The Vietnam Coast Guard and the China Coast Guard completed their joint patrol in the waters adjacent to the Gulf of Tonkin demarcation line from April 19-21.

This was their first joint patrol in 2022 and the fourth conducted after a fisheries cooperation agreement in the Gulf of Tonkin waters between Vietnam and China expired on June 30, 2020.

During their performance, the Coast Guard forces of the two countries conducted telephone exchanges and supervised fishing vessels in the waters adjacent to the demarcation line.

They also popularized regulations on fishing and COVID-19 control, along with practicing joint search and rescue at sea.

More urban railways proposed in HCMC

The HCMC Department of Transport has proposed developing more urban railways connecting to seaports and airports to meet the city’s development demand.

The proposal, which has been sent to the municipal Department of Zoning and Architecture, is aimed at meeting huge commuter demand and boosting HCMC’s connectivity with the neighboring provinces of Dong Nai, Binh Duong and Long An, the local media reported.

The HCMC Department of Transport suggested adding an express rail line which links terminals T1 and T2 and the planned Terminal T3 of the Tan Son Nhat International Airport and an express railway along Ring Road No. 2 and Pham Van Dong Street to shuttle passengers between Tan Son Nhat and Long Thanh International Airports.

Also in the Tan Son Nhat International Airport area, a monorail connecting the second, fifth and fourth metro lines was proposed to replace the 3.2-kilometer metro line 4b project which had been planned earlier.

In addition, specialized railways linking container ports in Thu Duc City and along the Saigon River with adjacent provinces have been proposed. The area is now home to Cat Lai, Phu Huu and Truong Tho ports and the Long Binh inland clearance depot but has yet to have a specialized transport system.

Vietnam Social Security, WB promote cooperation in social, health insurance

Director-General of the Vietnam Social Security (VSS) Nguyen The Manh asked the World Bank (WB) to help the agency further improve the quality and effectiveness of its social and health insurance services during his meeting with WB Country Director for Vietnam Carolyn Turk in Hanoi on April 21.

The two sides discussed plans for expanding cooperation in building and implementing social and health insurance policies.

Vietnam urges ASEAN to early operate ASEAN portal for digital vaccination certification

Vietnam has called for the early launch of an ASEAN portal for digital vaccination certification and suggested considering expanding its coverage to the bloc’s partners to facilitate trade, travelling and tourism both in and outside the region.

Ambassador Vu Ho, acting head of SOM Vietnam, made the call when addressing the 8th meeting of the 8th meeting of the ASEAN Coordinating Council Working Group on Public Health Emergencies (ACCWG-PHE) and the ASEAN Joint Consultative Meeting (JCM) which were held online on April 20 under the chair of Cambodia, the chair country of ASEAN in 2022.

The ambassador shared the lesson learnt from the pandemic regarding getting prepared for all situations, and underlined the need to enhance public awareness about disease prevention and control through diverse communication forms suitable for each group of target audience.

He also urged ASEAN health officials to actively hold discussions and consultations towards the early establishment and launch of the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED), so as to help ASEAN enhance its capacity in preventing, controlling and responding to health emergencies.

Vietnam aims for 80 percent of communes recognised as new-style rural areas by 2025

At least 80 percent of communes nationwide are expected to be recognised as new-style rural areas by 2025, according to the national target programme on new-style rural area building.

The programme and another on sustainable poverty reduction, both set for 2021-2025, were the main topics of a national conference held virtually on April 21.

Of the expected new-style rural communes, around 40 percent are projected to win the advanced new-style rural area title, and at least 10 percent will be exemplary new-style rural areas.

Notably, the average income of rural residents will increase by at least 1.5 times compared with 2020.

Meanwhile, half of cities and districts will secure the new-rural area title and fulfill the target of new-style rural area building, of which 20 percent will reach the advanced and model levels.

Funding for the national target programme on new-style rural area building is estimated at 196.33 trillion VND (8.54 billion USD) at the lowest, with 156.7 trillion VND coming from the local budget.

Vietnam stands ready to foster bilateral trade with China: Spokesperson

Vietnam stands ready to bolster bilateral trade with China towards stable, balanced and sustainable development for the benefits of both sides, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang told a routine press conference on April 21.

Commenting on the launch of several cross-border railway routes for the transport of goods between Vietnam and China, Hang said the rail routes, connecting Vietnam with the Chinese provinces of Sichuan and Anhui, opened on April 15-16.

Transnational rail transport is safe and efficient in terms of time and cost, she said, adding that it will help boost trade between the two countries and also enable Vietnam to connect with other foreign markets.

The launch of the railways will also go in line with the two sides’ policy of enhancing connectivity within the framework of the “Two Corridors, One Belt”, part of the “One Belt One Road” initiative.

Vietnam hopes others to simplify entry rules for Vietnamese visitors

Vietnam hopes other countries and territories will simplify entry rules for Vietnamese travellers in order to boost economic recovery, said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang during a routine press conference on April 21.

She made the statement in response to a question from reporters regarding Taiwan (China)’s new requirement for all passengers from Vietnam to show a negative COVID-19 test within six hours of boarding a flight.

Vietnam has seen considerable progress in the COVID-19 fight with increasing vaccine coverage, Hang said, adding that infections, severe cases and fatalities have significantly dropped in recent days.

She further noted that the Government of Vietnam has adopted a policy of safely living with the virus in the “new normal” and reopening borders for foreigners. However, it still requires strong measures to control the situation and ensure the safety of foreign tourists, she said.

To facilitate entry into Vietnam, she continued, Vietnamese authorities have issued a number of new regulations and guidelines on COVID-19 prevention and control for foreigners, one of which is the removal of mandatory quarantine rules for all people entering Vietnam, including those from Taiwan.

Emulation movement launched among peacekeeping officers

The Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations on April 21 hosted a ceremony to launch an emulation movement among the staff of the first engineering team and the level-2 field hospital No. 4 before they are deployed to the UN peacekeeping mission.

Director of the department Maj. Gen. Hoang Kim Phung chaired the event, which saw the participation of representatives from units of the Ministry of National Defence.

After the ceremony, participants gathered for an incense offering in tribute of late President Ho Chi Minh at House H67. 

The first engineering team and the level-2 field hospital No. 4 officially made their debut on November 17, 2021, aiming to complete all the tasks assigned by the UN on the humanitarian aid mission.

Canadian province opens Forestry Innovation Investment office in Binh Duong

The Canadian province of British Columbia opened a Forestry Innovation Investment (FII) office in Vietnam’s southern province of Binh Duong on April 20.

The FII office in Binh Duong, a major industrial hub, is the third of its kind set up overseas by British Columbia with a view to ensuring a supply of sustainable softwood products with origin certified in Vietnam.

Vietnam is currently the world’s second largest exporter of wooden furniture. The volume of softwood British Columbia exported to the country grew 59 percent during 2017 - 2021.

Almost 89,000 children from 5 to under-12 vaccinated against COVID-19 over one week

One week after the start of a campaign to vaccinate children from 5 to under-12  against COVID-19, a total 88,820 children in the age group had received the first shot as of April 20.

The Health Ministry has allocated over 2.3 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine for children to localities.

The northern province of Quang Ninh was the first locality in the country to inoculate children in the age group on April 14.

In the capital city of Hanoi, a total 33,382 doses have been administered to children in the target age group since April 16, with no cases of serious reactions reported so far.

With more than 1 million children in the age group, Hanoi aims to have at least 95 percent of them fully vaccinated.

The southern hub of Ho Chi Minh City is carrying out the vaccination campaign for 898,538 children from 5 to under-12 in the city from April 16 to 30.

SEA Games 31: Free entry to all competitions in Quang Ninh

The northern province of Quang Ninh, which will host seven sports during the upcoming 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31), will offer free entry to spectators to enjoy all the competitions in the locality.

The seven sports to be held in Quang Ninh are triathlon, women's football, indoor volleyball, beach volleyball, beach handball, Chinese chess, and international chess.

The province expects to welcome nearly 980 athletes, 400 referees, more than 230 coaches and over 110 members of the organising committee.

Army - people ties highlighted at HCM City exhibition

The strength of the army - people ties in the 1975 Ho Chi Minh Campaign and the pandemic combat is the focus of an exhibition opened at the Ho Chi Minh Campaign Museum in Ho Chi Minh City on April 21.

The event is held by the Political Department of the Military Region 7 High Command in celebration of the 47th anniversary of the Liberation Day (April 30, 1975).

The exhibition will run through May 21.

Buddhist Sangha working to popularise culture abroad

A delegation of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) led by head of its culture committee Most Venerable Thich Tho Lac is making a monthlong working visit to Europe from April 12, as part of its activities to popularise Vietnam’s Buddhist cultural identity to Vietnamese communities abroad.

Within the framework of the visit, Venerable Thich Tho Lac attended a ceremony to kick off the construction of Dong Tam Pagoda in Erfurt in Germany on April 17. The Vietnamese architecture pagoda is hoped to be a spiritual tourist destination for international friends and those who love the Vietnamese Buddhist culture.

The official also visited pagodas in Paris and Brussels.

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son to visit Laos next week

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son of Vietnam will pay an official visit to the People’s Democratic Republic of Laos from April 27 – 29, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said.

The visit has been made at the invitation of Saleumsay Kommasith, Foreign Minister of Laos, the ministry said in a press communique.   

The two diplomats will co-chair the ninth political consultation between the two countries’ Foreign Ministers.

Expert anticipates this summer will not be harsh

This year’s heat waves are expected to arrive late as La Nina will last until the beginning of this summer before moving to a neutral state, according to the National Centre for Hydro - Meteorological Forecasting.

Typically, in neutral conditions, the weather doesn’t appear abnormal. As a result this year’s summer is likely to be milder, the sun will still be hot, but overall the hot weather will be less severe and will last for a shorter time than in previous years.

However, the average temperatures in the northern region throughout August and September are forecast to be 0.5°C to 1.0°C higher than previous years. 

Meanwhile, from July to September the average temperatures in the central region will be higher than in previous years by 0.5°C to 1°C.

USAID helps Vietnam boost local capacity development

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Vietnam’s Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) on April 21 signed an amendment to their bilateral partnership agreement to expand USAID’s support for Vietnam in promoting local capacity development.

The bilateral partnership agreement as amended will expand both sides’ joint efforts to strengthen private sector competitiveness, innovation and startup ecosystems, human capital, and local capacity building. Under this amended agreement, USAID's contribution in these areas will increase from US$42 million to up to US$100 million, and will continue for an additional three years, to September 30, 2028. 

Women’s beach handball event removed from SEA Games 31

Vietnam will not hold the women’s beach handball event at the upcoming Southeast Asian (SEA) Games 31, according to the organising board.

The removal of the sport has been caused by a shortage of participating teams. So far, there are only two countries registered for the event, including Vietnam and Thailand.

According to the tournament’s regulations for team sports, the host country can only organise the sport with at least three teams registering for the event.

As a result of so few teams registered to participate, the Vietnamese beach handball team will not have the chance to show their talents at the event, with this decision set to impact the Vietnamese team’s achievements at the games.

VN chess players set to win five golds at SEA Game 31

After conceding a bitter defeat at the 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) held in the Philippines in 2019, Vietnamese chess players have set sights on winning five gold medals at the upcoming SEA Games 31.

The men’s team have only four members instead of five due to regulations set out by the SEA Games 31’s organisers, whilst child prodigy Nguyen Anh Khoi was not summoned for individual reasons.

The male team comprise familiar faces such as Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son, grandmaster Le Quang Liem, and young talents Tran Tuan Minh and Le Tuan Minh.

Le Quang Liem goes into the regional competition with the highest hopes having competed in many global chess tournaments over the past two years. The GM is expected to win gold medals for the Vietnamese team.

Whilst the women’s team lack the talents of Luong Phuong Hanh and Nguyen Thien Ngan, they pin high hopes on Vo Thi Kim Phung, who obtained the champion title at a national tournament.

Another Vietnamese hopeful is Hoang Bao Tram who bagged a gold medal at SEA Games 2003. Other young talents such as Bach Ngoc Thuy Duong, Pham Le Thao Nguyen, and Nguyen Thi Mai Hung have also been called up to play in the regional games.

Revolution Film week celebrates National Reunification Day

Ho Chi Minh City is set to host the Vietnam Revolution Film Week on April 23 – 24 and on May 7 – 8 to mark the 47th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification (April 30).

A number of award winning films will be screened at the event, including Canh Dong Hoang (Wild Field), Bao Gio Cho Den Thang Muoi (When The Tenth Month Comes), Ai Xuoi Van Ly (The Long Journey), and Doi Cat (Sandy Lives).

Audiences will also have the chance to participate in an exchange with famous guests who have contributed significantly to the development of the Vietnamese film industry, including director Nguyen Quang Dung, Meritorious Artist Cong Ninh, Meritorious Artist Dang Luu Viet Bao, director Le Hoang, and actress Hong Anh among others.

EU’s experience in transition to green economy shared with Viet Nam

A webinar to share experience and ideas on the transition to a green economy by European countries through the European Green Agreement (EGA) gathered participants from Hà Nội, central Đà Nẵng City and central Thừa Thiên – Huế Province.

The event was jointly organised by the French Development Agency (AFD) in Việt Nam, Live and Learn for Environment and Community (Live & Learn), and the European Union (EU) Mission to Việt Nam on Wednesday.

The EGD is a set of proposals adopted by the European Commission (EC) to make the EU's climate, energy, transport and taxation policies fit for reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 per cent by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, and help the EU become a climate-neutral continent by 2050.

Hoàng Anh Gia Lai’s striker Toàn can play in K.League 1

Coach Kim Sang-sik of Jeonbuk Motors appreciated Hoàng Anh Gia Lai’s striker Nguyễn Văn Toàn ahead of their AFC Champions League match on Friday at Thống Nhất Stadium in HCM City.

The South Korean trainer said many Vietnamese players are good and some can play in higher-class tournaments abroad in South Korea and some other leagues in Asia like (Nguyễn Công) Phượng and Toàn of Hoàng Anh Gia Lai. They have showed their progress in terms of technique and physique.

“Personally I believe player No 9 Văn Toàn can play in the K.League 1. He really impresses me,” said Kim at the press-briefing on Thursday.

Toàn performed impressively in the first two matches of Hoàng Anh Gia Lai against Yokohama Marinos and Sydney FC. Although he did not score but made challenges to these teams’ defence and received praise from his coach Kiatisuk Senamuang.

Coach Kiatisuk also supported his players to go out if receiving an offer.

HCM City transport department makes major changes to plans, to link neighbouring provinces

The HCM City Department of Transport has updated transport plans for until 2040.

The changes include a new focus on public transport modes such as monorail, tram and bus rapid transit.

A proposed monorail or light rail transit (LRT) system will connect Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport’s terminals with metro route no 2 between Bến Thành Market in District 1 and Tham Lương in Củ Chi District, No 4 between Thạnh Xuân in District 12 to Hiệp Phước in Nhà Bè District, and No 5 from Tân Cảng in Bình Thạnh District to Cần Giuộc Station in Long An Province.

The department plans to develop an LRT system to link the airport with the Long Thành International Airport in Đồng Nai Province.

It also includes plans for a freight rail system connecting ports and depots in the city with ports in neighbouring countries.

HCM City to commemorate Reunification Day with housing project inaugurations

The National Reunification Day (April 30) commemoration this year will see HCM City organise ground-breaking ceremonies for several housing projects.

One of the ceremonies will be held April 25 to start construction of apartments for workers at the Linh Trung Export Processing Zone and Industrial Park in the eponymous ward, Thủ Đức City.

The project will cover an area of more than 5,000 square metres and will build 360 apartments.

On April 26, another ceremony will kick off construction of a housing apartment in the Nguyên Sơn housing area in Bình Hưng Commune, Bình Chánh District.

The 242 apartment project will cover an area of nearly 3,700 square metres.

A major social housing apartment complex with 726 units will take shape in Long Trường Ward, Thủ Đức City with a ground-breaking ceremony on April 27. The project will have an area of more than 14,300 square metres.

Yet another ground-breaking ceremony for a housing project will help the resettlement of residents at Lots IV-VI, Thanh Đa Residential Complex in Bình Thạnh District’s Ward 27. This complex will have 1,750 apartments.

The Reunification Day commemorations will also include a ceremony to announce the completion of renovations to a 176-unit apartment block on 251 Hoàng Văn Thụ Street in Tân Bình District.

Hanoi to open 28 bus routes this year

Hanoi has planned to launch 28 new bus routes this year to meet increased public transport demand.

The new routes in 2022 include the E02, E04, E06, E07, E08 and E09 bus routes, five routes that intersect with Metro Line 2A and 17 others that will be put into use in the third and fourth quarters.

To date, Hanoi has 136 bus routes in operation, including two electric bus routes E02 and E06. The city wants to launch between 90-100 new bus routes in the 2020-2025 period.

According to a representative from the Hanoi Transportation Corporation, the firm will focus on bringing bus routes to towns, communes, urban areas and industrial parks. More bus routes that interconnect Hanoi’s metro projects will also be opened.

Hanoi has set the goal of 30-35 percent of commuters using public transport by 2025.

Cargo ship collision threatens oil slick off Ninh Thuan

Two cargo ships collided off Phan Rang Bay in the southern coastal province of Ninh Thuan on April 20, threatening the bay with a possible oil spill.

The Ninh Thuan Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said on April 21 that it is co-ordinating with relevant authorities to urgently prevent an oil slick in Phan Rang Bay after a collision between two cargo ships.

According to the department, the collision occurred at around 11 pm on April 20 when the Hai Dat 36 carrying 2,500 tonnes of rice collided with the Phuc Tinh 26 carrying 3,200 tonnes of rolled steel sheet.

The accident damaged the Hai Dat 36’s bow, and caused the Phuc Tinh 26 to sink. Eight crew members on board Phuc Tinh fell into the sea but were fortunately rescued.

At the time of sinking, the cabin of Phuc Tinh 26 contained two tonnes of DO oil. The crew did not close the oil shut-off valve, so there is a risk of an oil spill.

After receiving the news, Nha Trang Port Authority instructed the Hai Dat 36 to bring the rescued crew to Cam Ranh. Border Guard Squadron 2 and Dong Hai Border Guard station (under the Ninh Thuan Border Guard Command) deployed forces and vehicles to the scene to prevent an oil spill.

Ponagar Temple Festival opens in Nha Trang city

The traditional Ponagar Temple Festival of the Cham ethnic people officially opened at the Ponagar Temple Relic Site in Nha Trang city, in the coastal province of Khanh Hoa, on April 21.

The festival is observed annually from the 20th day to the 23rd day of the third lunar month to commemorate the Goddess Yang Po Inu Nagar - the Holy Mother of the Cham community in the Southern Central region.

On the opening day of the festival, thousands of pilgrims in Khanh Hoa as well as from neighbouring localities including Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan and Gia Lai flocked to the main tower at the relic site to offer offerings to the Holy Mother.

This year’s festival will feature traditional rites such as clothes changing for the Holy Mother, the statue bathing rite, a ceremony to pray for peace and prosperity, and an incense offering.

The Ponagar Temple is located in Vinh Phuoc ward, Nha Trang city and was built and designed in the unique architecture of the Cham people over 1,200 years ago.

Vietnam football team meeting ticket price at SEA Games 31 up to US$22

The organizing board of the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) and the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) yesterday had a working session with Phu Tho Province on the upcoming men's football matches.

Accordingly, ticket prices for men's football matches at the group stage were also released with three denominations as follows VND200,000 (US$9), VND300,000 (US$13) and VND500,000 (nearly US$22).

As planned, VFF will issue around 16,000 tickets along with 2,000 tickets for invited guests. In case the U23 Vietnam men’s national football team enters the semi-finals, the match is expected to take place at Viet Tri Stadium at 7 p.m. on May 19 and tickets for the match will be sold with three denominations of VND300,000 (US$13), VND400,000 (US$17) and VND600,000 (US$26).

Men's football matches shall be taken place from May 6 to May 22 with the participation of 10 teams. The U23 Vietnam team is listed the Group A which will compete in Viet Tri Station with Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines and Timor Leste.

Korean Cultural Days held in Quang Nam

Korean Cultural Days kicked off in the central province of Quang Nam on April 22, with various activities promoting culture and cuisines of the Republic of Korea (RoK).

The event, jointly held by the provincial People’s Committee, the RoK Embassy and the Korean Cultural Centre in Vietnam, forms part of the activities within the 2022 National Tourism Year with Quang Nam province as the host.

Since 2017, Quang Nam's Hoi An ancient town, recognised by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site, has been chosen to host Korean Cultural Days.

The highlight of this year’s event is the traditional costume show promoting Ao Dai of Vietnam and Hanbok of the RoK, slated for April 22 night.

There will be a market fair, folk games and other cultural activities on April 22 and 23, along with a taekwondo performance and Kpop dance staged by local students.

Hoi An has also organised tours around the ancient town, craft villages and tourist destinations in the locality to promote its history and culture to domestic and foreign visitors.

The event will last until April 23.

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