Four central hospitals in the capital received medical equipment donated by the Japanese Government on April 18.

The hospitals include the Central Lung Hospital, the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases, and Da Nang Hospital C.

Upon addressing the event, Sasaki Shohei, first secretary of the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam, emphasized that the handover is part of Japanese Government’s non-refundable aid to the project to enhance response solutions to infectious diseases in the nation.

The Japanese Government hopes that the medical supplies during the first phase will be used effectively across the four hospitals, thereby contributing to improving the overall quality of medical examination and treatment at local hospitals, he noted.

With the goal of providing technical support and upgrading medical equipment for Vietnamese hospitals in a bid to control the COVID-19 pandemic, the Japanese Government and the Ministry of Health last year signed a JPY1.9 billion project aimed at providing medical equipment to four central hospitals in the country, making use of non-refundable aid from the Japanese Government.

PM chairs meeting of Government’s Administrative Reform Steering Committee

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on April 19 chaired the fourth meeting of the Government’s Steering Committee for Administrative Reform, during which he affirmed that investing in administrative reform is that in development.

The meeting, held in-person in Hanoi and connected to the 63 provinces and centrally-run cities, aims to assess the implementation of administrative procedure reform associated with digital transformation, serving people and businesses, and to announce the 2022 Satisfaction Index of Public Administration Services (SIPAS) and the 2022 Public Administration Reform (PAR) Index.

In his opening remarks, PM Chinh, who is head of the committee, stressed that administrative reform is one of the three strategic breakthrough tasks, which have received great attention from the Party and State.

Over the past time, with joint efforts of ministries, sectors, localities, and the steering committee, administrative reform has been implemented drastically and concertedly in the fields of law-making, administrative procedures, organisation of the state apparatus, civil service, public finance, and digital transformation and e-Government and digital Government building.

The work has gained important achievements, contributing to national development and increasing the validity and effectiveness of all-level authorities’ direction and administration.

However, there remain a lot of obstacles and bottlenecks hampering investment in production and business development, and affecting the mobilisation of resources for development.

The Government leader requested the steering committee, ministries, sectors, and localities to focus on assessing and clarifying the results, shortcomings and weaknesses to have appropriate response measures.

He asked committee members to clearly define their roles and responsibilities for the administrative reform of the country, their ministries and sectors.

Sa Pa to host biggest rose festival in northwestern region

The biggest rose festival in the northwestern region is scheduled to take place from April 27 to May 30 at Vietnam’s largest rose valley in Sa Pa town, a major tourist destination in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai.      

The rose valley boasts an area of up to 50,000 square metres and consists of more than 300,000 roses crossbred from over 150 varieties in Sa Pa, Vietnam and around the world.

Notably, the festival will feature a rose parade consisting of 34 flower carts fully decorated with roses grown in the tourist area and controlled by a cast made up 750 craftsmen, craftswomen, as well as local people from Sa Pa town and Tam Duong district dressed in traditional costumes of ethnic groups.

The parade will run from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. between April 27 and 29 and will travel along the streets of the town centre. The floats, actors, and actresses participating in the procession will stop at five points during their journey, enabling visitors to snap pictures and watch the artists performing beside the floats.

Most notably, a flower procession to Buddha at the peak of Fansipan, the highest mountain in Indochina, will take place at the opening ceremony of the festival on April 27.

Furthermore, fashion shows and art performances will get underway between 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m., as well as 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., from April 27 to May 7. Artists will perform Xoe Thai dancing which is an intangible cultural heritage of humanity recognised by UNESCO.

The traditional wedding ceremony of the Red Dao ethnic minority group will be re-enacted during the festival.

The festival is expected to attract more and more tourists to Sa Pa town, as it coincides with the five-day break to mark National Reunification Day on April 30 and International Labour Day on May 1.

Project conveys message about the environment through the lens of art

A project that combines artistic performances, practical activities and in-depth themed events to promote nature conservation and cultural and artistic values has kicked off with an exhibition held at Norfolk Mansion, 21-29 Lý Tự Trọng Street, District 1, HCM City.

The exhibition is expected to take visitors on an artistic trip to Côn Đảo Island, where the main events of the Sự Sống (Life) project take place in May. There they could envision Côn Đảo coastline by seeing its physical elements like rocks, sand, the sound of the sea, and human performances.

It showcases the pure natural beauty of the island through a harmonious combination of various art forms such as installation, performance, painting, lighting or music.

Art lovers will have the opportunity to admire 18 exceptional paintings that represent the inspiration, stories, and message of Life – authentic natural colours, the simple daily life of families and customs, the beautiful scenery of the homeland, the circulation of the universe, among others – by talented Vietnamese artists, from the Indochina colonial period to the modern era, such as Nguyễn Gia Trí, Lê Phổ or Bùi Xuân Phái.

The exhibition showcases the pure natural beauty of Côn Đảo Island through a harmonious combination of various art forms such as installation, performance, painting, lighting or music.

The main events of Life, which take place at Six Senses Côn Đảo Resort in early May, will include a series of events such as a seminar on the protection of the environment and natural resources of Việt Nam’s seas in general and Côn Đảo in particular, as well as activities like diving and trekking.

Vietnam Week launched in Russia to promote bilateral cooperation

The seven-day event with a series of activities would provide an opportunity for the two countries to discuss and exchange potential cooperation between Russia and Vietnam.

 The opening ceremony of Vietnam Week kicked off in Moscow, Russia, on April 17, with a series of activities to promote bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

The week-long event themed "Facets of Southeast Asia: Vietnam, the Gateway to Asia" is organized by the Russian House of International Scientific and Technical Cooperation.

The Vietnam Week events are divided into three theme areas: practical, scientific, technological, and cultural. Under the scientific and technical track, a number of important roundtables and other discussions will be held on solutions and ideas to bring practical benefits to both sides.

Participants can also learn and experience cultural and historical activities about Vietnam, such as attending concerts, learning traditional cuisine, painting, and calligraphy, and making traditional Vietnamese fans.

Vietnamese, Cuban news agencies forge cooperation

General Director of the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Vu Viet Trang and President of the Prensa Latina (PL) news agency of Cuba Luis Enrique Gonzalez Acosta signed a new cooperation agreement during their talks in Havana on April 18 (Cuba time), which took place within the framework of the ongoing official visit to the Caribbean nation by National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

The two sides reviewed the implementation of bilateral cooperation programmes in information exchange, the publication of Vietnam Pictorial, expert exchange and support to each other's correspondents.

They shared the view on the importance of the bilateral cooperation, which has helped maintain the flow of news, providing people of the two countries with diverse information and a true view on the development of the two countries and their socio-economic-political situation, thus contributing more to enhancing understanding and traditional friendship between Vietnam and Cuba.

Karate kata athletes look to defend two SEA Games titles

Vietnam's karate kata (performance) team have their sights set on two gold medals at next month's SEA Games in Cambodia as they strive to defend their titles in the women's individual and team kata events.

According to Vu Son Ha, an official from the Vietnam Sports Administration’s Karate Department, the team has been working tirelessly to ensure they meet their goal of four gold medals.

This is no small feat, and the kata athletes will need to be at the top of their game if they are to do their bit.

One athlete who is determined to rise to the challenge is Nguyen Thi Phuong, the reigning champion in both the women's individual and team kata events.

The kata team is under coach Nguyen Hoang Ngan, a former world champion who earned many SEA Games titles.

Karate will be held at the Chroy Changvar International Convention and Exhibition Centre from May 6-8 in Phnom Penh.

Conference highlights President Ho Chi Minh’s time in Italy

Vietnamese and Italian experts and scholars gathered at an international conference in Rome on April 18 to spotlight the significance of the time that President Ho Chi Minh lived and worked in Italy in the 1930s.

The event was attended by Secretary of the Party Central Committee and head of the committee’s Commission for Information and Education Nguyen Trong Nghia, and leaders from a number of ministries that are joining the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) delegation visiting Italy.

It also drew leaders of the Italian Communist Party, Communist Refoundation Party of Italy, the Democratic Party of Italy, Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Italy-Vietnam Friendship Association, Vietnamese Honorary Consuls in Turin and Nopoli, and many Italian friends.

Nghia highlighted the significance of the conference in maintaining and promoting heritage left by President Ho Chi Minh, especially in fostering the relations between Vietnam and other countries, including Italy, as the two sides are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic ties and the 10 years of strategic partnership

He thanked the Italian side for supporting activities to honour the Vietnamese leader in different localities of Italy.

General Secretary of the Italian Communist Party Mauro Alboresi affirmed that President Ho Chi Minh was a great national leader, and Vietnam is a symbol of struggle against colonialism and imperialism, for independence, freedom, determination and self-reliance determination of all nations.

The Italian Communist Party always pays great attention to and follow the developments of Vietnam, and supports the CPV’s socio-economic development and foreign policy, he said.

General Secretary of the Communist Refoundation Party of Italy Maurizio Acerbo recalled the sentiments of the left-wing forces of Italy towards Vietnamese people and nation, affirming that President Ho Chi Minh is remembered as one of the greatest revolutionaries in the history, and a symbol of the struggle against colonialism, showing the world the highest values of socialism.

Honorary Consul and Director of the Centre for Vietnam Studies in Turin Sandra Scagliotti said that the time President Ho Chi Minh lived and worked in Italy was a treasure that needed to be further studied and documented.

Diplomat Magazine’s special edition spotlights Vietnam-UK relations

The Vietnamese Embassy in the UK on April 18 introduced a special edition of the UK’s Diplomat Magazine featuring the Vietnam-UK relations on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties (1973-2023).

The edition introduces congratulatory messages of the two countries’ foreign ministries and ambassadors, articles by and interviews with leaders of ministries, agencies and localities regarding the bilateral relations, along with organisations and businesses that have significantly contributed to the Vietnam-UK ties. It provides a panorama view of the cooperation in all spheres.

Addressing the launching ceremony, Ambassador Nguyen Hoang Long affirmed that the Vietnam-UK relationship is growing fruitfully, especially in the context of the UK paying more heed to Asia-Pacific, including Vietnam – a strategic partner of the European nation in the region.

The special edition aims to bring Vietnamese land and people closer to British people, highlight the good bilateral relations and promote the friendship between the two countries, he noted.

It will be used to serve external activities within the Vietnam-UK Friendship Year 2023 in the UK.

CICON 2023 to open up Vietnam-RoK cooperation opportunities

Permanent Vice Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee and Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Phan Van Mai hosted a reception on April 18 for CEO of Korea CEO Summit (KCS) Park Bong-kyu to discuss the organisation of the CICON 2023, an international conference that combines the initials of Creative Urban, Culture, Convergence and Industry.

Park said KCS, which gathers over 8,000 CEOs from over 8,000 member companies in various areas to discuss advanced management strategies, information and knowledge, wants to jointly hold activities and embark on projects in the city in the near future. He added that KCS hopes to organise the CICON 2023 in HCM City in June on the occasion of the 31st anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Republic of Korea (RoK) diplomatic ties. The event expects to draw the attendance of about 100 Korean officials, parliamentarians and businesses.

The conference was held for the first time in the capital city of Seoul in 2012, followed by Xi’an and Qingdao of China, Ulaanbaatar of Mongolia, and most recently, the capital city of Hanoi in 2022.

According to Park, CICON 2023 will focus on the challenges and opportunities for economic and cultural cooperation between the RoK and Vietnam, as well as development prospects for smart city and cultural industry of Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City in particular.

The event will be divided into three sections, including topics related to smart urban development, environment (urban industry), film, cuisine, fashion (cultural industry), and a series of activities aimed at promoting bilateral friendly relations (convergence industry).

The convergence industry section will focus its discussions on a variety of topics that many businesses and young entrepreneurs are interested in, such as Blockchain technology, Metaverse virtual space technology, NFT (Non-fungible token) digital products, and Web 3.0 (the upcoming third generation of the Internet).

RoK-funded project on renewing public library in Hanoi completed

A public library renewal project funded by the Republic of Korea (RoK) had its completion marked at a ceremony held at the Hanoi Library on April 18.

The project, funded by the RoK’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, aims to improve conveniences of the Hanoi Library and create a space for cultural enjoyment and book reading, thus helping improve city dwellers’ spiritual life.

Starting in November 2022, it focused on re-designing and decorating the library.

Hanoi to host seminar on French literature

A seminar on French literature is scheduled to take place on April 25 at the National Library of Vietnam in Hanoi as part of activities to mark the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-France diplomacy (1973-2023).

Dr. Tran Van Cong of Hanoi University and Dr. Tran Le Bao Chau of Ho Chi Minh City University of Education will deliver speeches at the event, reported Radio the Voice of Vietnam (VOV).

The seminar, jointly organised by the National Library of Vietnam and the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) will introduce the history of French literature as well as the International Francophonie's Five Continents Award.

The award has been part of the OIF’s project since 2001 and it aims to honour talents in literary who reflect cultural diversity through French literary works across five continents.

The purpose of the event is to introduce French literature in the nation while promoting the French book space which saw cooperation between the National Library of Vietnam and the OIF in the 2019 to 2022 period.

The function will get underway during the Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day 2023 taking place from March 16 to April 30 at the National Library of Vietnam.

Vietnam Digital Awards 2023 spotlight data potential unlocking

The Vietnam Digital Awards 2023, focusing on the unlocking of data potential, was launched by the Vietnam Digital Communications Association (VDCA) on April 18.

The Awards will also continue commending state agencies and enterprises in all sectors, not only the IT industry, who have strongly carried out reforms and digital transformation in their activities, he noted.

The Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) designated 2023 as the “year of data” with concrete tasks and targets, including building and launching databases of ministries, sectors, and localities; unlocking data; and protecting data safety.

Dinh Van Hai, deputy head of the organising committee’s standing board, said the Awards honour agencies, organisations, and individuals with remarkable achievements in five categories, namely excellent digital technology products, services, and solutions; enterprises and non-business units with excellent digital transformation; state agencies with excellent digital transformation; digital transformation solutions for the community; and foreign products, services, and solutions.

Entries should be submitted online via the Awards website, www.vda.com.vn, between April 18 and June 30. The award ceremony is scheduled to take place in early October.

US war veteran's artwork to be displayed in Da Nang

Seventy digital prints by David Thomas, an artist and Vietnam War veteran, are being showcased at the Fine Arts Museum in the central city along with the works of other Boston-based artists.

Titled Finding Parkinsons, the exhibition features a section dedicated to Thomas's works, while another section, titled Peace, Love, and Understanding, displays 37 paintings by members of the Boston printmakers.

The Fine Arts Museum has announced that Thomas and five other Boston Printmakers members, namely Susan Denniston, Margo Lemieux, Colleen MacDonald, Marilyn Mase and Carolyn Musket, are representing the Boston-based art group at the exhibition.

Thomas, born in 1946 in Portland, Maine, the US, joined the US Army in the war in Việt Nam as a combat technical assistance mission in the Central Highlands region from 1969-70. He returned to the US in 1970 to continue art and created artworks of the Vietnamese people.

Thomas visited Việt Nam in 1987, and the trip sped up his aspiration for him to build the Indochina Arts Partnership – a foundation that helped develop cultural exchange between Việt Nam and the US over the past 30 years.

He was awarded the medal for the course of Vietnamese Culture in 1999 and a campaign medal for Việt Nam’s fine arts by the Việt Nam’s Fine Arts Association in 2010.

He learned that he had Parkinson’s disease in 2015, most likely due to his exposure to Agent Orange during the war in Việt Nam. Parkinson’s disease affects the nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that enables messages between nerve cells, an introduction on Thomas released.

Quang Tri completes survey of unexploded ordnance areas

The central province of Quang Tri has completed a survey of cluster bomb remnants in all accessible areas since its launch eight years ago, reported Norwegian People's Aid (NPA) Vietnam on April 18.

Specifically, NPA Vietnam has identified a total of 1,270 hazardous areas with a total land coverage of 615 sq. km contaminated with cluster bombs. Some 173 sq. km have been cleared by international non-governmental organisations and the provincial military high command, and the remainder are being categorised for future removal.

The survey was carried out by NPA Vietnam, the Restoring the Environment and Neutralising the Effects of the War (RENEW) project, the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) and PeaceTrees Vietnam (PTVN) which also engaged in the clearance of landmines with funding from the US Department of State.

With a very high level of damage, cluster bombs left over from the war have caused 48.3% of the accidents in Quang Tri since 1975.

According to the provincial Mine Action Centre, bombs, mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) have caused casualties to 8,584 people since 1975, including 3,363 deaths. Among the total casualties, children under 16 years old accounted for 31%.

Quang Tri aims to become the first province in the country to be "safe" from UXO by 2025.

New book collection of wartime letters hits the shelves

The Sự Thật (Truth) National Political Publishing House has launched a special collection of letters showcasing the glorious national history and the love of a young generation during the country's wartime.

The book titled Những Lá Thư Thời Chiến Việt Nam (Letters of Việt Nam Wartime), released recently in HCM City, includes 200 handwritten letters from soldiers and young people collected and complied by journalist Đặng Vương Hưng.

Journalist Hưng said: "Each of those wartime letters became a bridge connecting the front lines and the rear, reflecting a young generation on the battlefield with all their love for the motherland and their families along with a high willingness of fighting, sacrifice and dedication. It is a generation that will forever last along with the nation's history."

Hưng revealed his book had been supplemented for this publication with some presentations and documents collected from a conference themed "Letters in the Việt Nam wartime in the national history, traditions and culture", held in July 2017 in Hà Nội by the Centre for Research, Conservation and Promotion of National Culture, in collaboration with the Việt Nam Historical Science Association, the War Remnants Museum and the Soldiers Hearts club. 

Travel tickets sold out ahead of upcoming long holiday

Although an additional 56 more trains will be operated during the upcoming National Reunification Day (April 30) and May Day (May 1) holiday, all tickets have been sold out so far.

Besides, tickets for flights on some routes have been also sold out.

A representative from the Vietnam Railway Corporation (VNR) said that during the period from April 28 to May 3, the firm will operate 22 more trains on the northern routes from Hanoi to a number of tourist destinations such as Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Quang Binh, Da Nang, Hai Phong and Lao Cai.

Meanwhile, 32 more trains will be added for the southern routes from HCM City to Da Nang, Quang Ngai, Quy Nhon, Nha Trang, and Phan Thiet.

The VNR is offering a discount of 5% for customers buying two-way tickets, said the representative, adding that so far, all tickets for the periods have been sold out.

Meanwhile, domestic airlines reported that in the they have sold almost all of tickets for 41,000 seats on flights from Hanoi to popular tourist attractions like Nha Trang, Da Nang, Hue (in Thua Thien-Hue province), Phu Quoc (Kien Giang), Tuy Hoa (Phu Yen), Quy Nhon (Binh Dinh) and Dong Hoi (Quang Binh) on April 28-29.

Amid the high travel demand, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has asked airlines to consider the increase of flights from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City to major tourist destinations during the holidays, while avoiding a surge in ticket fares and applying measures to ensure safety for flights.

Global conference on transformation of food system to take place next week

The 4th Global Conference of the One Planet Network’s Sustainable Food System Programme (SFS Programme) will be held from April 24 to 27, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) announced at a press conference in Hanoi on April 18.

The event, which will be co-organised by the MARD and the United Nations’ SFS programme, will attract the participation of 300 delegates.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Hoang Hiep said that the conference aims to convey the message of Vietnam's agricultural brand to the world as a transparent, responsible and sustainable food supplier. It also shows that Vietnam is a responsible member in global issues including food and energy security, climate change and emerging pandemics.

According to Nguyen Do Anh Tuan, Director of the MARD's International Cooperation Department, the conference will review difficulties and challenges related to the transformation of the food system. It will roll out solutions, focusing on issues including models and global architecture of the food system; national policies and governance on food systems; consumption patterns and ways to implement food system transformation.

PM urges push for agricultural production, IUU fishing combat

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has signed a dispatch on removing obstacles to and promoting agricultural production and consumption; implementing the three national target programmes; and fighting illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The document pointed to challenges to the national growth and the domestic agricultural sector, with high material prices and narrowed market, saying no remarkable improvements have been seen in the IUU combat, and the implementation of the national target programmes, which cover socio-economic development in ethnic-inhabited and mountainous areas, sustainable poverty reduction, and new-style rural area building, remains stagnant.

Such difficulties are expected to linger on, the PM said, asking ministers, heads of ministerial and government agencies and chairpersons of People’s Committees of cities and provinces to boost agricultural production and trade.

The leader stressed that attention should be paid to administrative reform to attract more investments in agriculture and rural areas, targeting the firms that use high tech and specialise in intensive processing.

For the IUU fishing combat, the dispatch called for more drastic actions and thorough preparations for the fourth inspection by the European Commission (EC), slated to take place from May 25-31.

Strong measures will be taken to handle violations of fishing regulations by individuals and organisations, and inspections intensified to prevent and put an end to such violations.

The provinces of Binh Dinh, Khanh Hoa, Binh Thuan and Kien Giang whose fishing boats have infringed foreign waters were asked to identify responsibility of leaders.

The PM also asked the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and the Ministry of National Defence to take measures against IUU fishing.

Phu Quoc resort listed among 100 best new hotels globally

Magazine Travel+Leisure of the United States recently named Regent Phu Quoc resort in the southern province of Kien Giang among the 100 best new hotels in the world for 2023.      

According to the publication, the sprawling resort on southern Vietnam's palm-fringed Phu Quoc island represents Regent’s opening gambit in an ambitious cross-Asia plan. It’s all suites and villas, and all that space comes with extraordinarily luxe touches.

The 126 villas feature private pools, generous living rooms with terraces or decks, and kitchens stocked with everything from craft sodas to artisanal Vietnamese chocolate.

The newspaper outlines that even the 176 suites boast spacious balconies and, in some cases, plunge pools.

Most notably, the kids’ club is fully equipped with a mini cinema and jungle gym, which provides adults ample time to sip rosé at the beachfront Ocean Club or to slurp excellent pho noodles at Rice Kitchen. The room rates hover at around VND10 million per night. 

Smashing stereotypes: Quang Binh woman pledges to donate organs after death

A woman in Quảng Bình Province is trying to overcome prejudices around organ donation when she dies.

Nguyễn Thị Tú Lệ, 50, in Mỹ Trạch Village, Mỹ Thủy Commune of Lệ Thủy District, was born into a poor family with five siblings.

When she was younger, Lệ left her hometown for the southern provinces to earn a living. She worked various jobs, including in a garment factory, to send money home to her family.

After more than ten years of living and working away from home, she returned to her hometown to care for her mother.

She used the money she saved during her time away from home to open a grocery store.

She did not get married, and she and her mother have had a peaceful life with the small grocery store for many years.

One day though, she said something to her mother that caused shock and dismay.

She told her she wanted to donate her organs after death.

Her siblings, relatives and neighbours couldn't believe what she was saying.

Although not many people supported her, her faith has persisted. She has researched organ and tissue donation carefully.

Speaking about her daughter’s post-death intentions, Lệ’s mother, Nguyễn Thị Vẹn, 87, said that at first, she did not agree because no one in the village had registered to donate organs before.

However, Lệ talked with her every night about the humane act.

Her mother gradually understood that this was very useful, so she also supported her daughter.

After receiving her mother's consent and understanding of her siblings and relatives, she contacted the local Red Cross to complete the registration procedure for organ and tissue donation. That was in late 2022.

Lệ said deciding to donate her organs was not an impulsive one, but a long process of psychological struggle and thorough investigation, accompanied by the fear that sometimes crept into her thoughts.

When she fulfilled her wish to register for organ donation, Lệ felt that her life was more joyful and meaningful.

Noi Bai Airport expected to see record passenger traffic during five-day holiday

Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi is anticipated to serve a daily record of 96,000 passengers and 580 flights during the upcoming five-day break to mark National Reunification Day (April 30) and International Labour Day (May 1).      

This estimated number of passengers will rise by approximately 20% compared to the same period last year but it is yet to break the record set during last summer’s peak season, said a representative of the management of the airport.

Noi Bai is the largest international airport in northern Vietnam, with a design capacity of serving between 20 and 25 million passengers per year or between 55,000 and 69,000 passengers per day.

To avoid overloading during peak hours, the airport has recommended that passengers arrive at the airport two hours before departure for domestic flights and three hours before departure for international flights in order to complete all the necessary procedures.

Airport authorities have asked passengers to make use of public transport in a bid to avoid heavy traffic. 

Passengers are also advised to strengthen COVID-19 prevention measures, including wearing masks and taking disinfection practice as suggested by the Ministry of Health.

Vietnam marks World Intellectual Property Day

The Copyright Office of Vietnam held a ceremony on April 18 in Hanoi kick-starting a series of events in response to World Intellectual Property Day (April 26).     

A gameshow on copyright and innovation will get underway in the capital, which is expected to draw the participation of more than 450 students and teachers from universities such as the University of Law, Hanoi-based Vietnam National University, Vietnam Women's Academy, University of Culture, and National Economics University.

Competitions and seminars on copyright and innovation are due to take place in Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City, to provide a playground for younger generations to hold exchanges and learn about copyright and related rights.

Besides, the Copyright Office of Vietnam will also hang banners in order to celebrate World Intellectual Property Day 2023 across 20 locations in three major cities of Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City.

A photo exhibition will be organised in Hanoi to recognise women’s contributions to intellectual property protection in Vietnam.

World Intellectual Property Day 2023 will open with the theme of “Women and Intellectual Property: Accelerating innovation and creativity” and seeks to celebrate the “can do” attitude of women inventors, creators, and entrepreneurs around the world and their ground-breaking work.

18,000 vaccine doses allocated to Hanoi districts

The capital has allocated a total of 17,800 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to its districts to be given as booster shots for people aged over 18.      

Over 1,000 doses were administered to the districts of Dong Da, Bac Tu Liem, and Soc Son, with the remaining districts receiving about 170 to 900 vaccines each.

Following an increase in the coverage and effective use of the AstraZeneca vaccine, the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE) asked localities to strengthen the vaccination campaign against COVID-19, especially booster doses for people aged 18 years and older.

The target is for at least 80% of the population to receive booster doses.

Fishing boats abandoned at Quang Ngai port

Dozens of fishing boats have been left wharfed at Sa Huynh Port in the central province of Quang Ngai for a long time, polluting the environment.

Most of the owners of these trawlers have suffered financial losses. While some of the fishing boats have been damaged due to accidents at sea and their owners can’t afford to fix them. 

Sitting ignored at the port for months, the fishing boats have deteriorated, causing severe pollution.

Ngo Thi Thoa, who lives in Pho Thanh Ward in Duc Pho Town, said that these boats obstruct other boats from entering the port and finding a place to anchor during the rainy season.

This and seafood processing facilities nearby have worsened the contamination at the port.

Vo Minh Vuong, vice chairman of Duc Pho Town, said that local authorities have asked Sa Huynh Port’s management port to tighten control over wastewater discharge. He added that the authorities have failed to determine who are the owners  of some of the fishing boats left at the port.The town people’s committee has requested owners to remove the abandoned vessels. If this is failed to be done, the local authorities will have to be forced to do this.

More children in HCM City hospitalised due to hot weather

Hospitals in HCM City have seen a sharp rise in child patients recently as the weather has become hotter.

Dr Ngo Thuy Minh Nhi from Children's Hospital 2 said that since mid-March, the hospital had witnessed a rise in patients. Every day, around 4,000 children come to the hospital for medical check-ups, mostly related to respiratory and digestive problems, an increase of 10-15 percent since the beginning of the year.  

Children's Hospital 2 was crowded from the early morning

Children aged between one and five have been hardest hit. The hospital has arranged more doctors to serve the increasing demand these days, Nhi added.

The fever virus tops respiratory diseases with a high rate of infection among children.

In March, the HCM City Centre for Disease Control warned of respiratory disease outbreaks, particularly fever virus and Influenza A at local schools in the context of the rainy season.

Dr Nguyen Minh Tien, deputy director of the HCM City Paediatrics Hospital in Binh Chanh District, said the number of children aged under 5 with respiratory diseases had increased by 20 to 30 percent compared to the same period last year.

About five percent of the child patients needed to be hospitalised for treatment with severe symptoms.

To struggle with patient overcrowding, the hospital strengthened outpatient treatment for cases with mild symptoms.

The number of children suffering from respiratory diseases has also increased at other children's hospitals in the city. 

HCMC to raise vertical clearance of two bridges

At a meeting today, April 18, the HCMC People’s Council approved the investment policy for the projects to increase the vertical clearance of Binh Phuoc 1 and Binh Trieu 1 bridges to seven meters.

Binh Trieu 1 Bridge across the Saigon River on National Highway 13 connecting Binh Thanh District and Thu Duc City was built before 1975 and expanded in 2010. However, its 5.5-meter clearance has made it difficult for ships to travel underneath.

Binh Phuoc 1 Bridge, 480 meters in length and 11 meters wide, with a clearance of six meters was built across the Saigon River to connect Thu Duc City and District 12. Being an artery waterway, it handles hundreds of boats and barges daily.

According to the municipal authorities, the bridges should be raised to a higher vertical clearance of at least seven meters for safe traffic. These two projects that will be executed from 2023 to 2025 are expected to meet the demand for cargo transportation and reduce pressure on road traffic.

Film Week celebrates 80th anniversary of Party's Outline of Vietnamese Culture

Featured films and documentaries on war and modern themes, such as “Life” by Dao Duy Phuc, “Father and Son” by Luong Dinh Dung, and “Yellow Flowers on Green Grass” by Victor Vu, will be screened for free at the Vietnamese film week that will run from April 24 to 27 in Hanoi. 

Screenings will begin at 7:30 p.m. daily from April 24-27 at People's Army Cinema, 17 Ly Nam De Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.

The specific screening times are as follows: "Hoa Giai" (Reconciliation) and "Khuc Mua" or (Song of Rain) on April 24; "Ngay Cuoi Cung Cua Chien Tranh" or (Last Day of War) and "Sinh Menh" (Life) on April 25; "Song Va Ke Lai" or (Life and Narrative) and "Cha Cong Con" or (Father and Son) on April 26; and "Con Lai Voi Thoi Gian" or (Remains of Time) and "Toi Thay Hoa Vang Tren Co Xanh" (Yellow Flowers on Green Grass) on April 27.

Audiences can enjoy one documentary and one feature film for free at each show. Meanwhile, each film will have only one screening.

Hanoi holds festival to commemorate Trung Sisters

The annual 2023 Traditional Festival of Hat Mon Temple is scheduled to be held from April 23 to 25 in Hat Mon Commune, Phuc Tho District, Hanoi, promising to attract a large number of locals and visitors.

The festival's highlight is the floating cake and incense offering procession to commemorate the 1980 anniversary of the death of Hai Ba Trung or Trung Sisters (43-2023).

According to Nguyen Quoc Thang, head of the management board of Hat Mon Temple Relics, the ritual of offering floating cakes to the Trung Sisters on their death anniversary, which falls on March 6 of the Lunar Calendar, dates back about a thousand years.

This year's festival is expected to attract the participation of people from 11 villages in the locality.

Le Tien Hai, head of Phuc Tho District's Culture and Information Office, said the detailed plan for the floating cake procession and incense-burning ceremony of Hat Mon Temple's traditional festival had been completed.

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