A Vietnamese youth delegation will attend the United Nations (UN) Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum which will take place from April 16-18 at the UN headquarters in New York.

Head delegate Nguyen Ngoc Luong, Permanent Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee and President of the Vietnam Youth Federation Luong, is scheduled to deliver a speech on Vietnamese youth organisations' participation in coping with climate change at the forum.

The delegation will also visit and hold working sessions with the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the UN, the Vietnamese Embassy in the US, the US Educational Testing Service – ETS and the Vietnamese Students' Association in New York. 

The ECOSOC 2024 forum provides a global platform for dialogue among member states and young leaders from around the world on solutions to challenges affecting youth wellbeing. It also serves as a space for young people to share their visions and actions as well as provides an opportunity to advance youth solutions to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the sustainable development goals (SDGs). 

Discussions will be guided by the overall theme of the 2024 ECOSOC and the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) "Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: the effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions".

They will take place around the SDGs under review at the 2024 HLPF, namely no poverty (SDG 1), zero hunger (SDG 2), climate action (SDG 13), peace, justice and strong institutions (SDG 16), and partnerships for the goals (SDG 17).

The Youth Forum will also gather young people to share their recommendations and innovative ideas in preparation of the Summit of the Future, to be held under the auspices of the General Assembly, in September 2024./.

60-year-old woman sentenced to 12 years in prison for attempts to overthrow the administration

Long An Province People's Court on Monday sentenced 60-year-old Nguyễn Thị Bách Huệ (originally hailed from the southern city Cần Thơ) to 12 years in prison for the crime of attempting to overthrow the people's administration.

In early 2020, Huệ went to HCM City to meet a woman returning from the United States and she was encouraged to participate in the terrorist organisation “Provisional National Government of Vietnam” established by Đào Minh Quân in the US, with promises of money and housing.

Huệ submitted an application to join this organisation and was instructed to install an application for online meetings, study and read the biography of Quân, listen to ideological instructions, and was assigned to write propaganda articles about the organisation.

Between 2020 and 2021, under foreign direction, Huệ used seven social media accounts and seven Gmail accounts to communicate and exchange with other members of the organisation, engaging in activities such as defamation of the government, insulting leaders and recruiting and mobilising people to overthrow the Vietnamese government through social media platforms.

Due to her active involvement, Huệ was assigned various aliases, secret codes, and positions ranging from "lieutenant, captain to team leader" by the terrorist organisation, and received around VNĐ10 million (nearly US$400) from them.

In April 2023, Huệ was arrested and detained with numerous documents and evidence of her activities within the organisation.

At the trial, Huệ expressed her remorse and had truthfully confessed, and her family's contributions to the revolution were taken into account, resulting in a partial reduction of the punishment. 

Five caught in the act of illegally exploiting forest timber

Five people have been caught red-handed using chain saws to illegally harvest wood from natural forests in the central province of Thanh Hóa, local authorities announced on Monday.

They were discovered by the Pù Nhi Border Guard Station, after many days of verification and undercover surveillance.

They were all from Mường Lát District, including Hơ Văn Va, 28, Hơ Văn Cấu, 37, Hơ Văn Di, 48, Hơ Văn Lênh, 31, all living in Cơm Village, Pù Nhi Commune; and Gia Văn Va, 40, from Lốc Há Village, Nhi Sơn Commune.

Last Wednesday, the five cut down a tree with a trunk length of 18.2m in Region 118 of Pha Dương forest zone.

The Pù Nhi Border Guards temporarily confiscated their chain saw along with fuel, knives and five motorbikes.

Based on the joint investigation with the Mường Lát District Forest Ranger Department, the five are suspected of violating Article 232, Penal Code 2015, regulating the exploitation and protection of forests and forest products.

The Pù Nhi Border Guards completed the dossier and handed over the case to the Mường Lát District Police for further investigation. 

MoH calls for enhanced management of medical waste

The Ministry of Health (MoH) has asked the Department of Health to oversee healthcare facilities to address issues in medical waste management and assess wastewater treatment systems.

Recent inspections by the ministry reveal gaps in regulations for medical waste handling in some localities. 

Additionally, certain healthcare facilities have not renewed environmental protection licences for wastewater discharge.

While some facilities adhere to waste management regulations, others lack proper waste classification and storage procedures.

Maintenance and monitoring of waste treatment facilities need improvement. 

To address these issues, MoH urges provincial People's Committees to update regulations and directs the Department of Health to collaborate with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment for better enforcement.

Furthermore, public healthcare facilities' wastewater treatment systems require assessment and possible upgrades. Enhanced inspections and strict enforcement of regulations are also recommended.

Healthcare facilities must adhere strictly to waste management regulations and ensure accurate reporting. Training and awareness programmes are essential, alongside timely corrective actions for identified issues. 

Khánh Hòa ramps up measures to ensure school food safety following poisoning cases

Recent cases of food poisoning among students in the south central coastal province of Khánh Hòa have sounded the alarm on food safety at school gates.

Since the beginning of 2024, out of five food safety incidents in the province, four have involved students, Tin Tức (News) newspaper reported.

In an incident in late January, 23 students from a school in Ninh Hòa Town were hospitalised after consuming candy brought in by a classmate. Although they have since recovered and been discharged, the incident has served as a reminder of the importance of effective school food safety management.

Châu Đình Hùng Sơn, head of the Department of Education and Training in Ninh Hòa Town, described this as the first major suspected case of food poisoning in the town.

Local schools have been proactive in educating students about food safety and the risks of food poisoning.

Following this incident, the Department of Education and Training has ramped up awareness raising campaigns and is eagerly awaiting findings from relevant authorities to implement further measures ensuring food hygiene and safety at schools.

In late March, public concern peaked following a widespread food poisoning incident linked to a chicken rice eatery on Bà Triệu Street, Nha Trang City, which left over 360 people needing hospital treatment.

A local high school in Xương Huân Ward, Nha Trang City, witnessed multiple students hospitalised after consuming street food outside the school gates.

Despite monitoring and treatment, the incidents persisted, with two more cases in early April affecting students in Vĩnh Trường Ward, Nha Trang City, and Tô Hạp Town, Khánh Sơn mountainous district.

In response, schools in the district have joined forces with local authorities to enforce strict food safety regulations both inside and outside school boundaries, aiming to prevent future incidents and restore public trust.

Amid growing public concerns regarding food safety at school entrances, Kim Anh, a mother of a first-grade student at Lộc Thọ Elementary School in Nha Trang City, underscores the importance of scrutinising her child's school meals.

She and numerous other parents, routinely conducts surprise inspections of the school kitchen.

She said that the food meets stringent safety, hygiene, taste and nutritional standards.

Kim Anh and other parents concur with the resolution to prohibit their children from consuming food outside the school premises, all with the aim of safeguarding their children's optimal health.

Trương Thị Tâm, principal of Lộc Thọ Elementary School in Nha Trang City, asserted that ensuring food safety within and outside the school premises is not just a matter of public perception, but a continuous and regular duty of the school.

For the boarding kitchen, the school strictly adheres to principles from food reception, preparation and cooking, to serving students. The school has established a board of directors for the boarding kitchen, consisting of various members from the school and parents.

To date, no student has suffered from food poisoning at the school.

Vice Principal of Phước Tiến Elementary School in Nha Trang City Võ Thị Hồng Hải sheds light on the multifaceted issues surrounding food safety at school gates.

She pointed out that busy parents often resort to letting their children buy food from nearby eateries, which may not prioritise safety standards.

Staff at the canteen of Phước Tiến Elementary School in Nha Trang City ensure compliance with food safety and hygiene standards at the boarding kitchen.
To combat this, the school has taken a proactive approach, establishing a self-managed school security team to monitor the area and ensure no unauthorised vendors operate near the gates.

Additionally, during initial school meetings, teachers emphasise to parents the importance of avoiding street vendors to ensure their children have clean and safe food and beverages.

In the 2023-24 academic year, Khánh Hòa Province is home to 529 schools accommodating over 290,000 students.

Despite efforts by the Department of Education and Training to enforce food safety protocols, recent incidents outside school premises have sparked concerns.

The department's Director Võ Hoàn Hải stressed that ensuring food safety requires collaboration from all stakeholders.

The agency continues to urge schools to uphold strict standards in their kitchens and regulate vendors operating near school entrances.

Fostering effective communication and education among families, parents, and students remains paramount in safeguarding student health.

To address these challenges, the province has designated a month for comprehensive food safety inspections, involving provincial teams scrutinising all establishments, including schools.

Đinh Văn Thiệu, deputy chairman of the provincial People's Committee, emphasised the importance of conducting thorough inspections in conjunction with urban order checks on street food vendors.

Strict measures will be taken against violators, including the suspension of operations and public disclosure of infractions through various media channels.

In 2022, a school in Nha Trang City faced a severe food safety breach, resulting in numerous student hospitalisations and one fatality.

Subsequent to this tragedy, local authorities, in conjunction with the provincial Department of Education and Training, enacted rigorous measures to safeguard school canteens. These efforts have yielded positive results, with no further incidents of food poisoning reported on school premises. 

Government issues guidelines on traffic safety for holiday, summer tourism season

Deputy Prime Minister Trần Lưu Quang has signed into effect a document on ensuring traffic safety and order during the upcoming holiday and summer tourism season. 

The holiday for Reunification Day (April 30) and Labour Day (May 1) will last five days, from April 27 to May 1.

The Ministry of Public Security is tasked with strengthening patrols and strictly handling traffic violations, including driving under the influence, overloading vehicles and illegal racing. 

Traffic police must also plan for traffic flow regulation, especially on roads and areas forecast to see an increased volume during the holiday season. 

The Ministry of Transport is assigned to ensure traffic safety and infrastructure, particularly on key routes, and road sections that are under construction as well as in major cities and tourism destinations.

Road maintenance activities must be promptly carried out when necessary.

Authorities must also review the signage system and infrastructure on expressways, especially those that are yet to have emergency lanes. Temporary rest stops are also expected to be built along highways that do not have any. 

Press and media agencies are tasked with raising awareness on preventing traffic accidents and delivering warnings on areas at risk of danger due to weather phenomena or other natural causes. 

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and medical departments and facilities should prepare resources, equipment and medication to provide treatment to traffic accident victims and minimise the number of traffic-related fatalities. 

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and departments under its management also play a role in safety management by ensuring smooth traffic at tourist attractions and their parking lots.

Education institutions nationwide are ordered to implement the Prime Minister’s Directive No 31/CT-TTg on ensuring traffic safety and order for students in the new context, requiring families to look after their children during summer break. 

It is strictly prohibited to hand over vehicles to or allow underage and unqualified drivers to operate vehicles in traffic.

Under the management of local leaders, cities and provinces must promote compliance with the laws on traffic safety and orders while also making efforts to ensure traffic flows and limit the number of accidents. Local authorities take full responsibility for ensuring traffic safety in their respective areas. 

In areas that have complex terrain such as steep roads and mountain passes, guidelines must be issued to ensure safety for drivers and regulate traffic according to the actual flow of vehicles. 

Ministries, departments and localities must have people on duty around the clock to respond to emergencies, strengthening coordination and information sharing to ensure traffic safety and order. 

A hotline should also be announced to promptly handle the public’s reports and comments on traffic situations during the holiday. 

The National Traffic Safety Committee is assigned to oversee and report on the implementation of this Government guideline. 

Dien Bien Phu Victory celebrated in France

The Vietnamese Embassy in France has organised a ceremony in Paris to mark the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory with the participation of scholars, researchers, Vietnamese people, and French friends.

Seventy years have gone by, the wounds of war have been healed and now peace and friendship prevail, yet the memory of the campaign remains fresh, Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang said at the April 13 event.

He described international solidarity, especially French people’s great support for Vietnam during its past struggle for national independence and peace, as a firm foundation to build the friendship and cooperation between the two countries, expressing his hope that the two peoples will carry forward the tradition in the time ahead.
 
Taylan Coskun, Politburo member of the French Communist Party (PCF), recalled PCF members’ efforts against the Indochina war, and for Vietnamese people’s struggle for national independence and freedom. On this occasion, he called on people of goodwill to courageously oppose wars and to act for peace, justice, and cooperation among nations. 

Earlier, the embassy in coordination with Paul-Valéry Montpellier 3 University and the French Defense Audiovisual Agency (ECPAD) held a roundtable, where journalists, scholars, researchers, film directors, and war veterans gave multi-dimensional perspectives on the Dien Bien Phu battle.

A documentary by the French agency screened at the event presented flashbacks of the campaign to the more than 100 participants.        
 
The roundtable offered a chance for French war veterans to recall the battle and share the love of their homeland and the aspirations to come closer, toward the harmony between the two nations, said Professor Pierre Journoud from Paul-Valéry Montpellier 3 University, noting his hope that more young people and students will pay attention to the history, especially the signing of the Geneva Accords on ending the war and restoring peace in Indochina 70 years ago.
 
Ambassador Thang stressed that the roundtable highlighted the great significance of the victory, the heroism of the Vietnamese army and people in the resistance war against the French forces, and the art of Vietnam's righteous military tactics and ideology.

It also demonstrated the two nations’ spirit of rising together, shelving the past, treasuring the present, and looking towards the future, he said./.

Bun Huột Nặm water festival celebrated in Điện Biên

Many traditional and entertaining activities were organised during the annual Bun Huột Nặm of Water Festival during the weekend in Điện Biên District, Điện Biên Phủ Province.

The two-day event, held at the Na Sang 1 Village in Núa Ngam Commune, is one of the most important traditional holidays and festivals of the Vietnamese Lào people when everyone gathered and welcomed the New Year.

During the event, people worshiped for good rain and wind and abundant crops. They prayed for all things grow and develop well and to wash away the bad luck of the old year and enter the new year with good luck for everyone, families and the community.

Bun Huột Nặm was also an opportunity for villagers to take part in folk games, perform traditional dances and especially join the amazing moments of water splashing.

Splashing water on others symbolises the cleansing of all bad things, including diseases and the welcome of a thriving and healthy New Year. The wetter a person becomes, the more luck and happiness they will receive.

This year's festival included other activities such as worshiping, praying, tying thread on wrist to pray for good luck; lăm vông (circle dance) performance, knocking door to door asking for water; worship the gods of river and stream; and bathing in a stream, among others.

At the festival, there was also a space to display and promote cultural and tourism products, handicraft items, agricultural and OCOP products and local typical ethnic cuisine.

At the same time, local people and visitors could also admire an exhibit of items associated with the traditional culture, daily life and community activities of the Lào people in Núa Ngam Commune.

The April 13-14 festival also included a music and dance programme with unique performances imbued with ethnic minority culture by artistic clubs from villages and hamlets in Núa Ngam Commune, units and communes in Điện Biên District, native home of the Lào ethnic residents. 

Hải, Cương top Aqua Warriors Hạ Long Bay event

Hoàng Văn Hải overcame title favourites while Nguyễn Thị Kim Cương proved her power to win the first Aqua Warriors Hạ Long Bay aquathlon tournament on April 14 in Quảng Ninh Province.

Hải completed the men's Aqua categories in 1hr 42.35min, including a 3km swim (38.27min) and a 15km run (1:00.42), to take the title.

He was about 6min faster than national champion Vũ Đình Duân, who clocked 1:48.52. 

Nguyễn Văn Thái came third with a time of 1:50.03.

On the women's side, the national triathlon winner had no worthy rival in both swimming and running.

She finished first, clocking 2:01.40, including 50.01min for the swim and 1:07.48 for the run.

She was followed by Lê Thị Như Quỳnh (2:07.46) and Nguyễn Thị Trà My (2:09.29).

Other categories of the largest national aquathlon were Olympic Aqua Warriors (1.5km swim, 10km run), Sprint Aqua Warriors (0.75km swim, 5km run, Junior Aqua Warriors (0.3km swim, 2km run) and Kids Aqua Warriors (0.15km swim, 1km run).

"The Aqua Warriors Ha Long Bay is a competitive tournament between athletes for individual prizes. It is also an event to enhance the spirit of team work through relay and team competitions," said Dương Đình Việt of the organising committee.

The organisers promised to make the Aqua Warriors Hạ Long an annual tournament, responding to the campaign "All people do exercise following the example of the great President Hồ Chí Minh" and the programme to prevent and control accidents and injuries in children for the period 2021-30 (including preventing drowning).

It is expected to contribute to promoting Quảng Ninh as a tourist destination and developing local tourism. 

At the awards ceremony, organisers delivered a total bonuses of VNĐ320 million, with the Aqua champions walking away with more than VNĐ14 million in cash and gifts.

The two-day event featured some 1,500 athletes including national elites and foreign competitors from South Korea, the US, Australia, France, India, Russia and New Zealand.

It was jointly held by the provincial People's Committee, Culture and Sports Department and Bolt Event. 

Palanquin procession held to commemorate nation’s ancestors - Hung Kings

Villagers of localities in the northern midland province of Phu Tho held a kiệu (palanquin) procession on April 15 to commemorate the nation’s ancestors – Hung Kings - as part of the 2024 Hung Kings Temple Festival.

The palanquin was carried by village elders, young men and women in traditional costumes from communal houses to the Hung Kings Temple complex. The procession, a ritual that has been maintained for thousands of years by local people, took place alongside lion dances, and noisy drum and gong beating. 

The palanquin procession, part of the Hung Kings Temple Festival, is one of the country’s largest annual cultural events held to commemorate the birth of Hung Kings believed to be the Vietnamese nation’s founders. It began on April 9 this year and is scheduled to last through to April 18.

The procession is a community activity which is held annually in the northern province of Phu Tho on the seventh day of the third lunar month. It aims to express gratitude to the kings and raise public awareness about the nation’s special history.

American International School to terminate school year on April 26

The American International School in Nha Be District, Ho Chi Minh City yesterday sent notifications to parents and pupils for the termination of school year 2023 – 2024 on April 26.

The termination is earlier than usual, traditionally falling in mid-May.

The school's 12th graders will attend the International Baccalaureate (IB) examination so their studying schedule will extend until May 17.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training is collaborating with the American International School Council to find solutions for the normal operation of the school without affecting the studying process of pupils.

Of which, the Municipal Department of Education and Training will regularly monitor and require the school investor to ensure the benefits for teachers and employees.

By the end of last week, parents contributed over VND30 billion (US$1.2 million) to maintain the school operation. The school has spent the amount to pay January and February salaries to the teachers and employees and provide advances for foreign teachers to pay rent in March.

The remaining amount of over VND4 billion (US$16,000) was spent on paying a part of March salaries to foreign teachers. Other teachers said that they would not go to school from April 15 due to insufficient salary payments.

Coast guards transport 350,000 liters of fresh water to help Hon Chuoi islanders

Soldiers of the Coast Guard Region 4 Command yesterday dispatched a ship carrying more than 350,000 liters of fresh water to provide for inhabitants in the Mekong Delta province of Ca Mau’s Hon Chuoi Island.

Hon Chuoi Island of Ca Mau Province - one of the important islands of the Mekong Delta - has no lakes or freshwater wells. Islanders store rainwater for daily use but the island is facing an unprecedented water crisis amid prolonged drought. Inhabitants and soldiers stationed on the island have suffered a severe lack of water for daily activities. Faced with that situation, the Coast Guard Region 4 Command shipped more than 350,000 liters of fresh water from Phu Quoc City to the island.

Getting fresh water from the officers and soldiers of ship CSB9003, islander Tran Thi Cam excitedly said that normally, there is a shortage of fresh water on the island, but this dry season, gripped by drought, this island is running out of fresh water. Having received fresh water, inhabitants on the island were very happy.

Coast Guard Region 4 Command said that it will continue to provide fresh water as a way to share difficulties with people living on islands and fishermen at sea. This work will further strengthen the bond between the military and local inhabitants, contributing to the protection of the sea and islands' sovereignty.

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