A total of 67 million children around the world, including nearly 250,000 in Vietnam, missed out on vaccinations between 2019 and 2021, with vaccination coverage levels decreasing in 112 countries, UNICEF warned on April 20 in a new report on immunisation. 

Vietnam was listed as the 18th country in the world with the largest number of zero-dose children, as 187,315 children under one year old did not receive any vaccinations in 2021, the year of the severe fourth wave of COVID-19 infections with stringent lockdown measures in place.

Worldwide, the children who are missing out live in the poorest, most remote and marginalised communities, at times impacted by conflict.

New data produced for the report by the International Centre for Equity in Health found that in the poorest households, one in five children are zero-dose. Among the wealthiest, this number is just one in 20. It found unvaccinated children often live in hard-to-reach communities such as rural areas or urban slums.

They often have mothers who cannot go to school and are given little say in family decisions.

These challenges are greatest in low- and middle-income countries, where about one in ten children in urban areas are zero doses and one in six in rural areas.

In Vietnam, data showed that the prevalence of zero-dose children in urban areas was almost 1.5 times higher than those living in rural areas (6.3%-4.2%), while the prevalence in the poorest households was almost double those in the wealthiest (13.5%-6.6%).

The report also showed that the public perception of the importance of vaccines for children declined during the COVID-19 pandemic in 52 out of 55 countries studied.

Vaccine confidence is volatile and time specific. However, the report warns the confluence of several factors suggests the threat of vaccine hesitancy may be growing. These factors include uncertainty about the response to the pandemic, growing access to misleading information, declining trust in expertise, and political polarisation.

To vaccinate every child, it is vital to strengthen primary health care and provide its mostly female front-line workers with the resources and support they need.

The report finds women are at the front line of delivering vaccinations, but they face low pay, informal employment, lack of formal training and career opportunities and threats to their security.

To address this child survival crisis, UNICEF is calling on governments to double down on their commitment to increase financing for immunisation and to work with stakeholders to unlock available resources, to urgently implement and accelerate catch-up vaccination efforts to protect children and prevent disease outbreaks. 

Vinh Phuc province ready for 2023 Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship

The northern province of Vinh Phuc is ready for the 2023 Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship which it will host from April 25 to May 2.

The volleyball championship will bring together nine teams from host Vietnam, Iran, Japan, Taiwan (China), Kazakhstan, Thailand, China, Mongolia, and Hong Kong (China).

The provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has established specialised sub-committees and groups to ensure the organisation of the tournament; develop scripts and decoration plans for the opening ceremony, closing ceremony, and awarding ceremonies as well as transportation and accommodations for teams.

The provincial sport competition hall will be decorated with banners, flags and posters, and big LED display screens will be installed for fans to watch the games.

The province also develops plans to ensure COVID-19 prevention and control with medical teams and equipment. Delegates, athletes, and participants of the volleyball tournament are advised to take proper preventive measures.

Many cultural, arts and tourism activities will be held on the occasion.

Vietnam backs multilateralism in solving global challenges: Ambassador

Promoting the role of multilateralism is of great importance in tackling the current global multidimensional crisis, helping secure financial resources for the implementation of the sustainable development goals (SDGs), recommended Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Vietnam’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN).

In his speech at the 2023 UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Forum on Financing for Development, held from April 17-20, the diplomat called on the international community to make more efforts to narrow the financial gap between countries and suggested that the G7 and G20 nations accelerate the implementation of their commitments to support developing countries in accessing preferential financial resources for SDGs and climate change response.

It is also necessary to share experience and information on such new rules as the global minimum tax rate and carbon credit, to transfer technology, and to build capacity for developing countries in terms of digital transformation and green transition, Giang underscored.

He held that developing nations themselves need to improve their capacity in effectively mobilising domestic resources, associating SDGs with their development strategies, improving tax governance, and ensuring national financial security    

Vietnam is willing to contribute to joint efforts in carrying out the 2030 Agenda via the promotion of South-South and tripartite cooperation, affirmed the diplomat.

The forum aimed to discuss comprehensive measures to address current global challenges and promote long-term financial policies to implement the SDGs.            

In his opening speech, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calls on the G20 countries to quickly come up with a stimulus package for SDGs implementation worth at least 500 billion USD per year to increase the size of long-term financing and give incentives to all countries in need.

Participating leaders of UN agencies and countries have tabled a series of measures to increase financial resources for development including monetary and fiscal policy options to address pressing issues, international cooperation on taxation, and financial security for sustainable industrial transformation and climate change response. They unanimously adopted a political declaration emphasising the commitment to ensuring financial security serving development.

Vietnam, Venezuela enhance people-to-people exchanges

A cultural and sports exchange programme between Vietnam and Venezuela was opened in Caracas on April 19.

The event was held by the Vietnamese Embassy, the Venezuela - Vietnam Friendship House, and the Caracas administration on the occasion of the Independence Declaration Day of Venezuela and the Day of Solidarity with the People of Venezuela.

On behalf of the local administration, Armando Graterol, member of the people’s council of Coche Parish, where the exchange took place, affirmed that the Venezuelan people have great love and respect for late President Ho Chi Minh who led the Vietnamese revolution to success.

He said he hopes the Embassy and the House will keep working together to organise more similar activities to strengthen people-to-people ties and help Caracas residents learn more about the culture, history, as well as beauty of Vietnam.

Looking back on important milestones in the two countries’ relations, Carolus Wimmer, head of the Venezuela - Vietnam Friendship House, noted that throughout history, people-to-people diplomacy has always been an important pillar in the enhancement of bilateral ties, and this event also aimed to help with that.

Doan Bao Trung, Chargé d’affaires of the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela, said the two countries have maintained and intensified their traditional friendship, underlining Vietnam’s consistent support for the Venezuelan Government and people in protecting their sovereignty and independence.

He also highly valued the cultural and sport exchange programme and described it as a chance to tighten people-to-people links along with the two countries’ relations at large.

The programme, held at Hugo Chavez Park in Caracas, features a number of cultural performances and sports events and will last through May 13.

Saigontourist Group Food and Culture Festival 2023 opens

The Saigontourist Group Food and Culture Festival 2023 hosted by Saigontourist Group and some other units opened on April 20 at Van Thanh Tourist Site in Ho Chi Minh City’s Binh Thanh district.

The four-day festival introduces more than 350 local dishes from provinces and cities in all the northern, central, and southern regions of Vietnam.

Along with 40 booths with experienced chefs from the Saigontourist Group and its subordinate hotels, restaurants and resorts, the event will be attended by representatives from Vietnam Airlines and other units in Ben Tre and Tay Ninh provinces. Moreover, it will also showcase traditional handicrafts associated with cuisine, unique traditional art performances, and folk games.

With a vast collection of dishes and drinks, culinary experts from the Saigontourist Group have temporarily classified them into several main categories. Guests attending the festival can enhance their culinary experiences by choosing the one they are most interested in exploring.

The festival also includes performances of traditional music, such as UNESCO-recognised Quan ho (love duet singing), Don ca tai tu (Southern amateur music), Hat Then (Then singing), Hue traditional singing, cai luong (reformed opera), and circus.

Mekong Delta tightens fire prevention measures

Authorities in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta have stepped up measures for preventing forest fires during the ongoing peak dry season when the threat is high.

In Kien Giang province, more than 41,200ha of forests are under threat because of extreme hot weather and the drying out of water sources in forests, according to its Department of Agriculture and Rural Development,

Truong Thanh Hao, deputy director of the department, said the forest fire risks are between the third and fifth levels, the latter being the highest.

The forests facing the highest risk level are in Phu Quoc city and Kien Hai district, he said.

The Forest Protection Sub-department, in cooperation with localities and forest managers, has regularly organised advocacy activities for forest fire prevention and persuaded nearly 1,000 households living near forests to sign commitments to combat fires.

It has established more than 170 grassroots fire prevention groups with more than 1,500 members comprising rangers, forest managers and others.

In Ca Mau, the country’s southernmost province, more than 33,000ha of forests are under threat, with 18,200ha designated level five.

Le Van Hai, head of the province’s Forest Protection Sub-department, said Hon Khoai islands and U Minh district face the highest risk of fires.

The province has assigned more than 500 forest rangers and managers, employees of the U Minh Ha Forestry One Member Co., Ltd and the U Minh Ha National Park to monitor forests around the clock and take prompt measures in case of fires.

It has also got more than 5,000 local people to stand by for helping combat forest fires.

An Giang province has identified nearly 7,370ha of forests, or more than 43% of the total, as facing high risk of fires. They locate mostly in the mountainous districts of Tinh Bien and Tri Ton and Chau Doc city.

The mountainous localities have many pagodas and temples, and in what is the peak pilgrimage time people often burn incense and votive paper offerings which poses a fire risk.

The province has stepped up advocacy among pilgrims about the risk of forest fires whenever they burn anything.

Truong Minh Hung, deputy head of the province’s Forest Protection Sub-department, said his agency has instructed its staff to monitor forest fires at certain important places.

Besides, authorities in the delta, which comprises 12 provinces and Can Tho city, have prepared more firefighting facilities and stored water.  

Phan Thi Truc Giang, head of Soc Trang province’s Forest Protection Sub-department, said it is important to dredge canals in forests to store water and facilitate waterway travel to combat fires.

The province has more than 10,200ha of forests, mostly cajuput, but has managed to keep them safe from fires for many years.

Kien Giang has created hundreds of kilometres of firebreaks, built or upgraded 25 dams and six sluices and installed 47 water containers in important forests facing high risks.

It has cleared forests of flammable materials, dredged water reservoirs in forests to increase their capacity, pumped water into cajuput forests, built 35 watchtowers, and drilled 80 borewells.

There have been four forest fires in Phu Quoc island this dry season, which damaged 3.4ha of forests.

Cuban leaders honoured with Ho Chi Minh Order

The Vietnamese National Assembly in coordination with relevant Cuban agencies presented orders to leaders of the National Assembly of the People’s Power of Cuba at a ceremony in Havana on April 20 (local time), as part of the official visit to the Caribbean nation by NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

Hue presented the Ho Chi Minh Order, certificate and flowers to Esteban Lazo Hernández, Politburo member and President of the NA of People's Power and the Council of State, in recognition of his contributions to consolidating and promoting the special solidarity between the two Parties, legislatures and peoples.
 
The honour was also given to Ana María Mari Machado, member of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and Vice President of the NA of the People’s Power and the Council of State; Homero Acosta Álvarez, Secretary of the NA of the People’s Power and the State of Council; and María Yolanda Ferrer Gómez, head of the Cuban NA’s Commission on Foreign Relations.
 
On behalf of the honourees, NA President Esteban Lazo Hernández stressed that they got it in the name of the Cuban people – those they represent – and with the sentiment of solidarity with the heroic Vietnamese nation originating from national hero José Martí who, together with President Ho Chi Minh and President Fidel Castro, laid the firm foundation for the solidarity between the Vietnamese and Cuban nations.

He also affirmed President Ho Chi Minh proved that no forces can divide a nation of strong will, however huge the difficulties and challenges are that nation has to face, and highlighted that Cuba has learned a lot from the Vietnamese people’s wisdom and bravery.

NA Chairman Hue is paying an official visit to Cuba at the invitation of President of the NA of People's Power Lazo Hernandez.

Vietnam attaches importance to overseas citizen protection: Vice spokesperson

Vice spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Doan Khac Viet updated information about measures to protect Vietnamese citizens abroad at a regular press conference of the ministry on April 20 afternoon.

Regarding the flare-up of conflict in Sudan, Viet cited information from the Vietnamese Embassy in Egypt, which is also in charge of Sudan, as saying there is one citizen with dual Vietnamese and Australian citizenship staying in the capital city Khartoum and 16 other Vietnamese citizens who are crewmembers of a ship docking at a port in Sudan.

All the citizens are currently safe, Viet said, adding that the embassy is still keeping a close watch on the situation and is ready to implement citizen protection measures if necessary.

In reply to queries about citizen protection measures in the context of the current rising tension in the Taiwan Strait, he affirmed that the Party and State always attach great importance to ensuring safety as well as protecting legitimate rights and interests of Vietnamese citizens abroad.
 
Viet noted that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are very significant to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world as well.

Vietnam hopes that the concerned parties will actively contribute to the maintenance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, the vice spokesperson said.

Marine spatial planning to promote blue economy put on table

A workshop discussing the potential for developing offshore wind power and marine spatial planning in Vietnam towards the blue economy was held by the Norwegian Embassy in Vietnam and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the National Assembly's Committee for Science, Technology and Environment, in Hanoi on April 20.

The event saw the participation of representatives from key agencies related marine spatial planning in Vietnam including the Vietnam Administration of Seas and Islands (VASI) under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (Petrovietnam), the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ), the World Bank, the Foundation for Scientific and Industrial Research (SINTEF) of Norway, embassies, international organisations.

Dr. Ta Dinh Thi, Deputy Director of  the NA’s Committee for Science, Technology and Environment said Vietnam boasts huge potential for offshore wind power development, especially south-central coastal localities such as Binh Thuan, Ninh Thuan, Khanh Hoa, Phu Yen and Binh Dinh.

He stressed that to realise net zero emissions by 2050, Vietnam needs to accelerate the development of renewable energy, improve energy efficiency and focus on energy conversion with an appropriate roadmap, while ensuring objectives of environmental protection and response to climate change.

Developing renewable energy is a major policy of the Party, National Assembly and Government of Vietnam, in which offshore wind power is considered as one of the breakthrough solutions to promote energy transformation and ensure national energy security, he said.

This is closely related to marine spatial planning, especially identifying potential water areas and reasonable zoning for offshore wind power development, he added.

For areas being planned for developing offshore wind power, in-depth studies are required, in order to make specific recommendations, Thi noted.

The results of the workshop will help the NA gain more information and knowledge, especially international experience in marine spatial planning, renewable energy development; as well as consultation on building and perfecting relevant policies and laws, he said.

Delegates shared international experiences and next steps in developing marine spatial planning and offshore wind power in Vietnam.

They highlighted the crucial role of marine spatial planning in identifying suitable areas for offshore wind energy projects; and the importance of promoting innovative technologies in developing the blue economy, responding to impacts of climate change, and promoting energy transition.

Ramla Khalidi, UNDP Resident Representative in Vietnam, said that accelerating marine spatial planning is essential to unlocking the great potential of offshore wind power development in Vietnam, contributing to implementing sustainable development goals and climate change response goals.

The participation of all stakeholders in the scheme, especially the local community, plays an important role in ensuring that benefits are shared equitably and vulnerable groups are protected, she said.  

Norwegian Ambassador to Vietnam Hilde Solbakken affirmed that her country is committed to working with partners in Vietnam to promote sustainable green growth, protect the marine environment and support energy transition in Vietnam.

She stressed that marine spatial planning will help the ocean to be managed sustainably, and play an important role in realising a shared vision of a green, sustainable and prosperous future, which will ensure that all industries will benefit from the ocean while marine ecosystems and biodiversity are still conserved.

Ho Chi Minh City, International Organisation of La Francophonie tighten cooperation

Vice chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Bui Xuan Cuong on April 20 received Regional Representative for Asia - Pacific of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) in Hanoi Edgar Doerig who is paying a working visit to the city.

At the meeting, Cuong asked Edgar Doerrig to support the operation of cultural and French teaching centres in the city and at the Institute of Cultural Exchange with France (IDECAF).

He also called for support to activities between the city and French-speaking partners, France, and the community of French-speaking countries in fields.

For his part, Edgar Doerig said that OIF expects to further promote investment and trade activities between France and Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh City.

Appreciating the potential of the city in cooperation with French-speaking partners, Edgar Doerrig said that, besides the traditional relationship in information technology, the two sides will continue to promote cooperation in agricultural production and exports.

Vietnam highly aware of early epidemic preparedness: Ambassador

Vietnam has been aware of the significance of the early epidemic preparedness and response through the strengthening of the health care system from the central to local levels, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN has affirmed.

Giang was addressing the launching ceremony of the World Disasters Report 2022, themed “Trust, equality and local action – Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic to avert the next global crisis” in New York on April 19.

The report was jointly introduced by the Vietnamese and Australian Permanent Missions to the UN, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

The ambassador said that at UN forums, Vietnam pushed for the UN General Assembly to choose December 27 every year as the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness, thereby enhancing the international community's readiness to respond early and fully to possible future epidemics.

Together with Australia and other countries, Vietnam has persuaded the UN General Assembly to adopt a resolution on holding a high-level meeting on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response and will continue to actively participate in the preparation process for the meeting.

Ambassador Giang held that the IFRC's recommendations are worth considering, which can contribute to strengthening the global health structure to better respond to future health risks. People need to be at the centre of policies on epidemic preparedness and response and play an important role in implementing these policies, he said, adding that handling fake news and providing timely and accurate information to the public about epidemics and government efforts are also important to this effort.

The Vietnamese representative said that the international community should focus on dealing with inequality in access to vaccines, diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

Vietnam appreciates the support of the UN and international partners during the COVID-19 pandemic, underlining the need to provide developing countries with easier access to advanced medical technology through technology transfer.

Vietnam believes that strengthening national health capacity at the grassroots level will play a core role in responding to future epidemics, which can be achieved through increased investment in infrastructure, equipment and personnel training. Policies to ensure socio-economic development, social security and people's lives also effectively support epidemic prevention and control efforts, he added.
 
The World Disasters Report 2022 underscores that the world’s preparedness ahead of the COVID-19 was inadequate, underlining the need to build people's confidence in the ability to respond to disasters, address inequalities in access to medicines and health care among countries as well as different regions within a country, and strengthen capacity and role of local communities in handling health challenges.

It noted that the coronavirus pandemic has been the biggest disaster in living memory, by almost any measure. Over 6.5 million people are confirmed to have died in less than 3 years – or about 1 in 1,000 people by the most conservative estimates – an order of magnitude larger than that of any recorded earthquake, drought or hurricane.

Participants at the event hailed the efforts of Vietnam, Australia and the IFRC, holding that recommendations in the report are helpful for UN member states in engaging in and promoting major process this year, especially the mid-term review of the Implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response.

Shine With Australia magazine launched in VN

The University of Economics HCM City in collaboration with the Australian Trade and Investment Commission in Việt Nam (Austrade) launched the “Shine With Australia” magazine on Thursday (April 20).

The launch is part of celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the bilateral relationship between Việt Nam and Australia.

The magazine provides information about Australian international education with updates on studying abroad, useful lessons from prominent alumni and insights from experts from many top universities around the world.

It features stories about outstanding Vietnamese youths who have gone to Australia to study and achieved great success.

Created by UEH and Austrade, the magazine is divided into three parts: Studying abroad - Inspiration and values, experience and tips and Australia - Education powerhouse: destination and opportunity.

The magazine is named after the global "Shine with Australia" campaign carried out by the country’s Government to invite prospective international students to ‘discover their brilliant future self’ by studying in Australia.

Published by UEH Publishing House, the magazine will be distributed to high schools in Việt Nam. A total of 1,000 copies will be printed in the first edition. 

Building resilience assessment tool introduced in VN

A hazard mapping and resilience assessment framework has been introduced in Việt Nam to help local developers improve the resilience of buildings.

The Building Resilience Index, an innovation launched by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in a ceremony held on Thursday in Hà Nội, will make it easy for developers, locators, homebuyers, and other stakeholders to assess, improve, and disclose the resilience of buildings.

The index evaluates location-specific climate-related risks for real estate projects and resilience measures.

With support from the Australian Government, the BRI program in Việt Nam has identified and integrated the country’s hazard maps into the BRI app. It will select three pilot projects spanning the residential, office, retail, educational, and hospitality sectors to assess and build resilience.

IFC will also promote the uptake of BRI in the local construction industry by raising awareness and delivering capacity training to building developers and other stakeholders.

Thomas Jacobs, IFC Country Manager for Việt Nam, Cambodia and Lao PDR, said: “In the face of threats posed by a rapidly changing climate, it’s vital to ensure that buildings are resilient to natural hazards such as cyclones, flooding, fire and landslides, especially in Vietnam’s urban areas, where so many people live.

The BRI initiative was launched in 2020 with the Philippines as the pilot country. Within a year and a half, 1.8 million square metres of gross floor area have been committed to being assessed by BRI for improved climate resilience.

In Việt Nam, the BRI program will build on the success of IFC’s green building certification program, Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE), which has since 2015 helped save US$4.1 million in utility costs for 77,000 residents, avoiding 30,000 tonnes of greenhouse-gas emissions annually.

Cải lương artists perform ancient Greek masterpiece

Vietnamese audiences were treated to the ancient Greek work Medea, performed by cải lương (reformed opera) artists for the first time in Hà Nội.  

Medea is one of the most popular works by playwright Euripides from the 5th century BCE. Based on a mythological background, the play focuses on the final part of Medea and Jason’s marriage, which is catastrophic for the couple alone and their families.

The play is among ancient Greek works to be translated into Vietnamese by Hoàng Hữu Đản. 

Medea script for cải lương was penned by veteran artist Triệu Trung Kiên, director of Việt Nam Cải Lương Theatre. Originated in the southern area in the early 20th century, cải lương is a form of modern folk opera in Việt Nam.

Medea was directed by known artist Lê Chức making the new version meaningful and keeping the human value of the original work.

As well as being an ancient classic, one significant point about Euripides’ Medea is that this psychological tragedy refers to the mythological factors that foreshadow and prepare for the bloody final approaching.

After the adventures of the Golden Fleece, the Greek hero Jason took his wife Medea into exile at Corinth. However, he then left her, seeking to advance his political ambitions by marrying Glauce, the daughter of King Creon of Corinth.

Medea hints darkly that Jason may live to regret his decision and secretly plans to kill both Glauce and Creon. And she murders her children partly because she cannot bear the thought of seeing them hurt by the enemy.

Veteran director Chức graduated from the Kyiv National University of Theatre of Cinema and Television in 1987. He has directed some 50 theatre productions during his career. 

Medea marks his return to theatre direction after he was an expert and a manager at different culture units such as Performing Art Department and Việt Nam Theatre Artists' Association.

Medea has a simple set design with white poles and colourful silks. Photos coutersy of Việt Nam Cải Lương Theatre
The director chose talented artist Ninh Thị Như Quỳnh to play Medea.

Quỳnh makes her name with several leading roles at the theatre. She won one of the ten best artists at the National Contest for Cải Lương and Folk Singing in 2022 and a gold medal at the National Contest for Cải Lương in 2017.

The theatre plans to perform Medea at colleges and universities nationwide. 

Oneway Vũng Tàu Marathon to deliver unique experience, bonuses to runners

More than 5,000 runners will experience a beautiful route around the beach city of Vũng Tàu at the first OneWay Vũng Tàu Marathon on April 23.

There are four categories for both elite and amateur athletes ranging from 5km to 42km which are designed to pass by the city's historic and famous destinations such as Big Mountain, Small Mountain, Pineapple Beach, Cape Nghinh Phong, and Christ and Mother Mary statues. Việt Nam's longest and most beautiful paper flower blossoms street is also a highlight on the route. 

He revealed that in the first edition, Oneway Vũng Tàu, will welcome a number of famed runners. Among them are Nguyễn Tiểu Phương, Việt Nam's first female runner to complete in six major marathons, and Lê Tấn Hi, winner of the Đà Nẵng International Marathon 2019, Mekong Delta Marathon 2019 and BaDen Mountain Marathon 2021.

A total of more than VNĐ400 million (US$17,000) and gifts will be awarded to high-ranking athletes. A special award of VNĐ111,111,111 ($4,666) will be awarded to a club whose members run the longest distance in total at the event.

Oneway marathoners will also contribute to Operation Smile to support children with cleft lip and palate and Blue & Green to cover Việt Nam with trees and reduce the damage of climate change.

Danang official demands solution to wastewater sea pollution

Danang City Party Secretary Nguyen Van Quang has demanded a solution to the issue of pollution caused by wastewater overflows into the sea.

Quang inspected two drainage gates in Son Tra District on Wednesday, one on Ton That Dam Street and the other on Nguyen Tat Thanh Street.

Streams of black and foul wastewater have been found overflowing into the sea through these two gates.  

Vo Tan Ha, deputy director of the municipal Department of Construction, said that many coastal drainage gates have deteriorated due to age and the rapid rise in wastewater had resulted in the gates being overwhelmed.

According to a representative from the Danang Drainage and Wastewater Treatment Company, the ongoing implementation of some wastewater treatment projects in Son Tra District had worsened the wastewater overflow.

Wastewater overflows are seen at seven drainage gates in Danang, with six in coastal areas in the east of the city and one in the Danang Bay area.

Party Secretary Quang requested concerned agencies to quickly tackle the problem, particularly with the coming Reunification Day (April 30) and International Labour Day (May 1) holidays.

He urged greater speed on the wastewater collection project on Nguyen Tat Thanh Street which has a total investment of VND444 billion (USD18.89 million) and the USD62.5-million project to improve the water environment in Son Tra District. The slow pace of the projects has been largely blamed on the Covid-19 pandemic.

Con Dao to boost power generation

Four more generators will be installed for Con Dao Island District in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau by 2024, raising the locality’s total electricity capacity to 16 MW.

According to Nguyen Van Giap, director of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Electricity Company, the 1.5-MW generator is being tested in HCM City and will be brought to Con Dao before April 30.

The three others will be put into use in the district between the end of this year and 2024.

Con Dao is currently home to nine generators which are outdated and facing overloading. Last year, three generators experienced technical problems, causing power shortages for the district.

Electricity of Vietnam said that power demand on Con Dao, which is an increasingly popular tourist destination, has been on the rise.

Con Dao’s demand for energy has increased by 20-30 percent annually amid a rise in tourists, forcing generators to operate 20-22 hours daily.

The island’s electricity demand has been forecasted to reach 24.5 MW by 2025 and 114.4 MW by 2045.

Under a revised plan for Con Dao development by 2045, the island is set to become a world-class site for marine, cultural, historic and spiritual tourism.

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