremony on April 10 to pay tribute to the nation's legendary founders.

Its director Le Truong Giang told Tuoi tre (Youth) newspaper: “One hundred percent of the province’s police and 300 youth volunteers and military personnel were mobilised to ensure safety for the ceremony and visitors.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Party and State officials, and the province's leaders offered incense and flowers in tribute to the kings the same day.

The site welcomed about 20,000 visitors on April 9, and 10,000 on April 8, according to Giang.

The large number of visitors caused traffic congestion in the province’s Viet Tri city on April 9 night.

National plan for natural disaster prevention and control released

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has coordinated with relevant ministries, sectors and localities to build a national plan for natural disaster prevention and control to 2025.

Under Decision No. 342/QĐ-TTg issued by the Prime Minister on March 15, 2022, the plan defines major tasks in the 2021-2025 period to implement the strategy on natural disaster prevention and control by 2030, with a vision to 2050.

The overall aim is to improve capacity for natural disaster prevention and control, climate change adaptation to proactively respond to and reduce damage caused by natural disasters.

The plan concentrates on  completing laws, mechanisms, and policies; disseminating laws and skills and raising public awareness; building capacity for natural disaster prevention and control; improving disaster forecasting and warning; conducting basic investigations and developing master plans and planning for natural disaster prevention and control; promoting international cooperation and the application of science and technology; and investing in infrastructure.

Increasing popularity of vegetarianism among Vietnamese

Vegetarianism is becoming popular among many Vietnamese people. While some make the choice for health reasons, others are trying to support the planet.

Ingredients for veggie dishes are meticulously chosen. They must be fresh and highly nutritious, and have clear origin.

Statistics show that some 10 percent of people in Europe and North America are vegetarian or vegan. Becoming a vegetarian or vegan is on the rise among young people, including in Vietnam. Along with health and religious reasons, veganism and vegetarianism also express their responsibility for the environment.  

There is a kaleidoscope of vegan and vegetarian dishes, from desserts, pho, noodle to fried dishes. They are prepared to suit the tastes of people in different regions

Ninh Thuan all charged up over renewable potential

When the building of nuclear power plants planned in the province was cancelled, Ninh Thuận quickly retrained its focus on becoming a renewable energy hub, utilizing its natural strengths.

Climate data shows that the south-central province has the lowest rainfall in the country, but it is blessed with abundant sunlight and wind. It enjoys wind speeds of 6.4-9.6 metres per second for 10 months of the year, making it ideal for stable operation of wind turbines.

On the sunlight front, it remains sunny for 2,600-2,800 hours and 200 days each year, with solar radiation totalling over 230kcal per square centimetre, which is great for solar power development.  

Most renewable energy projects in the province are invested in by the private sector. The industry is one of Ninh Thuận’s three economic pillars alongside tourism and agriculture, propelling the province into the list of top five localities with the fastest economic growth rate over the past five years.

On this path, the province has placed some important governance landmarks. It is the first locality to allow private investment in the 500kV transmission line to hook up renewable energy to the national grid.

Ninh Thuân is also in the process of selecting investors to implement the 6,000MW Cà Ná liquefied natural gas (LNG) power project.

The Prime Minister has approved the project’s Phase 1 with a capacity of 1,500MW. Phase 2 with 4,500MW will be considered for inclusion in the National Power Plan VIII. 

Once complete, the project will contribute to ensuring stable electricity supply for the southern region, help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote industry, transportation and services, creating business opportunities for locals.

The province is also accelerating construction of the 1,200MW Bác Ái Pumped-Storage Hydropower Project for optimal use of excess energy.

Ho Tay Half Marathon returns
The Hồ Tây Half Marathon – Legend Race will feature more than 3,000 entrants, competing around Hà Nội’s West Lake on April 17.

The tournament, sponsored by BIM Group, has been cancelled twice in 2021 because of the pandemic.

Runners will race in different courses: 3km for Kids and Family; a 6km Happy Run, 15km Conquer the West Lake; and a 21km Half Marathon, all designed to give participants the best experience of the lake’s historical and cultural relics and ancient structures such as Trấn Quốc Pagoda, and the Tây Hồ and Quan Thánh temples.

The marathon was first organised in 2020 and lured several professional athletes such as national 10,000m champion Phạm Thị Lệ Hồng, as well as SEA Games winners Nguyễn Thị Oanh and Đỗ Quốc Luật.

They were registered to race in 2021 but failed to run as it was delayed until this April while they are in intensive training in Huế in preparation for the upcoming Southeast Asian Games.

However, organisers said national youth team runners would participate in the event.

The tournament is one of the activities held to promote sports and encourage people to run for better health and fitness.

Hoa Binh ready to host SEA Games cycling events

The mountainous northern province of Hòa Bình is ready to host the cycling events of the upcoming Southeast Asian (SEA) Games next month.

According to the organising board, work on cycling venues is almost complete.

The province will host mountain biking on May 14-17 and road cycling on May 19-22, with the participation of about 400 athletes and officials.

The coaches and 14 athletes of the Vietnamese national cycling team have been practising hard on the track, in the hopes of taking the lead in the Games.

Coach Trần Đại Nghĩa of the national cycling team said that the athletes are now familiar with the track and have achieved quite good results.

To prepare for the region's biggest sport event, the national team participated in the Dalat Victory Challenge mountain bike tournament to hone their skills and experience. Until the competition day, the team will focus on intensive training, ensuring the fitness of the athletes.

Binh Phuoc CDC director dismissed

The Binh Phuoc Department of Health today, April 8, removed Nguyen Van Sau from his post as director of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) of the southern province for his involvement in the purchase of Covid-19 test kits from Viet A Technology Corporation.

The decision came after the provincial Party Committee’s Inspection Commission stripped him of all his Party posts and reprimanded the Binh Phuoc CDC’s Party Committee in the 2020-2022 tenure in mid-March.

The center’s Party committee showed a lack of responsibility, slack leadership and poor supervision, letting some of its employees violate the Party’s rules and the State regulations on the purchase of medical equipment and supplies for the anti-Covid fight, according to the inspection commission.

Meanwhile, Sau, as a Party member of the Binh Phuoc Department of Health’s Party Committee and secretary of the Party Committee and director of the provincial CDC, must bear responsibility for the shortcomings and violations of the CDC’s Party Committee. He was found to have violated the regulations on what Party members are banned from doing.

These violations are serious, damaging the prestige of himself and the Party, the local media reported.

Last year, the Binh Phuoc CDC bought Covid test kits from Viet A three times, with a total value of over VND41 billion.

In late 2021, Sau admitted to receiving a gift from Viet A, and then sought to submit the gift to the competent agencies.

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